In part 2 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny Rabinovich to discuss: Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues  The Sexual Health Education curriculum  Middle years and high school focus focus (grades 7-12)  healthy vs unhealthy relationships consent sexual decision making contraception  prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Suggestions for parents (how to ask them what they are learning at school and supplement their learning at home) Jenny is mom to ..read more

In part 1 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny to discuss: Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues  The Sexual Health Education curriculum  Elementary years focus (grades 4-6)  puberty education (periods, hormones, pimples, hair, body odour) reproduction and pregnancy hygiene (vulvar and penile considerations) personal safety/consent for touch (self touch, good vs bad secrets)  Suggestions for parents (how to ask them what they are learning at school and supple ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with New Westminster BC based Urogynecologist, Dr. Merry Gong to discuss:  Operative vaginal birth (vacuum, forceps, episiotomy) What do these instruments look like and indications for their use Indications for operative vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birth Risks associated with vacuum and forceps Canada has the highest rates of obstetrical trauma C-section rates rising Ways to decrease rates of operative vaginal birth  Ways to support those with pelvic floor injuries after birth Dr. Merry Gong completed her medical undergraduate training, residency in Obste ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, Lucy Snider to discuss: How the pelvic floor is related to previous sexual trauma What you can expect at a pelvic physiotherapy appointment What may take place at a psychotherapy appointment  What is EMDR therapy? Suggestions to help progress to pleasurable sexual activity How do you know when you are ready to process sexual trauma? Differences in how survivors process sexual trauma How previous sexual trauma may affect your preparation for birth Lucy Snider (she/her) is an experienced Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapist and Se ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist clinician/researcher Dr. Sinead Dufour and Sinead O’Donovan from SRC to discuss: The evidence based benefits of compression  The quality garments SRC has developed for incontinence, prolapse and the perinatal population Australian trends for use of compression Given the data to support, some reasons why we may not be implementing this as well in North America  Details on the use of compression (how much, how tight, how long) To check out SRC products: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4 For 10% off your order: THEPELVICFLOORPRO ..read more

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Lori Brotto; Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Registered Psychologist and Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute of BC and Principal Investigator in the HER-BC Research Study on Midlife Women and Menopause to discuss: The impacts of perimenopause/menopause on midlife women  The lack of current research Aims of the HER-BC Research Study on Midlife Women and Menopause: To describe the health experiences and behaviours of midlife women (aged 39-60) Impacts on QOL and ADLS including caregiving and work Hea ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapy clinician and researcher Dr. Sinéad Dufour and Founder and CEO of Urospot, Erin Craven to discuss:  Kegel chair (emsella) controversy Various marketing strategies Physiotherapy skepticisms  HIFEM technology and the evidence How we use other modalities as physiotherapists to help “reboot the system” (muscle stim, IMS or TENS) The Urospot care model (education, health coaching and technology) Where might HIFEM technology fit into our care plan? Treatment cost Erin Craven is a passionate leader and champion of women’s health. Over her 25 ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with Christie Uipi, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety and depression and the founder of The Better Mind Center to discuss:  Pain is invisible and so are pelvic floor issues How pain works  Why each person experiences pain uniquely  Why sometimes pain goes away quickly and reasons why it persists Messages to patients who feel they go between many health care practioners Emotional and physical aspects of pain  How physiotherapists and psychotherapists can work together What psychotherapy has to offer and the ..read more

In this episode I sit down with fellow pelvic health physiotherapist and leader in the field of diastasis, Munira Hudani to discuss: The increasing awareness around the topic of diastasis rectus abdominis and the confusion that comes with it Conflicting messaging ranging from “be careful, you shouldn’t do those exercises” to “all exercises are good exercises” Trends in messaging and how these have changed over time What the research is telling us The importance of ‘zooming out’ to figure out what is important to the patient Ways to meet patients where they are at How physiotherapy can help an ..read more

In this episode, I sit down with clinician-researcher Sarah Lord Ferguson to discuss:  Current trends in physiotherapy Physiotherapy as a business Expectations that patients may have of their physiotherapist Patients are not a blank slate The importance of meeting patients where they are at Blending evidence based care with what our clients may be asking for or expecting How can patients find the right physiotherapist for their needs Sarah is a clinician-researcher from Vancouver, Canada who is inspired by the problems that physiotherapists and other healthcare providers face. She has a ..read more