Proactive Pelvic Health Centre
405-235 Danforth Ave. M4K 1N2 Toronto, ON, Canada

Mental Health Matters Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day devoted to continuing to open up the conversation on mental health and decrease stigma associated with this topic. Let’s all take action and help create positive change in mental health. ... #proactivepelvichealth #BellLetsTalk #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #selfcare #selfcompassion #mindfulness #mindful #kindness #care

How much kindness and care do you give yourself? Should we be doing this more for ourselves? We say, heck ya!! Don’t forget to be kind to yourself especially now. Day after day has been a struggle over the past year. But without the struggle, there is no desire to alleviate suffering. ... So try going inward, comfort and soothe yourself as you would your family and friends. Need some help? Check out the guru of self-compassion herself - Kristen Neff. #proactivepelvichealth #selfcompassion #suffering #selfcare #mindful #mindfulness #kindness #care

THE VULVA Do you know your vulvar anatomy? The vulva is the external female genitalia that runs from the mons pubis (fatty soft tissue over the pubic bone) to the perineum (the space between the vaginal opening and anus). ... The vulva is almost always mistakenly assumed to be the same as the vagina. But guess what, it’s NOT! The vagina is the internal canal of the female genitalia that provides the connection from the outside, to the uterus inside. The vulva is comprised of all the parts that you see here and is important for: -providing protection and support to the urethra, clitoris and internal organs -sexual and reproductive functions -pleasure and sensation as the area is highly innervated -moisture and cushioning So go one and get familiar with your vulvar anatomy!

Whether you are prenatal, postnatal, approaching menopause, an athlete (or not) and are looking to work with a movement specialist or fitness professional - please, please, find someone that is PELVIC FLOOR INFORMED. Especially for women or those with female anatomy, we are at higher risk for developing pelvic floor issues so all the more important to work with someone that integrates the pelvic floor into your fitness routines and workouts. If you work with someone that has... the philosophy that ‘it’s okay or normal to leak when you exercise’ or ‘just push through the pain’ (when you know it doesn’t feel right) - move on! Find someone that understands pelvic health concerns such as: incontinence, prolapse and diastasis recti. Find someone that listens, respects your goals and can troubleshoot and help you modify movements and exercise if you report any pelvic symptoms or pain. Here are some of our fave movement specialists and fitness professionals in Toronto that GET pelvic health. If you need help, reach out to one of them, you will not be disappointed. @florence.bowen @samcoretrainer @askjanette @itsreenaparekh @mom.bod.love @thebellemethod @martaritceytrainer @pilates_process @andreapiacquadio_

Not only should we be able to contract the pelvic floor, but we should have the ability to RELAX it as well. This is all the more important for individuals that struggle with pelvic pain concerns. Some of which include: IC/BPS, vulvodynia, vaginismus, endometriosis, dyspareunia/painful intercourse and pudendal neuralgia. Pelvic physio and Clinic Director Angelique demonstrates 3 positions that may be helpful to facilitate relaxation of your pelvic floor. In addition to assumi...ng the positions, taking deep diaphragmatic breaths can help release these muscles better. Give it a shot and let us know what works best for you! Please Note: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice from your doctor or primary health care provider. Music: Ice Tea Musician: Not The King.

We remember. We are grateful. We remain hopeful for the future. #remembranceday2020 #lestweforget #weremember #remembranceday #poppyfields #alwaysremember

It’s that time again, this #testimonialtuesday is for all the pre and postnatal folks out there. We are here for you #proactivepelvichealth #prenatal #postnatal #postpartum #perinatal #pregnancy #momlife #babies #labouranddelivery

Its #malemonday for the month of #Movember. Check out our latest blog post by pelvic physiotherapist Beth Safarian about Cis-Male Sexual Function and the Pelvic Floor. Blog link in bio. #proactivepelvichealth #movember #growamo #menshealth #pelvichealth #pelvicfloor #malepelvichealth #maleanatomy Please Note: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice from your doctor or primary health care provider.

