Do I need physical therapy after a c-section?
Although c-sections are somewhat common, there is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation around what c-section mama’s should expect and how they should manage their symptoms postpartum.
I want to start off by saying that a c-section is a major abdominal surgery, and should be treated as such. If you were to have surgery on your shoulder, knee, hip, or even your back, it is likely that your surgeon would prescribe physical therapy. Unfortunately, c-section mama’s are often given a short set of guidelines for managing pain immediately postpartum and otherwise left to think that any other postpartum symptoms they experience are “normal” or “expected”.
It is also a common myth that your pelvic floor is not affected if you have a c-section. Your pelvic floor was still involved in supporting your body throughout your pregnancy, some c-section moms push during labor and delivery and then need to have a c-section for medical reasons, and pelvic floor tension can build postpartum from scar tissue under your incision pulling on pelvic floor fascia.
This means that moms who have a c-section can experience all the same things postpartum that moms who have a vaginal birth may experience: back and hip pain, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary leaking, bowel dysfunction, diastasis recti, painful insertion or intercourse, etc.
There are so many things that physical therapy can help with after a c-section, including scar mobility, abdominal and pelvic floor strength and coordination, and addressing any urinary or bowel dysfunction you may be experiencing. C-section scars can also be sensitive or uncomfortable to touch, and physical therapy can help to desensitize the scar. Visceral manipulation can also be a helpful tool postpartum to encourage good organ mobility once your organs have shifted and settled.
If you have questions about the benefits of PT following a c-section, or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us at info@absolutekineticspt.com. If you want to learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy at Absolute Kinetics, click here.
Blog post written by Dr. Alexis Hutchison, PT, DPT, OCS
If you are planning or have recently had a c-section, check out our free c-section recovery tips PDF!