Many women experience a decrease in physical activity during their pregnancies, due to their overall discomfort, in tandem with juggling their seemingly endless daily responsibilities of working hard and preparing for new life. Lack of physical activity can make pregnancies more difficult and can leave a mother’s body under-prepared for the strenuous birthing journey it is about to embark on.
Fortunately, Pilates is an easy and fun way to get the exercise you need while preparing for the arrival of your new little one. Contact Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX today to learn more and request an appointment!
How can Pilates help my pregnancy?
Pilates helps with improving strength and movement throughout the entire body. It has also been known to be used as a stress management technique, as well as a way to strengthen the joints and muscles. It helps with improving muscle performance, motor control, and reinforcing postural alignment. By focusing on the core, Pilates is able to amplify your center of balance and promote an even musculature throughout the body.
This is important during pregnancy because it is no secret that the body experiences many drastic changes while expecting. This includes postural adjustments, increased load on the pelvic floor, hormone increases, and stretching and thickening of the ligaments. 50-70% of pregnant women also experience chronic back pain during their pregnancies (defined as persistent pain lasting longer than 2-3 months) due to the changes in their center of gravity. Muscle weakness may also lead to urinary incontinence and difficulty activating core muscles.
Pilates can help ease the stresses that your body is currently going through and help it better prepare for birth. It focuses on the improvement of posture, flexibility, muscle strength, joint alignment, and nerve involvement. When these factors are all functioning in harmony at their peak levels, your stress, fatigue, and achiness will begin to subside.
Targeted Pilates exercises will ease your pregnancy. In addition, our licensed physical therapists can also help you with:
- Targeted stretches and strengthening exercises to help during pregnancy.
- Treatment plans for both before and after your baby is born.
- Increased health while pregnant.
- Preparing the body for an easier delivery process.
- Helping to manage or avoid certain issues that may arise during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes.
- Relieving lower back pain and joint pains that come with pregnancy.
- Regaining your strength after pregnancy, by working on the core and pelvic muscles to get back in shape.
What about post-partum pains?
Your body may likely experience a general weakness after delivery due to the stress and significant change that is placed on your body during the process. Pilates exercises can focus specifically on the core and pelvic regions of the body to help you bounce back as quickly as possible.
In some cases, women may experience diastasis recti with their delivery, also known as abdominal separation. Diastasis recti can interfere with strengthening the abdomen muscles and cause the belly to “pooch.”
Fortunately, through targeted core strengthening, Pilates can also help reverse this condition so you can get back to what matters most: caring for your new family member!
Learn more about Pilates in Bedford, TX
Pregnancy is hard work – and it’s okay to get some help. At Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX we are here to provide you with the help you need.
Are you interested in adding Pilates to your physical therapy treatment plan to allow for a smoother, more comfortable delivery? Do you want to get rid of those pregnancy-related aches and pains? Are you ready to get your body back after giving birth? If so, contact Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX today!
Contact us today to schedule your consultation with one of our caring and compassionate physical therapists – and we’ll help you get moving, mamas!
