Welcome to the RPT Blog where we share knowledge and help you understand your health
Swelling during pregnancy is usually pretty common in the lower extremities and feet. All the extra fluid that your body creates to help support a healthy baby can cause blood circulation to slow – and much of it accumulates in the legs and feet. Especially if you are up on your feet a lot!
Cystocele (SIS-toe-seel) is when the bladder drops from its usual position and presses on the vaginal wall. A type of pelvic organ prolapse, cystocele or anterior vaginal prolapse, can occur if the pelvic floor muscles are weak, the organ is not in the correct spot in the pelvis in general (especially post child birth) or if there is too much pressure put on the pelvic floor. Common causes of a prolapsed bladder include repetitive stress over time (e.g., coughing, improper lifting) or during vaginal childbirth.
Today we are talking about how to care for yourself after you have surgery- this could be anything from a C-Section to a knee replacement. The info contained here isn’t super specific but that doesn’t make it any less important!!
Having surgery and recovering from it can be a very challenging process physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you elect to have it done or the procedure is absolutely vital to your health and well-being, surgery is trauma to your body: it takes a toll.
Hi Everyone! Here are our favorite tools to use to assist with pain and hip movement during labor. The more you can handle the pain & the more movement your hips can do- the better and faster your labor will be!
We carry all of these things with us when we do Birth Support for our Mama’s!!
To find these on Amazon- just click on the photo!
The Obturator Internus (OI) is a muscle that sits deep in the hip girdle, running from the front of the pubic bones and inserting onto the greater trochanter (the top bony part of the thigh bone). The OI is a deep hip stabilizer, which means it helps stabilize the head of the femur (thigh bone) to keep it in socket. This muscle is also responsible for external rotation – or rolling out– of the hip and thigh. Additionally, the OI shares a fascial connection to most, if not all, of the deep pelvic floor muscles. People with dysfunction of the Obturator Internus often complete of a deep groin, hip or back pain that won’t go away with regular stretching.
Pelvic Health, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Exercises, Pelvic Pain, Pain with Intercourse, Melbourne, FL, Postpartum, Postpartum Rehab, Pee Leakage, Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Recharged Performance Therapy
One important thing to *note* here is that a lot of “Dr. Google” resources on SUI is that Kegels (tightening your PF muscles) will help with leakage by making the muscles stronger. But this is usually not the case!! The vast majority of people with pelvic floor dysfunction (and SUI) have have PF muscles that are too tight – NOT too loose. Because muscles need to be a certain length to work optimally, a muscle that is too loose OR too tight can be weak.
A newly described phase of Pregnancy related care is being called the Fourth Trimester, lasting from birth until approximately 12 weeks postpartum.
An important subset of the physical component is what we eat: the type of fuel we give our bodies directly affects how we move through the world. Both physically and mentally.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Melbourne FL, Dr. Paige, Recharged Performance Therapy, Recharged Pelvic Floor
Okay...guys! With Thanksgiving approaching, we often take the time to look at what we have been thankful for over the past year.
Cultivating a sense of gratitude helps us feel connected to others as well as happier and healthier. It is more than just saying, “Oh, thank you!” when something good happens, but developing a grateful attitude on a consistent basis -- during the good days and the bad ones.
An improvement in overall physical health
Lower blood pressure
Better sleep
Better eating habits
An optimistic outlook on life
First, we want to be clear about the distinction between gratitude and “toxic positivity.” This is a term that has been floating around a lot recently -- and can sometimes be confused with gratitude. Taken to an extreme, “100% positivity all the time” can keep us trapped in some unhealthy habits and demotivate us to make important changes in our lives. This “good vibes only” approach often makes us avoid difficult emotions and replace it with a cheery, often (falsely) positive outlook. Research has actually shown that this “forced cheerfulness” has the opposite effect on our mood and well-being in the long-term.
Gratitude, on the other hand, is about recognizing those difficult emotions (pain, sadness, anger) and giving them the space to be looked at -- to be curious about why we are experiencing these emotions and what they may mean. (It doesn’t mean that these hard emotions take over our lives.) More research shows that “completing the cycle” of emotions (being curious and then finding a way to resolve them) is an important part of managing stress -- and gratitude plays a big part in this.
Now, you’re probably thinking: “That’s all well and good, but I’m so busy. I don’t have time to actively think about practicing gratitude.”
Start small! Try focusing on the little, everyday things. Your health, for example. A pet or family member; your home or a hobby that you really enjoy.
Change your self-talk! Negative self-talk can have a big impact on your mental health. This is easier said than done, of course. But you gotta start somewhere!
Keep a gratitude journal. Think about setting aside 5 minutes in the evening to reflect on the day and list 3 things that you’re grateful for. Writing things down helps us really solidify things (instead of just being tossed around in our brains, mixed in with all the negativity and stress!).
Put post-it notes around the house of things that you’re grateful for. It never hurts to have a little reminder.
Say “Thank you!” to those around you. Your spouse or friend or even a co-worker. Thank them for being or doing something that has been your life a little bit easier ...or even just something you really appreciate about them.
For a fancier twist: try writing thank you notes (and no, not just after Christmas or your birthday. An out-of-the-blue thank you card can make someone’s day! And help you center yourself in your appreciation/love for them.
With this holiday season, take some time to practice your thankfulness. Hopefully, it will turn into a daily ritual that enriches your life, your health and your mentality!
References
https://www.pelvicsanity.com/post/2017/11/29/7-health-benefits-of-gratitude
https://www.pelvicsanity.com/post/2017/12/01/three-ways-to-cultivate-gratitude-throughout-the-year
https://gyngwinnett.com/blog/how-being-thankful-can-improve-your-health
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867905101/want-to-be-happier-evidence-based-tricks-to-get-you-there
https://gyngwinnett.com/blog/how-does-stress-affect-gynecological-health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489271/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/02699931.2011.595393?scroll=top&needAccess=true&
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-hotspot/202107/what-is-toxic-positivity
Diastasis Recti is a condition normally seen at the end of pregnancy and after birth. It is normal until about 12 weeks postpartum. If you are still experiencing a “gap” after 12 weeks, you need to see a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist for Diastasis Recti!
Good News- There is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist for you here in Melbourne, FL!
Did you have a C-Birth (C-section)? If you did, or may have one in the future, then you NEED to read this latest installment to our Blog! We go over the easiest ways to help your scar heal and look better too! And schedule an appointment with pelvic floor physical therapy. You will thank us, we swear.
Cesarean Section
Y’all- posture matters! You would be SHOCKED by how much better women FEEL & look when we get them in a better posture!
Watch this video from Dr. Paige! She goes over what “perfect” posture is and how to get your posture right! And schedule an appointment with pelvic floor physical therapy. You will thank us, we swear.
In this blog, Dr. Paige goes over a few tips and tricks to improving recovery after delivery of your baby! You just went through a life changing event and should be cared for- even though most people don’t talk about recovering after birth. Learn how to better care for you so that you can better care for your baby! But more than anything- you need to go see a pelvic floor physical therapist! They will change your life!
—Katy F.
—Jill K.
—Mary B.
