Prep For Postpartum Running
Three Exercises to Help You Know If You're Ready to Lace Up Again
Dr. Ariel Edwards, PT, DPT, CSCS
Thinking about running postpartum but not sure if you’re ready? Let's explore three key movements to determine if your body is prepared to get back into your running shoes! It’s important to perform each exercise without pain, pressure, or leaking!
Single Leg Squats:
Running is essentially a series of single-leg movements. This exercise helps test your control, strength, and alignment on each leg. Performing this movement in front of a mirror or filming your squat is a great way to observe any compensatory movement patterns.
Jump Squats:
Jump squats are a safe way to assess how well your body handles impact before hitting the pavement! Practice landing softly on the balls of your feet, bending at your hips and knees, and keeping your chest up and core strong!
Speed Skaters:
Speed skaters are a great way to mimic the side-to-side stability demands of running and test your pelvic control during dynamic movement. They require engagement of all the core muscles to maintain balance and control. Focus on core activation throughout this movement.
If you feel pain, pressure, or leaking during any of these — don’t panic. It doesn’t mean you can’t run. It just means your body might not be quite ready yet. We need to retrain how your core, glutes, and pelvic floor manage pressure and impact! If you start running before you’re ready, you might put yourself at increased risk to experience symptoms later on.
Retraining your core, glutes, and pelvic floor is a major aspect of what we do within FIXXED Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy! Building the foundation now can help you return to running stronger, more confident, and symptom-free! FIXXED’s Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy utilizes therapeutic exercises and neuromuscular re-education to target and retain core muscles. Our hour-long one-on-one sessions are crafted to allow us to fully understand the root of your symptoms, create an individualized physical therapy plan, and educate you on your condition—giving you the tools you need to succeed! Click HERE to set up your FREE discovery call with a member of the FIXXED’s Physical Therapy team!
FIXXED is a first of its kind recovery studio offering bodywork techniques to help you move and feel your best. We offer quick and effective hands-on services in a one on one setting performed by a licensed physical therapist or athletic trainer. We believe that recovery should be fast, convenient, and accessible for everyone which is exemplified in both our locations located in Haverhill, MA & Wakefield, MA. Click HERE to book a free discovery call with FIXXED!
