Are Crunches for Diastasis Recti Abdominus a Good Idea? Let’s Discuss. What does the most recent evidence say about the best exercises to rehab from DRA? Diastasis recti abdominis, more commonly seen as DRA, is an extremely common condition that occurs in almost 100% of pregnant women, and is still present in about 32% of […]
Exploring the clinical consequences of Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion Including its risk factors and current management strategies, including the role of pelvic floor physical therapy Levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion is a significant concern in obstetric care, particularly for women undergoing vaginal delivery. This condition involves a tear in the levator ani muscle, which plays a […]
Pregnancy is a time of significant physical and hormonal changes, and among the many hormones involved, Relaxin plays a crucial role. However, there’s a common misconception that Relaxin is responsible for pain during pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at what Relaxin does and why it doesn’t directly cause pain. What is Relaxin? Relaxin is […]
The pelvic floor is a crucial yet often overlooked part of our anatomy. It is a group of muscles akin to a hammock, starting from the pubic bone to the tailbone, which help to support our pelvic organs and contribute to overall core strength and stability. These muscles also act to control the opening and […]
Negotiating Physical Activity for Perinatal Mental Health Exercise is commonly prescribed as one method to help improve one’s mental health (Ekkekakis 2013, Hu et al 2020, Heissel et al., 2023, Stubbs et al 2018, Vella et al 2023). However, a major barrier to begin an exercise routine can often be lack of motivation and fatigue, […]
What are the “deep core muscles”? The “deep core” is a muscle group that acts to stabilize your spine. This muscle group consists of the diaphragm, the pelvic floor muscles, the transverse abdominis and the multifidi muscles. When properly engaged, your intra-abdominal pressure increases and improves stability in the core. Due to the connection to […]
What is symphysis pubis dysfunction (Lightning Crotch)? Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), also known as pubic symphysis dysfunction, anterior pelvic girdle pain, or lightning crotch, is a common musculoskeletal condition that is experienced by pregnant women and can vary from minor discomfort to severely debilitating pain. It is typically characterized by discomfort in the front pelvic […]
Learn These Simple Exercises For Pregnancy Related Carpal Tunnel Relief During pregnancy, swelling is a common occurrence. Swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles is common, but also the wrists and hands! Over time, this can cause compression, inflammation, and irritation of the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist (which is […]
What is Edema, and what causes swelling during pregnancy? During pregnancy, extra water and salt retention is one of the most common complaints and symptoms that occur during pregnancy– this is called edema. Edema happens as a result of a few different changes that occur in pregnancy: the growth of the baby as they put […]
Dr. Debbie Dy, PT, DPT Orthopedic Clinical Specialist/Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Once the exciting news of a new pregnancy is shared, it is common to get flooded with misinformation and “advice” from concerned family members regarding the safety of exercise during their pregnancy. Historically, it is common for people to be told to “take it […]
