Had a C-Section? Your Pelvic Floor Still Deserves Care
TL;DR
We answer a common question: yes, people who had a C-section still benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy. Pregnancy affects the pelvic floor either way, and a C-section is major abdominal surgery. It lists common problems, such as leakage, scar issues, back pain, and painful intercourse, and ways a pelvic floor PT can help. It adds that it is never too late to start.
You had a baby! Congratulations! Oftentimes we get the question, “I had a c-section, do I still need pelvic floor physical therapy?”. The answer is a most definite yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy is not limited to vaginal births. C-sections may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy as a vaginal birth. No matter how you gave birth, pregnancy affects the pelvic floor muscles. Also, you had a major abdominal surgery so rehab to the core and pelvic floor are incredibly important.
First, let’s go over some concerns and symptoms that are common after a c-section:
- Abdominal pain, numbness, or tingling
- Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation), abdominal weakness
- Urinary or fecal leakage
- Low back pain and/or pelvic pain
- Pain with intercourse
These symptoms may be present due to muscle weakness, nerve irritation, muscle tightness, scar tissue, and/or hormone imbalances among other things.
Here are some of the ways a pelvic floor physical therapist can help:
- Re-training activation and coordination or the pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles
- Mobilizing and improve scar tissue restrictions including manual techniques, dry needling, and cupping
- Addressing bowel and bladder symptoms
- Posture education
- Lifting mechanics
- Education on pressure management
It is never too late to begin rehabbing your body following a c-section whether it has been years or more recent. Schedule now to begin the journey of rehabbing your body and feeling more like yourself again while enjoying motherhood.
