Login
Register

Home

About Us

Diagnoses

Treatments

Classes

Resources

Media

Testimonials

Blog

Account

Heather Jeffcoat at Healthline
Register
Alina Hvostikova/Stocksy United

The following are some excerpts from an article on Healthline.com which quotes Heather Jeffcoat on a number of topics related to prenatal (and postpartum) joint pain. There is a link to the full article at the bottom.

Relieving joint pain during pregnancy

Joint pain is the worst, especially during pregnancy. But the good news is there are several safe ways to find relief.

Correct postural dysfunctions

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, owner of Femina Physical Therapy, says there are two places to start:

  • correcting postural dysfunction to reduce joint strain
  • ensuring adequate flexibility and strength around the affected joints

Beyond postural correction, she also recommends looking at what joints are under strain and developing a rehabilitation program specific to your needs.

First trimester exercise tips

During the first trimester, Jeffcoat says the first relaxin peak occurs around 8–12 weeks, making this is an especially vulnerable period for a pregnant person’s joints and the ligaments that support them. To help, she says strengthening and cardio exercises should be done in a controlled manner that avoids hyperextension of the joints to reduce the risk of injury.

She also recommends prepping your body for postural changes, starting with pelvic floor and deep core strengthening. The first trimester is an ideal time to learn how to do a pelvic brace, which you’ll use before performing any exercise throughout your pregnancy.

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground, about hip-width apart. Place your pelvis and low back into a “neutral” position. To find neutral position, make sure you’re resting on the back of your pelvis to create a very small space in your lower back (your back should not be pressed into the floor).
  2. Inhale to prepare, then exhale and perform a Kegel.
  3. Slightly draw the lower abs in with the Kegel. Inhale and relax the abs and pelvic floor. Exhale and repeat the contraction.

 

Continue reading by clicking here.

Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive
 

** This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. **

Products Related to This Topic

Heal Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein, MPT
Healing Painful Sex by Debrah Coady, MD
When Sex Hurts by Andrew Goldstein, MD

What They Say About Us

  • Testimonials

    • Testimonial by S.H., age 24

      I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me for the past 19 months. I literally could not have reached my goals without you and your practice. You gave me the courage to keep moving forth with my treatment no matter how afraid and anxious I was. You were always there to answer questions and made this whole process so much easier than I expected it to be. It's because of you that my marriage is on the right track, that I can get pregnant and that this part of my life is finally...

      Read more Testimonial by S.H., age 24

  • Testimonials

    • Testimonial by Mary L.

      I started seeing Heather to treat my Interstitial Cystitis in November 2016. At this time, I was extremely miserable, in constant pain, and felt as though no one was listening or understood what was going on with my body. I have just finished my last appointment and I can honestly say that my life has completely changed for the better because of Heather and her team of PTs! I live almost completely pain free, and when I do have flare ups, I am able to treat them at home on my own. I am so...

      Read more Testimonial by Mary L.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get access to our free downloads and a 15% discount on Heather's book "Sex Without Pain"!
captcha 
I agree with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy policy