The Pelvic Floor Project

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...

In this episode, I sit down with Beverly Hills based urogynecologist, Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya  to discuss:   The importance of sex and difficulties when it comes to talking about it The female sexual response cycle Desire: various types of sexual desires, common issues related to sexual desire, and available treatments Arousal: Factors that can impact sexual arousal and strategies to enhance it O...

In this episode, I sit down with Kelowna based OBGYN Dr. Kate Collins to discuss:  Reasons/symptoms that may indicate a hysterectomy could be beneficial Different surgical procedures (vaginal, open abdominal, laprascopic)  Types of hysterectomy  Surgical menopause  What can be expected after surgery Postoperative suggestions Pain management  Sexual intercourse after hysterectomy Physiotherapy cons...

In this episode, I sit down with Beverly Hills based urogynecologist, Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya  to discuss:   What is prolapse? Typical sequence of events that happens when patients experience symptoms of prolapse and how they may end up in the office of a surgeon.  Conservative management options How the decision is made to proceed with surgery Types of repair and how this is individual to the pa...

In this episode, I sit down with women health advocate and self proclaimed menopause chick, Shirley Weir to discuss:  The negative stigma around the term ‘menopause’ The relationship between perimenopause, menopause and post menopause Symptoms commonly experienced in these stages Is women’s health support experiencing a wave of momentum? What Shirley learned on her personal journey with menopause...

In this episode, I sit down with registered nurse, Kirsten Curruthers who was curious to know ways she can better support her patients who undergo colonoscopy. Here are some of the things we discuss:  Common patient symptom patterns Kirsten notices in the colonoscopy clinic Advice typically given when colonoscopy results are negative  How the pelvic floor is related to our gastrointestinal system...

In this episode, I sit down with Anniken Chadwick and Trish Gipson from the Cheerful Academy to discuss:  Reasons why new physiotherapy graduates are starting off in niche areas like pelvic health Differences between practicing in orthopaedic vs pelvic health  The gap that exists between what we learn in pelvic health courses and what is like in the treatment room Common struggles clinic owners ex...

In this episode, I sit down with Kelowna based OBGYN Dr. Kate Collins to discuss:  The stress that uncertainty and lack of control can have on an expecting mom How far out can moms planning a c-section expect to know their delivery date? The sequence of events that unfolds once you arrive at the hospital How is this different in an emergency situation? When is my husband/partner/support allowed in...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapy clinician, researcher and educator, Katie Kelly to discuss:  Similarities in acute care needs between limb surgery and cesarean birth How can abdominal compression support help after c-section What does the research tell us about compression after cesarean birth? People are looking for a black/white answer “is it good or bad”? Do you recommend...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Eapen, a birth doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator to discuss:  Reasons why new moms have a hard time asking for help  How physical recovery after birth is similar to recovery after a knee surgery Suggestions to support your entire household (including you) Suggestions to support the new mom  Tips for the times she is resistant to your help What...

In this episode I sit down with Kiran Mann, a resident doctor in obstetrics and gynecology and member of the Be Pelvic Health Aware Campaign to discuss:  Definition and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) Factors that may make someone more prone  Effects of menopause  Diagnosis Are antibiotics overused? Consequences of an untreated UTI How the pelvic floor may be involved Why intercourse c...

In this episode, I sit down with Registered Dietician Haeli Draper to discuss:  Nutritional considerations leading up to birth The effects of constipation on the pelvic floor and nutritional suggestions for softer stools Are there ideal foods to consume leading up to birth? Suggestions for eating in the postpartum period Tips for family and friends that want to bring meals for the new mom Nutritio...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Brittany Klingmann to discuss:  Various messages that people hear regarding weight lifting and the pelvic floor: “Weightlifting causes too much pressure on the pelvic floor” “Weightlifting causes prolapse” “Valsalva should be avoided and you should always exhale when you lift” “Weight lifting is too hard on the pelvic floor and that is why y...

In this episode, I sit down with Registered Provisional Psychologist and PhD candidate who specializes in the area of birth trauma. In this episode we discuss:  How birth trauma may present itself in a pelvic health physiotherapy appointment The prevalence of birth trauma The subjective nature of birth trauma How trauma affects the nervous system, emotional and physical symptoms Partner trauma  Va...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Anniken Chadwick to discuss:  How common it is for clients to have experienced some form of trauma in their past What questions pelvic health physiotherapists may ask in history taking and why we ask them Non verbal signs that we may observe that can suggest that a client may have experienced trauma The importance of having a trauma informed...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist and leader in the field, Carolyn Vandyken to discuss:  The growing body of literature showing strong correlation between persistent low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction The research conducted by Carolyn Van Dyken and Sinead Dufour investigating pelvic floor findings when clients present with low back pain How orthopedic physiotherapists...

In this episode, I sit down with urologist, Dr. Jennifer Locke to discuss: The research she is conducting to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy when addressing symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and dyspareunia An explanation of GSM with common signs and symptoms Clinical trends Dr. Locke sees when working with this client population as a urologist Common themes I se...

In this episode, I sit down with Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Jamie Straker to discuss: The fears around doing planks and pushups postpartum Some harmful messaging Reasons why getting back to planking and pushups is helpful How to start with the basics  Ways to progress back to planking and pushups Signs your body may be finding the exercise too difficult Jamie is a Pregnancy and Po...

In this episode, I sit down with RxPx CEO, Lynda Brown-Ganzert to discuss their Stronger Together project for C-section parents.  How Lynda’s personal experience led her to her vision The company’s initiative to support women preparing for cesarean birth and their caregivers  The funding behind the project that enables free access The research component of the project Interior Health involvement ...

In this episode, I sit down with Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Jamie Straker to discuss: The fears around doing crunches postpartum Some harmful messaging Reasons why getting back to crunches is helpful How to start with the basics  Ways to progress back to crunches/sit ups Signs your body may be finding the exercise too difficult Jamie is a Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach...

In this episode, I want to share some information with moms and those who work with moms within the first 6 weeks postpartum.  We shouldn’t be waiting 6 weeks to give recovery guidance Working with a physio doesn’t mean “pushing your body” 3 simple yet effective tips you can start right after vaginal or cesarean birth Hi I’m Mel, the host of The Pelvic Floor Project Podcast, aimed at providing evi...

In this episode, I sit down with paediatric physiotherapist, Angus MacKay to discuss: Kids and pelvic floors What a pelvic health assessment looks like for kids Kids and constipation Bed wetting Toilet training  Pee and poop habits What is normal and outside of normal when it comes to peeing and pooping How to normalize conversation around these topics Diastasis in kids Born in Austin and raised i...

In this episode, fellow physiotherapist Dr. Rebecca Segraves and I discuss: The lack of support for c-section recovery How physiotherapists support patients in the hospital after other surgical procedures How physiotherapists can support women after cesarean birth and how this can decrease complications, enhance recovery and improve mental wellbeing The disparities Dr. Rebecca Segraves witnessed w...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Jodie Pulsifer to discuss the recent editorial Reframing beliefs and instiling facts for contemporary management of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Jodie Pulsifer, along with Susannah Britnell, Adrienne Sim, Sinead Dufour and Jessica Adaszynski have been credited for combing through all related evidence on the topic to create a helpful...

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Teresa Waser to discuss the benefits of strength training through the female life span. In this episode we cover: The benefits of strength training during pregnancy and postpartum The benefits of strength training during perimenopause/menopause The benefits of strengthening for older adults What the evidence says about strength training A va...