Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A 4-Phase Approach

Abstract

Running after childbirth, specifically how or when to return, is a hot topic in the field of physical therapy and on social media; however, there are significant gaps in the literature supporting when and how to safely initiate running postpartum. During pregnancy and following childbirth (both vaginal and cesarean), the body undergoes changes that may impact strength, neuromuscular control, endurance, and the ability to withstand the high-impact forces and repetitive nature of running. Many mothers experience new or worsened symptoms of musculoskeletal or pelvic floor dysfunction following pregnancy and childbirth and require physical therapy to normalize function. After most major injuries, it is common to participate in formalized rehabilitation; however, this is not the norm for athletes returning to running postchildbirth. Because of lack of evidence, many runners and clinicians struggle to develop appropriate rehabilitation progressions for return to running after childbirth. Pelvic and sports physical therapists must understand biomechanical features of running gait and safely progress strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control of the kinetic chain when guiding a runner back to running. This clinical commentary builds on existing guidelines, research, and expert opinion to propose a 4-phase rehabilitation framework to help runners initiate and progress running after childbirth. The result is an in-depth exercise prescription (intensity, frequency, type), examples of exercises (hip, abdominal, pelvic floor, and foot), running progression, and progression goals to prepare runners for symptom-free running after childbirth (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JWHPT/A58, where authors provide more insight on this return to running framework).