First of all, reflexology alongside other complementary therapies such as massage, shiatsu and aromatherapy are getting more and more popular within pregnant women globally.

Generally, reflexology is safe during pregnancy and has many benefits. However, it is very important to understand that it does not substitute usual medical care and advice given by your midwife. It should only be used to compliment whatever medical treatment or advice you are already receiving.

On the other hand, you should avoid having reflexology if you have a foot or hand fracture, unhealed wounds or active gout.

What are the benefits of reflexology during pregnancy?

Reflexology has several benefits for pregnant women. Those include:

• Prevention of preeclampsia (which is a condition that may cause high blood pressure during the late stages of pregnancy. If untreated it may result in serious health issues).

• Management of physiological symptoms such as vomiting, tenderness/swelling of breasts, fatigue, heartburn, constipation and more.

• Reduces cramp pain.

• Accelerating labour.

• Assisting with placental separation (when placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus).

• Helps to reduce anxiety.

• Helps with recovery after birth.

• Increase energy levels and helps with exhaustion

• Reduce stress level and post partum depression

How does reflexology work?

There are several points located at the bottom of your feet and palms. Each point is associated with different body parts and each of the points only influences that particular part. It ranges from heart to eyes to nerves obviously including the pelvis area too. Therefore, the treatment always focuses on the part of the foot which is linked to the body area which needs attention, which during pregnancy is the pelvic area. By stimulating that particular point, the body is able to enhance energy and blood circulation in the area of focus. Reflexology also promotes relaxation.  The ambience of the therapy room enhances it, too.

What to expect during the session?

Reflexology session usually lasts between 45 – 60 minutes depending on the therapist and the clinic you are booking your appointment at. During the session, you need to expose your feet or hands and lie on the massage table or a comfortable reflexology chair. We advise you to wear comfortable clothing, ideally gym wear.  Different practices may have some relaxing sounds or odours in the room which may enhance the benefit of the treatment. 

During the treatment a reflexologist will be pressing on specific areas in your feet and hands which are associated with different body organs and systems as mentioned above. The pressure applied is quite firm and can be painful at times. The level of pain can also be a good indicator about the area treated, for example, more pain equals an area being congested and needing more treatment. 

Does reflexology have any side effects?

As mentioned at the beginning, reflexology is generally a safe modality of alternative therapy. Hence, you should not expect to experience any major side effects apart from the usual feeling of tired, lightheaded, or emotional. 

Some practitioners may be reluctant to apply the treatment during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy as it may induce contractions

Does reflexology induce labour?

In the last weeks of pregnancy as your due date gets close to (week 37 – 40) or overdue( weeks 40+), Reflexology can help to release stress and anxiety in preparation for labour.  Many pregnant ladies book Reflexology in order to avoid birth induction. 

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

The post Reflexology during pregnancy: what you need to know appeared first on Perea Clinic.

Based on the information provided by experts on https://www.cvmus.com/vascular-conditions/may-thurner-syndrome, during pregnancy is possible that you may experience pain on your lower back and pelvic area (PGP or lower back and pelvic girdle pain), but don`t worry, you are not the only one; almost 20% of pregnant women experience pain or discomfort in the front or back of their pelvis during this period of time (ACPWH). This condition may also include musculoskeletal pain radiating to your thighs and perineum. For additional information and guidance visit Hinge Health. 

First, let’s have a quick view of the anatomy of the pelvic. The Pelvic girdle is a ring of bones around your body at the base of your spine. It consists of two sacroiliac joints (located at the back of the ring) and one symphysis pubis (located at the front). Normally during pregnancy your hormones take effect on the ligaments in the lower back and pelvis, thus getting more movement at these joints than normal. This is a natural process when your baby grows in the womb, and prepares your pelvis for childbirth. 

Causes of pelvic girdle pain 

PGP happens when the three joints move unevenly which can lead to the pelvic girdle becoming less stable. The change in the way you sit or stand, baby growth in the womb and the extra weight can put more strain on the pelvis, thus illicit pain. Lower back pain is normally a result of your changing posture due to a shift in your centre of gravity from your growing bump. Pelvic girdle pain usually resolves spontaneously after birth. The main symptom of PGP is pain (from mild to severe) and this can occur while walking; going up and down stairs; turning over in bed; putting on socks; getting in and out of the car and during intercourse. If you’re worried that this could worsen, you can have this checked at an OBGYN medical center.

