Intuitive Hands Physical Therapy

Post Partum Pain- What happens in a treatment session?

Lynn Leech — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:15:40 +0000

Did you have a difficult delivery, leaving you in pain?

Here’s what to expect during a session if you come to see me.

By listening to the motion of the bladder and uterus I can tell if there are any restrictions acting on these organs. We have connective tissues that run from our bladder and around the uterus to the sacrum. Any restrictions in this connective tissue chain can cause the organs not to move properly and the sacrum can get stuck. If you had a c-section, scar tissue may be causing these organs not to move as freely as they should and possibly pulling on the sacrum. When these tissues get released by doing some gentle soft tissue mobilization everything in the pelvis feels more relaxed and can find their normal positioning.

The pelvic floor tissues are the last area to be assessed. Using just a gloved finger I assess to see if any of your pelvic floor muscles have any increased tone or “knots” in them and also check to see if any scar tissue from tearing or episiotomies might be limiting mobility in these tissues. The pelvic floor muscles can act as an anchor on the sacrum and not allow it to move freely like it should. If you’ve had your sacroiliac joint (SIJ) mobilized and it remains stuck you need to have your pelvic floor muscles assessed. No amount of manipulation of the SIJ is going to help if your pelvic floor muscles are tight on one or both sided. There are not any exercises or things you can do to release these muscles yourself. Gentle soft tissue mobilization by a trained physical therapist is the only thing that will help to release these muscles and tissues.

To set up an appointment for an assessment please call Lynn Leech, PT at 303-845-0604.

Pregnancy related Pain- What happens in a treatment session?

Lynn Leech — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:09:16 +0000

Do you have Back Pain with Pregnancy?

“If I come to see you, what do you do?”, you may ask. Let me explain:

Each session starts by looking at your posture in standing, feeling for where your body is holding tension and how that is affecting your body’s structure. I always check in with the sacrum and the pelvic alignment as that can tell me a lot about what structures might be tight. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy and if you can lie on your back I then have you lay down on the table. By lifting your legs at the ankles I use your limbs like a divining rod to get a sense of where there is tension in your body. I also check to see if your legs are equal in length. Pelvic alignment is rechecked to see what position your ilial bones are in.
The majority of back pain in pregnancy is in the low back and may be caused by the sacroiliac joints. The sacrum is usually not in the correct position and can be that way because of restricted tissue mobility in your abdomen. We have connective tissues that run from our bladder and around the uterus to the sacrum. Any restrictions in this connective tissue chain can cause the sacrum to get stuck. If it is then I gently do a sacral release. I will then check to see if your uterus has normal mobility on each side. It is somewhat common to find one side tighter than the other. You may find your baby positioning itself off to one side or the other and they usually lay toward the restricted side. By freeing up these connective tissues and getting the sacrum back in proper alignment can relieve a lot of low back complaints in pregnancy. It is very important to have any low back pain issues addressed as soon as they develop. If the sacrum is stuck and not able to move properly it may not be able to fully open to allow the baby to descend through the birth canal thus putting you at greater risk for a c-section.

Make an appointment today by calling Lynn Leech, PT at 303-845-0604 to make sure your pelvis is in the right alignment for an easier labor.

Check out this fun Nutritious Video

Lynn Leech — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:22:39 +0000



Do you Leak Urine when you cough, laugh or sneeze?  Can you get to the toilet in time?
Lynn Leech — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:50:51 +0000
If you answered yes then you have Incontinence. 
Incontinence of urine is classified in 3 ways: Stress, Urge and Mixed. 
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is the loss of urine with activities like laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercising. There are many factors that can contribute to stress incontinence. The most common factor is the pelvic floor muscles being too weak to offer enough support to the bladder. With proper strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles and the transverse abdominus muscle you can learn to protect the bladder during times of increased activity. Most professionals just recommend you do Kegel’s or a pelvic floor contraction. But there’s more to it than that. First you need to make sure you CAN contract the pelvic floor muscles correctly. Most women don’t know how to do this correctly and end up using the wrong muscles. A women’s health physical therapist can teach you how to do it correctly. Secondly, you need to learn how to keep the pressures off the bladder and how to protect the bladder during activities of increased abdominal pressures. Kegels’ alone are not the answer to stress incontinence. A couple of sessions with a skilled physical therapist can teach you everything you need to help you with your bladder issues.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is when you have the urge to urinate and you can’t make it to the toilet in time. The cause of this type of incontinence can have multiple factors. There may be some mechanical issues, a neurological issue or both. A physical therapist can help you learn several ways to control your bladder and make it to the toilet in time.
Mixed Incontinence
This is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence. 
If you have any of the above issues make sure you talk to your doctor about having physical therapy as part of your treatment plan.

