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.

If you suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction, Low Pressure Fitness (LPF) may be the answer to your problem. LPF is a holistic movement system that combines breathing, posture, and low-impact exercises to improve core strength and pelvic health. The practice uses "hypopressive" breath techniques, which involve controlled breathing phases that create a suctioning effect, activating deep core muscles and the pelvic floor.

I love Pilates! So naturally, I think that it is an awesome modality for most physical therapy diagnoses. But it has been shown to be especially beneficial for people with scoliosis. I was trained by Polestar Pilates and their principles are: breath, axial elongation, movement integration, organization of head, neck and shoulders, spinal articulation, centering, control, flow and precision.

As we begin the new year, many of us set resolutions around fitness and wellness, aiming to develop habits that support our long-term health goals. If you're new to Pilates or want to enhance your Pilates practice this year, Activcore's Semi-private Pilates sessions could be perfect for you. Offering a unique blend of individualized instruction and the energy of a small group...