Following childbirth new mothers can feel distressed about the changes they see in their bodies. The majority of these changes go away naturally, but some changes can persist. One commonly held belief is that childbirth permanently stretches and thereby “loosens” the vagina. Is a “loose vagina” a common consequence of…
The biological necessity for rapid growth during pregnancy creates unique physical demands on the pelvis. So it’s not surprising that many women experience some degree of discomfort or pain in their pelvis and/or low back during their pregnancies or soon after birth. It is estimated that nearly 70% of pregnant…
This article describes how to assess your pelvic floor and inner core muscles to see if you are ready for regular postnatal exercise. New mothers can be very motivated to return to regular exercise after pregnancy, and there are a lot of so called ‘postnatal exercise classes’ marketed to this…
There are many so-called postpartum exercise programs targeted at new moms; from yoga and Pilates, to run workshops, boot-camps, and weight-lifting classes. But when is it safe to return to exercise after pregnancy? New moms coming to terms with their postpartum physiques can be highly motivated to join classes or…
Tips for Healthy Physical Function in Babies No, your baby doesn’t need to hit the gym or the yoga studio! But babies do need to interact with their environments in specific ways to help establish healthy movement patterns. Establishing healthy movement patterns not only prevents physical delays and deficiencies, but…
Torticollis is a condition of the neck that arises when a major muscle called the sternocleidomastoid “SCM” becomes physically shortened or excessively contracted. This shortening creates tension that pulls the head and holds it in a fixed tilted position. In newborns, it is thought that torticollis occurs because of trauma…
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common disorder that arises due to compression of a nerve called the ‘median nerve’ at the wrist. The median nerve resides within the carpal tunnel (a ‘tunnel’ formed by the ‘carpal’ or wrist bones and a ligament of the wrist). This tunnel has very little…
De Quervain Syndrome / Tenosynovitis is a painful inflammation of the tendons at the thumb-side of the wrist, caused by a repetitive strain or overuse of the wrist or thumb. De Quervain Syndrome is commonly seen in new mothers (hence the name ‘Mommy Thumb’) as a result of the repetitive…
Breastfeeding issues can arise from problems affecting either the baby or the mother. One common problem for new moms is the development of plugged / blocked milk ducts. Plugged milk ducts can be painful and distressing. By following good practices you can both reduce your risk of plugged ducts, and…
