FEM:unfolding

A compilation of professionals providing evidence-based information to empower women with knowledge, guidelines, and ideas about every aspect of their health.

Search Icon

Menu Toggle Icon

Skip to content
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Blog
    • About
    • Resources
    • Video Library
  • Services
    • Personalized Care
    • Community Education
    • Professional Portal
  • Courses
    • Postpartum Connect
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Schedule an Appointment

Shop

Recommended Products

Baobei Maternity
It’s You Babe V2 Supporter
TheraWand Slippery Stuff Lubricant
Why Pelvic Pain Hurts
Pelvic Pain Explained
SRC Health – use coupon code GYGITMWIS8 for 10% off!

Site Map

  • Home
  • Learn
    • Blog
    • About
    • Resources
    • Video Library
  • Services
    • Personalized Care
    • Community Education
    • Professional Portal
  • Courses
    • Postpartum Connect
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Schedule an Appointment

INSTAGRAM

fem.unfolding

Laurel Proulx: Pelvic Floor PT
There are a multitude of reasons you may not want There are a multitude of reasons you may not want or may be appropriate for an internal (vaginal or rectal) pelvic floor muscle assessment during your pelvic health PT visit:⁠
⁠
- previous trauma⁠
- anxiety around dr appointments⁠
- pain⁠
- infection⁠
- certain conditions with pregnancy⁠
- early postpartum⁠
- just not sure yet⁠
⁠
But, I still want to encourage you to make that appointment. There is still so much we can assess (and should always assess) that can help put the puzzle pieces together even if an internal assessment isn't currently in the card.⁠
⁠
What other questions do you have about a pelvic PT appointment?
\\sunday unfolding// \\sunday unfolding//
Hot tip: Sometimes you have to get healthy before Hot tip: Sometimes you have to get healthy before you can get fit.⁠ Sometime they happen simultaneously, sometimes they don't. 
⁠
That's right, fitness has been confused with health. And while some people need motivation to start working out or eating healthier, other people are confusing sweating intensely for an over an hour, 7 days a week and counting macros and calories as healthy.⁠
⁠
If you are having chronic hormonal issues (missed periods, long periods, premenstrual disorder), fatigue, depression, anxiety, chronic GI issues, pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic skin issues like acne or eczema, repetitive injuries, even chronic pain, you may want to take a step back.⁠
⁠
Something isn't working in your current definition of health to make your body actually function to the best of your ability. ⁠
⁠
Healthy looks different for everyone.⁠
⁠
For me, I needed to handle chronic stress, anxiety around my body and medical reactions, learn to calm my nervous system, still move often, and realize removing a few things my body doesn't like to consume, doesn't mean excluding entire food groups.⁠
⁠
I'm now finally healthy enough to train with a plan and not just move to move. I had to earn my way back to fitness so my body would accept it. ⁠
⁠
I've worked with multiple practitioners to get here.  I realize that may not be possible for everyone, but I do want you to know that more is not always better. More pushing, more restriction, trying harder. ⁠
⁠
There's no magic message, just that the message doesn't have to be the same for everyone and to listen to the symptoms you've been putting up with as "your normal."
Wait a sec, let me step up on my soap box.⁠ ⁠ Wait a sec, let me step up on my soap box.⁠
⁠
Modifying movement for postpartum people like they are just jumping back in the gym after taking some time off is not enough.⁠
⁠
Your body goes through multiple changes in the 10 months you are pregnant that necessitate some attention as you return to fitness with load or speed or running or jumping.⁠
⁠
Yes, starting with breathing and paying attention to pressure is important for pelvic floor and abdominal function.⁠
⁠
Yes, scaling movement is a good way to progressively load healing tissue. ⁠
⁠
Other things that aren't take care of with these two tactics:⁠
💫 foot flattening and balance loss⁠
💫 posture changes: lean back, butt tucked, feet turned out, shoulders rounded⁠
💫 rib cage widening⁠
💫 hormonal changes⁠
💫 sleep and energy demands⁠
💫 priority/identity shifts⁠
💫  tissue extensibility⁠
⁠
⁠
All of these factors will affect your body's response to exercise. You can modify all the things and keep "blowing as you go" but if you don't address these other factors you can still have leaking and abdominal separation and pain and prolapse and feel so confused because you're following what the fit looking instagrammer who had a baby is telling you what to do.⁠
⁠
Tag a parent who needs this info! The more people with share this with the more folks won't feel lost and unseen.⁠
⁠
If you'd like more guidance with #postpartum rehab be sure to check out #Postpartum Connect enrollment in the link in bio.
Follow on Instagram
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Categories

  • General
  • Pelvic Floor Health
  • Postnatal Care
  • Pregnancy Fitness
  • Prenatal Wellness
  • Research and Studies
  • Uncategorized
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
Scroll to Top