Published Articles by Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy: 

Tips & Tricks to Ease the Pain

International Journal of Childbirth Education, March 2010, by Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Carpal tunnel syndrom during pregnancy (CTS) is a commonly overlooked problem by healthcare practitioners. It presents as mild to severe pain, numbness and sometimes weakness in the hands, wrists and forearms along the distribution of the median nerve. At times, the muscles in the forearm ache due to compensations in movement or activity that may result. The pain can occur at night, further disrupting sleep patterns. These symptoms may arise due to postural changes, increased edema, occupational stressors, or a combination of these. Often patients are told their symptoms will resolve after delivery. Although this is usually the case, patients can perform a few simple exercises that may ease or even eliminate this pregnancy complaint.

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Exercises for Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy

International Journal of Childbirth Education. September 2008

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Sciatic pain?  Lower back pain?  Hip pain?  Any of these sound familiar?  What can be done for these women suffering through one of the best times of their lives?  So often the advice given is to “just get a massage.”  Yes, massages feel WONDERFUL, but unfortunately many women find themselves $100 poorer (plus tip!) and still in pain several hours later.  Why does this happen?

Massage techniques are essentially designed to reduce muscle spasm as well as manually stretch the muscles.  But this type of treatment offers only symptomatic relief and does not always address the source of the pain.  Women’s health physical therapy practitioners are trained to address the source of the pain and provide the pregnant patient with an appropriate treatment plan.  Sometimes, this includes massage as a means to decrease the present muscle spasm.  However, there are key exercises and education to provide your patients with that can also help so many of these women and oftentimes, prevent the pain from returning.

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Web and Other Publications

Various Articles Published on Other Websites and in Print

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

 

Web Publications

LA Parent Magazine: Why You Should Be Doing Kegels Right Now

Physical Therapy Products Online: Childbirth Injuries

Baby Friendly LA: New Mom Back Pain

Baby Friendly LA: Kegels Done Right

Baby Friendly LA: Post Baby Six-Pack Help

The American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health

 

Heather has also helped create content for the APTA that is currently published on their website and in brochures distributed around the country, including:

American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - What to Expect on Your First Visit

American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - Questions to Ask Your PT

American Physical Therapy Association: Women's Health - What is a Kegel?

 

Additionally, Heather has numerous evidenced-based articles she has written for EBSCO Publishing, Inc. on various physical therapy related topics and continues to create content for them.  She is also a sought-after expert on women’s health issues, such as pain during pregnancy, incontinence and pain during intercourse.

 

Other Publications

Women’s Health: Pregnancy and Beyond
Arroyo Monthly, page 14. August 2005.

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