Signs that you  may have PGP during pregnancy:

• If you have a previous history of low back pain.
• Increased number of previous pregnancies.
• If you Work with high physical demand.
• High body mass index
• Emotional distress
• smoking

Luckily, at the clinic we advised you with several ways of easing and managing PGP and lower back pain. Also, our physiotherapist and acupuncturist can help you to reduce severe pain with our personalised treatments (specially designed according to your needs). Depending on the cause of your pain we can help by formulating a treatment plan and advising you on exercises and stretching. Pregnancy Pilates can also help you manage this pain better by teaching you exercises to help position your baby in ways that are less strenuous on your body.

Tips to reduce  PGP

At the clinic, you can receive acupuncture or physiotherapy.  Pregnant ladies  who receive these treatments reported a highly reduction of pain.

• Exercising and stretching will lead you to improve your posture, muscular tone and flexibility, resulting in pain reduction and better performance of daily activities. We tailor an exercise routine for you.
• Wearing pelvic support garments may help you reduce pressure on this area.
• Avoid high heels because they change your posture.
• Reducing non-essential weight-bearing activities (e.g. climbing stairs, standing or walking for long periods of time).
• Avoid standing on one leg, for example you can sit down to get dressed.
• Avoiding movements involving hip abduction (e.g. be careful while getting in or out of vehicles, baths or squatting).
• You can apply heat to painful areas; it helps your muscles to relax.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. If you like this blog, please share!

We are always happy to help.

The post Lower back and Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) appeared first on Perea Clinic.

When you are pregnant there are a number of changes that occur to your body, some will have a direct effect on your pelvic floor muscles. The most obvious effect is the weight of your baby pressing down on these muscles, which may result in urinary leakage especially when exercising, coughing or sneezing.

Having strong pelvic floor muscles will help you to  minimise any leakage before and after your baby is born. The doctors from https://www.sydneyobstetricianclinic.com.au/ say that if you don’t experience urinary leakage during your pregnancy you are less likely to experience it after giving birth. A strong pelvic floor will also aid in a quicker recovery following the delivery of your baby by a natural birth. And the more familiar you are with your pelvic floor muscles the more able you are to relax it during the delivery of your baby.

Let’s have a closer look.

What are the pelvic floor muscles?

Pelvic floor muscles lie across the base of your pelvic.  They are responsible for keeping your bladders uterus and bowels in the right position. These groups of muscles stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone at the front to the coccyx at the back, and from side to side.

The pelvic floor muscles work together to help keep the bladder and bowel openings closed to prevent leakages (incontinence), and they relax to allow the bladder and bowel to empty.

The pelvic floor muscle in women also provide support for the baby during pregnancy and need to be relaxed during the birth

What is the role of the pelvic floor muscles?

It’s important to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong because they have a very important role in:

• Supporting your internal organs
• Supporting your back and pelvis
• Controlling your bladder and bowel function (incontinence)
• They help with sexual sensation and function
• They are involved in delivering your baby

How can I find my pelvic floor muscles?

To engage your pelvic floor muscle you have to imagine you are trying to stop yourself from passing wind then urine, this will give you the sensation that you are tightening from back to front around your vagina. You should feel your muscles lift up inside slightly.

Why are my pelvic floor muscles weak?

They can be weak for different reasons, the most common is pregnancy; but there are other causes such us:

• Lack of activity
• Constipation
• Overweight
• Persistent heavy lifting
• High impact exercise
• Persistent coughing
• Ageing

What can I do to improve the strength of my pelvic floor muscles?

They are like any other muscle of your body, you can make them stronger with regular exercise. Exercising your pelvic floor should be done at least three times a day. There are two exercises that you should complete, slow contractions and quick contractions.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Ideally you should lift and squeeze your pelvic floor and aim to hold for 10 seconds repeating 10 times. This should then be followed by 10 quick squeezes lasting for only a second each. Do not worry if this isn’t quite achievable to begin with, test yourself, and count how many seconds you can hold for and how many quick ones you can do and work to that level, each time try to build on the number of contractions.

