Beth Davies Coaching

Strength Training and
Pelvic Health Blogs

Can strength training help improve your prolapse symptoms?

Can strength training help improve your prolapse symptoms?   If you’ve been told to avoid the gym, put the weights down, or “just be careful” since your prolapse diagnosis, this might not have been the most helpful advice.  It’s a conversation I regularly have with clients and prospective clients. Women

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Leaking Urine Playing Netball

Why do I leak with netball? Train your pelvic floor, hips and glutes You’re mid-game. You go up for an intercept, land hard, and it happens. That unwelcome leak. You glance around to check nobody noticed, carry on playing, and quietly resolve to wear a pad next time. Sound familiar?

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Why active women need fuel not fat loss

Over recent months, I’ve noticed a couple of research studies and articles that suggest low energy availability may be linked with 1) urinary leaking as a precursor to bone stress injury and 2) injury risk postpartum.  And to me, this means 2 things:  Proper fueling for women (whether they be

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Why does social media hate on Kegels?

Why does social media hate Kegels? If you’re on social media and have spent any time, liked, engaged with or commented on posts for pelvic health, prolapse or leaking, it’s likely you’ve been exposed to this: post after post promising to fix your pelvic floor issues with “this exercise instead

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Pelvic Health IS a fitness industry conversation

Why Pelvic Health is a fitness industry convo I know it may seem like the fitness industry takes a massive side step around pelvic health and talking about pelvic floor symptoms in exercise… And I have had the experience of gym owners and other coaches saying “we don’t have that

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3 things to work on before your prolapse repair surgery

Work on these 3 things before your prolapse repair There is so much you can do before you have prolapse repair surgery! And these 3 things can help support you before surgery and put you ahead of the game when it comes to your recovery, rehab and return to exercise. 

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Do female athletes find it harder to give birth?

Do female athletes find it harder to give birth? There’s a common perception that physically fit women, particularly athletes, have more difficult births due to stronger pelvic floor muscles that might resist stretching during delivery. The reasoning seems logical on the surface – if athletes have stronger, tighter muscles throughout

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How to train if you’re perimenopausal

How to train if you’re perimenopausal Perimenopause represents the period before actual menopause. Menopause is a defined point in time and occurs 12 months after your final period. Following this point in time, you are considered post menopausal. Training during perimenopause can feel confusing. If you’ve researched the topic, you’ve

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How to load and strengthen the abs post baby

Evidence based techniques for safely strengthening your core after pregnancy. Learn about progressive strength training to heal diastasis and strengthen the abdominal wall post baby. Perfect for new mums looking to rebuild strength safely under guidance through our From Bump to Barbell small group personal training sessions in Warwick

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Leaking and HYROX – what’s the deal?

Are you leaking urine during your HYROX training and races? This blog by strength and pelvic health trainer and coach, Beth Davies provides useful tips and context for how you can stay dry during HYROX.

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Post Natal Exercise – 3 tips for returning to exercise post baby

Looking to restart your fitness journey postpartum? Drawing from 10+ years of experience coaching hundreds of new mothers, I share three proven strategies for safely returning to exercise. Learn how to use breathing techniques to reconnect with your pelvic floor, properly interpret your body’s signals during recovery, and balance your

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How to return to exercise post prolapse surgery

After prolapse repair surgery, returning to exercise can feel daunting. This comprehensive guide helps you navigate your recovery journey with confidence, offering expert advice on when and how to safely resume physical activity. Learn essential tips for protecting your pelvic floor, progressing at the right pace, and building a sustainable

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Top 5 tips for healing prolapse symptoms

Discover 5 evidence based tips for healing prolapse symptoms naturally; from breathing techniques to whole body strengthening. Learn how to manage pelvic organ prolapse and return to activities you love

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Pregancy and pelvic organ prolapse – what to expect and expert tips

Will pregnancy worsen your prolapse? Research suggests encouraging news – it’s typically the first birth, not subsequent ones, that impacts pelvic floor health. While early pregnancy might bring temporary symptom changes, many women find they recover more effectively after their second birth, armed with better knowledge and support. Learn what

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What exercises are safe for pelvic organ prolapse?

