Health Center
It is physically demanding to care for a newborn or toddler. This can be especially true for women whose bodies experienced many changes due to pregnancy. Parenting little ones requires lifting, twisting, carrying, holding, and feeding. This means using muscles in a way they are not accustomed to being used.
Doing these "new" activities many times a day, can lead to discomfort. It also can lead to repetitive stress or overuse injuries. New parents are at risk for developing neck pain and back pain. They also can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or tennis elbow more often linked with playing sports than with parenting.
Why See a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists can help to prevent many new parenting injuries. They also can treat the minor aches and pains or injuries that result from pregnancy and childbirth, and being a new parent.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.
Find a PT Near You!
For health tips and information about physical therapy for children, visit our health center for children.
Featured Content
Health Tips
6 Tips to Prevent New Parenting Injuries
Get tips from physical therapists for how to prevent strains and injury (including low back pain) when caring for a newborn.
Podcast
Painless Parenting
A physical therapist discusses the aches and pains that can occur during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Guide
Physical Therapy Guide to Low Back Pain
Almost everyone will experience low back pain it at some point. For some, it returns or hangs on and can decrease quality of life. Physical therapists help people with low back pain improve or restore mobility and reduce their pain.
Guide
Physical Therapy Guide to Neck Pain
Neck pain is pain felt in the back of the neck – the upper spine area, just below the head. The pain can extend to the upper back, shoulder, and arm when specific nerves are affected.
Additional Parents Content
April 27, 2021 | Guide
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the wrist and hand. It can affect the use of the entire arm.
February 7, 2022 | Guide
Tennis elbow is a painful condition caused by overuse of the muscles in the forearm that extend the wrist and fingers.
Aug 19, 2024 | Health Tips
Toilet training is an important developmental milestone for children. The following tips from a physical therapist will help your child create good, lasting habits and avoid future bowel and bladder problems.
Mar 12, 2021 | Health Tips
After having a baby, you might want to get back into shape quickly. But it is important to make a slow return to full activity with tips from physical therapists.
Oct 7, 2024 | Health Tips
Little league or pitcher's elbow, also known as medial epicondyle apophysitis, is a common injury among young baseball players. Learn the causes, how to prevent it, and how a physical therapist can help.