Pelvic floor therapy focuses on strengthening the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the pelvic floor. When muscles in the pelvic area become tight or weak, your daily life can be negatively impacted, because this region helps in supporting the core of your body and is a key part of everyday movement.
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INSIDE: • Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Change Your Life • What to Expect During a Pelvic Health Assessment
• Exercise Essentials • Featured Service
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PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY CAN CHANGEYOUR LIFE
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514 King Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1M1 Phone: 416-703-5885 Fax: 416-703-5886 MON, WED, THURS | 12pm – 8pm TUES & FRI | 8am – 8pm SAT | 9am – 5pm CORKTOWN
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Pelvic floor therapy focuses on strengthening the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the pelvic floor. When muscles in the pelvic area become tight or weak, your daily life can be negatively impacted, because this region helps in supporting the core of your body and is a key part of everyday movement. One of our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists will take a look at your medical history, and conduct a thorough examination to decide what type of treatment you’ll need. This may include stretches, manual therapy, and at home exercises to reduce pain and strengthen or loosen your pelvic muscles, depending on your condition. Did you know that pelvic floor rehabilitation is a common option for women who are preparing for childbirth? It ensures an easier delivery and oftentimes can prevent the need for a C-section. Some common techniques used during pelvic floor rehabilitation include: • Diaphragmatic breathing. Your Therapist can teach you how to practice deep breathing exercises. These will allow your diaphragm to expand and contract properly, which helps in relaxingmuscles in the pelvic area. Relaxed muscles will drop and lengthen, providing simple pain relief. These breathing exercises can also be done at home. • Relaxation techniques. Physiotherapy also focuses on relaxing! Relaxing your muscles allows them to ease tension, which makes it easier to stretch and massage them later. It’s not always easy to relax on command though, so your Therapist may suggest specific relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery or biofeedback, to assist you with the process. PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY CAN CHANGEYOUR LIFE
• Postural exercises. These specific types of exercises are aimed at refining and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and other postural muscles, which are often not paid attention to assist in postural retraining. How Physiotherapy Relieves Pain Pelvic pain is caused by a number of different factors, and pelvic floor rehabilitation can help reduce or eliminate the pain and symptoms you are experiencing. If you are suffering frompelvic pain, endometriosis, having issues with urinary incontinence, have recently given birth, or just want tomake sure that all is well with your pelvic floor, it’s a great idea to see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist! Your Therapist will conduct a thorough examination, find the source of your pain, and create a customized treatment plan to help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Book Your In-Clinic or Virtual Appointment Visit our booking calendar at foundationphysio.com/book Come see what great results await you!
PATIENT SPOTLIGHTS
Words cannot express how grateful I am to have met Karlyn... it has been for me,
I was treated by Olivia Drodge. She was really hands-on and tuned into treating
me holistically.
quite literally, life-changing.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to have met Karlyn. We have been working together since August 2019 after a referral from my GP and I am beyond thrilled with my progress – it has been for me, quite literally, life-changing. Over the years, I have seen several chiropractors and, while they were helpful, none have come close to providing the thorough, holistic, and deeply caring treatment I’ve received from Karlyn. Absolutely amazing! - Daniel N.
I highly recommend Foundation Physiotherapy & Wellness. I was treated by Olivia Drodge - Registered Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. She was really hands-on and tuned into treating me holistically. I highly recommend all young women to see a pelvic health specialist and not just pre and post-natal women. The insights from a pelvic health specialist will change the quality of life for all women. Thank you Olivia! :) - Kalpagam S.
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REBUILD YOURSELF
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A PELVIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Written by Oliva Drodge, PT, MScPT • Pelvic Health Physiotherapist at Corktown
Unsure if seeing a Pelvic Health Therapist is right for your needs? Perhaps you are feeling a bit apprehensive about coming in, based on what you’ve heard about Pelvic Health Assessments? If you said yes to either of those questions, you’re not alone, and it’s ok! Before I became Certified as a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, I also had a lot of questions about the process! That’s why I’msharing what you can expect during a Pelvic Health Assessment! QUESTIONNAIRES: You will be encouraged to fill out a comprehensive set of questionnaires, either before (e-mailed to you), or upon your arrival to the clinic. These questionnaires are extremely helpful in providing a snapshot of your current condition, and what factors may be contributing to your symptoms. Questions will explore your bladder/bowel function, history of prolapse, stress levels, pelvic/tailbone/groin/low back pain, previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries, gynecological conditions, menstrual pains/ menopause, pain with sex and current/previous pregnancies. DISCUSSION: Your Therapist will review the questionnaires with you, and based on the questions, they may ask you to elaborate, in order to gain further understanding of your current condition. Your Therapist will show you a model of the pelvis and pelvic floor muscles, andwill explain themany functions, as well as, the purpose of performing a pelvic health examination. EXAMINATION: After discussing your current symptoms and health history, with informed consent , your Therapist will begin a full examination, looking at the joints and tissues affecting this area. It is also important to note that, at any point during the external or internal examination, you can withdraw your consent to continue with a portion or the full exam.
