Is it possible to do physiotherapy during pregnancy: indications and contraindications

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Different types of physiotherapy are very successful in complex treatment. There are practically no contraindications to physiotherapy, and the procedures help to cope with the disease faster. During pregnancy, many drugs are prohibited, and it would seem that physiotherapy becomes a real salvation! But is it possible to do physical therapy during pregnancy? What procedures are allowed, which ones should be treated with caution? After reading the article, you will know the answers to these questions. We will also talk about indications for physiotherapy and contraindications.

When is physical therapy safe?

Physiotherapy during pregnancy is useful. It may be required not only in the event of obstetric pathologies and exacerbations of somatic diseases, but also in some infectious processes or the common cold. Physiotherapy during pregnancyin the early stages helps to fix the fetus, save it. If there is a threat of premature birth or miscarriage, then some procedures are often prescribed. During late pregnancy, physiotherapy prepares both the woman's body and the fetus for childbirth. As a result, physiotherapy is not dangerous at any time.

Destination

When can a doctor prescribe physical therapy?

1. In early pregnancy, sessions are scheduled in case of a threat of spontaneous miscarriage. Also, sessions prevent premature birth at a later date. So, physiotherapy during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester may be prescribed to avoid losing the baby.
2. In the first half of pregnancy, women often suffer from toxicosis. To alleviate the condition of the pregnant woman, a course of physiotherapy is prescribed.
3. Some women are overcome by gestosis - a condition similar to toxicosis, but appearing from the second half of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a dangerous pathology of pregnancy that threatens the life of not only the baby, but also the mother. Physiotherapy helps with preeclampsia.
4. At the end of pregnancy, starting from the fortieth week, women are prescribed courses to prepare the body for childbirth.
5. In acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, instead of drugs, it is better to prescribe a course of physiotherapy.
6. With intrauterine growth retardation of the baby.
7. With symphysiopathy - divergence of the pelvic bones. This pathology is often found in women with many children and in multiple pregnancies.
8. Physiotherapy also helps after childbirth - for the speedy healing of wounds: with perineal injuries and aftercaesarean section.
9. In the treatment of endometritis.
10. To improve intestinal motility after childbirth.
11. For uterine contraction after childbirth.

Efficiency

Some women are skeptical about physiotherapy during pregnancy, after it. Many people think that these are completely useless procedures that only take time. In fact, the effectiveness of physiotherapy has been proven. It is applicable not only in combination with medications, but also as an independent treatment in cases where drugs are contraindicated, for example, during pregnancy. What does the patient receive during the course?

• Reduce spasms and pain.
• Increase immunity.
• Improve circulation.
• Recovery is complete in the shortest possible time, especially if drugs were used in addition to physiotherapy.
• Reduce or stop taking drugs.
• No side effects.

Also, physiotherapy during pregnancy is also applicable for prevention. Women who attended physiotherapy during pregnancy experienced fewer complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and afterward.

Contraindications

Physiotherapy during pregnancy is completely safe only if there are no contraindications. The procedures are very effective and are prescribed for everyone who does not have:

• mental disorders;
• any intensity of uterine bleeding;
• oncological diseases.

If there are no contraindications, then physiotherapy will benefit at any time. You can also take a course after childbirth to reduce the risk of possible inflammation and restore strength faster.

Are all treatments safe?

There are a huge number of types of physiotherapy today. But not all of them will benefit future mothers, some should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a doctor. If you want to undergo a course of physiotherapy yourself, then first of all consult with a gynecologist leading your pregnancy.

Next, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with absolutely safe procedures and those that must be treated with caution.

Exposure to electric current

Physiotherapy during pregnancy by exposure to direct electric current is used very often. This procedure helps to significantly reduce the dosage of the prescribed medication. When exposed to current, medicinal substances penetrate tissues faster and better, which speeds up recovery.

Electrophoresis is often used for expectant mothers. Basically, this method is used to prevent miscarriage and premature birth. Magnesium is used as a treatment solution. Thus, magnesium ions act on the smooth muscles of the uterus, relieve its tone. This procedure is safe for both mother and baby.

Calcium electrophoresis is used in late pregnancy to prepare the woman andfetus for childbirth.

Endonasal electrophoresis, like galvanization, is used for severe toxicosis and preeclampsia. Galvanization is the transmission of a small amount of current through a woman's body. The procedure is safe and painless, you can only feel the dispersing heat and a slight tingling in the affected areas.

Electro-sleep is used for women with preeclampsia in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the pathology made itself felt by severe edema, high blood pressure and changes in indications not for the better in urine and blood tests.

barotherapy

The full course of barotherapy is 10 sessions. This therapy is prescribed in case of lagging intrauterine development of the baby. Barotherapy improves not only blood circulation, but also the formation of new blood vessels and tiny capillaries in the baby and in the placenta.

Barotherapy is the impact on the body of low or high atmospheric pressure. The procedure is safe for the expectant mother and fetus.

Massage

Massage is aimed at relaxing the ligaments and muscles, which is so important for pregnant women. A constantly growing belly causes pain in the lower back, fluid stagnation leads to discomfort in the legs and arms, goosebumps begin to run it can even cramp a muscle. Is it possible to do massage during pregnancy? It is possible, but only in certain areas - legs, arms, head, back of the head and neck. Massaging the back, especially in the second and last trimester, is absolutely impossible.

If we are talking about anti-cellulite massage,then the first thing to do is consult with a specialist, because such a procedure should be approached with extreme caution.

Other diseases and physiotherapy

Laser radiation, ultraviolet radiation and UHF-therapy are used in the complex treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis in pregnant women. The first type of procedure can be applied even independently at home.

Inhalations with drugs, electrophoresis and phonophoresis are applicable for relief during periods of exacerbation of bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Is it possible during pregnancy physiotherapy in the form of inhalations with a certain medicine, only a doctor will tell you. Even a simple saline solution is not used without consulting a prenatal gynecologist.

Types of physical therapy to be approached with caution

Despite the fact that prescribed types are described as safe, all should be approached carefully and only after examination by a gynecologist.

Therapies that are not recommended during the second and third trimesters include hydrotherapy and mud therapy. Until the end of the first trimester, such therapies should be used with extreme caution, assessing all possible risks.

But there are also types of physiotherapy that are completely contraindicated for expectant mothers. Fortunately, the list is small, but still every woman needs to know during pregnancy what can threaten her.

Magnetic Therapy

This physiotherapy is good because it relieves swelling, reduces pain, has anti-inflammatoryquality, has a sedative effect. It would seem that this is all that a pregnant woman needs! But not any exposure to a constant or alternating magnetic field is extremely contraindicated for expectant mothers and babies. Even small rings, bracelets for legs and arms cannot be used.

UHF therapy

It is not recommended to deal with diseases during pregnancy with this method. Microwaves that penetrate the body also penetrate the developing baby, and their effect on the small body has not yet been fully studied.

Cryotherapy

In no case should the impact of low temperatures on the body of a pregnant woman be allowed. This is not only known by every physician, but any woman in an interesting position should understand.

Some of the therapies prohibited during pregnancy will help to restore the female body faster after childbirth. But not a single procedure, even permitted during pregnancy, can be resorted to without special recommendations and instructions. The specialist will assess all possible risks, starting from the course of pregnancy, and will tell you whether it is possible to resort to certain procedures.