Postpartum Massage Therapy

Question 1

List the 8 postpartum massage indications.

Answer 1

1. STRESS REDUCTION/ BABY CONNECTION
2. BREASTFEEDING POSTURE
3. LB PAIN
4. RE-ALIGN PELVIS
5. ASSESS DIASTISIS RECTI
6. HELPS NEW BODY
7. DISCUSSING PELVIC FLOOR CHANGES (referral when necessary)
8. BREAST MASSAGE

Question 2

No deep pelvic work should be done due to DVTs and psoas until when?

Answer 2

VAG - 6 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

CAES - 8 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

Question 3

Postpartum haemorrhages are possible within how many days postpartum?

Answer 3

1 - 3

Question 4

How should you treat a haemorrhage?

Answer 4

NO DEEP CIRCULATORY MASSAGE
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ENERGETIC WORK, FOCUSED TO AREA OF TENSION
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CONSIDER LACK OF ENERGY/ LOSS OF BLOOD

Question 5

When is it safe to massage the abdomen?

Answer 5

VAG - 2 - 4 WEEKS POSTPARTUM
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CAES - 6 - 8 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

Question 6

You can begin caesarean scar tissue work once incision is healed, but must wait a minimum of how long?

Answer 6

12 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

start off slow, with heat hydrotherapy

Question 7

If tearing of the perineum, episiotomies, and caesarean incision is present, what needs to be avoided?

Answer 7

TECH WHICH STRETCH STRUCTURES
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JJ MOBES OF PELVIS
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GLUTEAL and HIP WORK

Question 8

Can there be increased edema in mom after birth?

Answer 8

YES

Question 9

For what 3 reasons is pelvic misalignment common in the postpartum period?

Answer 9

PREGNANCY
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LABOUR and DELIVERY
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BREASTFEEDING and CARRYING BABY

Question 10

Is it within our scope to assess the pelvic floor?

Answer 10

NO - refer to pelvic floor physiotherapist

Question 11

How is a Diastasis Recti diagnosed?

Answer 11

PALPATING A 2 FINGER WIDTH BETWEEN THE RECTUS ABDOMINIS FIBRES

Question 12

What can a DR lead to if not corrected?

Answer 12

BACK PAIN

Question 13

How would yo assess the diastisis recti?

Answer 13

HOOK LINE POSITION
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1 FINGER ABOVE AND BELOW UMBILICUS IN LINEA ALBA
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FEEL PULSE OF ABDOMINAL AORTA
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HAVE PATIENT EXHALE AND LIFT HEAD OFF TABLE
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ASSESS DEGREE OF SEPARATION

Question 14

What can you suggest to patients to help strengthen and support the abdomen during pregnancy, and provide added strength for pushing the baby out?

Answer 14

TRANSVERSE ABDOMINAL CONTRACTIONS

pelvic tilt

Question 15

How would a patient perform a pelvic tilt in supine?

Answer 15

HOOK LYING
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ON EXHALE, FLATTEN LUMBAR TO TABLE, DRAWING COCCYX TO CEILING
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ON INHALE, LIFT LUMBAR OFF, DRAWING COCCYX TO FLOOR

Question 16

How would a patient perform a pelvic tilt on hands and knees?

Answer 16

SPINE NEUTRAL
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ON EXHALE, CURL PELVIS UNDER, ARCHING SPINE
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ON INHALE, RETURN TO NEUTRAL