By Megan Bengtson and Roxi Roberts | Pelvic Health Therapists, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists
Welcome to The Pelvis Project Podcast! Join hosts, Megan Bengtson and Roxi Roberts, two pelvic floor physical therapists who are passionate about spreading pelvic health awareness and starting c
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The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
Today’s episode is covering a pretty hot topic - menopause!
As women, we will ALL be experiencing menopause at some point in our lives, so it’s exciting to see it *finally* getting the attention it deserves.
As pelvic floor physical therapists, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative effects of pelvic floor muscle training, combined with vaginal moisturizers. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the role of pelvic floor therapy in managing menopausal symptoms. We’re diving into how genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) affects women, why vaginal moisturizers can be a gamechanger, recent, groundbreaking research done on menopausal women combining pelvic floor therapy + vaginal moisturizer, and more.
Women are continuing to be researched more and more, which is very exciting; up until recently, that wasn’t the case. We’re honored to be part of a field that plays a key role in treatment for periods like postpartum and menopause, and really, long-term wellness!
We recognize that menopause can bring a whole slew of symptoms for the body, but it doesn’t have to feel super discouraging, either. We hope this episode shows you that you CAN navigate this life stage with grace and confidence, and that getting personalized, expert support will go a long way, too!
In today’s episode about enhancing vaginal health during menopause, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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For this episode, we wanted to take some time and share some reflections on our journey as pelvic floor physical therapists!
Recently, we both helped at the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor 1 course, which is basically the ‘intro’ course for anyone looking to learn more about pelvic floor therapy. This was actually hosted at Megan’s clinic, Kansas Pelvic Health, for the first time - we had so much fun being on the other side, supporting the event!
In today’s episode, we’re chatting about our start as ‘beginner’ pelvic health therapists, and what’s changed since then. From having solid mentorship and continuous learning, to focusing on holistic care and taking an empathetic, ‘whole-person’ approach with every patient, you could say we’ve learned a thing (or two) along the way.
Connecting with people and helping them improve their overall health & well-being has been truly rewarding for us - it never gets old! We’ve both experienced many challenges and triumphs, but we’ve continued to embrace growth.
We feel incredibly blessed to be in the world of pelvic health, and are excited for where our profession is headed!!
In today’s episode about embracing growth as pelvic health therapists, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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Before we get into today’s topic, we have to share something exciting...
We just hit our ONE year anniversary with the podcast (yep, our podversary)!!
This last year has been a fun one - we’ve learned a LOT through this process, and have truly enjoyed getting to dive deep into topics that we’re passionate about. We’re so grateful for this space, and we hope you’ve learned a thing (or two) about pelvic floor therapy, and what it looks like to prioritize your health and well-being, regardless of the season of life you’re in.
In today’s episode, we’re discussing why flexibility in expectations matter, and more specifically, navigating postpartum exercise and activity. As pelvic floor physical therapists, we often work with women who are eager to return to regular exercise, activity, sports, etc. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always go as planned, which leaves women feeling confused, frustrated, and uncertain as to what they should do going forward.
There are many gaps in the education & guidance women receive in regards to postpartum, and what to expect. It’s time to change that, and even more, stop thinking that at 6 weeks postpartum you’ll ‘magically’ feel like exercising and having sex again, without skipping a beat!
We believe in informed and flexible postpartum care for all. Focusing on crucial ‘pillars’ when it comes to your health, as well as being realistic with your goals and expectations in the postpartum season is so, SO important.
The postpartum period is an incredibly beautiful time, but also very challenging. Please remember to have grace with yourself, because your recovery journey is unique to YOU!!
In today’s episode, Flexibility in Expectations: Navigating Postpartum Exercise and Activity, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Links/resources mentioned:
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Our main focus for today’s episode is painful intercourse - specifically, the conditions known as vaginismus and dyspareunia. We treat both of these super often in our clinics, and we know it is very common for women to suffer in silence when they’re experiencing one (or both) of these.
Fortunately, vaginismus and dyspareunia are very treatable, but there are some key differences as to what they are, what we see, and how we treat them.
