Pre- & Postnatal Care
Pregnancy and the postpartum period place extraordinary demands on the body – and those demands are rarely addressed with the clinical attention they deserve.
What we treat
Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy is common. It is also, in most cases, highly treatable. At Akeso, our therapists are trained in prenatal and postnatal physiotherapy and understand exactly which structures are under load at each stage – and how to work with them safely and effectively.
During pregnancy
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The combination of hormonal changes, postural shift, and the sheer load of a growing baby makes lower back and pelvic girdle pain the most common musculoskeletal complaint in pregnancy. Targeted manual therapy and specific stabilisation exercises provide significant, fast-acting relief – and you do not have to simply endure it until the baby arrives.
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Pressure on the sciatic nerve during pregnancy can cause shooting pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg that makes sleeping, walking, and sitting genuinely difficult. We identify the source of the nerve irritation and treat it directly, rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.
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As the uterus expands and the ribcage flares to accommodate it, the thoracic spine and surrounding muscles come under increasing load – producing the upper back tightness and rib pain that many women accept as an unavoidable part of the third trimester. It is not unavoidable, and manual therapy addresses it effectively.
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Fluid retention and postural changes during pregnancy frequently compress the median nerve at the wrist, causing the tingling, numbness, and weakness characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. We manage symptoms conservatively with manual therapy, nerve mobilisation, and practical advice on positioning and activity modification.
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The sharp, stabbing groin or hip pain that catches expectant mothers off guard – particularly with sudden movements – is driven by the rapid stretching of the round ligaments and changing hip mechanics. We settle the irritation and give you specific guidance on the movements and positions that aggravate it.
Postnatal
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A C-section is major abdominal surgery, and scar tissue that is not properly mobilised can restrict movement, contribute to ongoing pelvic and lower back pain, and create fascial tension that affects function far beyond the incision site. We address the scar directly and rebuild the deep core system that the surgery has disrupted.
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Pressure on the sciatic nerve during pregnancy can cause shooting pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg that makes sleeping, walking, and sitting genuinely difficult. We identify the source of the nerve irritation and treat it directly, rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.
-
As the uterus expands and the ribcage flares to accommodate it, the thoracic spine and surrounding muscles come under increasing load – producing the upper back tightness and rib pain that many women accept as an unavoidable part of the third trimester. It is not unavoidable, and manual therapy addresses it effectively.
-
Fluid retention and postural changes during pregnancy frequently compress the median nerve at the wrist, causing the tingling, numbness, and weakness characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. We manage symptoms conservatively with manual therapy, nerve mobilisation, and practical advice on positioning and activity modification.
-
The sharp, stabbing groin or hip pain that catches expectant mothers off guard – particularly with sudden movements – is driven by the rapid stretching of the round ligaments and changing hip mechanics. We settle the irritation and give you specific guidance on the movements and positions that aggravate it.
How we treat it
Prenatal Sessions
Prenatal sessions are fully adapted to the stage of pregnancy – positioning, techniques, and exercise selection are adjusted trimester by trimester. We work within your obstetrician's guidance and communicate with your medical team where relevant.
Manual Therapy
Gentle, targeted soft tissue work and joint mobilisation to reduce pain and restore movement. Safe throughout pregnancy and adapted to each patient's presentation.
Core and pelvic floor rehabilitation
Particularly important postnatally. We assess function directly and build a programme that reconnects and strengthens the deep abdominal and pelvic floor system before adding any higher-load exercise.
Return to exercise
We clear patients for activity based on clinical assessment – not a fixed timeline. Returning to running, the gym, or sport too soon after birth (particularly post-Caesarean) is one of the most common causes of persistent pelvic and lower back problems. We get this right.