The second trimester is often considered the “Honeymoon Phase” of pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean this trimester doesn’t come with its own set of fun symptoms. Along with persistent symptoms from the first trimester, the second trimester may leave you dealing with new issues that come along with a changing body and growing babe. Luckily, Doctors of Physical Therapy are here to help you address and manage these symptoms throughout!
Here are only a few of the many symptoms that a PT can help with during the second trimester of pregnancy:
Stiffness
With the growing fetus and uterus placing a new strain, especially on the spine and abdomen, stiffness is bound to happen. This can be especially bad in the morning or after a long day at work, especially if you have a desk job. Physical therapy can teach movements that provide your joints the necessary nutrition to keep them from feeling stiff and stuck and stretches to keep your muscles from feeling too tight.
Difficulty Sleeping
Although everyone gives pregnant women the unsolicited advice to “sleep while you still can”, many pregnant women start having difficulty sleeping early on in their pregnancy. This is extremely common but that doesn’t mean there are not ways to improve your sleep to allow your body and mind the essential rest they require. Physical therapy can help to address sleep routines, relaxation strategies, comfortable sleep positioning, and more to help you get more restful sleep.
Sciatica Pain
The increasing laxity of our tissues along with the increasing pressure from the increased blood flow and weight gain can often times lead to pain or numbness/tingling sensations down the leg, which we commonly refer to as sciatica. This pain can be originating at a few different places and not only can a physical therapist help to identify the origin of the pain but we can help to relieve this pain and teach you strategies to prevent and get rid of this pain in the future.
Carpal Tunnel Pain
With all the increasing pressures, carpal tunnel is also a common symptom among pregnant women. This may present as wrist pain or numbness and tingling through the palm of the hand and fingers. Similarly to sciatic pain, this may be originating from a few places as is the case with most nerve pains. Physical therapy can identify the origin of your pain, relieve these symptoms, and provide you strategies to relieve this pain in the future. Motherhood often requires a significant increase in the use and demand on the wrists throughout the day so addressing these pains early can ease some of the stress when that precious baby arrives.
Pregnancy can be a challenging time for the mind and body, but this doesn’t mean you need to settle for living with pain and symptoms that are interfering with your ability to care for yourself and your little one. Thankfully, there are so many medical professionals that are here to help and be part of your pregnancy team. Call today to let Life Changes Physical Therapy be a part of your pregnancy team!