Postpartum physical therapy
For people in the months after a birth, whether it was last week or last year.
After a birth your body keeps changing. A physical therapist starts where you are: how your stomach muscles, pelvic floor and back are working, and what to do about what you notice. The baby is welcome, and we plan around feeds and naps.
What we do
Check how your stomach muscles, pelvic floor and back work together
Show you gentle exercises to start with, and how to build on them
Plan a return to walking, lifting and running at your pace
Talk through scars, sitting and intimacy when you want to
This care is for you if
Leaking when you cough, laugh or lift
Your stomach feels soft or separated
A cesarean or tear scar still pulls or hurts
You want to run or lift again and are unsure where to start
What a visit looks like
How long
A first visit is about an hour with a physical therapist. Bring the questions on your mind, and the baby if you have one.
Who treats you
A physical therapist, from your first visit to your last. You can ask for Ayse, Nohemi or Yen by name.
What we do
We talk about your birth and how you feel now, look at how you move, and plan what to start with. The baby can feed or nap in the room.
What decides how many visits
How your body responds, what you want to be able to do, and how often you can practice at home. We talk it through and change the plan when you do.
- Chest pain, trouble breathing, a sudden severe headache or pain, new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a fall with a head injury needs emergency care now. Call 911.
Questions about this care
When can I start after the birth?
Ask your doctor or midwife when it is fine to start exercise. Many people come for a first visit earlier, to talk and plan, and begin exercises when they are cleared.
Can I bring my baby?
Yes. Bring the baby, a stroller or a car seat, and whatever you need to feed or change them. Another adult can come along too.
Do you offer video visits after the birth?
Yes, in the states where we are licensed. A video visit works well for check-ins and for talking through exercises.