Hi,
I am experiencing bad lower back pain and am looking for a physical therapist who knows about postpartum abdominal issues. I live in Andersonville. I had a c-section, and my ab muscles are almost useless. My adorable son is 13 weeks old and is growing fast! All the picking up and carrying him around is killing my back! I'm doing some rehab exercises on my own but would like to get more help. Thanks for any ideas.
Nizam Kaiser lives in Skokie, but does home visits. His # is ###-###-####, tell him D. gave you his #.
There is no one better than Bernadette Kamin at Kamin Physical Therapy. All the therapists specialize in the pelvic floor and post partum issues.
She's in Park Ridge on Busse Highway. She cured me of so many problems. She's delightfully kind and it's in general a wonderful place. And I recommend getting in there now. The window is closing in your potential to heal yourself post c-section. Start by putting on a belly band or wrapping your midsection in an ace bandage. And call Bernie & Jean ASAP!
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Good luck!
I've been seeing the ladies at Flroendo Physical Therapy at 600 N McClurg Court, downtown. I'm 14 weeks postpartum and they've been great to work with - so helpful! They also do pelvic floor work, so if you've had any issues associated with your pregnancy they can help with that too. Good luck to you and congrats on your baby!
I work at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and they have an excellent Women's Health program with physicians and physical therapists who specialize in pregnancy and post partum. There is also a PT in lakeview named Brigid Ellinson who specializes in this, as well (lakeview physical therapy on southport I think). I would suggest seeing a doc at RIC first to diagnose your problem most accurately and then get treated wherever is convenient.
Athletico on Davis in Evanston is an absolutely great facility. I have been to them several times for different issues and they are professional, knowledgeable and thorough. All of their therapists are highly trained and they will pair you with someone who knows about your specific issue. I have been to other therapist and they pale in comparison (including ENH).
Good luck.
Go to Pilates, it will be cheaper, start with a mat class there are some classes available that focus on pre and postpartum women. There are lots of studios in Chicago just google it. There's one in Ravenswood called Balanced Body check it out. Pilates is full body health with focus on your core and pelvic floor muscles. good luck, you'll get your strength back before you know it.
Hi! I had back problems after the birth of my daughter, too. I went to a clinic in Evanston right near the hospital and worked with a woman named Michelle Podgorski (not sure if that's spelled right!). The address and phone number are:
1000 Central Street, Suite 101
Evanston, IL 60201
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She was very helpful. Good luck!
Jenny
I liked the PTs at Athletico both in Andersonville and om Irving Park.
You could also likely use a massage, try the certified massage therapists at Thousand Waves (especially Heidi!) on Belmont.
I realize this won't address the abs issue, but it will help with the back problems.
Lift with your legs, not with your back! We've all heard this time and time again, but even I forgot it when my little one was young. I was killing my back until I started lifting with my legs and not my back.
You can build up lower body strength by doing squats. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and squat down like you're touching your butt to an invisible chair behind you. Don't let your knees go in front of your toes; that will place undue stress on your knee ligaments. You shouldn't feel any pain in your knees - if you do, you're doing it wrong. Once you've built up some strength, you can actually include your baby in the exercise and he will LOVE it! Hold him close to you (or even wear him) while doing the squats. The up and down motion along with your silly faces will delight him to no end! I have found the my baby is the best 'home weight/gym system' out there. My 35 pound son loves it when I do 'baby bicep curls' and 'baby bench press' with him - he laughs his full head off and goes nuts!
When you carry your baby, try to either hold him with both arms and in the center or wear him. Trust me, I know we often need to carry the baby in one arm so we have a free hand to do things (like open the door, hold the diaper bag, etc.), but try as much as possible to keep him close to your center. Also don't get into the habit of holding him on your hip and 'popping' that hip out.
When you pick up your baby, instead of keeping your legs straight and bending from the waist try a little mini-squat down to get your baby. Bend your knees, drop your butt, and pick that baby up. Not only will you be saving your lower back, you'll also be toning your glutes (butt), hamstrings (back of legs), and quads (front of legs). Oh yeah, and since those three muscle groups are also large muscle groups, you'll be adding more muscle which requires more energy so you'll be burning more calories at rest. Win-win if you ask me!