At Intuitive Hands Physical Therapy we can help you if you have these issues and educate you on how to prevent and cure them as well.

Call us today at 303-845-0604

         


Do you have pain with sex?
Lynn Leech — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:31:20 +0000
You may be shocked to be asked this question but it is more common than you think.  Women usually don’t talk about it.  The reason I ask is because a physical therapist that specializes in women’s health may be able to help you.  
Pain with Intercourse
Typically there are two types of pain with intercourse, pain with insertion and/or pain with deep thrusting.  
Pain with insertion may be caused from tightness in the pelvic floor tissues.  Just like our shoulders can get a “knot” in them, the pelvic floor muscles can also develop increased tension that can cause low back pain along with painful intercourse.  Any tearing during childbirth creates scar tissue which can also inhibit the movement and stretching of the pelvic floor tissues to allow for penetration.   A couple of sessions of physical therapy can help to free up and relax the pelvic floor tissues to allow for more enjoyment during intercourse.  
Deep thrusting pain may be contributed to the lack of motion of the cervix and uterus.  If the uterus isn’t able to move from adhesions or scarring from surgery or a seatbelt injury every time the penis hits the organ it will create pain.  All the organs in our pelvis need to have free mobility or deep thrusting may be painful.  A physical therapist trained in visceral manipulation should be able to help you free up your pelvic organs so deep penetration pain is no longer a concern.
Sex does not have to hurt and can be pleasurable again.  Contact Lynn Leech, PT for an evaluation of your condition today.  303-845-0604  

         


Kegel’s during Pregnancy, Good or Bad? and How do I do them?
Lynn Leech — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:57:23 +0000
To prevent urine leakage during and after pregnancy, experts recommend Kegel exercises – contracting the pelvic-floor muscles several times a day.  But some doctors have worried that Kegels might strengthen the pelvic floor so much that it becomes less elastic, making delivery harder. A study of nearly 19,000 women shows those fears to be unfounded.  Women who did Kegels were no more likely to suffer tears during delivery or to need a C-section.

~S.R. Obstetrics & Gynecology
Strong supple muscles are the best to have when you deliver.  Throughout your pregnancy, work on strengthening them and then in the third trimester, work on stretching them.  
But do you know how to do a Kegel correctly?  
A lot of women are actually contracting their gluteal , or butt muscles when trying to contract their pelvic floor muscles.  One way to isolate the pelvic floor muscle is to sit with your legs wide apart and lean forward, elbows on your thighs.  Think about lifting the muscles from your tailbone to your pubic bone up and inside of you.  Being in this forward bent, legs apart position inhibits the gluteals from firing.  Nothing in your body should be moving.  When you do a Kegel correctly, no one should know you are doing anything.  
Another way to find your pelvic floor muscles is to try and stop the flow of urine.  When you stop the flow, pay attention to what muscles are working to make it happen.  Those are your pelvic floor muscles.  Do not stop the flow of urine often as this is just a way to see how strong the muscles are and how to properly contract them.
Ways to stretch out the pelvic floor muscles for delivery involve doing squats.  With your feel flat on the floor, try squatting down and bring your butt down close to the floor.  In this position, try bulging out your pelvic floor muscles VERY GENTLY!!  This position stretches the hips, pelvis and pelvic floor area.  Make sure to bulge very gently as you don’t want to push too hard.

         


Leech’s Holiday Greetings 2009
Lynn Leech — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:45:12 +0000
Quick, let’s hurry, we’ve got lots to do

Buying presents, visiting family and a trip to take too.

