Pelvic Floor Pain; Dysfunction in Pregnant & Post-Partum Women

Change is a given when it comes to a woman’s body preparing for or recovering from a pregnancy. But sometimes, these physical changes, as well as the stress of delivery (either vaginal or via C-section) can lead to pain and dysfunction in the spine, pelvis, and hips. At Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine, our team offers a comprehensive list of services that are safe and effective for women at every stage of their motherhood, from expecting to post-partum.

Types of Pelvic Pain & Dysfunction in Women

Pregnant or post-partum women often experience a variety of pelvic floor symptoms including:

• urinary incontinence, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and dysuria (pain with urination)
• pain (often described as pressure or heaviness) in the vagina, rectum, or lower stomach
• pain while attempting to defecate (and often resultant constipation)
• dyspareunia (pain during sex)
• muscle spasms in the pelvis, hip, and legs

These changes often happen due to the physical strain induced by childbirth. During pregnancy, however, a woman’s body goes through hormonal and structural changes that allow her joints, ligaments, and tendons to be more lax and mobile in order to accommodate a growing fetus. This can lead to specific conditions including pubic symphysis dysfunction, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), and pelvic organ prolapse (in which organs such as the bladder and uterus droop down onto the vagina due to weakened pelvic floor muscles).

Aside from being frustrating and embarrassing for the woman, these pelvic dysfunctions can potentially impact the alignment of the fetus. Proper care of the pregnant mother is critical to prevent breech deliveries.

How Our Ramsey Pain Management Team Can Help Manage Your Pelvic Pain

A pregnant woman in need of physical rehabilitation and pain relief naturally will take into consideration the health and well-being of her growing child, as well. At our Ramsey pain management clinic, we’re proud to offer a wide range of services that can help mom while also being completely safe for baby:

• Physical therapy, which includes guided therapeutic exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, trunk muscles, and hip muscles, especially after birth
• Acupuncture, which can “reset” pain signals and trigger a variety of biological healing responses within the body
• Botox for pain in post-partum women, which can reduce pain, urinary incontinence, and other symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction

Pregnant or a New Mom? Let Our Ramsey Team Help You & Your Baby’s Health

Are you an expectant mother struggling with pain and dysfunction in your spine, pelvis, and hips? Did you recently welcome a child into the world and are now experiencing post-partum pain? If so, we invite you to call our Ramsey pain management team here at Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine. We’re offering Northern New Jersey the best of what non-surgical, orthopedic, and drug-free care has to offer expecting or new mothers. Call (201) 962-9199 today to schedule your initial appointment with Dr. Steven Ferrer, Dr. Kevin McElroy, or one of our experienced physical therapists.