28 Apr Are you a new mum who was enjoying your baby until you started having wrist pains
Are you a new mum who was enjoying your baby until you started having wrist painsExperiencing wrist pain so severe that you struggle to pick up your baby to feed them, change them and to bathe them
Did you know that new mums are prone to wrist pain and wrist injuries because of the increased Relaxin and Oxytocin hormones in their body to help their muscles and ligaments stretch during pregnancy and at labour?
Unfortunately, relaxin is nondiscriminatory about the ligaments it loosens, so it affects all the joints and ligaments in your body. The pregnancy hormones are still present in a mother’ tissues for around 4 to 6 months after delivery, along with fluid retention and fluid balance issues.New mums are also suddenly required to lift and hold their baby frequently and for long periods during the day and night. Repeated and sustained wrist/ thumb postures combined with baby’s weight, places strain on tendons, muscles, ligaments or nerves at the wrist, thumb and forearm resulting in wrist pain.
3 solutions to help overcome your wrist pain:
1. Ice your wrist to reduce the inflammation and swelling in your wrist tendons. Wrap an ice pack in a tea towel and rest your wrist in neutral position for 5-10 mins, 2-3 times a day. Remove all your jewellery to prevent ice burns on your wrists and hands.
2. Support your wrist with bracing. Wear a night splint to allow your wrist tendons to rest and recover for the next day. Wear a wrist brace or wrist wrap to support your wrist and hand during the day, while still allowing you to use your hand and wrists to care for your baby.
3. Seek treatment from an Expert Physiotherapist. Here at My Favourite Physio, our Expert Physiotherapists are able to correctly diagnose the cause of your wrist and hand pain, and provide a range of treatment solutions including Radial Shockwave Therapy, Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound, Soft Tissue Massage and K-Taping.
So if you are struggling with wrist and hand pain, ring My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to find out how we can help you get back to pain free active living to care fo your baby today!