This statement was from one of the presentations given over this past weekend’s #IPPSVirtual2020 conference. This rings true to what we do day in and day out at PPHC. To us, this statement in a clinical context is all about THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE between therapist and client. A 2010 systematic review concluded From this review, the alliance between therapist and patient appears to have a positive effect on treatment outcome in physical rehabilitation settings. (Hall et al 2...010) This is key to anyone accessing pelvic rehabilitation but especially so for those struggling with chronic pelvic pain conditions such as #endometriosis #vulvodynia #interstitialcystitis #bladderpainsyndrome #vaginismus #IBS #pudendalneuralgia and more. Communication comes in many forms and as an individual struggling through pain, it is important to ensure you are supported by a therapist that can speak your language and is on your ‘team’. Some key indicators of good communication by your therapist may include: -eye contact and active listening -informed consent (risks, benefits and alternatives) -ability to convey empathy -reassurance and encouragement What are some other signs that you look for when establishing an excellent therapeutic alliance with your healthcare provider? #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #bladderhealth #urinaryincontinence #pelvicfloor #pelvicphysiotherapy #pelvicphysio #pelvicpain #communcation #empathy #reassurance #encouragement #teamwork #therapeuticalliance @pelvicpainorg

What do all of this pics have in common? Some of you that have seen a pelvic physiotherapist for treatment may be giggling right now These pics represent different visual cues that your physiotherapist may use to help you activate your pelvic floor correctly, as studies show anywhere from 30-50% of women do not activate their pelvic floors properly!... Some common compensations or errors include: -bearing down on the muscles instead of lifting up -using your buttock muscles (aka your gluteals) too much -using your abdominal muscles to much -breath holding It’s important to note that when activating your pelvic floor, the action is not just a squeezing but think about ‘closing and lifting’. When we try to do this while using visual cues, it can help your muscles pattern the movement better. Different cues work for different people and genders but for the ones in this pic, think about: -pulling a blueberry up inside the vagina or rectum -the way a jelly fish opens and closes. This is a similar action of how the pelvic floor relaxes and activates -sucking up a thick milkshake through a straw into your vagina or rectum -pulling a marble up inside the vagina or rectum Still struggling and just not sure if you are doing it right? We are here to help! Seeing a pelvic physiotherapist can help you find your best cue to help improve your pelvic floor function. #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #bladderhealth #urinaryincontinence #pelvicfloor #pelvicphysiotherapy #pelvicphysio #kegel #pelvicfloorstrengthening Please Note: The information provided in this post is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice from your doctor or primary health care provider.

NEW BLOG: Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Pill Is the oral contraceptive pill good or bad for you? The answer is, it depends. Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that.... The pill was developed in the 1960’s mainly for regulation of menses as back then it was not legal to discuss its role in preventing contraception. It was revolutionary, and still is, as women are given more control over when they do and don’t get pregnant, giving them more autonomy. Dr. Micaela Gregory explains more about the pros and cons of the birth control pill in our latest blog. #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #naturopathicmedicine #naturopath #birthcontrol #thepill #birthcontrolpill #contraception #womenshealth #menstruation

URINARY URGENCY: Do you have to go? But do you really? Many people experience symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency but sometimes your bladder signals for you to empty, even when it is not physiologically full. ... Sometimes your bladder may ‘misbehave’, become overactive and give you excessive signals of urinary urgency. In this video, pelvic physiotherapist Amy Price talks about some strategies that may help you delay or suppress urinary urgency when it’s not appropriate to empty your bladder. #proactivepelvichealth #pelvicphysio #urinaryurgency #urinaryfrequency #overactivebladder #OAB #bladderleakage #urinaryincontinence #pelvicfloor #pelvichealth

Happy Thanksgiving Canada! We have so much to be grateful for and having the privilege to live in this country is certainly one of them. Thank you to our supportive community, colleagues and friends. We wish you and your families a Thanksgiving full of love, laughter and great health! ... #thanksgiving #thankful #grateful #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #pelvicphysio #canadianthanksgiving #canada

Today is International Day of the Girl. Let us continue to support girls in their quest for education and safety. May we empower them and hold them up through both challenges and successes. #internationaldayofthegirl #dayofthegirl #IDG2020 #proactivepelvichealth