Which exercises are safe for prolapse? You’ll often find discussions (especially online!) as to which exercises are ‘safe’ for pelvic organ prolapse. Here’s the thing, it totally depends! In fact of we were to compile a list of ‘safe’ exercises you might find they are all done in supine. Or

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3 ways to improve prolapse symptoms during deadlifts

3 Ways to improve prolapse symptoms during deadlifts Are you experiencing prolapse symptoms during your deadlifts? A recent client of mine was getting heaviness, pressure and dragging during her usual deadlifts. Having been recently diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder, we made the following changes to her deadlifts, so she could

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Can I go to the gym with prolapse?

Can I go to the gym with prolapse? The short answer to “can I go to the gym with a prolapse” is yes! Pelvic organ prolapse is not a contra-indication for exercise or strength training.  But if you have pelvic organ prolapse and feel anxious about getting back to the

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Are squats better than pelvic floor exercises?

Are squats better than pelvic floor exercises? The idea of squats (or other functional exercises) being better than pelvic floor exercises is one that is often promoted on social media and as part of a prolapse or pelvic floor rehab programme.  And the idea that you can heal your prolapse

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Returning to Rugby Post Baby

Post Natal Return to Rugby Like many elements of women’s health, there isn’t a huge amount of literature on women’s rugby and the pelvic floor. However, I am citing 2 very new studies, both published in 2024 to illustrate the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction. Plus, there is a need

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The new definition of pelvic organ prolapse

The new definition of pelvic organ prolapse You may have been given a prolapse diagnosis even if you weren’t/aren’t experiencing any symptoms. This often leads to feeling floored or blindsided because you had absolutely no idea there had been any change to the position of your organs.  A more recent

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Top pelvic health questions in 2024

Top pelvic health questions in 2024 These are the top 3 pelvic health questions I currently get asked (now in 2024) Should I be doing Kegels? You’ll find lots of mentions of kegels (or pelvic floor exercises) amongst my blogs because they can be super useful, but also have limitations. 

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Will Kegels fix my prolapse?

Will Kegels fix my prolapse? Will Kegels fix my prolapse is a very common question. So, let’s look at the ways that Kegels (or pelvic floor exercises) might help prolapse. Plus, also the ways and reasons why Kegels won’t work, and of course, what to do instead!   What are

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Pelvic floor dysfunction IS a fitness industry conversation

Pelvic floor dysfunction IS a fitness industry conversation Recently, a client shared that the owner at her gym had never heard of pelvic organ prolapse. Even though stats show that it can affect up to 50% of women at some point during their lifetime.   Indeed, I have been told more

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3 mistakes you are making with your pelvic floor exercises

3 mistakes you are making with your pelvic floor exercises If you are experiencing pelvic floor symptoms such as leaking, prolapse, pelvic pain, or recovery from birth or gynae surgery, it’s likely that you have been told to do pelvic floor exercises. These squeezes of the pelvic floor muscles are

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How to rehab and rebuild after a prolapse diagnosis

How to rehab and rebuild after a prolapse diagnosis This blog outlines 2 phases of training after a prolapse diagnosis – rehab and rebuild!  The new definition of Pelvic Organ Prolapse according to the ICS (International Continence Society) includes the following 2 elements  The descent or departure of one or

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What to avoid if you have pelvic organ prolapse

What to avoid if you have pelvic organ prolapse The world of prolapse is full of “avoid this” or “never do that” kind of advice. But, put simply, there are no blanket restrictions, nor can there ever be! Given how individual everyone is!  So, this blog is a slightly different

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Mini Masterclass – is “just avoid” evidence based advice?

This was the title of a mini masterclass that I recently ran. The title comes from the fact you may have been given blanket recommendations for the things you can and cannot do if you have prolapse.  This video explores these recommendations and suggests questions to ask your healthcare provider.

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4 deadlift variations for pelvic organ prolapse

4 deadlift variations for pelvic organ prolapse Variations (in ths case for deadlifts) can be super useful if you have pelvic organ prolapse and a) you’re working back up to conventional deadlifts or b) experience symptoms with conventional deadlifts or 3) want to add some variety to your training.   

