Pregnancy & recovery
Prenatal & Postnatal Physiotherapy | North Vancouver
The back and pelvic aches of a changing body, and the work of rebuilding afterwards. Physiotherapy through pregnancy and the postpartum months keeps you moving and recovering safely.
What it is
Understanding your prenatal / postnatal.
Pregnancy and the months after birth ask an enormous amount of the body, and physiotherapy helps it cope. During pregnancy, the most common complaints are low back pain, pelvic and hip discomfort, and the postural strain of a shifting centre of gravity as the baby grows. After birth, the picture changes: a weakened core, diastasis recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, and lingering back and hip pain make the everyday work of lifting, carrying, and bending harder than it should be. At Medstar Sport Physio in North Vancouver, we assess and treat this through a one-on-one physiotherapy appointment, confirming the pattern and building a plan from there. We see patients from across Vancouver and the North Shore, many of whom cross Lions Gate Bridge or take the SeaBus for treatment here.
A lot of this traces back to the hormone relaxin, which loosens ligaments and joints to make room for the baby and for delivery. Combine that with weight gain, a forward-shifting posture, and new movement habits, and the back, hips, and pelvis end up under unfamiliar stress. After delivery, stretched and weakened tissue plus the demands of caring for a newborn can leave you sore, unstable, and prone to flare-ups.
None of this means you should simply wait it out. Pregnancy-related pain responds well to hands-on care and the right exercise, and postpartum recovery goes far better with a structured plan than with hoping things bounce back on their own. The work is staged carefully and always kept within what's safe for where you are.
What to expect
During pregnancy, the goal is to keep you comfortable and moving. Many people get good relief from pain within a few sessions of hands-on care plus the right home exercises, with ongoing support as your body keeps changing. Postpartum recovery is a longer arc: the early weeks are about gentle reconnection with the core and pelvic floor, and progressive strengthening builds from there over the following months. We work alongside your midwife, OB, or family doctor, respect any restrictions from your delivery, and never rush you back to high-impact activity before your body is ready.
Get a plan
Not sure if we're the right fit?
Send us a quick note about what's going on. A physiotherapist will read it personally and reply with what they'd recommend. No commitment to book.
Common questions
About prenatal / postnatal.
Is it safe to do physiotherapy while I'm pregnant?
Yes. Physiotherapy is a recommended, conservative way to manage pregnancy-related back, hip, and pelvic pain, and we adapt every technique and exercise to your trimester. We avoid anything contraindicated in pregnancy, position you comfortably, and coordinate with your maternity care provider if anything needs clearing first.
When can I start after giving birth?+
Gentle work (breathing, posture, early core and pelvic floor reconnection) can usually begin in the first few weeks, while more demanding exercise waits until you've had your postpartum check and any delivery-specific restrictions are cleared. We'll tailor the start point to whether you had a vaginal birth or a caesarean and to how you're healing.
I want to get back to running. How soon is realistic?+
Running is high-impact and asks a lot of a recovering pelvic floor and core, so it's usually one of the later milestones, commonly several months postpartum and only once you can manage the load without leaking, heaviness, or pain. We use a graded return rather than a fixed date, building the strength and control that make running comfortable rather than risky.
Do you treat pelvic floor problems like leaking?+
We assess pelvic floor function as part of your care and treat it within our scope, including coordination, strengthening, and pressure management. If your symptoms need internal pelvic floor assessment or point to something beyond our scope, we'll refer you to a pelvic health specialist or your physician so nothing falls through the cracks.
Why does pregnancy cause so much back and pelvic pain?+
A lot of it traces back to the hormone relaxin, which loosens ligaments and joints to make room for the baby and for delivery. Combine that with weight gain, a forward-shifting posture as the baby grows, and new movement habits, and the back, hips, and pelvis end up under unfamiliar stress. It's a normal part of pregnancy, and it responds well to hands-on care and the right exercise.
What postnatal problems can physiotherapy help with?+
After birth, common issues include a weakened core, diastasis recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, and lingering back and hip pain, all of which can make lifting, carrying, and bending harder than they should be. Stretched and weakened tissue from delivery, plus the physical demands of caring for a newborn, can leave you sore, unstable, and prone to flare-ups without a structured recovery plan.
What does a prenatal or postnatal assessment actually cover?+
We assess posture, core and pelvic floor function, and the joints carrying the most load, tailored to your trimester or stage of recovery. From there we build pregnancy-safe manual therapy and targeted exercise, plus deep-core and pelvic floor coordination work, which is the foundation for a safe return to lifting, exercise, and running.
Can you help with everyday tasks like lifting the car seat?+
Yes. We give practical posture and body-mechanics coaching for real parenting tasks like feeding positions, lifting the car seat, and getting the baby in and out of the crib, since those repeated movements are often what strains a healing back or pelvis. We can also advise on supportive belts or braces when they help take strain off the pelvis and lower back.
Reviewed by Amir Ahmadi, PhD, MSc PT, Registered Physiotherapist, Certified IMS Therapist, College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC). Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary, and assessment findings and treatment plans differ from person to person. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, neurological changes (numbness, weakness, bowel or bladder changes), or a significant trauma, contact your physician or emergency services. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).