Pelvic Physical Therapy Speciality:

Pregnancy & Postpartum Women

Prenatal & Postpartum Women

A woman’s body undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, many of which can be physically demanding and uncomfortable.

Yet women are often told to simply wait until after childbirth for their pain to subside, leaving them to endure discomfort throughout pregnancy. This always troubled Shannon. As a dedicated physical therapist, she was driven to uncover the root causes of her patients' pain and dysfunction, offering not just temporary relief, but long-term solutions that empower women to feel their best.

Shannon’s approach goes beyond manual therapy and exercises. She educates patients on proper posture, body mechanics, and daily life adaptations. Women deserve to thrive, not just manage symptoms, during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Image

Passionate about helping women at all stages of motherhood, Shannon uses her extensive experience to guide patients through the unique challenges of pregnancy, birth, and recovery with compassion and expertise.

Pregnancy-Related Conditions:

Every pregnancy is unique, and as your body changes, so do your needs. Specialized physical therapy at Rehab For Her can help manage pain, improve mobility, and prevent conditions from becoming chronic, helping you stay physically prepared throughout your pregnancy journey. Common side effects of pregnancy that may impact your pelvic health include:

  • Low Back Pain – Often caused by the growing weight of the baby and changes in posture.
  • Round Ligament Pain – Sharp pain in the lower belly or groin caused by the stretching of ligaments supporting the uterus.
  • Sciatica – Pain radiating down the legs, caused by compression of the sciatic nerve.
  • Rib Pain – Due to the expanding rib cage to make room for the growing uterus.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers due to fluid retention and hormonal changes.
  • Instability of the Sacroiliac Joints – This can lead to discomfort in the lower back or hips.
  • Vulvar Varicosities – Swollen veins in the vulva causing pressure or discomfort.
  • Tailbone Pain – Discomfort at spine base, often caused by pelvic floor strain.
  • Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction – Pain or instability in the pelvic joint at the front of the pelvis.
  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction – Weak or overly tight pelvic floor muscles, leading to pain or incontinence.

Prenatal Preparation Services Highlight

Customized Physical Therapy for Pregnancy Pain or Discomfort
Targeted and tailored movements to reduce discomfort and improve mobility as your body progresses through pregnancy.

General Preparation for Labor and Delivery 
Learn exercises and techniques to prepare your body for the demands of childbirth.

Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
Improve breath control and relaxation to assist during labor.

Image
Image
Image

Attention, Mamas: Shannon loves babies! You’re more than welcome to bring your little one to Rehab For Her if it won’t interfere with your session. If getting out of the house is a challenge, we also offer virtual appointments and home visits for postpartum mothers, ensuring you get the care you need wherever you are.

Common Postpartum Conditions:

Postpartum Services Highlight

Pelvic Physical Therapy
Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pelvic symptoms and conditions. 

Postpartum Core & Pelvic Floor Strengthening
Targeted exercises to rebuild core strength and restore pelvic floor function.

Return to Fitness
Safely resume your fitness routine after pregnancy without causing injury to the pelvic floor or worsening diastasis recti.

Scar Tissue Management
Techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility in areas with C-section or perineal scars.

After childbirth, your body continues to change, and recovery often requires specialized care to restore strength, prevent injury, and address lingering issues. Whether it was routine or complex, postpartum rehabilitation through physical therapy is supported by clinical research as an effective way to heal from delivery.

  • Pelvic Pain – Discomfort in the pelvic region that can persist after childbirth.
  • Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) – Pain during sex, often due to pelvic floor muscle tension or scarring.
  • Incontinence – Bladder or bowel leakage due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse – A drop in pelvic organs due to muscle weakness, often felt as pressure or bulging.
  • Diastasis Recti – Separation of the abdominal muscles, leading to core weakness and a bulging belly.
  • Tailbone Pain (Coccydynia) – Pain in the tailbone area, often due to trauma during delivery.
  • Back or Hip Pain – Lingering discomfort from pregnancy/ delivery, often due to posture changes & muscle imbalances.
  • Core/Abdominal Weakness – Difficulty regaining core strength after delivery, often from diastasis recti or muscle atrophy.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Postpartum swelling can exacerbate numbness and tingling in the hands.

Passionate About Helping Prenatal & Postnatal Women

Shannon DeSalvo at Rehab For Her has specialized training and extensive experience to identify and treat pregnancy and postpartum pelvic conditions. She has also personally experienced and overcome some of the conditions she helps patients with every day. 

She creates customized treatment plans to help you feel strong, confident, and ready for the next phase of life—whether that’s preparing for childbirth or recovering from delivery. Make an appointment to visit Shannon in Prairie Village today.

[Shannon] helped me through my first pregnancy with what to expect, normal/not normal issues, helped me prepare for labor, and provided the support I needed. Thanks to Shannon I feel like I was as prepared as possible having my first baby.

Postpartum, Shannon was a huge help and getting my body back to normal- even better than before! I felt stronger postpartum than I did before getting pregnant thanks to her help and techniques. (No more peeing pants and strengthens my core and glutes.)

Shortly after my first baby, I got pregnant with my second baby and have been feeling stronger and better than ever thanks to the support and help Shannon provided.

Jess M.