The external (Orthopaedic) examination will allow your therapist to see how you move, and look at the structures (muscles, bones, ligaments, etc) at, above and below your pelvic girdle, which would include your low back, abdomen, hips, sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis and lower legs. Your Therapist will also assess your posture, core strength and breathing, as your diaphragm, core muscles and the pelvic floor work synergistically together. During the internal examination , your Therapist will leave the room, and allow you time to change and set yourself up on the examination table between the disposable sheets provided. An internal examination allows us to pinpoint exactly what may be happening in the pelvic floor muscles and other connective tissues. With this portion of the assessment, we are able to assess the state of the tissues (high or low tone), the strength, coordination and fatigability, as well as, see how the tissues are moving. This information will help to tailor your treatment programappropriately. If there is time following your examination, your Therapist will begin treatment , as we want to get you feeling better as soon as possible! Finally, we will have your change back into your clothing, and once you are ready, you will discuss with your Therapist your Plan of Care , which is an individualized treatment plan, created just for you and your needs! Your Therapist will provide you a copy of your Plan of Care, which will explain everything fromwhat’s happening, what are your goals, and what is the plan to help improve your symptoms and overall quality of life. I hope this gives you a better insight as to what you can expect during a Pelvic Health Assessment!
OUR SERVICES
To learn more, call us today or visit our website at foundationphysio. com/physiotherapy-treatments/pre- post-pregnancy-program. This programwas developed with the goal of empowering more women to feel confident and strong throughout their pregnancy journey, and to helpmake pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery as easy as possible! Our team of pelvic health physiotherapists have extensive postgraduate training in pregnancy, pelvic pain, and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. By including physiotherapy in your prenatal and postnatal care, you can be better prepared for one of the biggest challenges in your life: delivering and caring for a baby.
• Physiotherapy
• Chiropractic
• Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
•Massage Therapy
FEATURED SERVICE To prepare for childbirth, your body goes through some incredible physical changes — ligaments become more flexible, blood volume increases, your centre of gravity shifts and even your posture changes. These physical changes happen relatively quickly and some parts of your body may find it more difficult to adapt than others. PRE & POST PREGNANCY PROGRAM
• Pre & Post Pregnancy Program
•Acupuncture / Dry Needling
• Custom
• Running Program
Orthotics & Braces
•Vestibular Therapy
PHYSIOTHERAPIST SPOTLIGHT KARLYN DRIEDGER, PT, BSCKIN, MSCPT, CIDN Clinic Director at Downtown, Registered Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
WANT MORE GREAT CONTENT?
Karlyn graduated from McMaster Un i ver s i ty wi th a Mas ter ’ s of
Science in Physiotherapy in 2014. Prior to this, she received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. Since graduating, Karlyn has taken numerous postgraduate courses in manual therapy (Level 2 Certification), acupuncture (McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program, Integrated Dry Needling) and Pelvic Health (Pelvic Health Solutions). Karlyn enjoys helping a wide variety of clients move and feel better. Starting with a thorough initial assessment, she provides an individualized treatment approach using a combination of manual therapy, exercise, acupuncture and education. Her extensive Orthopedic and Pelvic Health training, in addition to her clinical experience, offer a unique approach for individuals with lower back/hip pain and women during and after pregnancy. In her spare time, Karlyn enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, doing yoga and cheering on Toronto’s sports teams. She lives in the East end of Toronto with her husband and son. OLIVIA DRODGE, PT, MScPT Registered Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist at Corktown PHYSIOTHERAPIST SPOTLIGHT
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EXERCISE ESSENTIALS USE THIS EXERCISE TO STRETCH KNEES & HIPS GLUTE BRIDGE Start by lying on your back with your knees bent. As you exhale, engage or create tension in your pelvic floor and then lift your hips into your bridge. Activating your pelvic floor first will increase glute muscle engagement.
Olivia is a Registered Pelvic Health Physiotherapist who graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Following this, Olivia
moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she obtained her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. Olivia has received additional post-graduate training in soft tissue release, acupuncture, concussion rehabilitation and pelvic floor rehabilitation. Upon experiencing first-hand, the physical and emotional changes that can occur during pregnancy and childbirth, Olivia’s professional focus shifted toward pelvic health, with a special interest in women’s health. Olivia is a Certified Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, specializing in conditions related to pregnancy, pelvic girdle pain, lumbo-pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, diastasis, vaginismus/dyspareunia, urinary frequency/ urgency, and chronic pain. Additionally, she received her Mindfulness Meditation Certification through a completion of a post-graduate course at the University of Toronto. Olivia is passionate about providing high quality of care in aims to help improve one’s overall physical and emotional well-being.
Always consult your physiotherapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of.
Exercises copyright of
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