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How to progress your glute bridges if you have prolapse

How to progress glute bridges if you have prolapse Glute bridges are often incorporated into a prolapse rehab programme. And for good reason! They offer a way of building core and pelvic floor strength alongside strengthening the glute muscles (besties with the pelvic floor!). Plus, if you are experiencing prolapse

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Why “safe” exercises aren’t helpful if you have prolapse

Why “safe” exercises aren’t helpful if you have prolapse The word “safe” is often used alongside exercises that are recommended if you have pelvic organ prolapse. Safe can mean several things; safe in that they won’t give you symptoms, safe in that it provides certainty of NOT making things worse.

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What is making your prolapse symptoms worse?

10 things to help your prolapse symptoms feel better Prolapse symptoms or the heavy and dragging sensations associated with prolapse can be more than a physical phenomenon. While we typically think of sensation as being purely related to what’s happening at a tissue level, we now understand, largely from studying

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The power of active rehab for pelvic organ prolapse

The Power of active rehab for pelvic organ prolapse If you have been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse or have symptoms of prolapse such as heaviness or dragging, you may have been told the following:  To NOT exercise except for walking and swimming  To NOT lift anything and that incudes

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Strength training for leak-free running

Strength training for leak-free running For many female runners, the joy of hitting the pavement can sometimes be marred by an unexpected and often embarrassing issue—leaking. Whether it’s stress incontinence or related to pelvic floor dysfunction, the good news is that there’s a powerful ally in the fight against this

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5 things about prolapse that don’t make sense

5 things about prolapse that don’t make sense Many things about prolapse don’t make sense. But, through education, we can try and make sense of these things. This leads to a better understanding of our bodies, as well as how to navigate life with prolapse. This blog will describe 5

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Can you correct a prolapse with pelvic floor exercises?

Can you correct a prolapse with Kegels Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition, particularly in women, where pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum descend into the vaginal canal. As awareness of this issue grows, questions arise about the role of exercise in addressing or preventing pelvic

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Menopause and the pelvic floor

Menopause and the pelvic floor Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. As the body undergoes significant hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause, various physiological changes unfold, impacting overall health, including the pelvic floor. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the hormonal

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Strength training principles to heal prolapse symptoms

Strength training principles to heal prolapse symptoms When so many women have been told to avoid strength training, here’s how it can help heal prolapse symptoms. Strength training as a stand-alone activity is well-researched, with many benefits for physical health. These include; reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, maintaining muscle

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Are pelvic floor symptoms a barrier to exercise for women?

Are pelvic floor symptoms a barrier to exercise? let’s tackle a topic that many active women might find themselves grappling with – the challenges of exercising when faced with pelvic floor symptoms like leaking and prolapse. We’re going to take a closer look at insights from Jodie Dakic’s research, “Pelvic

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Does stopping breastfeeding help prolapse symptoms?

Does stopping breastfeeding help prolapse symptoms? Let’s dive into a topic that many postpartum women may find themselves contemplating: the connection between breastfeeding and pelvic organ prolapse. We’ll also explore some insights from a notable study by Iris et al. in 2020 and discuss what might help improve symptoms for

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Does lifestyle affect the pelvic floor (spoiler: YES)

Does lifestyle affect the pelvic floor? (Spoiler – yes!) Pelvic health is a vital component of overall well-being, and its balance can be influenced by various lifestyle factors beyond exercise. In this blog, we’ll explore the intricate connections between sleep, diet and nutrition, physical activity, and pelvic health, shedding light

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Debunking myths – weight lifting and prolapse

Weightlifting and prolapse – debunking the myths Weight lifting has long been a subject of concern when it comes to pelvic health, particularly in relation to pelvic organ prolapse (POP). However, recent research studies challenge the notion that weight lifting is inherently harmful to the pelvic floor. In this blog,

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A framework for post-natal recovery and exercise

A framework for postnatal recovery and exercise This is a summary of a talk I gave to expecting Mums at a The Mum Club event in Leamington Spa earlier this year. The aim of the talk was to provide education about the physiological changes that pregnancy and being post-natal brings.

