Prenatal and Postnatal Physiotherapy in Victoria BC

Pelvic girdle pain, symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), sacroiliac joint pain, low back pain, round ligament discomfort, and carpal tunnel syndrome are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints of pregnancy. These conditions are not inevitable, and they are not simply something to wait out. Our physiotherapists assess the specific mechanical contributors to your pain and provide hands-on treatment including manual therapy, exercise guidance, and postural strategies that reduce your symptoms and help you move more comfortably through your pregnancy.

A prenatal pelvic floor assessment in the third trimester gives you a clear picture of your pelvic floor function before delivery. We assess muscle tone, coordination, and any existing tension or restriction, and provide practical guidance on perineal massage, breathing strategies for labour, and positions that may support a more comfortable delivery. Patients who come in before birth consistently report feeling more informed, more prepared, and better able to communicate with their care team during labour. This appointment also establishes a baseline for your postpartum follow-up. See our pelvic floor physiotherapy page for more detail on our pelvic health services, including treatment for pelvic pain and incontinence treatment.

A postpartum physiotherapy assessment is one of the most valuable appointments a new mother can make. We assess your pelvic floor function, abdominal wall integrity (including diastasis recti), pelvic girdle and lumbar recovery, and the musculoskeletal demands of early parenthood. From that assessment, we build a rehabilitation program matched to where your body is right now and where you want it to be. This is not about getting back to your pre-pregnancy body on someone else’s timeline. It is about understanding your body after a significant physical event and giving it what it needs to recover well.

Diastasis recti, the separation of the abdominal muscles along the linea alba, occurs in the majority of pregnancies and does not always resolve on its own. If you have noticed a gap, a ridge, or a doming along your midline when you do sit-ups or lift, or if you are experiencing ongoing back or pelvic instability postpartum, a diastasis assessment is a useful starting point. Our physiotherapists assess the width, depth, and functional significance of any separation and build a progressive rehabilitation program that addresses both the abdominal wall and the movement patterns that depend on it.

Cesarean scar tissue can adhere to underlying layers and contribute to abdominal tightness, bladder urgency, pelvic pain, and altered movement patterns long after the incision has healed on the surface. Scar mobilization, initiated once the wound is fully healed at approximately eight weeks postpartum, can significantly reduce these downstream effects. Our physiotherapists provide scar assessment and treatment as part of a broader cesarean recovery program that integrates with our pelvic floor physiotherapy service.

Returning to running, lifting, high-intensity training, or sport after pregnancy requires a staged, evidence-based approach tailored to your individual recovery, not a fixed timeline. Returning too early or without adequate pelvic floor preparation is one of the most common causes of persistent leakage, worsening prolapse, and chronic pelvic symptoms in active postpartum patients. Our physiotherapists provide a structured return-to-activity program tailored to your current capacity and your specific goals. For patients pursuing a more structured conditioning program alongside their physiotherapy, our kinesiology and strength and conditioning teams work in coordination with your physiotherapist to build capacity progressively and safely.

Registered massage therapy is a valuable complement to physiotherapy throughout the perinatal period. Prenatal massage addresses musculoskeletal tension, edema, and the postural discomfort of a changing body. Postpartum massage supports recovery from the physical demands of labour and the chronic tension patterns of new parenthood. Our registered massage therapy team works alongside our pelvic health physiotherapists so your care is coordinated across disciplines.