JO RACLE (MCSP, BAHons, BScHons) OBSTETRIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Jo Racle is a women's health physiotherapist specialising in pregnancy-related conditions and is delighted to work in association with Baby Premier and Specialist Medical Imaging.

Pregnancy should be a joyful experience.  Unfortunately, for some women, the combination of weight gain, softening ligaments and postural changes, can produce significant pain and dysfunction.

Over the last few years, Jo has seen an increase in referrals for women with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), or as it is more appropriately known, Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP).  Symptoms can vary in intensity, frequency and locality, but generally consist of heavy aching pain around the lower back, abdomen and/or groin area.  Sometimes, the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis can become acutely tender.  Normal everyday activities such as standing, walking, going up or down stairs, getting dressed, and straddle movements, can become extremely uncomfortable.

PGP can be managed in a variety of ways.  Depending on the irritability of the symptoms, Jo uses gentle manual therapy techniques to provide optimal alignment and stability at the pelvic joints.  She will advise patients on how to modify their daily lives to avoid stressing their pelvis and how to best protect it by training the ‘core' stabilising muscles.  Jo also practises acupuncture for pain relief.

Most importantly, in partnership with your midwife, advice can be given to manage your labour and birth without compromising pelvic symptoms.  Jo will ensure that your postnatal recovery is as smooth as possible, with the appropriate amount of rest, realignment and core strengthening.

Jo also treats pregnant women who struggle with:

• low back pain
• coccydynia (painful tail bone)
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• diastasis recti
• rib pain
• any pre-existing musculoskeletal problem exacerbated by pregnancy
  

For more details, please contact Jo on 07808 930243 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .