In this episode, I sit down with fellow physical therapist and Instagram star, Hayley Kava to break down some “not so good” messaging out there: 

• “Pelvic floor symptoms are due to a weak and loose pelvic floor”
• “Don’t start physio until 6 wks after baby”
• "A pelvic health PT is only helpful for those that have had a vaginal birth”
• “Just give it time and wait for the hormones to go away” 
• “Be careful your abs don’t split open”
• “Be careful or your organs will fall out”
• “Just wait until you are done having kids and then have surgery”
• “If physiotherapy didn’t work, you failed physio” 

Our goal for this episode is to talk about how “rubbish” these messages are and share the truth behind them. 

Hayley Kava PT, MPT, never wanted to be a pelvic floor physical therapist. She had been an athlete her whole life and thought working with athletes was her passion. 
She then gave birth the first time and realized that labor, birth and postpartum recovery was the most physically, and emotionally demanding thing she had ever done.
Through navigating her own recovery, she realized that all people with pelvic floors deserve more information and empowerment about how to address their common, but often taboo, issues. She created her business Hayley Kava, Physical Therapy out of this passion to spread this much needed information, and to ensure that no person feels alone is dealing with any pelvic floor problem.  
Hayley now works full time working both with clients and clinicians of all ages and genders taking a whole body approach to the pelvic floor.  

Instagram
www.hayleykavapt.com

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

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In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Susannah Britnell to discuss: 

• Symptoms typically seen with clients who have tailbone pain 
• What muscles and structures attach to the coccyx/tailbone
• Reasons why people have tailbone pain 
• Typical course of treatment 
• What pelvic health physiotherapy has to offer
• What the research says 

Susannah Britnell works mostly in private practice at Urban Healing in Vancouver BC, working collaboratively  with clients of all ages and genders in the areas of pregnancy and postpartum,  orthopedics, pelvic health and persistent pain, including genital pain and bladder,  bowel and sexual pain concerns. 
Susannah worked for years at BC Women’s and the interdisciplinary team at the  Centre for Pelvic Pain, gaining invaluable experience working with people with perinatal concerns and persistent pelvic pain.  
Susannah has presented both internationally and locally, to professionals and patients. She is an adjunct professor in the UBC Masters of Physiotherapy program and an instructor for Rost Therapy and Pelvic Health Solutions. She has co authorized several papers with the Centre of Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis.  Susannah has been a mentor for the Pain Science Mentorship program and has served on the CPA Women’s Health Division and Pain Science Division  Committees.  

To book with Susannah: https://www.fullcirclephysiotherapy.com

Courses mentioned:

Embodia
The ROST Therapy Approach to Understanding & Treating Pelvic Girdle Pain
Coccydynia - A Rost Therapy Approach To The Assessment And Treatment Of Tailbone Pain

Rost Therapy online courses
https://www.rosttherapy.com/online-courses-pelvic-girdle-pain-coccydynia/

External Treatment for Coccydynia:
https://biaformations.didacte.com/a/course/13593/description

Pre and Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain:
https://biaformations.didacte.com/a/course/13590/description

The Evidence:

Maher et al: Concurrent Validity of Noninvasive Coccygeal Motion Palpation and Transabdominal Ultrasound Imaging in the Assessment of Pelvic Floor Function in Women. 2020. 

Maigne JY, Pigeau I, Roger B. Magnetic resonance imaging findings in the painful adult coccyx. Eur Spine J. 2012 Oct;21(10):2097-104. doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2202-6. Epub 2012 Feb 22. PMID: 22354690; PMCID: PMC3463700.

Nathan ST, Fisher BE, Roberts CS. Coccydynia: a review of pathoanatomy, aetiology, treatment and outcome. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010 Dec;92(12):1622-7. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.92B12.25486. PMID: 21119164.

Stensgaard SH, Moeller Bek K, Ismail KM. Coccygeal movement test: an objective, non-invasive test for localization of the pelvic floor muscles in healthy women. Med Princ Pract. 2014;23(4):318-22. doi: 10.1159/000362337. Epub 2014 May 15. PMID: 24852386; PMCID: PMC5586893.

