Postpartum Recovery and Rehabilitation in a Chiropractic Setting

Participants will learn how to intentionally approach a postpartum chiropractic appointment. Early breathwork, rehabilitation and gentle exercise will also be discussed. Lastly, learn when mobility work, stretching, strengthening or manipulation is warranted and when it is not during the early postpartum period.

Learning Outcomes: 1. Learn how to approach a patient's first postpartum appointment following birth with appropriate subjective and objective assessments. 2. Learn about the fourth trimester and how to slowly incorporate early movement. 3. Understand the importance of breathwork and bracing the core. 4. Identify common postpartum pelvic floor disorders and learn the basics of treatment. 5. Identify common postpartum musculoskeletal complaints.

Course Modules: Module One: First Postpartum Appointment (Subjective, Mental Health Screening, Physical Examination), The Fourth Trimester (Culture, Nutrition Basics, Movement Basics), Breathwork & the Diaphragm (The Core Canister, The Abdominal Wall, Full Core Breath, Bracing) Module Two: Pelvic Floor (Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Organ Prolapse) Module Three: Pelvic Floor Treatment, Early Postpartum Complaints (Changes in Posture, Upper Body Complaints, Lower Body Complaints)

• •Conduct comprehensive subjective and objective assessments for first postpartum appointments, including mental health screening and appropriate physical examination protocols
• •Apply the fourth trimester framework to safely progress patient movement, nutrition, and recovery with evidence-based timing
• •Assess and treat dysfunction of the diaphragm and core canister using breathwork and bracing techniques appropriate for postpartum patients
• •Recognize, assess, and manage common pelvic floor disorders including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
• •Differentiate postpartum musculoskeletal complaints by location and cause, identifying appropriate treatment modalities versus contraindications
• •Determine when mobility work, stretching, strengthening, and manipulation are indicated versus contraindicated during the early postpartum period