Blog
Welcome to Summer Shorts
Before you get bombarded by the September weight loss messaging saying: you’ve eaten too much ice cream not done enough workouts let yourself down because you’ve had a few vino’s By the way, I will have done ALL of those things! I am here to help you see through some of the fitness and diet
Online personal training for prolapse
Online personal training gained loads more popularity during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. The fitness industry jumped online and personal training sessions were Zoomed into clients kitchen’s, offices, and playrooms. In its purest sense, online personal training is less about “a PT session”. But more about accessing a personal trainer or coach’s expertise without
Strategies for exercising with pelvic organ prolapse
When thinking about exercising with pelvic organ prolapse, it can be easy to simplify exercises into safe or unsafe, good or bad etc. You avoid the “unsafe” or “bad” ones and do the “safe” or “good” ones. Using this language often means that you don’t progress (because something like lifting weights is deemed bad for
5 ways to improve postpartum prolapse
A study by Sze in 2002 found that over 80% of new mums had some prolapse present when assessed at 6 weeks. I’m not saying that this means postpartum prolapse is normal but is very common. Perhaps normal or abnormal (or dysfunctional) are the wrong terms (but so often get chucked around). Instead, it can
3 words for Prolapse Awareness Month
Creating more awareness Prolapse was a term I’d never heard until a decade ago when a close relative went through prolapse repair surgery. You may know lots about prolapse (many of my clients do). Or you may have never heard about it until you were given your own diagnosis. I’ve linked to a blog which
Here’s what’s wrong with “beach body” messaging
Summer is upon us which means the fitness industry wants to talk about getting a beach body! It’s usually marketing for a short-term weight loss plan, accompanied by a picture of someone wearing a bikini. Looking lean, tanned, and gorgeous, with the promise that you too can achieve the same look. As someone who struggled
3 Reasons to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist
A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a must-see if you’re experiencing pelvic floor symptoms. You may also find it useful to see how you are healing after giving birth, hysterectomy, or prolapse surgery. They have many, many talents but I’m going to focus on 3 reasons why seeing a pelvic floor physio is an awesome thing
How does a personal trainer help with pelvic floor issues?
When I first started working as a women’s personal trainer in Leamington Spa, I didn’t foresee myself specialising in pelvic health. I did however see that women were being trained the same as men. Without reference to their pelvic health, menstrual cycle, nutritional needs or relationship with food and their body. As my business has
How to fix pelvic organ prolapse
Many of the programmes, gadgets or blogs you may read about online, will focus on how to fix pelvic organ prolapse. For example; “Here’s how I healed my prolapse and you can too!” “Best exercise program to naturally heal a prolapse” “This device has helped xx women reverse their prolapse” I am in no doubt
What are the best exercises for prolapse?
A super common question I am asked is “what are the best exercises for pelvic organ prolapse?”. Here’s the thing, it may not be a list of safe or unsafe exercises for prolapse. Instead, here are some different ways to think about the best exercises for prolapse which help empower versus fear-monger. Do pelvic floor
Will a Pessary help my prolapse?
Will a pessary help my prolapse? Pessary expert Anastasia Uvarova answers this question, and other pessary related questions.
How to manage prolapse symptoms at work
Talking about your pelvic health or prolapse symptoms at work can be challenging. This blog is based on an Instagram live between Beth Davies and Sharon Oakley. Sharon shares her experience of talking about her pelvic health in her workplace. Plus some tips from Beth as to how to manage pelvic health and prolapse symptoms
5 Pelvic health questions that your personal trainer should be asking
Yesterday I was chatting to a pelvic health physio friend about an experience of being screened at a local gym. They had asked if I was postnatal and I said yes, I’d had a C-section and felt my recovery had been long and at times complex… That was their cue to ask me more before
Can I lift weights with prolapse?
Can I lift weights with prolapse is such a common question! I get asked it so frequently that I thought I’d illustrate it with a client story. This wonderful client was referred to me by the lovely, Nicola Mulkeen who is a pelvic health phyiotherapist in the Midlands. The client is a Crossfitter who developed
Can I run with prolapse?
A question I am often asked is ‘can I run with prolapse?’ I absolutely believe you can, and have helped many clients to get there. But here’s the thing, running with prolapse isn’t just about the pelvic floor, it’s about the whole body (and mind!). Here’s my checklist to help you get back to running
Will pregnancy make my prolapse worse?
Will pregnancy and birth make my prolapse worse? Beth Davies discusses prolapse and pregnancy and shares her top tips for navigating pregnancy and pelvic organ prolapse
How to make progress with your ‘prolapse safe’ exercises
You’ve been working hard on your prolapse safe exercises but progress has stalled. You feel stuck between the safety net of what you believe to be safe and wanting to progress your exercises. Here are 5 ‘prolapse safe’ exercises and how they can be progressed using the principle of progressive overload and a bit of
Do pelvic floor exercises heal prolapse?
Do pelvic floor exercises heal prolapse is hugely debated. This is a huge question from those experiencing pelvic organ prolapse! And one that comes with an “it depends” answer. Sorry! That old chestnut! Pelvic floor exercises are a great starting point to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. However, they may not be appropriate for everyone.
Why gratitude can be hard when you have pelvic organ prolapse
Here’s why gratitude can be tricky if you’re experiencing prolapse symptoms. Because the message you may have heard is…. “Feel grateful your baby is healthy” “Feel grateful it didn’t do more damage” “Feel grateful you didn’t need to push/have a c section” (delete as appropriate) It’s ok to feel conflicted around feeling grateful It’s ok
How to own your 6 week post natal check with your GP
The 6 week GP check and sign off is often viewed as a green light for all pre pregnancy activities to resume. Right? Not so fast…. This check up is often as vague as it gets. Which is why it’s a poor metric for you to be signed off for exercise.
Is your pelvic floor too tight?
Tight pelvic floor muscles are a thing! Are you doing all the squeezing and lifting for your pelvic floor and still finding one or more of the following symptoms? Leaking during exercise or sneezing or laughing Little relief from your prolapse symptoms Things are a little uncomfortable during sex Stiffness or tightness in your lower
Do you need a “perfect pelvic floor or core”?
Nope! A good few years back, I remember walking in to see a physio and saying “I’d like to have a perfect pelvic floor” Cringe!!!! and I was a long way off at that point too! I can laugh at that now because I know my body is different to how it was. And in
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is defined by The International Urogynecology Association (IUGA) and International Continence Society (ICS) as; “A departure from normal sensation, structure, or function, experienced by the woman is reference to the position of her pelvic organs” There are different kinds of prolapse (see images) Bladder prolapse (cystocele) Back passage prolapse (rectocele) Uterine prolapse