Pregnancy in the time of a global pandemic: how can I access pelvic health physiotherapy if I can’t leave my house? (the answer: virtual sessions!)
It has been well established that if you are pregnant or if you have given birth recently, working with a pelvic health physiotherapist can be of great benefit. I have definitely noticed that folks who participate in a well-rounded pelvic health physiotherapy program prior to giving birth seem to have a much easier recovery period after delivery – enabling them to get back to feeling good more quickly! If you complete your prenatal physiotherapy program, you know what you are doing, so you can usually resume your exercises very soon after delivery, giving you a head start on your postpartum recovery. You can get started well before the usually-prescribed 6-week postpartum assessment.
In these turbulent times, in the midst of a global pandemic, when we are being asked not to leave our homes – how can we access pelvic health physiotherapy? You may be surprised to know that the majority of the work that I do with clients can easily be modified to an online model.
Most of the goals for pre- and postnatal physiotherapy can be reached by working with your physiotherapist through virtual sessions, even with no hands-on assessment or treatment! Here’s what we can work on:
Maximizing your physical comfort during pregnancy
Preparing for labour and delivery
Reducing the risk of symptoms commonly experienced during pregnancy and the postpartum period, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, painful sex, haemorrhoids, vulvar varicosities
Preventing common postnatal conditions such as wrist or neck strain
Balancing out the pelvic floor muscles and getting them working optimally with the other muscles of the inner core.
This is the perfect time to access prenatal and postnatal pelvic health physiotherapy without having to leave your house! I am now offering online sessions using Janeapp – the same system that many of you are familiar with from our work together. Janeapp is a secure platform, so we know that your information will be kept private. Most insurance companies in Ontario are now reimbursing for virtual care sessions, helping to provide greater access to physiotherapy.
Many of us are troubled and worried about our physical and financial security because of the consequences of this pandemic. I am feeling it too, and I am committed to helping as many people as I can. For that reason, I am currently offering a sliding scale for those who need.
Please contact me if you’d like to work together virtually, or if you have any questions. I have many ideas and strategies to share with you. Let’s work together.