What Is A Hypertonic (Tight) Pelvic Floor?

February 1, 2016

What does the term hypertonic pelvic floor mean across multiple populations-pediatrics, neuro, orthopedics and pelvic health? Let’s start a new conversation.  

What is a Hypertonic (Tight) Pelvic Floor?

If you have stopped to read this blog you are likely… 1.…a fellow PT who is looking for new ideas and tricks. 2….a trainer (pre and.or post natal perhaps) that knows about this issue and wants more info on how to recognize it and not aggravate it in training. 3…a woman who has been told […]

Breath Holding and Your Pelvic Health

May 27, 2015

Q: I know breath holding is bad from my pelvic floor. Should I never hold my breath again? M A: This is a great question as we continue to expand our conversation about intra abdominal pressure in pelvic health issues, is it a friend or foe? Historically, we have counseled women away from certain activities because […]

Training the Reflexive Response of the Pelvic Floor

May 17, 2015

Q: Hey, Julie! Can your Pelvic Floor ever act automatically again without having to think about it? L A: Take heart! I do think many women can achieve an automatic response from their pelvic floor again, as a part of the whole continence system. But we have to train the system for that. So I take […]

Intra-Abdominal Pressure: Pelvic Health Friend or Foe?

February 3, 2015

Recently, I was asked a few questions by Lorraine Scapens of PregnancyExercise that grew into a three part blog series. I wanted to share some highlights. This exerpt is a question I get a lot about excessive abdominal pressure caused by certain exercise that could contribute to pelvic health issues. My answer may surprise you. […]

Squats vs Kegels: The Great Debate

January 28, 2015

Recently, I was asked a few questions by Lorraine Scapens of PregnancyExercise that grew into a three part blog series. I wanted to share some highlights. This exerpt is a question I get a lot about the paradigm shift proposed a few years ago to ditch kegels, and do sustained, deep squats instead. Check it […]

Q and A: Isn’t the Piston Approach just a Kegel Plus Breath?

December 29, 2014

The idea of the Piston is a component of a larger system that I teach. I hope it will steer folks toward a functional and relationship based approach to pelvic health and understanding of the role of the pelvic floor as a partnere in movement and performance. Some have asked but isn’t it just a kegel […]

How Do You Push The Baby Out?

September 10, 2014

When I get a question I don’t feel like I have the best answer for, I hit up pubmed for research and trusted colleagues for their insights and wisdom. Anita Lendach , pelvic health physical therapist,  is one of those colleagues. I posed a question to her that I had received. Specifically the inquirer wanted an […]

KGoal: What’s the Big Deal?

July 9, 2014

A new pelvic floor product is getting lots of press called the KGoal. I have to say I am not that excited about yet another product that sells isolated pelvic floor strengthening. I am sure the KGoal and all products of its kind do a great job at what they are sold to do…teach you […]

Let’s Hear It For the Boys! Pelvic Health For Men: Part Two

June 26, 2014

In our first installment, Sarah Haag of Entropy Physiotherapy in Chicago, Illinois talked us through  the basics,  including the common issues men experience (incontinence, post-void dribbling, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain etc). In this episode, she will discuss the diagnostic dilemma’s facing men with pelvic issues. Prostatitis and Chronic UTI’s are a frequent diagnosis, but that might not be the whole […]