We’re squeezing a trip in December, to Panama we’ll go

Back in time for Christmas in St. Louis to be with family and Mary Jo.
Lynn’s father passed away this summer in June

A long fight with a bad heart, he left us all too soon.

He gave it his all, wanting to stick around longer

But there was nothing to do to make his heart stronger.
So our first Christmas without him, it’s going to be strange,

I guess the only thing constant in life is change!

So this year we’ve said good bye to one family member

And we’ve gained a 4 legged one the beginning of September.
Not to feel left out we named him Ashtin

So he fits in quite nicely with Austin and Justin!

Our friend teased us jokingly and said with a grin

To get them all running just yell out “JAUSHTIN!”
Cary’s work is going well, busy as can be

Slows down a bit in December so we took advantage to flee.

He loves selling solar and the industry is great

If only the utilities would increase their rate! 
Lynn’s’ work is picking up, working in a clinic twice a week

And giving seminars to post partum woman at a maternity boutique

Helping women strengthen their tummies and improve their physique

Seems to be the niche in Boulder she is finding unique.
We still love the Rocky Mountains, exploring on foot and on bike

We still have to bribe the kids to get them out on a hike.

But once they are out there in heaven they sure are

Exploring the great outdoors, climbing rocks near and far.
The boys are doing great, stellar students in school

They are loving the new neighborhood cause it has a pool.

Yes we moved once again and are still renting for now

We’ll see what comes next year and what the economy will allow.
So time to get the gifts wrapped and start all the packing

I’m glad I got this poem done cause time is a lacking.

It’s so much fun sharing with you our yearly review

Please make note of our new address so we can hear from you.
Since this letter is coming early and you have time to enjoy the season

Please make sure you remember that LOVE is the reason

We are all sharing this time with friends and family near and far

So the best way to live this holiday is with hearts that are ajar!
So Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings we send you good cheer

As we enjoy this Christmas season and say good bye to this year.

May the LOVE and JOY of this season ring in your hearts once again

And let us spread that to EVERYONE throughout 2010.
With Love and Joy,

The Leech’s

Cary, Lynn, Austin, Justin and Ashtin
1341 Carnation Circle

Longmont, CO  80503

Home Phone:  303-834-9090

Email’s:  lleechpt@comcast.net, ajventures@comcast.net

Cell’s  Lynn 303-845-0604,  Cary  303-261-6797

         


