Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide, leaving a profound impact on their physical and emotional well-being before, during and after treatment. While they are necessary for curing breast cancer, treatment like chemotherapy, radiation treatment or hormone therapy can have significant side effects. Common side effects and symptoms include pain, cancer-related fatigue, lymphedema, muscle weakness, peripheral neuropathy, and brain fog. 

September is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) awareness month. PCOS is a complex, multi-systemic condition that affects as many as 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a significant endocrine, metabolic, gynecologic condition that goes undiagnosed ~50% of the time, therefore goes untreated about 50% of the time. Some common signs and symptoms include missed or irregular periods, excess bodily hair, acne, weight gain, infertility and pelvic pain.

More than likely, you have either heard of, or have seen, a Squatty Potty. So, what's the big deal?!‍ The John, the Can, the Loo, and the Throne all conjure images of our modern-day toilet. Before these toilets were a norm in society, many people relied on other ways of relieving themselves. Most of those ways included a squatting position over a dug hole, a chamber pot, or squat toilet (porcelain hole in the floor) as we commonly see in overseas countries.

Congratulations! You’re embarking on the incredible journey of pregnancy, complete with its joys and challenges. As your due date approaches, the thrill of impending motherhood mingles with the realization that your little one will soon need to make their grand entrance into the world.This thought can be quite overwhelming, but fear not! I am here to share five tips to help you and your pelvis feel fully prepared and empowered for labor and delivery.

Before I discuss treatment options (including a pelvic fitness program you've probably never heard of), let's learn about prolapse. What is a prolapse? What does it feel like? What causes it?‍ Prolapse is a medical term to describe the descent of an organ. This can happen in different areas of the body but in regards to the pelvic floor, it can occur in the anterior and posterior wall of the vaginal canal. There are 3 main types of prolapses...

Whether we like it or not, our modern lives expose us to an environmental chemical toxic soup that can have adverse effects on our health. Our bodies, with the remarkable support of the liver, do an admirable job of processing these substances. However, sometimes the burden becomes overwhelming, and our health may suffer as a result.

I would argue that most, if not all women, would absolutely benefit from physical therapy during and after pregnancy. Your abdomen and your pelvic floor undergo significant trauma throughout the 9-month pregnancy and birthing journey. Your muscles are stretched, atrophied, cut through, and scar tissue forms.

Have you ever felt stuck with your workout routine? Or felt that no amount of exercise can help you shed those last few pounds? ‍It might be time for you to consider syncing your workout routine to your menstrual cycle. As women, we are cyclical beings. Throughout about a 28-30ish day window, we are shifting and constantly changing. Our hormones, attitudes, and emotions are different each day.

For over 15 years, I've been teaching suspension based PT to physical therapists across the country. I have seen all different types of clinics incorporate the Redcord suspension system into their daily practice. During these classes, many pelvic floor physical therapists have exclaimed how great suspension exercise is for postpartum moms. I would hear this over and over again. But I didn't know exactly why.

Pelvic floor strength is more than just the ability to squeeze the muscles while waiting in line for the bathroom. Pelvic floor muscle functioning is about a muscle’s ability to adapt and the amount of muscle activity it is able to generate and coordinate. So let’s dive into pelvic floor muscle functioning and adaptability in pelvic floor strength and overall pelvic health.