PELVIC FLOOR
Pelvic floor health is essential to a woman’s sense of confidence and well being.
Have you ever done a jumping jack, sneezed or coughed and leaked urine?
Do you urinate so often that only a little comes out, although the urge is strong?
Often, the cause is dysfunction of the pelvic floor, an issue that can also cause unexplained lower back pain. The good news is that there is non-invasive help – meaning personalized movements and exercises.
From 1988-2000, I lived in Switzerland, where there was a much earlier and sophisticated understanding of female pelvic floor function. I was fortunate enough to study the subject with a nurse who knew it took more than Kegels to help with many pelvic floor issues! When I returned to the USA in 2000, there was practically no information available for the lay person and many women suffered in silence. Nowadays, most physical therapists and fitness professionals acknowledge that the pelvic floor is part of the core
My thinking on the subject has evolved over many years of study. In particular, I am grateful for the extensive training I received at The Gray Institute. (grayinstitute.com) This training has taught me to look beyond the surface and ask why the pelvic floor has stopped functioning as it should. In assessing a client, I analyze how a woman holds herself, how she walks and moves. This approach offers useful clues that help me determine the cause of the dysfunction, and to formulate exercises and movements to help restore healthy function. Once I understand what is hindering or helping pelvic floor function, my goal is to create specific movements and exercises that will encourage and recruit the muscles of the pelvic floor to perform all its roles automatically. Like breathing, the function of the pelvic floor can be under our conscious control, but also needs to spring into action (i.e. keep urine from leaking, relax to allow elimination) subconsciously.
I have experience, compassion, and respect for the privacy of issues involving the pelvic floor or Pelvic Core Neuromuscular System. I have helped people with:
-
post-partum period
-
tight pelvic floor (hypertonic)
-
post-surgery
-
midlife issues
-
stress and urge incontinence
-
weak pelvic floor (hypotonic)
If you have worked with a physical therapist, I would be happy to contact the therapist to understand your current status.
I look forward to working with you!