Why Every Teacher Needs to Listen to Their Body (Especially After Pregnancy)

 


After my last pregnancy, I started feeling this horrible pain in my right arm and especially in my hand. It was like a dull spasm that would build into a throbbing pain, and it made writing on the board during my brick-and-mortar teaching so hard. It wasn’t just uncomfortable — some days it felt almost impossible to get through lessons. I didn’t even realise at the time, but I had developed something called "mom wrist" (basically a form of tendinitis) that I had never heard of about until I was living it.


Another teacher I really look up to saw how much I was struggling and immediately gave me the number of her physiotherapist. She pretty much made me call her right away — and I am so glad she did. That physiotherapist was a game changer for me. She didn’t just treat my wrist; she really went the extra mile to help my whole body recover.


 Looking back, I had already had random back spasms before, and sometimes weird pains in my foot — always more on the right side, which makes sense since I use it more without even thinking about it. But the pain in my wrist and hand really knocked my confidence for a while. Thankfully, with treatment, things started getting better.


When I transitioned to online teaching, a new problem popped up: neck pain. Sitting at a desk all day and staring into a screen made it worse. Again, my wonderful physio helped me. She gave me a few simple exercises and stretches that made a huge difference — I’ll probably share some of them here soon because they’re honestly lifesavers for any online teacher.


One of my absolute favorite parts of my recovery journey has been discovering acupuncture — or maybe I should say dry needling! I always thought it sounded a little scary, but the relief it brought to my hand, arm, and neck was incredible. Sometimes, if I start feeling that familiar tightness again, a few sessions make me feel like a whole new person. She even does acupuncture for my sinuses now, which has been amazing for relieving pressure and helping me breathe easier.


Exercise, proper movement, and just taking care of my body have honestly been such a huge part of being able to keep teaching — both in-person and online. If you’re struggling with any kind of pain, don’t ignore it or push through it forever. Sometimes a small change, like seeing a good physio or adding a few stretches to your day, can open up a whole new level of energy and relief.


You deserve to feel good while you’re teaching. You’re not alone.

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