Pelvic Health and Alignment

Photographs used with permission of Mandi Cavallaro This week I participated in a Nia class in Brisbane. Going in I didn't really know what to expect, except that it was done barefoot (sign me up!) but I'm so glad I went!  The best way I can describe it is simply freedom of  movement to beautiful music. The teacher guides you through the moves but there is really no strict focus on technique other than to let your body just feel the music and to do what feels right, exploring all of the motions that are available to you. I felt a little self-conscious initially but I honestly had a smile on my face the entire time and soon enough felt very relaxed and free.  This is me doing some Nia inspired moves on the balcony of the gorgeous place we are currently house-sitting! As someone who loves music and whole body movement, I have often thought about looking for a local dance studio, but since I really have no dance training (and not always the best coordination) I w

WOW time flies! It has been a crazy year and I have been rather slack on the blogging front so I thought I'd give a quick update on what I've been up to over the last few months.  This Pelvic Health Physio has said a farewell (for now) to Canada and a big HELLO AGAIN to Brisbane, Australia!! My hubby and I taking the CityCat tour of Brisbane Between May and August, my Canadian work visa ran out, I wrote (and am still writing) a book, I sold most of my worldly possessions,   got married (yay!), packed my life into a few suitcases, moved to Australia, popped over to Bali for a honeymoon, and am now settling back into Brisbane life with my new husband. So if you or anyone you know is in the Brisbane area, feel free to drop me an email info@bodyandbirthphysio.com or pop in and visit to say 'hi' or chat anything Pelvic Health Physio or Restorative Exercise! You can also visit my new website: www.bodyandbirthphysio.com   Before I sign off, however, I do w

Thanks to the American Recall Centre for this fact sheet! Recently I have been asked by the American Recall Centre to write about Osteoporosis in order to help increase awareness about this all too common condition. While not directly a pelvic health-related topic, it is something I am very passionate about and you can't have health of one without the other!  The current statistics show that 1 in 2 women over the age of 50, and 1 in 4 men will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis, with 25% of hip fractures resulting in death within 6 months. Thats HUGE! And devastatingly unnecessary as there is so much that you can do to prevent, and even REVERSE osteoporotic changes.  What is Osteoporosis? Bone, despite how most of us imagine it, is not solid, rather it is made up of millions of cells that form a strong matrix able to withstand substantial forces. The words osteo (bone) and porosis (porous) refers to the condition characterised by a decrease in (or loss of)

"Kegel" is the term used in North America for a pelvic floor contraction, named after gynaecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel (I hadn't heard the term before I moved to Canada!) and they are often taught (world-wide) as a strengthening exercise pre and post natally, or for anybody who has a pelvic floor-related problem.  Performing isolated “ Kegels ” (pelvic floor contractions) can be helpful in the short term, especially early postpartum (eg. within the first 48hrs) to improve the control and awareness of the muscle. However, when performed by already hypertonic muscles, Kegels can lead to an even tighter pelvic floor and cause more serious problems to occur throughout the body. Most people with pelvic floor issues are not simply suffering from muscle weakness, but rather from a  tightness  or  shortening  of the pelvic floor muscles (See  Too Long, Too Short or Just Right?  for more info) .  Most often, the muscles need to be released and trained to relax first, prior to