In today’s conversation, we’re talking about overcoming vaginismus and dyspareunia with pelvic floor therapy. As pelvic floor physical therapists, we’re always going to treat the person, not the diagnosis.
It’s important to take a personalized approach and really understand WHY you’re experiencing painful intercourse, or any kind of pelvic pain or dysfunction. While this may feel ‘normal’ to you (especially if it’s been this way for a while), it’s always connected to a previous event or trauma, and we want to get to the bottom of that.
This extra pelvic pain or tension that you’re dealing with is very multifaceted. It’s there for a reason, and it’s not ‘just in your head’. Having a glass of wine and simply ‘relaxing more’ isn’t going to make it go away!
Ultimately, we hope this episode gives you more insight into both vaginismus and dyspareunia, and why these aren’t conditions that you’re destined to deal with forever. You can go from pain to pleasure, because your body IS capable of healing!!
In today’s episode, From Pain to Pleasure: Overcoming Vaginismus and Dyspareunia with Pelvic Floor Therapy, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Related episodes mentioned:
Episode 15 | The Value of a Pelvic Floor Internal Assessment
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Today’s episode is covering a topic that is often overlooked, but definitely impacts you more than you think!
Yep..we’re talking about the power of your MINDSET, and how it really can ‘make or break you’ as you’re trying to heal. In today’s conversation, we’re discussing why mindset matters, and how shifting perspectives can empower healing. Mindset is a crucial piece of your healing journey, and as pelvic floor physical therapists, we see this all the time when working with our patients.
When you stop doubting yourself and get out of that ‘victim’ mentality, you CAN get better. A positive mindset is powerful, and when you allow yourself to see what’s possible by putting in the work and believing in yourself (regardless of what obstacles come your way), true healing IS possible!
Whether you’re focusing on your health, fitness, career, or something else, don’t forget to celebrate yourself and all of your ‘wins’ along the way. We hope this episode empowers you to embrace imperfection; progress IS a beautiful thing, and ultimately, your mindset matters when it comes to your healing!
In today’s episode, Mindset Matters: Shifting Perspectives to Empower Healing, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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When you think of pelvic floor therapy, chances are you also think of stress urinary incontinence (aka urinary ‘leakage’). This is probably the most widely-known (and definitely most common) issue associated with pelvic floor therapy, and it’s something we are very familiar with as pelvic floor therapists!
Unfortunately, there are quite a few myths surrounding this topic, so we wanted to debunk those here. In today’s conversation, we’re discussing what stress urinary incontinence is, and who is affected (*hint - it’s not only postpartum women or those of a ‘certain’ age!).
We’re diving into the root causes and symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, how your posture, constipation, nervous system, and even mindset play a critical role, our thoughts on pelvic floor devices like the EMSELLA chair, and more.
Pelvic floor therapy is never a one-size-fits-all. It’s vital that you get to the root cause of WHY you’re experiencing symptoms like stress urinary incontinence, so you can improve your pelvic health and overall wellness.
We get to see how transformational and truly life-changing pelvic floor therapy can be every single day as we’re treating our patients. We hope this episode gave you some valuable insights on how to manage stress urinary incontinence, and ultimately, better connect with your pelvic floor!
In today’s episode about understanding stress urinary incontinence, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Related episodes mentioned: Episode 14 | Beyond the Myth: Understanding and Addressing Pelvic Floor Tightness
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Did you know that the health of your feet can majorly impact your pelvic floor function??
Yep..it’s totally a thing! We've seen how impactful this can be when working with patients, so we’re excited to share more about the fascinating link between foot movement and pelvic health in today’s episode.
Your feet can greatly affect your pelvic health and its overall function, so improving your foot stability and mobility is a great place to start (especially if you’ve had a recent injury). In this episode, we’re chatting more about how to optimize your exercise form while also looking for ways to strengthen in your everyday life, the crucial role of neural input in musculoskeletal issues, some of our favorite tips to better support your feet AND your pelvic floor, and more.
