Reclaiming Fitness and Wellness: The Role of Physical Therapy in Post-Cesarean Section Recovery

By Dr. Erica Chamberlain, PT, DPT of Lumina Pelvic Health

Physical therapy can contribute to your recovery and well-being during the postpartum period, especially if you've undergone a cesarean section. Physical therapy can be helpful with regaining strength while protecting healing, decreasing abdominal wall separation, alleviating discomfort, improving scar tissue mobilization, helping you move properly, and promoting a smooth transition into your body after pregnancy and post-surgery.

What is a Cesarean Section, and How Can It Impact My Recovery?

A cesarean section (c-section) is a major abdominal surgery that results in physical challenges such as weakened abdominal muscles, scar tissue, and altered posture. Protecting the surgical site and rest is essential to allow healing to occur six weeks after delivery. There are gentle interventions and educational items during your early stages of healing. Strengthening, internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment, and scar massage can occur after clearance from your medical doctor. Physical therapy can tailor a customized home exercise program and treatment to address these matters, facilitating a holistic recovery.

What are the Benefits of Physical Therapy After Pregnancy and C-Section?

● Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: The pelvic floor helps stabilize and support the growth of your baby during the pregnancy and can undergo additional stress during a c-section. In physical therapy, we teach you how to restore your pelvic floor's strength and function and aid in bladder and bowel symptoms such as incontinence, urgency, prolapse, and pelvic symptoms and pain.

● Core Approximation and Strength Restoration: About 4-6 weeks postoperative, the abdominal wall is gradually healing, which can make rolling in bed, sitting up from a soft or low surface, and picking up/holding your baby challenging due to weakness. Targeted exercises help rebuild core strength, decrease abdominal wall separation (diastasis recti), and address abdominal muscle weakness to promote stability—essential for daily activities and caring for your newborn.

● Scar Tissue: Skilled physical therapists employ specialized techniques to address and reduce scar tissue formation, promoting optimal healing and minimizing adhesions.

● Postural Re-Education: During pregnancy, posture alters to accommodate the baby's growth. Physical therapy can help correct postural-related muscle imbalances and teach optimal body mechanics to help with lifting, carrying, and nursing posturing to protect and restore movement.

● Mind-Body Connection and Breathing: Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation are integrated into physical therapy sessions, promoting a positive mind-body connection crucial for overall well-being and healing.

● Managing New or Pre-existing Pain: Through various skilled techniques, including a combination of stretches, exercises, and manual therapy, physical therapy can effectively manage postoperative, pregnancy-related, or prior pain and discomfort, allowing you to move more freely.

What Can I Expect from Physical Therapy?

As every individual has a different story and presentation, a thorough assessment allows for developing a personalized rehabilitation plan, considering your unique needs and recovery timeline. You will be given customized home exercise programs throughout your rehabilitation to enhance strength, mobility, flexibility, and endurance, promoting a gradual return to pre-pregnancy activity levels. Invest in your well-being and recovery, and celebrate parenthood's strength with expert pelvic floor physical therapists' guidance. Start your journey to reclaiming wellness now!

Learn more about Dr. Erica Chamberlain and her work at Lumina Pelvic Health