Your Body Did Something Extraordinary. Recovery Should Match That.
The postpartum period is one of the most physically demanding transitions a person can experience — and one of the most underserved in terms of clinical care. A six-week clearance from an OB-GYN is not a comprehensive assessment of how the pelvic floor, core, and musculoskeletal system are actually recovering. For many patients, it marks the beginning of a long period of managing symptoms that were never properly addressed.
Pelvic floor dysfunction, core weakness, diastasis recti, persistent back and pelvic pain, incontinence, and painful intercourse are not inevitable parts of having a baby. They are clinical conditions with identifiable causes and effective treatments — and they deserve the same level of thorough, individualized care as any other musculoskeletal problem.
At Bray Chiropractic & Wellness in Glastonbury, postpartum pelvic care integrates chiropractic rehabilitation, pelvic floor assessment and treatment, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercise into a comprehensive recovery model — delivered by a single provider with specialized training in pelvic health.
Why Postpartum Pelvic Care Is Often Delayed or Missed
Several factors contribute to postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction being undertreated:
The standard of care sets a low bar. The six-week postpartum visit is typically brief, focused on obstetric healing, and rarely includes a functional assessment of the pelvic floor, core, or musculoskeletal system. Patients who report symptoms are sometimes told they are normal, that they will resolve on their own, or that Kegel exercises will fix everything. In many cases none of these are accurate.
Symptoms are normalized. Leaking when you sneeze, laugh, or exercise is not normal — it is common. There is an important difference. Many postpartum patients are told their symptoms are just part of having a baby, which delays appropriate care and allows dysfunction to become entrenched.
Patients don't know where to go. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is not well understood by most patients or by many primary care providers. Knowing that it exists, that it is effective, and where to find a qualified provider is not always straightforward.
Common Postpartum Conditions Treated
Postpartum presentations seen at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness include:
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Diastasis recti — separation of the abdominal muscles that affects core stability and function and frequently contributes to low back pain
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Pelvic floor hypertonicity — excessive tension that often develops in response to labor and delivery
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Stress urinary incontinence — leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, or exercise
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Urge urinary incontinence and urgency
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Pelvic pain — including perineal pain, tailbone pain, and pain at the pubic symphysis
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Dyspareunia — pain with intercourse following delivery
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Low back pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction that persists beyond the postpartum period
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Hip pain and pelvic girdle pain that did not resolve after delivery
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Core weakness and poor load transfer — contributing to back pain, pelvic instability, and difficulty returning to exercise
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Scar tissue and fascial restrictions — from cesarean section or perineal tearing and repair
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Postpartum depression and anxiety with a physical component — exercise, movement, and pelvic floor function all have meaningful effects on postpartum mental health
When Should You Start Postpartum Care?
The timing of postpartum care depends on the type of delivery, the nature of any complications, and the specific symptoms being addressed. As a general guideline:
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External assessment and gentle soft tissue work can often begin earlier in the postpartum period
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Internal pelvic floor assessment is typically deferred until at least six weeks postpartum following vaginal delivery, and longer following cesarean section
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Rehabilitative exercise is introduced progressively based on healing and symptom response — not based on a fixed timeline
If you are unsure when to start or what is appropriate for your specific situation, reach out before booking. Dr. Bray will give you a direct answer based on your individual circumstances.
The Diastasis Recti Problem
Diastasis recti — separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba — is present to some degree in the majority of women in the third trimester of pregnancy. In many cases it resolves on its own in the early postpartum period. In others, it persists and contributes to core instability, low back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and difficulty returning to exercise.
The management of diastasis recti is frequently misunderstood. Blanket prohibitions on crunches, sit-ups, or core exercise are not evidence-based. What matters is how load is managed through the core and pelvic floor — and that requires an individualized assessment rather than a generic protocol.
At Bray Chiropractic & Wellness, diastasis recti is evaluated as part of a comprehensive postpartum assessment and managed with a progressive, individualized rehabilitation approach based on functional loading rather than avoidance.
Returning to Exercise After Pregnancy
One of the most common questions postpartum patients have is when and how to return to exercise — including running, strength training, and high-impact activity. The answer depends on how the pelvic floor and core are functioning, not on an arbitrary timeline.
Dr. Bray works with postpartum patients to assess readiness for progressive return to exercise, identify any symptoms that indicate the load is too much too soon, and build a plan for returning to full activity in a way that supports long-term pelvic floor and core health rather than compromising it.
Postpartum Pelvic Care in Glastonbury, CT
Postpartum patients in Glastonbury, South Glastonbury, Hebron, Marlborough, East Hartford, Manchester, and the surrounding Hartford County area looking for comprehensive pelvic floor and musculoskeletal rehabilitation after pregnancy and delivery will find specialist-level care at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness.
No referral is required. New patients can schedule directly online or by calling or texting (203) 303-4760. Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is in-network with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna (ASH), and CT Medicaid (Husky). Self-pay and HSA/FSA options are also available.