RESUMING EXERCISE AFTER DELIVERY?  PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
Lynn Leech — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:43:54 +0000
Most new moms are ready to shed those extra pounds and jump right back into their prepregnancy workouts right after giving birth.  With all the changes that have happened to your body in the last 9 months doing what you did before getting pregnant might not be the smartest and safest thing for your body.  Certain exercises can cause long term problems for your body.   Knowing what exercises are safe to do and which are harmful is very important after having your baby.
3 Issues you want to Avoid when Resuming Exercise After Delivery
There are 3 major issues you might encounter if you are not careful with exercising immediately after giving birth.  You are at risk for low back strain, bladder or uterine prolapse (falling out of your vagina) and diastasis recti- a separation of your rectus abdominus muscle, known as the six-pack muscle.   
Low Back Strain/Pain
Our core muscles in our body are made up of 3 muscles, the transverse abdominus, the pelvic floor and the multifidus muscle.  Two of these muscles have been completely stretched to the brink from your pregnancy, the tranverse abdominus muscle and your pelvic floor muscles.  The transverse abdominus muscle runs from your spine in the back around to the front and attaches into the rectus abdominus or the six pack muscle.  It acts like a corset supporting your low back area.  Remember how stretched out this muscle was with your pregnant belly?  If you don’t do any strengthening of this muscle and just let it be it will shrink back but the strength will never come back unless you exercise it.  So your pregnancy loosened the corset around your back and pelvis and you don’t have the support you had prior to pregnancy.  So your first order of exercise should be to re-strengthen your transverse abdominus muscle and your pelvic floor muscles. 
Prolapsing of your Bladder or Uterus
The pelvic floor muscles have also been stretched and are weak from childbirth.  They run from the pubic bone in front and attach to the tailbone in back and act like a hammock that supports the bladder, uterus and rectum.  One of the main roles of the pelvic floor muscles is to help support our pelvic organs.    These organs are also supported by ligaments.  If these ligaments get stretched the organs can prolapse or fall down.  Whenever we cough, sneeze , laugh or exercise and our abdomen goes forward forcefully, downward pressure gets applied to the bladder and uterus and pushes them down thus stretching out those supportive ligaments.  Any jumping , running or high impact exercises can create the same forces.  When we do these activities without first strengthening our pelvic floor muscles we are at risk of prolapsing our bladder and/or uterus.
Diastasis Recti
A diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominus muscle, otherwise known as the six-pack muscle.    The rectus abdmonius muscle runs from the sternum down to the pubic bone and has two muscle fibers separated by a connective tissue called the linea alba.   During pregnancy, as the uterus expands the two muscle bellies separate and the linea alba gets stretched thin.  It is very important to allow this connective tissue to heal so the muscle bellies can come back together.  Any activity that causes the abdomen to move forward forcefully causes this connective tissue to stretch out thus preventing it from healing.  Also any twisting motion causes the rectus muscle bellies to separate making the diastasis larger.  You need to avoid all twisting motions and any forward forceful movements so you can let your rectus muscle to come back together and heal.  Sit ups or crunches, especially with twisting are the worst thing you could be doing right after having a baby. 
What’s a new mom to do?
It is so important to take care of your body after having your baby.  There are two exercises that you need to begin immediately after delivery.   One is contracting the transverse abdominus muscle and it’s best to do this in the sitting position.  The other is contracting your pelvic floor muscles or doing a Kegel as they are called.   Being able to hold a pelvic floor contraction, or Kegel,  for 10 seconds is considered normal.

 At Becoming Mothers there is a class that goes into more detail on how to do these exercises and what motions and actions you need to avoid.  “How to Loose the Postpartum Pooch for Good” is offered monthly and is highly recommended for ALL women who have had babies.

         


How to Lose the “Pooch” for Good- Strengthening your Abdominals After Delivery Class
Lynn Leech — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:39:41 +0000
 I am teaching a free class on strengthening your abdominal muscles to help you heal a Diastasis recti, a separation of the 6 pack muscles, and loose your pregnancy “pooch” for good.  Come learn how simple things we do throughout the day can be making the diastasis worse and how to do things to help bring those separated rectus abdominus muscles back together again.  Learn how to correctly contract and strengthen your abdominal muscles.  Crunches are the worse exercises you could be doing to strengthen your belly, especially after having had a baby.  This class is being offered at several locations.   Please be sure to register to allow for optimal space for everyone.  Check back frequently as new classes are added.  Want me to speak to your group?  Contact Lynn at 303-845-0604 to arrange a talk. 
Nov.  16th at 7pm at Becoming Mothers- register online at www.becomingmothers.com under the classes and events tab

Dec. 1st at 6pm Advanced Family Chiropractic- call 303-652-7230 to register

Dec. 8th at 7pm at Becoming Mothers- register online at www.becomingmothers.com under the classes and events tab


         


Chronic pain in fractured or sprain sites
Lynn Leech — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:38:29 +0000
I have been noticing lately as I’m working on people who have a history of fractures that the site where the fracture was is extra “hard” to the touch as compared to the other side.  It’s like there is stuck energy there and that can create problems down the road.  With a little directed energy to the site the “hardness” softens and the joint or bone feels similar to the other limb and the pain is resolving.  I’ve been noticing this a lot lately in the feet and ankle.  Ankle sprains can create stuck energy in the joint and creates a “hardness” feeling in the foot and ankle.  These people that I’ve been seeing lately are complaining of pain in the same area as the fracture or traumatized site.  By releasing this stuck energy, energy is able to flow more freely and the joint is able to work more effectively/efficiently.  Do you know of anybody who has a history of a fracture or sprain in a joint that is still complaining of pain in the area?  An appointment at Intuitive Hands PT might be what they are looking for to help heal their pains.  Call Lynn Leech, PT today at 303-845-0604.