Pre and Postnatal Physiotherapy

We are passionate about screening for early signs of orthopedic and pelvic health dysfunction, helping you to prepare for labour and birthing, and facilitating your postpartum recovery! 

Prenatal Physiotherapy ServicesOur prenatal physiotherapy services include:

Education & exercise for pregnancy, labor and birthing and post-natal recovery
Orthopedic and pelvic health physiotherapy
Individualized exercise programs
Urban poling
Hypopressives
Return to run guidelines
Physioyoga
Yoga ball therapy
Cupping for abdominal scar tissue


Prenatal Physiotherapy Assessment

Our prenatal physiotherapy assessment includes screening for the following conditions:

  • Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain, low back and hip pain, neck, thoracic and shoulder pain
  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominus
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Pelvic floor muscle tension and weakness
  • The presence of scar tissue from previous perineal tears and episiotomities

The  prenatal assessment also aims to give you insights into:

  • how you breathe and regulate pressures
  • your abdominal wall tone and function
  • the ability of your pelvic floor muscles to function in a coordinated way with your abdominals and diaphragm, and  the ability of your pelvic floor muscles to support your pelvic organs against gravity
  • how well your transfer functional loads
  • your postural alignment

The prenatal physiotherapy initial assessment can be offered virtually through Telehealth or at the clinic at any time during your pregnancy. Depending on your needs, prenatal assessments that are done at the clinic may include an internal pelvic floor assessment.

Prenatal Physiotherapy Treatment

Prenatal physiotherapy treatment may include any of the following:

  • education regarding healthy bladder and bowel habits
  • pelvic floor muscle re-education (manual release of scar tissue and pelvic floor muscle tension and tightness, and exercises to promote improved coordination, relaxation, proprioception, and  strength)
  • breathing and postural re-education
  • abdominal toning and strengthening
  • specific muscle release exercises (manual, through breath and visualization, therawand, vaginal inserts, yoga balls)
  • the best cues that help you to connect to your core
  • specific exercises to coordinate the muscles of your core (diaphragm, pelvic floor, transversus abdominus, multifidus)
  • progressive functional loading and strengthening for tasks that are meaningful to you
  • education for labour & birthing (breathing, positions for labour, vocal toning, birthing resources)

Postnatal Physiotherapy Services

Our postnatal physiotherapy services include:

Screening for common pre and postnatal conditions including pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, diastasis rectus abdominus, perineal or episiotomy or c-section scar tissue, pelvic health conditions including incontinence and prolapse

Postnatal Physiotherapy Assessment

The postnatal physiotherapy assessment includes screening for the following conditions:

  • Pelvic girdle or low back pain
  • Diastasis Rectus Abdominus
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle tension and weakness
  • The presence of scar tissue from perineal tears, episiotomities or C-section scars
  • The presence of epidural-related scar tissue or tightness
  • The presence of neck, shoulder, and thoracic pain or weakness associated with breastfeeding, lifting and carrying your baby
  • Breast/chestfeeding conditions including blocked ducts

The  assessment also aims to give you insights into:

  • how you breathe and regulate pressures
  • your abdominal wall tone and function
  • the ability of your pelvic floor muscles to function in a coordinated way with your abdominals and diaphragm, and  the ability of your pelvic floor muscles to support your pelvic organs against gravity
  • how well your transfer functional loads
  • your postural alignment

Postnatal Physiotherapy Treatment

Postnatal physiotherapy treatment may include any of the following:

  • education regarding healthy bladder and bowel habits
  • manual release of scar tissue and areas of  pelvic floor muscle tension and tightness
  • pelvic floor muscle exercises to promote improved coordination, relaxation, proprioception, strength
  • breathing re-education
  • postural re-education, tips for babywearing &  bodymechanics and breastfeeding positioning
  • abdominal toning and strengthening
  • specific muscle release exercises
  • the best cues that help you to connect to your core
  • specific exercises to coordinate the muscles of your core (diaphragm, pelvic floor, transversus abdominus, multifidus)
  • progressive functional loading and strengthening
  • education regarding safe return to sports
  • ultrasound therapy for blocked ducts*
  • pessary fitting

*Please note that all physiotherapists in Ontario require a prescription from a physician or nurse care practitioner to perform ultrasound for a blocked duct.

We look forward to seeing you get back to doing the things you love!