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amanda Olson, physical therapist and pelvic expert behind Intimate Rose to discuss:

• The messaging that dilators are used to "stretch tight tissue" 
• Reasons why penetration with intimacy, tampon use and medical exams can be painful
• The connection between brain and pelvic floor 
• How dilators can be used to help the brain and body tolerate penetration
• Intimate Rose product details (sizing, what they are made of, lubrication to accompany, ordering)
• Ways to progress when using a dilator 
• How to know if a dilator(s) would be an option for you

Dr. Olson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Pacific University, and a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University, graduating as a member of the Jesuit National Honor Society. She is holds a Certification of Achievement in pelvic floor physical therapy (CAPP-PF) from the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Pelvic Floor Practitioner Certification (PRPC) through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Institute. She is also a certified Stott Pilates instructor and RRCA certified running coach. 

She is the president and chief clinical officer of Intimate Rose where she develops pelvic health products and education.  She is passionate about empowering women and men with pelvic health issues including pelvic pain, incontinence, pregnancy, and post-partum issues. 

Dr. Olson teaches internationally on various pelvic health topics including pelvic floor dysfunction in runners. She has written newspaper and magazine articles on pelvic floor dysfunction, and running and also authored the book Restoring the Pelvic Floor For Women.

Instagram

Website - https://www.intimaterose.com

Use code: MOMMYBERRIES for a special discount in your cart

Links mentioned in episode:

Episode 27- Vulvovaginal pain

Episode 47 - Pain with intercourse: Looking beyond the pelvic floor muscles 

The evidence:

Al-Abbadey M, Liossi C, Curran N, Schoth DE, Graham CA. Treatment of Female Sexual Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review

Bakker RM, ter Kuile MM, Vermeer WM, Nout RA, Mens JW, van Doorn LC, de Kroon CD, Hompus WC, Braat C, Creutzberg CL. Sexual rehabilitation after pelvic radiotherapy and vaginal dilator use: consensus using the Delphi method

Edmonds DK, Rose GL, Lipton MG, Quek J. Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a review of 245 consecutive cases managed by a multidisciplinary approach with vaginal dilators

Falk SJ, Bober S. Vaginal Health During Breast Cancer Treatment

Ketheeswaran A, Morrisey J, Abbott J, Bennett M, Dudley J, Deans R. Intensive vaginal dilation using adjuvant treatments in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome: retrospective cohort study

Macey, K., Gregory, A., Nunns, D. et al. Women’s experiences of using vaginal trainers (dilators) to treat vaginal penetration difficulties diagnosed as vaginismus: a qualitative interview study

Miles T, Johnson N. Vaginal dilator therapy for women receiving pelvic radiotherapy. 

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lori Brotto a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a Registered Psychologist as well as PHD student, Natalie Brown who is currently conducting research related to treatment of vaginismus to discuss:

• The relationship between our emotional brain and physical body
• The pelvic floor’s involvement when vaginal penetration is painful
• Common themes with discomfort and lack of enjoyment with intercourse
• The role that context including culture, spirituality, beliefs, history, stress play in vulvovaginal pain 
• Messages and advice women are commonly given
• The role of medications and hormones
• Pelvic health physiotherapy approach
• Dr. Brotto’s research on mindfulness-based interventions for women with sexual dysfunction and those who experience chronic genital pain
• Current research being conducted using erotica as a form of treatment for vaginismus 

Dr. Lori Brotto is a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, Canada.  She has been the Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute of BC located at BC Women’s Hospital since 2016. Dr. Brotto holds a Canada Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health. She is the director of the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory where research primarily focuses on developing and testing psychological and mindfulness-based interventions for women with sexual dysfunction and those who experience chronic genital pain. Dr. Brotto is an Associate Editor for the Archives of Sexual Behavior, has >200 peer-reviewed publications, and is frequently featured in the media on topics related to sexuality. Her book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire (2018) is a knowledge translation product aimed at sharing the science of sexual desire with a broad audience, and the accompanying Workbook will be published by Greystone in October 2022. She is a strong advocate for empowering women to take on leadership roles.

Natalie is a PhD student in the UBC Clinical Psychology program, working under the supervision of Drs. Lori Brotto and Alan Kingstone. She completed her BA in Psychology at Queen’s University in 2017, and her MA in Clinical Psychology at UBC in 2020. Natalie's research examines the use of virtual reality erotica as a clinical tool in the treatment of Genito-pelvic Pain and Penetration Disorder (GPPPD), with a focus on Vaginismus. Overall, her research program aims to improve our understanding of sexual difficulties and develop evidence-based interventions for individuals with distressing sexual concerns

Links mentioned in episode:

Netflix special series : Principles of Pleasure 

UBC Faculty of Medicine Sexual Health Research Lab

Details to participate in Natalie’s research on vaginismus

Book:   Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire 

Episode 27 - Vulvovaginal pain

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In this episode, I sit down with fellow pelvic health physiotherapist, Adrienne Sim to discuss: 

