understand your pelvic health
All too often women’s health can be overlooked. whether you’re pregnant, just had a baby, going through pre menopause, already in menopause or experiencing pain with sex, we still have a lot to learn about what our bodies and pelvic floor go through.
Due to this lack of education, we can become disconnected with that part of our body and how to keep it healthy.
the common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction
Urinary leakage
Urinary and fecal urgency/frequency
Fecal leakage
Constipation
Heaviness, bulging and pelvic organ prolapse
Recurring UTIs
Pelvic floor weakness
Endometriosis or period pain
Pelvic pain
Vaginismus
Pain during sex
Menopause/pre-menopause issues
Low back pain
C-section pain or scar tissue dysfunction
Pregnancy/postpartum pain, pressure and leakage
how physiotherapy can help
I’m a Physiotherapist passionate about bringing awareness to pelvic health and women’s health.
Through Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, my goal is to provide you with the care you need to address your pelvic health concerns while also promoting education about this little known but crucial part of our bodies.
pre/post-natal exercise program
My pre/post-natal exercise program was created to help women stay active during pregnancy and beyond. In my own clinical practice, I noticed that many women were interested in remaining active during their pregnancy or afterwards, but didn’t know where to start.
By developing an exercise program specifically for pregnancy and postpartum, I can help you approach exercise as a way to remain healthy, strong, and become more aware of your body as it goes through the wonderful changes of pregnancy.
Through one on one coaching, nutrition education, weekly check-ins, and a customized exercise plan, I will help you work out safely during your pregnancy and ease back into exercise post-partum.
Prepare your pelvic floor for birth
Get ready for the journey of childbirth with "Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth" by birthwell. Join our comprehensive 6-week online course led by seasoned pelvic floor physiotherapists Nadia Qahwash and Laura Holland, where you'll gain invaluable knowledge and techniques to ensure your pelvic floor, core and perineum are well-prepared for both birth and postpartum.
Our expert instructors will guide you through a wide range of exercises designed to strengthen and relax your pelvic floor muscles. You'll also learn essential labour and birth positions, effective pain relief techniques, receive partner support strategies, tips for the first 6 weeks postpartum plus more!
With this course, you will have the confidence and tools you need to optimize your birth experience and embrace the postpartum journey with strength and resilience. Enroll now and embark on this transformative journey to empower yourself for a more positive birth experience!
faqs
What should I expect for my first Pelvic Floor Assessment?
Your initial assessment will include a sit down and chat to discuss your pelvic health concerns and the reason you’ve come in to see me. We’ll discuss diet, stress, sleep patterns, bladder/bowel health, and sexual health, as well as medical, surgical, and gynaecological history.
From there we’ll discuss your exercise habits, activity levels and overall health before beginning a physical assessment. This assessment will include observation of your breathing, posture and lower back as well as an assessment of your abdomen, surrounding pelvic musculature, and an internal
pelvic assessment to record muscle tone, strength, scar tissue healing, and any other conditions.
Following the assessment, we will create a treatment plan, that includes various forms of at home exercises and treatments, tailored to your needs to help you achieve your pelvic floor goals.
What are the signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction I should look out for?
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, this may indicate that you could benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist:
- Urinary leakage
- Urinary urgency and/or frequency
- Recurring UTIs
- Painful urination
- Prolapse (Heaviness or dragging in your pelvic floor)
- Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Pain with intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Difficulty evacuating stool
- Fecal incontinence
- Low back pain with no other cause
- Any menstrual cycle concerns (including Endometriosis, pain during your periods, etc.)
- Perimenopause & Menopause concerns
- Hysterectomy Surgery or any surgical procedures on the pelvis
- Tailbone pain
Am I able to still attend my pelvic floor appointment while on my period?
Yes, you may still attend your scheduled appointment even while on your period. If you have any hesitancy with an internal assessment during your period, there are other external treatment methods we can do! This includes exercise prescription, breath work, external soft manipulation and education.
What equipment do I need for my workouts?
Your workouts will be tailored to you and what your individual goals are so there is no “required” equipment. Dumbbells, a yoga mat, an exercise ball, and resistance bands are all great tools to have at your disposal but are not necessary. I will work around what equipment is available to you.
How long will my workouts be?
The length of your daily workout program will depend on your exercise experience, fatigue levels and schedule. Pre pregnancy workouts can range anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes and post pregnancy exercises may vary between 20 to 40 minutes depending mainly on the schedule of your
baby.
How long does the exercise program go for?
To see and feel the best results, my exercise programs are typically designed to be 12 weeks long but can be adjusted according to your needs.
Is exercise safe during pregnancy?
Yes, exercise during pregnancy is absolutely safe! Women with uncomplicated pregnancies are encouraged to engage in both aerobic and strength training before, during and after their pregnancy in order to stay active and mobile. Depending on your specific goals, I will tailor the program to you so you get the most out of your workouts. Any injuries, aches and pains or health conditions will also be recorded and considered prior to beginning your exercise program to make sure the program aligns with your fitness level.
When can I start exercising after pregnancy?
The current recommendation is about 6 weeks after giving birth. However, tissue healing may take longer than 6 weeks depending on what kind of delivery you had and how the delivery of the baby went overall. When developing an exercise program, it’s important for me to know this information beforehand so I can modify the program accordingly. Every woman is different in her postpartum journey and thus will need a program that is right for her.
Do provide direct billing to insurance?
Encompass Health and Wellness provides direct billing while A Body In Motion provides an invoice that you can scan and hand into your insurance provider.
What is your cancellation policy?
You may cancel your appointment up to 24 hours before the scheduled time, free of charge.
If you cancel your appointment less than the hours mentioned above, you will be charged 100% of the service fee.
Implementing this cancellation policy allows me enough time to fill the spot with someone who may be in need of an appointment but a short notice cancellation might not thus leaving that appointment slot unused.
If you are cancelling due to an emergency or extenuating circumstances, the service fee will be waived.