THE CLITORIS It’s #femalefriday and today, pelvic physiotherapist Beth Safarian talks to us about the illusive clitoris! She talks about: . .... -the main function of the clitoris = pleasure! -the parts of the clitoris -how to stimulate the clitoris -does the ‘g-spot’ really exist? . . #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #pelvicphysio #pelvicanatomy #femalegenitalia #clitoris #vulva #anatomy #femaleanatomy #pelvicphysiotherapy . . Please Note: The information provided in this video post is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice from your doctor or primary health care provider. See more

#EDS #ehlersdanlossyndrome #ehlersdanlos #hypermobilitysyndrome #hypermobility #fertility #sexualhealth #pregnancy #pelvicfloor #menstrualpain #pelvicpain #proactivepelvichealth

Why not try this cozy soup recipe over the long weekend?Provided by our Naturopathic Doctor, Micaela Gregory ND. Enjoy!

Repost from @florence.bowen WTF is DRA anyway? A year post thesis defence, DRA and I have rekindled our relationship. ... I have been feeling more courageous to share some of the findings from my thesis the effects of global osteopathic treatment on diastasis-recti abdominus in postnatal women - here on IG. So to start, lets demystify DRA. Diastasis-Rectus Abdominus (DRA) is the compromised integrity and function of the abdominal wall due to the separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles (your six pack muscles) from the linea alba (that line of soft tissue between your abs). DRA looks like a thinning, widening, or stretching of the space between your six pack muscles and a coning of the abdomen with activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure. Some things that increase intra-abdominal pressure: sneezing, coughing or crunching to sit-up. Some things you should know: DRA occurs, to varying degrees in 100% of women during the third trimester of pregnancy. DRA is a NORMAL adaption during pregnancy. The abdominal wall has to stretch to accommodate the rapidly growing uterus as it migrates out of your pelvis and into your abdominal space. the criteria to diagnose DRA is 2+ finger widths between the two six pack muscles, at the level of the belly button. NOW we know that DRA is more complicated than finger widths alone. BUT, measuring finger widths is still a great place to self-assess. without intervention DRA persists in 52% of women 6-8 weeks postpartum and in nearly 40% of women one year postpartum. deep core training remains the standard and most conservative intervention for the rehabilitation of DRA. I have spent nearly 5 years of my life swimming in journal articles and picking the beautiful minds of pelvic physiotherapists @dr.sinead @jenniferlettau @lizfreypt and @proactivepelvichealth - there is still a LOT to learn! I hope by sharing, I can educate and empower women to seek the care they are worthy of! And trust me, I know this picture does not demo a DRA, but #covid_19 and access to people. Swipe for image. #corebreath #transverseabdominis #pelvicfloor #pelvichealth #prenatal #postnatal #core #diastasi

As we contend with a second wave of this pandemic, we want to reassure you that we are still here for you, and remind you of the safety protocols we have in place. All to help keep you, your families and our staff safe. . . Our clinic remains open for both in-clinic and virtual appointments. We are well into a very busy time of year at the clinic so please try booking ahead in order to ensure access to the care you need before the end of the year. .... . As always, we look forward to seeing you in the clinic or virtually. Whatever floats your boat, we will take note. Stay safe everyone. . . #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #urinaryincontinence #urinaryleakage #bladderleakage #bladder #pregnancy #postpartum #prenatal #postnatal #menopause #pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pelvicphysiotherapy #healthandsafety #infectioncontrol See more

Is it ever too late to treat your bladder leakage or urinary incontinence? The short answer is NO! Watch this video as pelvic physiotherapist Emily Quinn explains why and how you can get help to treat this very common concern.... As she mentions, ‘just like any muscle, if you don’t use it (the pelvic floor), you lose it.’ . . Please Note: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice from your doctor or primary health care provider. . . #proactivepelvichealth #pelvichealth #urinaryincontinence #urinaryleakage #bladderleakage #bladder #pregnancy #postpartum #prenatal #postnatal #menopause #pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pelvicphysiotherapy

AMAZING! The world’s first brick-and-mortar Vagina Museum opened in Camden, London with the aim of smashing stigmas, spreading awareness of the gynecological anatomy and health, and giving people the confidence to discuss issues related to vaginas. Read more at: https://www.adweek.com//these-beautiful-evocative-ads-f/2/... #proactivepelvichealth #vagina #gynecology #anatomy #womenshealth #femaleanatomy #vaginamuseumcamden #gynecologicalhealth