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How I use personal training to help clients with prolapse

How I use personal training to help my clients with prolapse Being a personal trainer and helping clients with prolapse get back to the exercise they love is not your usual in the fitness space.  But it’s THE thing that I love doing. You see, personal training doesn’t have to

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2 positions to improve your pelvic floor connection

2 positions to improve your pelvic floor connection This blog showcases 2 positions to improve your pelvic floor connection. So often, we are told to do pelvic floor exercises in lying. Whilst this can be a good starting point, it’s great to progress to more functional movement. Or for some,

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The impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on exercise in women

The impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on exercise participation Another little dive into the research on the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on exercise in women! This study by Dakic et al, 2019 examines the barriers to exercise for women experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. This study looks at

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Research about lifting weights and prolapse

Research about lifting weights and prolapse There are lots of opinions and ideas about lifting weights with prolapse. But we can’t equal this in terms of the volume of research! Given the amount of fear-mongering or talk of safe or unsafe (lifting being considered unsafe…) exercises, let’s dig into the

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3 things the fitness industry needs to do better for women

3 things the fitness industry needs to do better for women I love working in the fitness industry BUT there is a huge gap in knowledge, research and consideration to a woman’s life stages. So, here are 3 things I think, the industry should do better.  Education for personal trainers

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Prolapse symptoms when you lift weights? Part 1

Prolapse symptoms when lifting? Part 1 Do you lift weights and have a prolapse and feel symptoms during or after lifting? If so, this blog (and the next few to follow) are for you!  Lifting weights is awesome for the female body! We need to maintain our muscle mass as

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NEW Strength Programme for prolapse: LIFTED! Project Strong

Are you wanting a strength programme for prolapse but feeling confused and overwhelmed? You’re not alone if you’re wondering how you get back in the gym and lift weights once you’ve finished your prolapse or pelvic floor rehab. So many of my clients get in touch because they are wondering

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The mental load of pelvic organ prolapse

The mental load of Pelvic Organ Prolapse So many women feel the mental load of pelvic organ prolapse. And whilst pelvic organ prolapse is a physical shift and descent of the pelvic organs from their original position. I truly believe it can impact all aspects of a person’s life and

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Can I go to the gym if I have prolapse?

Can I go to the gym if I have prolapse? The short answer is YES you can go to the gym if you have a prolapse! However, I also know that if you’ve been diagnosed with a prolapse, exercising might seem like a bit of a minefield. It might require

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Tips for a symptom free deadlift

Tips for a symptom free deadlift A hip hinge or deadlift is a fantastic functional movement because it works your glutes, hamstrings, back (all of your posterior chain). And because you use this movement ALL the time when you pick up things!  However, this can be a movement that provokes

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Should you avoid squats if you have prolapse?

Should you avoid squats if you have prolapse? You may have been told to avoid squats altogether if you’ve been diagnosed with a prolapse. However, there is no evidence that squats are “bad for your prolapse or pelvic floor”. In fact, done in a way that supports your pelvic floor,

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Are Hypopressives better than Kegels?

Are Hypopressives better than Kegels? Maintaining good pelvic floor health is crucial for both men and women. Over the years, Kegel exercises have been widely recommended as a means to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. However, a revolutionary approach called hypopressives has gained popularity, challenging the effectiveness of traditional Kegels.

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Can Hypopressives help prolpase and leaking?

Can Hypopressives help prolapse and leaking? Understanding hypopressives Hypopressives, also known as hypopressive exercises or low-pressure fitness, is a type of exercise method developed by Dr. Marcel Caufriez, a Belgian gynecologist, in the 1980s. Unlike traditional exercises that focus on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through contraction, hypopressives aim to

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How to exercise with a prolapse

How to exercise with prolapse How can I exercise with a prolapse is a common question I hear. This is often because a diagnosis may also come with a number of limitations. Such as, “don’t lift more than x amount”, or “avoid doing HIIT, or running, or CrossFit” or any

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Strength training and leaking

Strength training and leaking Strength training is a powerful form of exercise that offers numerous benefits, including increased muscle mass, improved bone density, enhanced metabolism, and overall physical fitness. However, if you are leaking urine during intense workouts, it can be hard to know what to do. Do you stop

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How to get back to exercise after a prolapse diagnosis

How to get back to exercise after prolapse diagnosis Whilst a prolapse diagnosis can feel disheartening, especially if you are a keen exerciser. I want to assure you that with the right mindset, knowledge, and support, you can reclaim your fitness journey and rediscover the joy in an active lifestyle.

