The Role of Physiotherapy in Cesarean Section Rehabilitation
The Role of Physiotherapy in Cesarean Section Rehabilitation
This course includes
The instructors
Overview
Cesarean sections are the most commonly performed inpatient surgery in Canada, yet post-cesarean recovery rarely gets the structured rehab attention you would expect after an orthopaedic surgery like a hip or knee replacement. Given the short-term and long-term health impacts of a cesarean birth, physiotherapists have a clear role to play in postoperative management.
In this course, pelvic health physiotherapist Katie Kelly walks you through what actually happens during a cesarean section, from the initial skin incision (most commonly a Pfannenstiel incision) to the vertical dissection through the linea alba and the double-layered uterine closure, and why those details matter for your assessment and management plan.
You will then explore the evidence behind early postoperative physiotherapy and ambulation, TENS for incisional pain, abdominal binders, and myofascial scar treatment. Katie closes with practical guidance on timing scar therapy, differentiating abdominal wall pain, and supporting pelvic floor recovery.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Explain the indications for scheduled and emergency cesarean section, and how this distinction may affect patient recovery.
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Describe how incision type and layer closure vary between cesarean surgeries, and how these choices may relate to scar pain, adhesions, and diastasis recti.
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Discuss the pelvic floor, hormonal, and psychosocial factors that shape postpartum recovery after a cesarean birth.
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Explain the evidence behind early postoperative physiotherapy, TENS, abdominal binders, and myofascial scar treatment in cesarean recovery.
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Apply knowledge of cesarean postoperative rehabilitation to build individualized physiotherapy plans, from prenatal education to long-term pain management.
Why This Course Matters
Many patients and clinicians still assume a cesarean birth protects against the pelvic floor and musculoskeletal problems associated with vaginal delivery. The research presented here suggests otherwise: urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain all remain common after cesarean delivery, and persistent incisional pain affects a meaningful share of patients.
Standard postoperative recovery advice is also often hard to follow when patients are faced with early discharge, newborn care, and birth-related distress. Physiotherapists are well positioned to close that gap across the full continuum of care, from prenatal education and inpatient mobilization to scar management and long-term pain care. This course gives you the "why" behind each intervention so you can tailor care based on the type of cesarean surgery your patient had.
Audience
This course is designed for pelvic health physiotherapists who want a deeper, evidence-informed understanding of post-cesarean care. It is also relevant for orthopaedic physiotherapists who see postpartum low back, pelvic girdle, or abdominal wall pain and want to connect it to the surgical history. Physiotherapists in acute care and inpatient obstetrics will find practical guidance on early mobilization, pain management, and discharge planning.
The instructors
Pelvic and Reproductive Health Division (formerly Women's Health Division) is a not-for-profit division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) that is managed, operated, and advanced by volunteers with a passion for women’s health. We are a dynamic organization, national in scope, that effectively facilitates communication, education and service delivery for physiotherapy practitioners on topics specific to women’s health.
Our mission is to provide leadership and direction to members of the CPA for the advancement of physiotherapy practice in women’s health by fostering excellence in practice, education, and research for the benefit of Canadians.
We aim to:
- Acquire and make available information and educational materials
- Encourage and develop the publication of research in the field
- Facilitate communication between and among members
- Promote ongoing professional development
- Enhance physiotherapy service delivery specific to women’s health and/or pelvic health.
Bsc., MSc. PT Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Katie Kelly, BSc, MScPT, has been practicing as a pelvic health physiotherapist since 2010 and is the co-owner of ReConnect Health Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Katie is often a guest lecturer for the School of Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University with a focused knowledge on pregnancy, pelvic health, and exercise with regards to weight loss. Katie has also collaborated with Mount Allison University's Sexual Health Laboratory on research into chronic pelvic and genital pain conditions, and is an active contributing author for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Health Division Newsletter.
Katie earned both her BSc and MSc in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University, and is a member of the New Brunswick College of Physiotherapists, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Health Division, the Canadian Sex Researcher Forum and the Canadian Obesity Network. Katie’s overwhelming curiosity for pelvic health physiotherapy drives her to continuously take deep dives into topics of interest.
Material included in this course
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The Role of Physiotherapy in the Management of Cesarean Section Rehabilitation
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Rationale
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Surgical Procedure
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Rehabilitation
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Conclusion
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Final Questions
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Summary & Key Insights
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Feedback
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Quiz, References, and What's Next
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Quiz
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References
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What's Next
Why does c-section recovery need dedicated rehab?
Cesarean section is the most common inpatient surgery in Canada and many other countries, yet it gets far less rehab attention than hip or knee replacements. Many patients go on to experience persistent pelvic, back, or scar-related pain, pelvic floor symptoms, or birth-related distress. Recovery is often complicated further by surgical guidelines, such as limited lifting, that are hard to follow while caring for a newborn.
What does physiotherapy for c-section recovery involve?
Physiotherapists can support cesarean patients across the full continuum of care: prenatal education, inpatient mobilization, pain management, wound and scar care, discharge planning, and long-term pelvic floor and chronic pain rehab. This course reviews the evidence behind each stage, so you can tailor care to the surgery your patient actually had.
Are there other courses available on this topic?
Yes, you can find additional courses linked below:
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.