It’s been five years since our clinic owner Anniken was inspired to start The Cheerful Pelvis! The reason? She couldn’t help but notice that, despite the best intentions of individual practitioners – herself included – the practice of pelvic health physio was a bit all over the place.

Worried about what it’s going to feel like to give birth? Perineal massage can help. Our pelvic floor physio team recommends (and often teaches) this technique to our prenatal clients to help them prepare both mentally and physically for an upcoming birth.

A cheerful pelvis is the foundation for our physical, social, emotional, and sexual well-being, and an important aspect of our overall health. Often, when we enter a new year, we’re in the mindset of recommitting to our priorities, including self-care. So we wanted to offer some tips for staying connected to your pelvic health this year and beyond!

Vaginal dilators (also called vaginal inserts or accommodators) are tube-shaped devices used in pelvic health physiotherapy to help the vagina accommodate stretch and down-train tense pelvic floor muscles. As pelvic health physiotherapists, we might recommend them as part of a treatment plan to address sexual pain, decrease vaginal sensitivity, and increase comfort. 

Have you heard? We moved into a new clinic space! If you haven’t had a chance to visit our new location yet, consider this your official virtual welcome. We can’t wait for you to come and see it in person.

Navigating menopause and perimenopause can be a challenge, but we’re here to help you understand what is going on in your body and suggest some care and treatment options to support you. 

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that happens when endometrial-like tissue (aka the tissue that usually lines the uterus) is present outside of the uterus. Estimated to affect about 10% of women of reproductive age globally, and an unknown number of gender-diverse folks, endometriosis is believed to affect roughly 1 million people in Canada.

If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, otherwise known as bladder leakage, know that you’re not alone! It’s a common pelvic floor symptom often associated with postpartum and menopause, but it can affect folks at any stage of life. In fact, recent studies estimate that more than 50% of people assigned female at birth experience urinary incontinence.¹

The postpartum period can be tough on both your body and your mind. Dealing with all the changes in your body and your life can be overwhelming enough, but if you’ve had a C-section, you’re also recovering from a major surgery! 

Are you wondering when and how to work out again after giving birth? Whether you are eager or anxious about moving your body again, the most important thing is to give yourself enough time to heal during the postpartum period. 

If you’ve done some Googling around about pelvic floor health, chances are you’ve come across the Kegel chair, also known as an Emsella chair or Kegel throne. The device claims to improve pelvic floor function, continence, and overall well-being by delivering electromagnetic energy that stimulates your pelvic floor muscles into contracting thousands of times during a session. Big promises, to be sure. But does it work? 

For most pregnant folks, the idea of navigating the postpartum period is anxiety-inducing, to say the least. We hear you! With so many changes in your body and life, it’s an overwhelming time, and it can be challenging to understand what is “normal” both physically and emotionally. 

Our team was excited to be a part of the four-part CBC News series on pelvic floor health!

In the past few years, there has been more attention paid to discussions around weight and its relationship to health outcomes – particularly in medical settings.

Maybe you’re familiar with Pilates as a form of exercise, but what about practicing it in a physiotherapy context?

Your pelvic floor plays a vital role in how you run, and when done with proper technique, running can also strengthen and support your pelvic floor muscles. Unfortunately, most runners haven’t been taught about this relationship and why it matters. We want to change that! 

Giving birth is one of the most physically demanding things a person might do in their lifetime. But historically, the narrative around pregnancy and exercise has been a cautious one, focusing mostly on the vulnerability and potential risk to the bodies of folks who are giving birth.

You might have some questions in the lead-up to your first pelvic health physio appointment with us—and we’re here to answer them! We want you to feel supported, informed, confident and cared for from the very beginning, and throughout your pelvic health journey.