• What is stress incontinence and why does it happen
• Common beliefs and myths surrounding stress incontinence
• Some ways that women are currently managing stress incontinence
• What the evidence based guidelines suggest for management 
• The strong evidence to support pelvic health physiotherapy 
• What you can expect when you see a pelvic health physiotherapist
• Options when physiotherapy isn’t enough 

Adrienne Sim is a Physiotherapist, practicing pelvic health in Langley, BC as a member of Full Circle Physiotherapy – A Pelvic Health Collective. Adrienne trained in Perth Australia, obtaining a Master of Physiotherapy in 2010 and went on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy - Continence and Women's Health at Curtin University in 2014. She treats all areas of pelvic health with the integration of a biopsychosocial approach and is committed to empowering people with informed choice and helping to keep people moving and participating in life in meaningful ways.
Adrienne is a lifelong learner and is enthusiastic about educating and presenting on various topics in her field to the community, her peers and other healthcare professionals. She is actively working to improve pelvic health awareness through various national committees and research initiatives.
www.fullcirclephysiotherapy.com
Instagram
@adriennesimphysio.   @fullcirclephysiotherapy
Facebook
@adriennesimphysio.   @fullcirclephysiotherapy
Links mentioned in episode:
ICS guidelines

Dumoulin et al 2018 Cochrane Review: Pelvic floor muscle training vs no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women.

Brooks et al 2021:   A model identifying characteristics predictive of successful pelvic floor muscle training outcomes among women with stress urinary incontinence.

NICE guidelines 2021:  Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care: Treatment Options for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Falah -Hassani et al 2021: The pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

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In this episode, I sit down with Kimberley Johnson, a PhD student doing fabulous research in psychology with a specific focus on perinatal and pelvic health to discuss: 

• Birth related pelvic floor trauma and the association with higher rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. 
• Kimberley’s personal experience that led to her research questions
• The study hypothesis -Lack of pelvic floor focused education may be associated with greater distress following pelvic floor trauma and its sequelae 
• The staggering results that demonstrate the lack of information perinatal women are provided and the impact this has on them. 
• Reasons why this information is not being shared by health care providers 
• How we as clients, clinicians and care providers can start to implement this information

Kimberley Johnson, M.S., is an advanced doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Utah with an emphasis in perinatal and pelvic health. Her current research is centered on factors that facilitate adjustment and wellbeing during the postpartum transition period, particularly in the context of birth-related injuries. She has published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy and Journal of Health Psychology and has contributed to postpartum rehabilitation and wellness courses. Outside of her academic and clinical work, she is also a mother of two (to a 3-year-old girl and expecting a baby boy this summer) and loves xc skiing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and just being outside with her family. 

Instagram - @wildmatrescence

Email - [email protected]

Links mentioned in episode:

Kimberley’s research:
The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom Related Distress https://journals.lww.com/jwhpt/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=9000&issue=00000&article=99940&type=Abstract

Episode 29- Perineal tears with a urogynecologist 

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

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In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist Anita Lambert to discuss:

• How pelvic health physiotherapists can play a role in helping women prepare for birth
• The anatomy of birth
• Is there a right and wrong way to push?
• How do birth positions play a role?
• Different ways you may be coached to push
• Ways to feel prepared and empowered 
• What the research says
• How to bring this topic up with your care provider 

Anita Lambert is the owner of Holistic Health Physiotherapy, creator of the Bump to Birth Method and co-host of the To Birth & Beyond podcast.

She’s a mom of two, pelvic health physiotherapist with a focus on prenatal and postpartum care and one of the select few physiotherapists in Canada to complete physio doula training which blends orthopaedic physiotherapy expertise and birth doula support and now assists this course for other physiotherapists in Canada.

She’s passionate about helping you connect with your body including pelvic floor plus keep you active and comfortable during pregnancy while you prepare for birth and helping you navigate your postpartum recovery to return to exercise without pain or pelvic floor symptoms.

She hears daily from pregnancy and postpartum clients “why did no one tell me?” about what our body might experience – whether aches, pains, leaking pee with exercise or healing from a vaginal tear or caesarean birth.

No one can guarantee how your birth will go, however having worked with hundreds of pregnant and postpartum clients in her physiotherapy practice plus going through her own experiences, she’s seen how working together with your body (rather than ignoring it) benefits not only you in pregnancy but also during birth and postpartum recovery.

This is why she opened Holistic Health Physiotherapy and created the Bump to Birth Method.

