Perinatal Manual Care: Pelvic Floor Rehab That Works

Pregnancy and postpartum recovery create rapid, powerful changes in a woman’s body. These changes often lead to discomfort, instability, and dysfunction—particularly in the pelvic floor and surrounding systems. At Live Active: Spine & Sport, Dr. O’Quinn integrates a manual therapy and movement-based approach to help women recover strength, function, and confidence throughout every stage of pregnancy and postpartum life.

💡 What Is Perinatal Manual Care?

Perinatal care typically refers to the time between the third trimester and six weeks postpartum, but in reality, the musculoskeletal system needs attention well beyond that.

Using techniques based in chiropractic, DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), and manual therapy, we focus on supporting the body before, during, and after birth. Our goal is to create a functional, stable foundation by improving breathing, core connection, and full-body coordination.

🧠 Rethinking the Pelvic Floor

Many postpartum issues like leakage, prolapse, or pain are often mistakenly blamed on a “weak” pelvic floor. But more often than not, the root issue is excessive tension, poor coordination, or lack of awareness.

"For the pelvic floor to function fully, it must first learn to relax."

We begin with breathwork—restoring communication between the diaphragm and pelvic floor. From there, we layer in movement strategies that restore balance and control from the inside out.

🔍 How We Screen for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Patients often don't realize that their symptoms are related to pelvic floor dysfunction—especially when issues like leaking have been normalized.

Instead of asking, “Do you have incontinence?” we ask:

• “Do you leak urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or jump?”

• “Could you go to a trampoline park without needing protection?”

• “Even just a few drops?”

Asking the right questions uncovers the truth—and opens the door for lasting solutions.

🧘‍♀️ Where Rehab Begins

We don’t start with squats or kegels. We start with breath, alignment, and awareness.

Key movement progressions include:

• Sidelying core activation (Functional Progression 2)

• Quadruped with elevated glutes (Functional Progression 4)

• 90/90 breathing with glute engagement

• Shin box to half kneeling transitions

These positions activate glutes, restore core pressure systems, and reconnect brain-to-body awareness.

📈 Results That Matter

With consistent care over 3–6 months, most women see:

• 70–80%+ resolution of symptoms like leaking or prolapse

• Better posture and breathing

• Reduced pain and improved core control

The key to success? Consistency. Small, intentional work done daily adds up to long-term strength and resilience.

⚠️ Instability & Pain During or After Pregnancy

Pelvic instability—especially at the SI joints or pubic symphysis—is common, especially postpartum. While many reach for belts and braces, Dr. O'Quinn finds these are only necessary in about 2 out of 100 cases. Instead, we focus on retraining the glutes and surrounding stabilizers through simple, progressive movement patterns.

When patients are in significant discomfort, we sometimes use bridging with a yoga block and resistance band to reintroduce glute awareness and control.

👶 Breech Babies & Body Positioning

We don’t “turn babies.” But what we can do is improve the mobility, stability, and space in a mother’s pelvis, abdomen, and rib cage to allow the baby to find their best position naturally.

By improving biomechanics and creating a calmer, more functional system, we support the body in doing what it’s designed to do.

🏥 Home Birth, Safety, and Referrals

Many of our patients choose home births or birthing centers with midwives. Safety is always the top priority, and we emphasize working with providers who:

• Are trained in neonatal resuscitation

• Have clear transfer plans to medical care if needed

• Provide proactive care and refer out when necessary

We collaborate with midwives, doulas, OBs, and pelvic floor physical therapists to ensure a well-rounded, patient-centered care team.

🧭 This Is a Lifelong Practice

Rehab after pregnancy isn’t about “bouncing back.” It’s about learning to move and feel strong in a body that’s been through major transformation.

Whether you’re weeks postpartum or years down the road, we can help you reconnect with your pelvic floor, rebuild your core, and feel at home in your body again.

💬 Final Thoughts from Dr. O'Quinn

“Pelvic floor rehab isn’t a checkbox—it’s a practice. Our job is to equip women with tools and knowledge they can carry for life.”

📞 Want Help with Pregnancy or Postpartum Recovery?

Live Active: Spine & Sport specializes in functional, integrative rehab for perinatal patients. Whether you’re currently pregnant, newly postpartum, or still feeling the effects years later—we’re here to help.

📍 Call us today at (205) 997-3011 or book online to schedule a consultation.