How Physiotherapy Helped Me Through My Pregnancy

This article is brought to you by the Australian Physiotherapy Association

During pregnancy a woman’s body goes through a lot of changes. With hormonal fluctuations, stretching and weight gain, there is also the possibility of muscle strains and injuries.

When I was pregnant with my first child I experienced pelvic girdle pain, which resulted in severe pain in my sacro iliac joints and my pubic bones at the front. Luckily for me my obstetrician worked closely with a physiotherapist who specialised in women’s health and prenatal care.

She helped me to manage my pain throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

Most Australians, regardless of whether they have injured themselves or are wanting to seek health advice or management of an injury will see a GP as their first port of call.

Then, quite often, that doctor will refer the patient to a physiotherapist. In fact, GPs refer more patients to physiotherapists than to any other health professional but, it’s important to know that an official referral is not necessary. Anyone can visit a physiotherapist.

One reason why GP’s work closely with physiotherapists is because physiotherapy is based on scientific evidence. The profession has been around for more than 100 years, so there has been  a lot of research, development and ongoing advances in the profession and treatments offered.

To qualify to practice, physiotherapists must undertake rigorous tertiary and professional education and training. They are also required by law to be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which means that they work in a highly regulated industry, where patient safety is paramount.

Physios can also help with all sorts of conditions – treating crook backs and sports injuries of course, but also things like arthritis, incontinence, diabetes, asthma and even headaches. Anyone can benefit from seeing a physiotherapist: young or old, fit or challenged.

Continence and women’s health is also a key area of physiotherapy. It can help with issues related to pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, menopause, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

Physio is also great for children with developmental issues and bed wetting. And don’t forget blokes – physiotherapy supports men pre and post prostate surgery and a range of other men’s health conditions.

So next time you sustain an injury, experience muscle or joint  pain or would like an overall wellness check-up of your musculoskeletal health then why not contact your nearest physiotherapist to book an appointment?

Physiotherapy rebates are available through your private health care provider (subject to eligibility) and in some circumstances through Medicare.

For more information on how physiotherapy can help you or your family, visit www.choose.physio where you can find loads of really good information as well as physiotherapists in your area that are members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.