At Dalhousie Health & Wellness we have a variety of options to help ease the discomforts associated with c-section recovery. Many women are eager to rush into activities that can harm their low backs, core and pelvic floors. Most women simply aren’t ready to go back to the rigors of life and physical activity at their 6 week postpartum checkup. YES, your tissues have healed... but the most important question is, how is your body functioning? Do you leak urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze, jump or run? Do you feel heaviness in your pelvic floor? Do you have a lumpy- bumpy scar, and tension in your abdominals? Do you have back pain, sciatica, pelvic pain or hip pain? Do you have the sensation that something isn’t quite right but you can’t really explain what you are feeling? Well, if you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions then that is your body sending you a message that you are not yet recovered and you may need to slow down and get some help. At Dalhousie Health & Wellness we can offer the help you need. We can help you return safely to physical activity, and get your body functioning to tolerate the demands of your busy mom life!

It is essential to tap into your deep core muscles for a smooth c-section recovery. Dr. Hodges works alongside women and teaches them how to properly engage their core. This proper core engagement involves diaphragmatic breath and the ability to connect to ones pelvic floor muscles, as well as low back stabilizing muscles. Activating these muscles in the first 6-10 weeks postpartum can help retrain the mind-body connection between the deep core and pelvic floor that can be diminished with pregnancy, during delivery and with a c-section. Dr. Hodges works closely with women before, during and after delivery to ensure a proper functioning core and pelvic floor.

Many midwives and OBGYN’s refer to Dalhousie Health & Wellness for postpartum C-section and scar tissue care to help speed up healing. Once you are cleared by your OBGYN or midwives, massage therapy and gentle cupping are wonderful techniques to help release the scar tissue and help speed up the healing of the scar. Our Registered Massage Therapist Suzanne Hamm can preform gentle abdominal massage to help with c-section and postpartum recovery. Dr. Meredith Hodges can preform gentle cupping, acupuncture and abdominal release techniques to assist in your recovery.

Most women are eager to get back to physical activity and loose their baby weight. This unnecessary pressure to rush recovery can have lifelong negative consequences. It is an essential part of the postpartum recovery (c-section or vaginal birth) to slow down, listen to the signs that the body is giving and gently ease back into activity with the advice of your Dalhousie Health & Wellness healthcare team. If you are really eager to get back to physical activity sooner than later, we advise that you work with a trained postpartum specialist. Dr. Hodges has taken extensive training in postpartum recovery and uses Pilates to rehabilitate the postpartum body. Dr. Hodges works one-on-one with women to retrain the breath, core and pelvic floor. Weather you seek help from our highly trained postpartum team at Dalhousie Health & Wellness or prefer to allow the body to recover naturally, make sure you take time, slow down and be patient. Your body will heal on its own timeline with a little patience and TLC.

Pilates is one of the best exercises you can do while pregnant. It is a low impact workout that focuses on strengthening your core and the muscles needed during your pregnancy and labour, as well as postnatal care for mothers. Pilates encourages deep breathing, a mind-body connection, and movement to help alleviate physical discomfort and stress. This alternative therapy promotes a safe and optimal delivery and quicker recovery post pregnancy.
Promote proper posture and alignmentAs your baby grows, your shoulders begin to hunch forward, your back starts to sway, and your posture becomes unaligned. Your centre of gravity is also affected while pregnant, which can make you feel off-balance. Your body is going through a lot of changes during this time and it can be more difficult to engage your abdominal muscles. Pilates can help improve your balance and spatial orientation to help you feel stabilized and avoid falling.
Even after your baby is born, the pain in your back and shoulders might not go away because you will be using new muscles when caring for your baby. You may find that your upper back is in more pain from cradling and feeding your baby. Pilates will strengthen your abdominal and back muscles and ease your pain.
Strengthen your core muscles Pilates helps to strengthen key core muscles used during pregnancy and labour, such as your Transverse Abdominus and your pelvic floor. Knowing how to strengthen and use these muscles properly is extremely beneficial, especially when you start having contractions or when you are pushing during active labour. This can also help you avoid any potential tearing or injury. Building up your strength will let you feel in control of your body throughout your labour.
After you give birth, you can often feel a disconnect from your pelvic floor and have a weak lower abdomen. Incorporating Pilates into your pre and postnatal care will help you to heal faster and be ready to care for your newborn with more ease. It is a great way to regain strength in your abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, and help to support all the new muscles you will be using when taking care of your newborn baby, in addition to getting your pre-pregnancy body back more quickly.
Niagara’s Pre and Postnatal Care SpecialistsAt Dalhousie Health and Wellness we can answer all of your questions you may have before, during, and after your pregnancy. With extensive training in prenatal care and postnatal care for mothers, we provide guidance to ease you through each step of your pregnancy. Call us to schedule your consultation today and learn how Pilates can help you through your pregnancy.

