Pilates, a fitness method developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, has gained widespread popularity for its focus on strength, flexibility, and mind-body connection. It seems everyone wants to do Pilates and I am here for it! As a Certified Pilates Instructor at Activcore in Atlanta, Georgia, I am passionate about all things fitness, especially the practice of Pilates.

You may have heard that breathing is good for the pelvic floor, or you may have received breathing exercises from a PT before. But why? Here I will dive into how the pelvic floor and breathing are intimately connected and why it’s important in your pelvic floor care.

The human body is an intricate web of connections between seemingly unrelated parts that often reveal fascinating insights into our overall health and well-being. One such intriguing link exists between your pelvic floor and your foot mechanics. Although the feet are not directly connected to the pelvic floor, they are closely connected via bone and ligamentous structures...

As a Performance Specialist at Activcore, I perform a comprehensive movement assessment with each new client. These tests provide a wealth of information about your movement capacity and a baseline for improving your stability, mobility, strength and resiliency. Essentially, they are a roadmap for addressing asymmetries and imbalances through the application of corrective exercises.

Although I am a physical therapist, I have also participated in PT to address my own dysautonomia and hypermobility. When I was first diagnosed in 2021, I was unable to perform simple tasks such as going from sit to stand, showering, or walk up stairs without dizziness and extreme fatigue. Not only did dysautonomia impact my physical health, but the brain fog and memory issues were also impacted.

As a pelvic health physical therapist, a question I get often is, "When should I come back to physical therapy after my baby is born?" Typically there's no clear answer to this. While our society dictates 6 weeks as the "normal" recovery period; in reality, we should address the body (especially the pelvic floor) both before this and far after it. The short answer is: you can come in whenever you need it!

Many people do not even know that pelvic floor physical therapy is an option for children. Here, I will highlight some reasons why kiddos are in pelvic floor PT and how it can help.‍ At Activcore, a few common diagnoses that we see for pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy are enuresis (bedwetting), encopresis (fecal incontinence), urinary incontinence, and constipation.

Flexibility is often celebrated in the dance world. But for individuals with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), it can pose some unique challenges. My career as a Pilates Instructor and former ballet dancer has been marked by extraordinary flexibility coupled with a history of injuries. In my quest for a solution, I discovered the Redcord suspension system.

Living with dysautonomia can be an emotional rollercoaster, as the condition's unpredictable nature constantly presents new challenges and obstacles to navigate. From the physical symptoms to the cognitive impairments and mood fluctuations, each day can bring a unique set of struggles. Coping with the uncertainty of how one will feel from moment to moment can lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even depression.

So you had your baby, congratulations! As a pelvic health physical therapist, I often get the question, “If I had a c-section, do I still need pelvic floor physical therapy?”. The answer is that pelvic PT is not just for those who birthed vaginally, it's also hugely beneficial for those who underwent a c-section. No matter how you gave birth, pregnancy affects the pelvic floor muscles.