Facebook : Holistic Health Physio

Instagram: Holistic Health Physio

www.holistichealthphysio.com

Podcast: To Birth and Beyond

Links mentioned in episode:

2017 Cochrane Review (Lemos et al)  -  Pushing/bearing down methods for the second stage of labour https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009124.pub3/full?cookiesEnabled

Episode 33 - What is the best birth position

Episode 17- Discussing epidurals with an anesthesiologist

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

Want more details on the small groups?
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In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist, Michelle Lyons to discuss: 

• The link between pelvic health physiotherapy and menopause
• Meaning of the terms perimenopause and menopause
• Role of estrogen and progesterone in the body
• How the various body systems (brain, digestive, heart, bladder, vagina, bones, muscles, tendons etc) may respond to hormone changes 
• The importance of our monthly cycle
• Hormone changes postpartum
• The lack of awareness around menopause 
• Why women experience menopause differently
• How to educate and advocate for yourself

Michelle Lyons is a leader in the field of physiotherapy with 25+ years of clinical experience. Her passion now is teaching clinicians and healthcare professionals how to help women live well. Michelle's professional toolbox includes movement therapies, manual treatment strategies to optimize function, nutrition, herbal medicine, mindfulness and a commitment to integrate a biopsychosocial approach into all she teaches. She has taught postgraduate coursework on women’s and men’ pelvic health all over the globe and has presented at most of the leading conferences and world stages on women’s health.

Michelle believes that women deserve better healthcare. That feeling comfort, safety and joy in our bodies, is not only attainable, but our birthright. That having fears, concerns or problems dismissed by healthcare providers as ‘part of being a woman/ having babies/getting older is unacceptable. That a knowledgeable woman is an empowered woman. That the healthcare providers who serve women need better education: up to date, evidence based, compassionate and tailored to the individual woman and all the women we serve.

Michelle founded Celebrate Muliebrity which is where you can find her. 

You can find her on her website

https://celebratemuliebrity.com

on instagram

Links mentioned in episode:

Dr Louise Newson - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDBwWZGyYgyBbR5a2URGvvQ

Balance App:

https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/

The Menopause Manifesto - Dr. Jen Gunter (book)

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

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In this episode, I sit down with Celia Peters, runner and mom. Celia shares her struggles with postpartum recovery despite doing everything she could to prevent them. She brings a honest and refreshing perspective while inspiring others to become experts in their own body. 

• Celia’s goal to be proactive and prevent postpartum issues
• What things she did to prepare during pregnancy and for birth
• Things that stand out with the early postpartum period
• “Comparison is the thief of joy”
• Harmful messages Celia had heard and how she has learned to change her mindset
• Where she is now
• Her message to other postpartum moms

Celia is a former elite middle distance runner who continues to love running for its ability to challenge herself, explore new cities, and wind down after a busy day working in tech sales. 

Through Celia’s recent pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Oona, Celia has developed an interest in women’s health and challenging outdated norms around pelvic health. So far, Celia’s postpartum return to running has been different than she expected - and she’s learning to appreciate and be patient with each step ahead. 

Links mentioned in episode:

Self paced programs

Small group programs

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

To make a donation to offset the cost of production click donate:
Donate

Want more details on the small groups?
Contact: [email protected]

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In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Jill Mueller to discuss: 

• An explanation of endometriosis
• Common symptoms
• How a diagnosis is made
• Causes
• Treatment options
• How pelvic health physiotherapy can help
• Resources to help you advocate for yourself

Jill Mueller has been a physiotherapist since 2001. Her interest in Pelvic Health Therapy stems from experiencing her own journey with endometriosis and fertility challenges for 10 years.  Through learning more about the disease, implementing pain neuroscience and visceral therapy, she has taught herself how to escape her monthly cycle of pain.  Jill is passionate about sharing what she has learned with other Pelvic Physiotherapists and her clients.

Endotogether: 

www.endotogether.com 

Facebook
Instagram

Healthy Balance Physiotherapy & Wellness in Oakville, Ontario

www.hbpw.ca
Facebook
Instagram

Links mentioned in episode:

Episode 10 - Why the pain in your vagina or elsewhere in your pelvis, won’t go away

Book: Beating Endo by Amy Stein and Iris Orbuch 

Pelvic Health Solutions (find a physio in your area)

Endometriosis Network of Canada (find a doctor)

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find more:
my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.com

To make a donation to offset the cost of production click donate:
Donate

Want more details on the small groups?
Contact: [email protected]

Follow me on:

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Support the show