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How to improve prolapse symptoms

How to improve prolapse symptoms Many women with POP, want to know how to improve prolapse symptoms. This can be to improve quality of life, to be able to move forward without prolapse dominating their life or to be able to exercise again without worrying about POP.  So, first things

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Strength train with prolapse

Strength train with prolapse Trying to navigate strength training with a prolapse can feel a tad tricky. On one hand, you see the fitness industry recommending it for women. But you may also have been told, “don’t lift”, “don’t do weights”, “lifting weights is bad for your pelvic floor”.  Let’s

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Why do I leak with exercise?

Why do I leak with exercise? If you leak with exercise, this blog post is for you. I explain the reasons why you might be leaking and ways to exercise leak free.  How common is leaking with exercise? Incontinence (the leaking of urine or faeces) is very common and is

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Prolapse and Periods

Prolapse and periods Is there a link between prolapse and periods? Do you notice your prolapse symptoms are more prevalent during your period? Or perhaps around other times in your cycle? This blog discusses some reasons why prolapse symptoms “might” correlate with menstruation. Plus, 3 ways to better manage period

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How to exercise with prolapse

How to exercise with prolapse A common question isn’t ‘how to exercise with prolapse’ but what exercises can I do with prolapse? Or which exercises to avoid if you have pelvic organ prolapse? Whilst, it would be great to have a list of those exercises, I find a more effective

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Why prolapse happens

Why prolapse happens Why prolapse happens is an interesting question.  Whilst it would be simpler to offer one reason, that often isn’t the case. In-fact, pelvic organ prolapse can be:  The result of something done repeatedly that gradually reduces the available support of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments over

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Is a prolapse diagnosis always helpful?

Is a prolapse diagnosis always helpful? If you have been diagnosed with a prolapse, it’s likely you’ve been given your diagnosis and told to do your pelvic floor exercises (and perhaps not much else!). You’ve heard the word prolapse (maybe a grade) but you have no idea what this means

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I’ve done my rehab but still have prolapse symptoms

I’ve done my rehab but I still have prolapse symptoms Still have some annoying prolapse symptoms even though you’ve done your rehab? On a recent Instagram poll, I asked those who had done their rehab and wanted to progress what was stopping them, a huge 80% said they still had prolapse

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How to recover from prolapse surgery

How to recover from prolapse repair surgery As part of your prolapse approach, you may have been advised or chosen to have surgery. This short blog covers: different types of surgery how to prepare for surgery the benefit of pelvic floor muscle training pre-surgery movement prehab (and rehab) lifestyle factors 

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Postnatal Exercise – where to start

Post Natal Recovery & Exercise – where to start Postnatal exercise – where to start! Exercising after baby can be confusing (and that’s coming from someone who has spent the last 8 years working with postnatal women). Of course, we’d love a textbook on exactly what to do, in the

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Are Kegels bad?

Are Kegels bad for you? Are Kegels bad is a question I see frequently debated online and in pelvic health circles. If you’ve read my blogs on best exercises for prolapse or how to fix pelvic organ prolapse you’ll know it’s very rarely a definitive yes or no answer! Kind

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NEW! Postnatal classes in Leamington Spa

Exercising in the postnatal period can feel a little confusing and overwhelming. There’s no shortage of advice online. The online ‘influencers’ are sharing their bounce-back and weight loss tips. And now your little one is here, you’re thinking that some exercise would feel good but you’re not sure what to

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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

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Online programmes for prolapse

Oneline Programmes for pelvic organ prolapse Online programmes for prolapse and 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

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Strategies for exercising with pelvic organ prolapse

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

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5 ways to improve postpartum prolapse

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

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3 words for Prolapse Awareness Month

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

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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

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3 Reasons to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist

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

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How does a personal trainer help with pelvic floor issues?

How a personal trainer can 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,

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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” 

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What are the best exercises for prolapse?

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

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How to manage prolapse symptoms at work

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

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Can I lift weights with prolapse?

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

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