When it comes to pain relief, your health and wellness should not depend on a one-size-fits-all approach. Medical acupuncture offers an alternative and natural source of pain relief unlike pills and topical creams. Working with dedicated healthcare providers, medical acupuncture allows you to create an individualized treatment plan for your pain relief needs.

What is medical acupuncture?The 5000-year-old Chinese practice of acupuncture is the treatment of inserting tiny needles into the pressure points of the body to reduce pain, increase fertility, reduce stress and treat a variety of disorders. Once an acupuncture needle is inserted, your acupuncturist may stimulate it either manually or with gentle electrical stimulationto increase effectiveness.
How does medical acupuncture work for pain?Medical acupuncture for pain relief is most common in cases of neck pain, back pain or pain caused by injury. When your acupuncturist inserts the needle, he or she is stimulating a nerve underneath your skin. The nerve then sends a signal to the brain to release specific hormones. For pain relief, your acupuncturist will target nerves that tell the brain to release endorphins– a neurochemical that will assist with pain relief. The goal of medical acupuncture is to alleviate and eventually eliminate the presence of pain, naturally bringing health and happiness to your body.
How long is the treatment and how often should I get acupuncture?Single acupuncture treatments may last from 10 minutes to a half hour, with the needles remaining in place for most of the treatment. Acupuncture is most effective in sessions that take place over a number of weeks. While most patients partake in 1-2 treatment sessions each week for 6-8 weeks, your acupuncturist will work with you to decide the best course of action for your type of pain.
Niagara Acupuncture SpecialistsThe dedicated staff at Dalhousie Health and Wellness are committed to helping you understand the source of your pain and developing a treatment plan that will send you on the road to recovery. If you are living with pain and are looking for a natural solution, book a consultation with one of our acupuncture specialists at Dalhousie Health and Wellness. At our facility, we engage with our clients one-on-one to ensure they will receive a treatment that is specific to their needs and recovery process. Our welcoming environment and certified acupuncture professionals are ready to help you feel yourself again.

Massage therapy is widely known and used to promote relaxation and reduce uncomfortable tension in your muscles. Lymphatic drainage massages take the incredible benefits of massage further, allowing men and women to enjoy incredible detoxification and aesthetic benefits. Receiving a lymphatic drainage massage allows you to cleanse your body’s tissues during all of life’s ups and downs–whether you are recovering from an illness or injury, experiencing unhealthy stress, or feel unbalanced during the change in seasons.
At Dalhousie Health and Wellness, our focus is on detox and purification of the body, leaving you naturally ready to take on any of life’s challenges. A key contributor towards a natural healing process, this gentle-pressure alternative therapy is widely recommended by medical professionals as a natural healing solution.

What is a lymphatic drainage massage?A lymphatic drainage massage is designed to increase flow through your lymphatic system to naturally neutralize toxins in your body. Your massage therapist will use gentle pressure to redirect fluids towards your lymph nodes. Through lymphatic drainage massage, your massage therapist can target trouble areas in the body where you may be experiencing symptoms of lymphatic dysfunction such as swelling and fluid retention.

How do I know if a lymphatic drainage massage is right for me?Lymphatic dysfunction, as referred to as lymphedema, is a disorder that reduces or blocks the filtration of toxins leading to uncomfortable swelling. Lymphedema can occur naturally as a hereditary condition. Additionally, it could arise after surgery or radiation that causes damage to lymph nodes as seen in breast cancer treatment. As a result of its powerful ability to encourage quicker healing, a lymphatic drainage massage is often prescribed as a post-surgical therapy plan. Likewise, this treatment can also promote healing if you’ve experienced a sprain, joint injury or sinus inflammation.
Your Niagara Message SpecialistsWhile these are just a few ways a lymphatic drainage massage could help you, we always recommend consulting with our a specially trained lymphatic massage therapist to discuss your unique health needs. At Dalhousie Health and Wellness, you will receive personalized, one-to-one treatment to overcome symptoms caused by lymphatic dysfunction. If you experience uncomfortable swelling and are looking for a natural solution, book a consultation with one of our massage therapists at Dalhousie Health and Wellness. Our relaxing environment and certified massage therapists are dedicated to enhancing your health and well-being with specialized treatment just for you.