ESTEVAN — An Estevan chiropractor is using her knowledge and past experiences to help other women in the community.
Dr. Rebecca Holman, who has been a practising chiropractor and acupuncture provider at the King Street Chiropractic and Health Centre for seven years, is launching a postpartum exercise rehab program for women. After having three babies of her own, she believes there is a gap in postpartum care for women, and the exercises will help them regain their strength.
“Most women, after they give birth, are sent home with not much more than instructions to rest and to have one six-week checkup for their postpartum care,” said Holman. “And given how tissue heals, I didn’t think that was enough.”
The early checkup is really important, she said, but the care should not end at that point.
The program will be rolled out in November through a partnership with Encompass Fitness, which will be the site for the program. Participants will come in for an initial assessment so that she can see where they are in their postpartum journey.
“Everyone’s story is a little different and they’re dealing with different challenges. What’s great about this program is I do tailor it to your specific needs.”
The first session will be Nov. 22 and will have one-hour get-togethers twice a week for four weeks. It will be limited to eight people so that she can focus on the variations of exercises and the different needs of women in the class.
Due to the amount of interest, Holman is looking at offering the program again in late January, and as often as it is needed.
“We focus on exercises that rehabilitate your core and pelvic floor,” said Holman.
A colleague of hers, Dr. Alli Cain, started a postpartum program called Growco to fill the gap in care, and Holman is a course solutions representative and Growco ambassador. Holman said she has completed extensive and continuing education on the subject.
Growco has been offered elsewhere in Canada and is moving into other countries, but it will be in Estevan for the first time.
Holman said her background as a chiropractor leaves her with training and knowledge about muscles, joints and bones.
“I’m very familiar with what happens at the tissue level in any injury, how to diagnose an injury and how long it takes to heal an injury and how to fix an MSK (musculoskeletal) injury,” she said. “Women go through a lot of physical changes through pregnancy and labour, from having your pelvic floor and core muscles support a growing baby.”
As a Growco ambassador, she said she is part of a network of chiropractors who provide the postpartum rehab programs to raise the standard of care.
Brady Johnson with Encompass Fitness said Holman approached Encompass to see if they would be willing to support the program. Encompass saw the need in Estevan with women’s health and they were happy to help.
“We think that Dr. Holman does fantastic work, and we definitely see the benefit that this will have in our community,” said Johnson.
Encompass will be providing the space and the equipment needed for the program.
Johnson said they have received interest from their members, young moms and other women in the community.
Holman added that it has been great working with Encompass, and she is glad the business sees the need for such a program.
To register, contact the King Street Chiropractic and Health Centre.
