Start Your Pelvic Health Journey
Published articles authored by Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, both in print and online.
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
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This article covers post-partum pelvic pain and the various reasons women experience it
International Journal of Childbirth Education. December 2008.
Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
You had the perfect pregnancy. Your delivery could not have been any better. At your six-week checkup, everything looks great. So, what’s with all the pain? Pelvic pain is an often neglected problem that many women experience after childbirth. However, when pain persists beyond the first few weeks, patients are often hesitant to mention it to their healthcare providers.
Read more: International Journal of Childbirth Education |...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
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Physical Therapy, Stretches, and Massage for Sciatic Pain, Hip Pain, and Pelvic Floor Misalignment
International Journal of Childbirth Education. September 2008
Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
Exercises for Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy
This article discusses exercises for lower back pain in pregnancy--It is a common problem but just doing a few exercises can help reduce the lower back pain in pregnancy. We know you have things to do and can't be slowed down by lower back pain! This aricle will give you helpful exercises to reduce your lower back pain in pregnancy and can be done postpartum as well.
Sciatic pain? Lower back pain? Hip pain? Any of these sound familiar? What can be done for these women suffering through one of the best times of their lives? So often the advice given is to “just get a massage.” Yes, massages feel WONDERFUL, but unfortunately many women find themselves $100 poorer (plus tip!) and still in pain several hours later. Why does this happen?
Massage techniques are essentially designed to reduce muscle spasm as well as manually stretch the muscles. But this type of treatment offers only symptomatic relief and does not always address the source of the pain. Women’s health physical therapy practitioners are trained to address the source of the pain and provide the pregnant patient with an appropriate treatment plan. Sometimes, this includes massage as a means to decrease the present muscle spasm. However, there are key exercises and education to provide your patients with that can also help so many of these women and oftentimes, prevent the pain from returning.
Read more: International Journal of Childbirth Education | Exercises...
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- Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
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Published Articles by Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
Articles on Vaginismus, Kegels, and More, Published Online and in Print
Web Publications
- LA Parent Magazine: Why You Should Be Doing Kegels Right Now
- Physical Therapy Products Online: Childbirth Injuries
- Baby Friendly LA: New Mom Back Pain
- Baby Friendly LA: Kegels Done Right
- Baby Friendly LA: Post Baby Six-Pack Help
- The American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health
Heather has also helped create content for the APTA that is currently published on their website and in brochures distributed around the country, including:
- American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - What to Expect on Your First Visit
- American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - Questions to Ask Your PT
- American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - What is a Kegel?
Additionally, Heather has numerous evidenced-based articles she has written for EBSCO Publishing, Inc. on various physical therapy related topics and continues to create content for them. She is also a sought-after expert on women’s health issues, such as pain during pregnancy, incontinence and pain during intercourse.
Print Publications
Women’s Health: Pregnancy and Beyond
Arroyo Monthly, page 14. August 2005.
