Postpartum Physical Therapy
We specialize in offering postpartum physical therapy for the Thousand Oaks community and Conejo Valley.
You've been told it's normal. We're here to tell you it's common, but it doesn't have to be your normal
Many women are told that certain symptoms after birth are "just part of being a mom" or that they need to "wait until they're done having children" to address issues. This simply isn't true.
You don't have to live with pain, leaking, or limitations. Postpartum physical therapy can help you recover properly, prevent long-term complications, and return to the activities you love, whether that's running, lifting weights, playing with your children, or simply getting through your day without discomfort.
Whether you delivered vaginally or via cesarean section, your body has undergone tremendous changes that affect your musculoskeletal system, pelvic floor, and core. Our therapists are specially trained to guide you through a safe and effective recovery process, helping you regain strength, function, and confidence in your body.
You grew a human. Your body deserves more than “just deal with it.”
Common doesn’t mean normal. And it definitely doesn’t have to mean forever.
If you're experiencing leaking, pain, or heaviness after giving birth, you're not alone. But you also don't have to live with it. Postpartum physical therapy helps you understand what's happening in your body and gives you a clear path to feeling like yourself again.
Whether you're 6 weeks or 6 years postpartum, it's not too late to address lingering issues. We'll create a personalized plan to help you heal properly, regain strength, and return to the activities you love without pain, without leaking, and without limitations.
Is postpartum physical therapy for you?
Bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful and life-changing event, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and changes, especially for a mother's body. The time after giving birth is a time of significant mental and physical change. Even though most of the attention goes to the baby, it's important not to forget about the mother's health.
We will teach you how to reconnect and properly activate the core and pelvic floor and provide exercises that are tailored to your needs and the activities you want to get back to.
These symptoms are common, but NOT normal after giving birth:
Leaking during high impact activity such as running or jumping on a trampoline
Leaking with coughing, sneezing and laughing
Pain with sex
C-section scar pain
Prolonged abdominal or pelvic pain
Pelvic heaviness
Frequent trips to the restroom
Common postpartum conditions we treat include:
Diastasis Recti
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Urgency and Frequency
C section scar mobilization/perineal scar mobilization
Low back, hip and pelvic pain
Postpartum PT is for anyone who has ever had a baby. Whether you’re 1-month postpartum or 5+ years out.
Some of the silliest ideas we are fed as women is that once we have a baby, whether we have our babies vaginally or via C-Section, is that we need to “bounce back” and that because we’ve had a baby, there are symptoms that we just have to deal with... forever.
If you believe that there must be another answer other than wearing pads all of the time or just dealing with pelvic pain because it’s “not that bad”, you’re right. There IS another answer. It’s pelvic floor physical therapy, and we’d love to work with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Physical Therapy
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You can start as early as 2 weeks postpartum. You do not need to wait until your 6-week OB visit. Early postpartum sessions focus on healing, gentle reconnection, education, and symptom prevention—not internal exams. Starting early can help you recover more efficiently and avoid lingering issues down the road.
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Nope! You can start as early as 2 weeks postpartum.
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The state of California has something called Direct Access, so no referral is needed to be evaluated by a pelvic floor physical therapist.
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Your evaluation is comprehensive and tailored to your birth and recovery. We assess:
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pelvic floor muscle strength, coordination, and endurance
Core strength and breathing mechanics
GH (genital hiatus) and PB (perineal body) to assess risk for prolapse
Scar tissue (perineal tears or C-section)
Posture, movement patterns, and how your body handles daily tasks (lifting baby, feeding positions, etc.)
Everything is explained clearly and performed at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
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Yes. Many postpartum issues are silent early on.
Leaking, prolapse, core weakness, pain with sex, and back or hip pain often show up months (or years) later. A postpartum assessment helps ensure your body is healing well and sets you up for long-term pelvic health.
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We commonly help with:
Leaking urine or bowel symptoms
Pelvic heaviness or prolapse
Abdominal separation (diastasis recti)
Pain with sex or pelvic exams
C-section or perineal scar discomfort
Core weakness or “disconnect”
Back, hip, or pelvic pain
Safe return to exercise and running
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Our 6-Week Return to Exercise Program is designed specifically for postpartum bodies and is often included or added on after your evaluation.
It includes:
3 guided workouts per week (30–45 minutes)
Focus on pelvic floor and core reconnection
Progressive strength training
Education on pressure management and proper form
Modifications based on your specific findings
This program bridges the gap between “being cleared” and truly being ready to exercise.
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Absolutely. C-section births still impact the pelvic floor and core. We address:
Scar mobility and sensitivity
Core and pelvic floor coordination
Breathing mechanics
Safe return to lifting and exercise
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No. Whether you are 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years postpartum, pelvic floor physical therapy can still be incredibly beneficial. Your body is adaptable, and meaningful change is always possible.
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At Cappuccino Physical Therapy:
Sessions are 1:1 for a full hour with a pelvic health specialist
Care is hands-on, movement-based, and individualized
We focus on long-term recovery, not just symptom management
We bridge the gap between rehab and real-life movement
We strive to make treatment accessible for moms with young children, jobs, and responsibilities. Babies and children are always welcome to come to appointments and we have limited weekend appointments available.