Remember where your pelvic floor muscles are, if you can feel you are squeezing your gluts then you are not engaging your muscles correctly, you may need to visit a specialist physiotherapist.

In short, exercising your pelvic floor muscles will help you in all stages of your life, especially during pregnancy, if you have problems finding the correct muscles or you need specific exercises, please contact our physiotherapist, they will create a personalised exercising routine for you.

Pilates during pregnancy is excellent for targeting and strengthening back and pelvic floor muscles. Maintaining and conditioning your pelvic floor muscles is  crucial during and after pregnancy. In addition, if you are experiencing Vaginal looseness after giving birth, you may schedule a visit to a labiaplasty clinic for a vaginal rejuvenation procedure to regain your confidence.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help.

If you like this blog, please share!

The post Incontinence during pregnancy appeared first on Perea Clinic.

During pregnancy it is possible that you may experience pain on your lower back and pelvic area (PGP or lower back and pelvic girdle pain), but don’t worry, you are not the only one; almost 20% of pregnant women experience pain or discomfort in the front or back of their pelvis during this period of time (ACPWH). This condition may also include musculoskeletal pain radiating to your thighs and perineum. 

First, let’s have a quick view of the anatomy of the pelvic. The Pelvic girdle is a ring of bones around your body at the base of your spine. It consists of two sacroiliac joints (located at the back of the ring) and one symphysis pubis (located at the front). Normally during pregnancy your hormones take effect on the ligaments in the lower back and pelvis, thus getting more movement at these joints than normal. This is a natural process when your baby grows in the womb, and prepares your pelvis for child birth. 

Causes of pelvic girdle pain 

PGP happens when the three joints move unevenly, which can lead to the pelvic girdle becoming less stable. The change in the way you sit or stand, baby growth in the womb and the extra weight can put more strain on the pelvis, thus illicit pain. Lower back pain is normally a result of your changing posture due to a shift in your centre of gravity from your growing bump. Pelvic girdle pain usually resolves spontaneously after birth. The main symptom of PGP is pain (from mild to severe) and this can occur while walking, going up and down stairs, turning over in bed,  putting on socks, getting in and out of the car, during intercourse, and carelessness during the delivery process. In addition, if you think this pain is caused by a surgery, make sure to contact a medical malpractice lawyer or a personal injury attorney. A medical malpractice attorney and a wrongful death lawyer is a lawyer focused on helping patients who have been injured by a doctor or hospital while under their care, or worse, died from a surgery or medication prescribed by a doctor.

Signs that you  may have PGP during pregnancy:

• If you have previous history of low back pain.
• Increased number of previous pregnancies.
• If you Work with high physical demand.
• High body mass index
• Emotional distress
• smoking

Luckily, at the clinic we advised you with several ways of easing and managing PGP and lower back pain. Also, our physiotherapist and acupuncturist can help you to reduce severe pain with our personalised treatments (specially designed according to your needs). Depending on the cause of your pain we can help by formulating a treatment plan and advising you on exercises and stretching. Pregnancy Pilates can also help you managing this pain better by teaching you exercises to help position your baby in ways that are less strenuous on your body.

 Tips to reduce  PGP

At the clinic, you can receive acupuncture or physiotherapy.  Pregnant ladies  who receive these treatments reported a highly reduction of pain.

• Exercising and stretching will lead you to improve your posture, muscular tone and flexibility, resulting in pain reduction and better performance of daily activities, we tailor an exercise routine for you.
• Wearing pregnancy belts may help you reduce pressure on this area.
• Avoid high heels because they change your posture.
• Reducing non-essential weight-bearing activities (e.g. climbing stairs, standing or walking for long periods of time)
• Avoiding standing on one leg, for example you can sit down to get dressed.
• Avoiding movements involving hip abduction (e.g. be careful while getting in or out of vehicles, baths or squatting)
• You can apply heat to painful areas; it helps your muscles to relax.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help.

If you like this blog, please share!

The post How to reduce lower Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain! appeared first on Perea Clinic.