Postpartum Physical Therapy
Pelvic health physiotherapy tailored to those who are postpartum and looking for support after having their baby in the Durham, NC community and beyond.
Whether you are newly postpartum or it has been year since your last baby was born, postpartum physical therapy can help support you get back to feeling and performing at your best.
These sessions focus helping you recover well after birth and get back to whatever activities you enjoy. We can also address any symptoms that you may be experiencing - you do not need to live with symptoms just because you’re a mom.
What we can address in postpartum physical therapy:
Pain you may be experiencing: lower back pain, hip pain, abdominal pain, shoulder pain, neck pain
SI joint pain/instability and feeling generally “unstable” in your hip region
Diastasis and abdominal separation
Incontinence or constipation with activities, laughing, coughing, sneezing
Safe strengthening postpartum and returning to running, pilates, yoga, CrossFit, and more
General pelvic pain and discomfort
Prolapse and feelings of heaviness in the pelvic region
C-Section scar healing
Pain with returning to intercourse
…and more
To get started, click the button below to book your FREE discovery call with me. On the call, you can ask any questions you have as well as get a general idea of what treatment for you may look like.
Navigating your new body after pregnancy and birth is an experience you deserve support for and I’ve got you.
You don’t need to guess when it comes to healing after birth and returning to activities that you enjoy. Pelvic PT postpartum women can help you avoid prolonged pain, return to activities without pelvic symptoms like leaking, heaviness, and pain, heal your body in the best way after birth, return to intercourse without pain, and provide a space for you to get your questions answered about the experience you are having.
What to expect at Durham Pelvic
My approach is designed to give you the best results in the most efficient way. Each session is 60 minutes long and one-on-one with me. You will not be passed off to a different therapist each session.
This means that we’re able to develop and refine your specific treatment plan. This way, what we’re doing in therapy is always helping you get to the goal that we’ve set together. No sessions or time wasted and always time to discuss any changes and updates that need to be made.
My approach is a blend of manual techniques and exercise and is tailored to your needs, always.
Have more questions or want to get started? Schedule a FREE 15-minute discovery call with me to chat about what symptoms you’re having and how Durham pelvic can help you.
Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Breakdown
After birth, returning to pelvic floor physical therapy can help with recovery, general wellness support, and returning to exercise safely. When it would be best for you return to pelvic floor physical therapy in your postpartum journey can be determined and planned prior to birth.
Once you’ve had a baby, you’re always postpartum. Postpartum physical therapy is for those who are newly postpartum or those who had a child or children years ago.
Here are some of the most common things that I treat and help my postpartum patients with:
Diastasis recovery: Even though abdominal separation is necessary, sometimes it takes a little targeted therapy to help the muscles return to a resting position without an excessive gap down the middle, between the muscles.
C-section scar recovery: If you have a cesarian section, we can work on scar mobility, decreasing scar sensitivity, strategies for going about daily living tasks without aggravating the area, decreasing pain, and return to exercise safely.
Prolapse: Sometimes patients will be diagnosed with a prolapse after they give birth. In pelvic therapy, we can work on decreasing the prolapse severity as well as mitigating symptoms like heaviness and pain.
Leaking: While it is very common to leak post-birth due to excessive relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and poor coordination of the abdominal muscles and core region as a whole, leaking during coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running, lifting, and more is something we can work on in therapy so you can go on living without feeling like you need to avoid trampolines, running with your kids, and jump roping.
Pelvic Pain: It’s not uncommon to have some pelvic pain after birth. While time will help with this recovery, there are techniques we can utilize in session to decrease the pelvic muscle sensitivity and pain.
Return to exercise: Whether you are an avid runner, lifter, cyclist, or weekend warrior, know that returning to exercise postpartum can be a journey that we can collaborate on so that you do so safely and with maximal control and coordination. During pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of changes and the postpartum period can be a super difficult relearning period while your body recovers. With that, it’s important to focus on figuring out where your current limits/boundaries are and then slowly progressing back to what you were doing pre-baby.
Pain with intercourse: If you are experiencing pain with intercourse after birth, we can determine new strategies to make intimacy enjoyable again which may include pelvic floor muscle relaxation, manual techniques to help with muscle tone, and positional strategies to avoid areas that are sensitive with a goal of getting back to pain-free intercourse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Postpartum Pelvic PT
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Postpartum pelvic PT helps you recover from the physical changes and demands that come with pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and function in the core, pelvic floor, and surrounding areas, to support your long-term health and daily movement.
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You can typically begin pelvic PT as early as 4–6 weeks postpartum after being cleared by your medical provider. But it's never too late. Whether you gave birth 6 weeks ago or 6 years ago, pelvic PT can still help address symptoms or support your goals for returning to life symptom-free after the baby is born.
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Postpartum pelvic PT can help with:
Pain with intercourse
Urinary leaking or urgency
Pelvic, low back, SI joint, or tailbone pain
Prolapse symptoms
Diastasis recti or core weakness
Pain with exercising or daily activity
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Absolutely. Whether you delivered vaginally or via C-section, you can benefit from pelvic PT. I address scar tissue, core reconnection, and movement patterns that support full-body recovery.
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Of course. Your baby is always welcome during sessions.
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Nope! Many people come in even when they feel “fine,” because they want to prevent future issues or return to exercise safely. Pelvic PT can support healing, prepare you for future pregnancies, or help you feel confident lifting, running, and moving again.
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Nope! You do not need a referral to begin physical therapy postpartum.
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No. Internal exams are a helpful tool for assessing pelvic floor function, but they are always optional. We’ll discuss everything ahead of time, and you get to choose what feels right for you. Your comfort and consent are always my priority.
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Yes. Hormonal changes while breastfeeding can affect tissue healing and pelvic floor function, but pelvic PT can still be extremely beneficial. We’ll assess where you’re at and adjust exercises or manual techniques as needed.
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Definitely. Postpartum pelvic PT helps prepare your body for future pregnancies by restoring strength, improving recovery, and addressing pain or dysfunction now, so you can go into your next pregnancy feeling stronger and more confident.
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Absolutely. Many postpartum people like to get a “pelvic floor check-up” even if nothing feels wrong. Think of it like an annual dental visit or eye exam. Preventative care that gives you peace of mind and keeps you ahead of any future issues.
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Absolutely. I specialize in helping you bridge the gap between healing and athletic goals. Whether you're a runner, CrossFitter, or just love group fitness classes, I’ll guide you through safe progressions to rebuild strength, reduce the risk of injury, and return to movement without fear.
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If you're experiencing any of the following when you try to exercise, pelvic PT can help:
Leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, or jumping
Pelvic heaviness or pressure
Pain in your back, hips, pelvis, or abdomen
Bulging in the abdomen (diastasis recti)
Feeling weak or unstable in your core or pelvic area
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While common, these issues aren’t normal and don’t need to be ignored. Pain, leaking, or pressure during exercise are signs your body needs more support. Pelvic PT can help you address the root cause so you can return to movement without pushing through symptoms.
