In this blog post, I break down my labour and birth experience with my 2nd baby Callum from the lens of mama and a pelvic floor physiotherapist and reflect on what happened and why.

A chiropractor may use an activator in treatment to provide a gentle and controlled alternative to manual manipulations, making it suitable for patients who prefer a less forceful approach or have specific conditions or limitations or infants and prenatal chiropractic patients. The activator allows for targeted and precise adjustments, aiding in the restoration of joint mobility and alignment. Activator chiropractic care can be particularly beneficial for patients with acute pain, sensitivity, or localized issues, as the activator delivers controlled impulses to address specific areas without excessive discomfort.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Yoga combine the benefits of yoga practice with an individualized assessment and program to address symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that support various organs and functions in the pelvis. Weakness or tension in these muscles can lead to issues such as incontinence, pain, and pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is an essential part of the "core" muscles, which provide stability and support to the body during movement. By incorporating yoga into pelvic floor therapy, individuals can improve posture, strengthen the pelvic floor, coordinate its activation with movement, promote relaxation, coordinate breath with movement, and reduce tension. Yoga has been shown to have significant physical and mental health benefits, particularly for postpartum women. Some recommended yoga asanas for pelvic health include Child's Pose, Cat Cow, Happy Baby, and Supported Waterfall. Combining physical therapy and yoga can provide a holistic approach to improving pelvic health.

Here is a comprehensive guide to caesarian section births including preparing for a c-section, the actual surgery, post-op rehab, c-section recovery, signs and symptoms to manage, how pelvic floor physio can help, and risk and benefits to a c-section. Education and preparedness are important to having a positive c-section experience and this guide will help you in educating yourself, planning for c-section and learning the right questions to ask your doctor and pelvic floor physio!

Lying on your back can create a lot of fear and concern for pregnant women. The fears include risking stillbirth and restricting blood flow to the baby. Many women are unsure as to WHEN they have to stop lying on their back during pregnancy. The short answer is: it depends. This article explains what changes are going on in our body that help us determine when to switch our sleeping position, when to modify supine exercises, and signs and symptoms to look out for!

Most pregnant women will go through similar changes to their posture during pregnancy. As your baby grows and as your centre of mass changes (to out in front, thanks to your belly) it’s common for the pelvis to tip forward into an anterior pelvic tilt, causing an increased curve in the low back called a lordosis. This can contribute to tight low back muscles and hip flexor muscles (located at the front of the hips). Our bigger boobs created rounded shoulders and upper back and the weight shift causes our bum to clench - learn cues for managing these changes and avoiding pain and tension linked to these changes. A Prenatal Chiropractor can help maintain good posture throughout pregnancy and keep you feeling and moving your absolute best!

Curious about seeing a pregnancy chiropractor? Here’s everything you need to know about getting having a healthy spine and pelvic while pregnant. As baby grows and your body changes, you may experience symptoms like low back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain and discomfort that a prenatal chiropractor can alleviate.

A pessary is a medical-grade, silicone device that is inserted into the vagina, similar to a tampon. It is primarily used as a non-surgical intervention in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to support the pelvic organs and minimize their descent and to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It can be worn for days, months or just for events that provoke a woman’s symptoms.

Tailbone or coccyx pain is a common problem caused by trauma (such as a fall on your bum), pelvic or low back surgery, during pregnancy, with childbirth, certain activities or sports, chronic straining to pee or poop, congenital (since birth) or degenerative changes around the sacrococcygeal joint (where our low back meets our tailbone). It can be treated using myofascial work, strengthening exercises, mobility exercises, an understanding of chronic pain and lifestyle changes.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition where a person leaks pee during activities such as coughing, sneezing, running, jumping, and lifting. It can be caused by a weakness of the pelvic floor muscles or a lack of coordination between the core, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles, or a mismanagement of intra-abdominal pressure. To prevent SUI, it is suggested to use a "Core Breath" technique before coughing or sneezing.

Constipation can lead to increased strain on the pelvic floor muscles and organs contributing to pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. It can also increase circulating estrogen levels contributing to painful periods and worsen symptoms of stress and urgency incontinence. Ignoring the urge to poop can worsen constipation by diminishing the sense of the need to do so.

Torticollis can affect your baby’s ability to breastfeed successfully on both breasts due limited range of motion in the neck and inability to fully open their jaw for a sufficient latch. Chiropractors who are trained in Infant Chiropractic, like our Dr. David Blair DC, can treat your baby’s neck and jaw muscles using special muscle techniques for infants and release the tension to allow your baby to feed easier.

Diastasis Rectus Abdominis is a common concern and symptom experienced by women during pregnancy and postpartum and can be managed with pelvic floor physiotherapy and working with a perinatal fitness coach. Danielle Ufniak MSc PT is a registered pelvic floor physiotherapist and certified perinatal fitness coach who is trained through Brianna Battles’ Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coaching.

Do you experience vulva dryness or itchiness or skin irritant with sex, after shaving or just daily life? Learn the difference between a lubricant and a moisturizer including the pros and cons and indications for both!

Meet Dr. Courtney Babut, our Chiropractor at Flow Physio + Wellness! Dr. Courtney is an athlete herself and has the experience and knowledge to help you with your sports injuries, improving physical function and managing pain.

Meet Aaron, our physiotherapist at Flow Physio + Wellness who works with everyday athletes and weekend warriors to address sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions as well as provides paediatric physiotherapy and gross motor assessments and interventions for children.