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Pregnancy MSK Physiotherapy in Handforth & Wilmslow

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Pregnancy Physiotherapy for Every Stage, and Every Woman

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If you are pregnant, this service is for you. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral, or a specific pelvic floor problem to book in. Some women come to us with pelvic girdle pain that is making it hard to walk or turn over in bed. Others just want proactive, one-to-one support to stay comfortable, mobile and confident as their body changes. Both are exactly what this service is for.
We see pregnant women from across Handforth, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Cheadle, Poynton, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Altrincham, Hale and Hale Barns, Bowdon, Woodford, Disley, New Mills and Styal, at every stage of pregnancy, from the first trimester through to the final weeks before birth.
This is a general pregnancy musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy service, open to any pregnant woman in our local community. You might be a good fit for this service if:
  • You have pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction), and are finding stairs, getting out of the car, or turning over in bed painful
  • Your lower back, hips, or ribs ache more than feels normal for pregnancy
  • Your knees, wrists, or hands are aching or feeling swollen and stiff
  • You are experiencing sciatica-type pain down the back of your leg Your posture and centre of gravity have shifted and you feel unsteady or unbalanced
  • You simply want a physiotherapist in your corner through pregnancy, even if nothing hurts yet, to help you stay active safely
There is no threshold of pain you need to reach before booking. Many women benefit from seeing us early in pregnancy, before a niggle becomes a real problem.
Pregnancy changes the way your joints, muscles and ligaments work, often quite quickly, and it can affect every part of the body, not only the pelvis. The problems we see most often include:
  • Pelvic girdle pain and symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
  • Lower back pain and sciatica
  • Rib pain and breathlessness related to changing posture
  • Hip pain, including pain lying on your side at night
  • Wrist and hand pain, including carpal tunnel-type symptoms
  • Knee pain related to changing joint laxity and altered walking patterns
  • General aches, stiffness and reduced mobility as pregnancy progresses
Treatment is hands-on and practical. Depending on what you need, your physiotherapist may use manual therapy to ease pain and stiffness, targeted exercises to support the pelvis and lower back, taping or bracing advice, and guidance on positions for sleeping, sitting and moving that reduce strain on affected joints. We also cover practical advice for labour positioning where relevant, and safe ways to keep moving through pregnancy.
Where pelvic floor symptoms are also present, alongside your MSK pain, we can widen the assessment to cover this too, or refer you into a more pelvic-floor-specific appointment. You do not need to work out which service is the right one before you book. We will guide you.
Your first appointment starts with a conversation about your pregnancy, your symptoms, your activity levels, and what you are hoping to achieve, whether that is simply less pain day to day, or staying active for as long as possible. This is followed by a physical assessment of your posture, movement and the affected area, carried out with full explanation and your consent at every step.
By the end of your first appointment, you will have a clear picture of what is going on and a personalised treatment plan, with realistic expectations of how many sessions you are likely to need.
Your initial assessment lasts approximately (initial pregnancy MSK assessment duration, to confirm with the clinic, typically around 60 minutes, however we try not to focus on session length but value). Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement. You are welcome to bring a birth partner or support person with you if that helps you feel more comfortable.
You do not need a GP or midwife referral to book. If you are under midwifery or obstetric care, we are happy to liaise with your team where useful, with your consent.
  • Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and HCPC-registered physiotherapists
  • Based locally at 59 Wilmslow Road, Handforth, easy to reach from Wilmslow and the surrounding area
  • Private, one-to-one appointments, never rushed
  • Recognised by WPA, and AVIVA
  • A direct route into our Physio-Led Pilates and Pregnancy Massage services if you would like ongoing support alongside your physiotherapy
Our approach to pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is informed by guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the clinical standards set out by the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) professional network.
Most women notice a meaningful improvement in pain and function within a small number of sessions, though this varies depending on the severity of symptoms and how far along your pregnancy is. Pregnancy physiotherapy manages and reduces symptoms; it cannot always resolve them completely before birth, particularly with more significant SPD, and some women continue a light maintenance plan through to delivery. If you experience sudden, severe pain, bleeding, reduced fetal movement or anything that concerns you medically, please contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit directly, this service supports your musculoskeletal comfort and is not a substitute for maternity or obstetric care.
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Book Your Pregnancy Physiotherapy Appointment

Call 01625 783992 or WhatsApp +44 7792 068822 to book, or book online via our Contact page. No referral needed.
Read more about us, meet the team on Meet the Team, or return to our homepage to see all our services, including Post Natal Physiotherapy for after your baby arrives.
If you are unsure whether this is the right service for you, our Who We Help page and full FAQ page cover more general questions.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Pregnancy Physiotherapy FAQs

No, you can book directly with us at any stage of pregnancy without a referral from your GP or midwife, although we are happy to liaise with your maternity team if useful.
As soon as symptoms start, or earlier if you would like proactive support. Some women see us in the first trimester, others not until pelvic or back pain becomes noticeable later on. There is no wrong time to start.
Pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), is pain and instability around the pelvic joints during pregnancy, often felt in the front of the pelvis, lower back, hips or groin. It is common and treatable, and physiotherapy is a recommended first step.
Yes, physiotherapy is safe throughout pregnancy. Your assessment and treatment are always adapted to your stage of pregnancy and any specific precautions relevant to you.
No. This service is open to any pregnant woman with musculoskeletal aches, pains or mobility concerns, whether or not you have any pelvic floor symptoms.
Yes, alongside treating any pain, we can advise on safe exercise and movement through pregnancy, and support a smooth transition into our Physio-Led Pilates classes where appropriate.
Physiotherapy can help with positioning advice and general mobility and strength going into labour, though it is not a substitute for antenatal classes or your midwife’s birth planning support.
This varies by symptom and stage of pregnancy. Many women notice improvement within a few sessions, while others prefer ongoing, occasional check-ins through to birth.
We are recognised by Bupa, WPA, AXA and Aviva. Please check your specific policy, or contact us and we can help confirm this before your appointment.
Current prices are listed on our Pricing page, or call us on 01625 783992 to discuss costs before booking.

Handforth Physiotherapy and Rehab

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pregnant woman practicing yoga in a sunlit studio