Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) — leaking urine during activities like running, jumping, coughing, or lifting — is often thought of as something that only affects women after pregnancy or later in life. But anyone can have stress urinary incontinence for a variety of different reasons. Many young female athletes experience it as well; in fact, research showed one in every 4 female athletes has experienced urinary leakage related to sports.

Whether you're recovering from childbirth, a C-section, or simply rebuilding strength postpartum, your body is doing the demanding work of healing. While protein and hydration often get the spotlight, there's one powerhouse, popular supplement that MIGHT be a game changer: creatine. Traditionally popular among bodybuilders and athletes, creatine is emerging as a vital recovery aid for injury, illness, and yes—even postpartum healing.

You’ve had your postpartum checkup, and your healthcare provider has given you the “all clear” to exercise. You might expect to bounce right back into your favorite workouts, but instead, you’re left wondering: What exercises are safe for me now? Why doesn’t my body feel the same? Where do I even begin?

Pregnant and love lifting weights? Great news! A recent study found that heavy resistance training during pregnancy can be safe for experienced lifters. Women who continued to lift at least 80% of their one-rep max experienced low rates of pregnancy complications, and those who kept training saw fewer delivery issues. There was also no risk associated with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse in those who continued to lift heavy, contrary to popular belief that lifting heavy can cause these issues.

Everywhere I look these days, I see women my age walking with weighted vests. I decided I wanted to get a better understanding of this latest trend. Since this is a new phenomena, there is not a lot of research to support it, but there are trials underway to see if walking with a weighted vest will increase bone density.

Trauma and chronic stress—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—have long been recognized as key contributors to a variety of health conditions. One area often overlooked, however, is the pelvic floor. Many people are surprised to learn that stress can significantly impact pelvic health, especially when left unresolved over time.‍ Whether you’re dealing with digestive irregularities, urinary urgency, pain with sitting, or unexplained pelvic discomfort, understanding how the nervous system, diaphragm, and pelvic floor work together is essential.

Regional interdependence is a term that I first learned while taking a course called Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) back in 2011. It was a term that I was unfamiliar with, despite my many years of practicing as a physical therapist at the time. It helped me understand that the origin of pain in the body may or may not come from the area of pain. Sometimes you have to be sort of like a detective by tracing back when and where the problem actually originated.

As an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist, I often get asked: “Why does my shoulder have anything to do with my pelvic floor?” The short answer is that everything is connected, especially when it comes to postural support, breath mechanics, and core stability. And one often-overlooked muscle that plays a pivotal role in this full-body connection is the serratus anterior.

Exercise has long been proven to relieve low back pain (LBP). Many studies show that being physically active is a better approach than avoiding movement when it comes to addressing chronic LBP. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Pilates Teacher, I have many years of experience helping people in the Atlanta area overcome chronic pain by incorporating Pilates exercises into their treatment programs.

When it comes to recovery from an injury or surgery, PT is often a vital component of the healing process. It helps restore movement, strength, and functionality, addressing the specific needs of the individual. When it comes time to discharge my patients from PT, I am constantly trying to find ways to promote healthy ways to stay active and strong to reduce the risk for re-injury.