As pelvic floor physical therapists, we care about the whole body, and will always take a root-cause approach when working with our patients. We love providing hands-on work, and it’s pretty incredible to see how a little adjustment in one area can greatly impact the rest of the body! We hope you enjoy this episode filled with some fun ‘nuggets’, and learn something new; if your feet are feelin’ tight, it’s time to move them!
In today’s episode, Exploring the Link Between Foot Movement and Pelvic Health, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Mentioned in episode:
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Today’s episode is a fun one, because we’re chatting all things periods and menstrual health!
While this is a topic that we’re excited to bring more awareness to, we also know it can feel daunting, and honestly, something we put off talking about with our daughters for as long as possible. As a mom (Megan) whose daughter recently started her period for the first time, it really hit home the critical role we play as parents in guiding our girls through this major milestone. We shouldn’t feel ‘weird’ discussing menstruation, and we also can’t assume they already know (or fully understand) what’s going on with their bodies.
In today’s conversation, we’re talking about normalizing periods, and empowering girls through open conversations about their menstrual cycles. We’re sharing our own period stories and the lessons we've learned in supporting our daughters, tips for using tampons for the first time, the beautiful gift of mother’s intuition, and more. Yep..we’re getting personal in this one!
We’ve found that both laying the groundwork ahead of time and keeping open communication along the way significantly helps our daughters feel more informed and empowered as they grow into young women. Our ever-changing bodies are amazing; it’s time to not only normalize, but CELEBRATE what is happening. We hope you enjoy this truly honest, educational, and entertaining chat about periods and menstrual cycles!
In today’s episode, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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We’re excited to be wrapping up our fourth and final episode in our hands-on fertility treatment series!
Today’s episode is going to cover more of what you would expect in a typical session with us - the hands-on work, and more specifically, visceral mobilization techniques. As seasoned pelvic health physical therapists, we’ve learned how crucial proper mobility is when it comes to particular organs and tissues within the body. In today’s conversation, we’re discussing visceral mobilization techniques, and how this greatly impacts reproductive organs like the uterus and ovaries, as well as nearby organs like the bladder. We’re sharing what it looks like to implement lymphatic drainage and ‘clear the area’, how deep tissue work can really facilitate the body to correct itself, why painful periods shouldn’t be a normal thing for you, our intensely emotional and physical experiences with ovarian mobilization, and more.
The human body is deeply intricate, and very connected. Being able to restore the body to how it was created to function, and identify areas of restriction so you do have good movement can create a powerful ripple effect you didn’t know was possible! While the physical transformation is incredible, the emotional one can be even more so (which we both know firsthand). We want to get your body in the healthiest and most optimized place, whether you’re trying to improve fertility or not. We hope this series has both educated and empowered you when it comes to your fertility and overall health, because knowledge IS power!
In today’s episode about visceral mobilization techniques, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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Today’s episode will be part three in our hands-on fertility treatment series, and we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of the menstrual cycle!
While the menstrual cycle and menstrual health may not be exciting topics for most, this is VITAL information all women need to know (regardless of the stage of life you’re in, or whether or not you’re on a fertility journey). Your period is your 5th vital sign (pretty amazing, right?), and it can give critical insights as to what’s really going on with your body. In today’s conversation, we’re discussing the menstrual cycle, and its overall impact on hormones and reproductive health. We’re sharing more about what is ‘standard’ when it comes to your period, common causes for irregular periods, the four phases of the menstrual cycle and how to optimize fertility during this process, why ‘period poops’ is a thing (yep, we totally went there!), and more.
We hope this episode gives you a better understanding of your menstrual cycle, and renewed perspective on your menstrual health all together. Your menstrual cycle isn’t something to despise, or think of as an unnecessary burden anymore. It’s time to embrace your menstrual health, and feel empowered when it comes to tracking your cycle - the female body is pretty darn incredible after all!
In today’s episode about the menstrual cycle and its impact on hormones and reproductive health, we’re covering:
**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. These conversations are for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
Mentioned in episode: Connect with Jeana on Instagram @serial.healers
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The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.