The Pelvic Health Podcast

I love to highlight the people in the research trenches and asked Tom Astill to chat with me about the research he has been working on with Jane Chalmers and Rocco Caveleri regarding a new questionnaire directed at assessing the impact pelvic pain has on men, called The Male Pelvic Pain Impact Questionnaire (links below). The focus of this episode was this assessment questionnaire, but as usual, I took him off course and ventured into in a few other places. I hope you enjoy! A bit more about Tom: Originally born in England, Tom moved to Australia 15 years ago. Initially he studied audio engineering and worked in various fields of technical support and training before meeting his wife and embarking on a physiotherapy degree. He is a newly graduated physiotherapist. As part of his undergrad he conducted an honours project where they developed a questionnaire to assess the impact of chronic pelvic pain in men. This project has sparked a passion for research, chronic pain, and men’s health. He is currently dec

Tayla Lamerton, a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland, joins the podcast to discuss her research exploring urinary incontinence in young to middle age women who are overweight and obese, as well as some other cool studies she has up her sleeve. I love highlighting the work of up and coming researchers and Tayla Lamerton is a name you should keep in mind. She is in her last year as a PHD Candidate at the University of Queensland, Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. Prior to commencing her PhD, she graduated with a Masters in Psychology from the University of Otago, NZ. She also trained as a group fitness instructor in 2013 and is now a Level 1 CrossFit trainer. Her research interests focus on understanding female pelvic floor health in young women. Specifically, how weight and physical activity are related to urinary incontinence in this demographic, and exploring methods to improve management and return or adhere to regular physical activity. Papers: Lamerton, T. J., Torquati, L., & Brown,

Gráinne Donnelly is back and we completely nerd out in this episode on all things transperineal ultrasound in assessing and treating pelvic floor dysfunction in women. From 2D to 4D, scope of practice and all the fun measures you can do. Enjoy our excitement that we just cannot contain. #nerds If you missed her last episode, head back to April 2019 to listen to her, Tom Goom and Emma Brockwell discuss their guidelines on return to running in postnatal women. Guidelines for reprocessing ultrasound transducers 2017 Bio from her website - Absolute Physio: Gráinne is an Advanced Physiotherapist in pelvic health. She graduated from the University of Ulster in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy. She specialised in Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological physiotherapy in 2010 undertaking extensive post-graduate training and completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Continence Practice at the University of Bradford in 2018. Gráinne is currently completing a Masters in Advancing Healthcare at th

Dr. Holly Herman has been a physical therapist (physiotherapist) for more than 45 years and it was with absolute delight to talk to her about her passion in treating musculoskeletal and pelvic health concerns, including surgical procedures and subsequent rehabilitation, in the transgender non binary non conforming community. In addition to maintaining a full time private practice in Cambridge, MA, she lectures and presents courses world-wide on Pelvic Floor, Women and Men’s Health, Pregnancy and Postpartum, Orthopedics, Geriatrics and Sexual Medicine. Holly is 1 of 2 PT’s in the world certified as a Sexuality Counselor by the American Association for Sexual Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and one of 4 PT’s in the world certified as a Women’s Health Sexuality Fellow by the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). Holly co-founded the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute in 2005. Though she is no longer associated with the institute, Holly brings h

This episode dives into the latest research that is currently underway in Canada to help women suffering with postnatal/postpartum depression. Madison Lackie has recently completed her MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences at the University of British Columbia (through the Faculty of Medicine, Department of OB/GYN) after receiving her BScH from Queen’s University in Life Sciences. Her Masters research, that she so kindly shares with us in this episode, is the first phase of a larger project which aims to create a web-enabled intervention that delivers psychosocial skills and education to assist in treating postpartum/postnatal depression (PPD/PND).   Resources: Canada – Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – https://cmha.ca/ Canada (British Columbia) – Pacific Postpartum Support Society – http://postpartum.org/ Australia – Beyond Blue – https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Australia – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – https://www.panda.org.au/ International – Postpartum Progress – http

Dr. Merv Travers is a Senior Research Scholar working in the area of low back pain, tendon pain and exercise rehabilitation at the School of Physiotherapy, The University of Notre Dame Australia. In today's episode, Merv discusses what exactly strength training is, why it’s important for all of our bodies and how physiotherapists can get their patients started and progressing. And of course my son, Rylan, had to compete with his sister in podcast recording (and special blooper takes at the end). Check out the reference list below Merv kindly put together for us! More about Merv...he completed his PhD at Curtin University where he also maintains an Adjunct Research Fellow role. His teaching areas include anatomy and exercise rehabilitation. He has a Masters of Manipulative Therapy and is a qualified strength & conditioning coach (Australian Strength and Conditioning Association – Level 2). Merv’s clinical background includes working in professional rugby union and he provides clinical consultation for c

Jilly Bond is back to blow our minds and wrap up 2019! This time Jilly shares her brilliant mind on #interstitialcystitis #bladderpainsyndrome (IC/BPS) - what is it, how the nervous system is involved, how this affects pelvic floor muscles and what treatment helps and why...and we can't stress enough why trigger points are not involved (also why they are not actually a thing!). If you haven't checked out her vlogs, blogs and info...check it out HERE and subscribe to her mailing list! Thanks for listening and have a happy holiday season! Catch you in 2020 - don't miss first episode with Dr Merv Travers talking all about the basics of Strength Training!   Patron Support link for The Pelvic Health Podcast

Australian #physiotherapist, Claire Osterstock, joins the podcast to talk all about one of my favourite #vaginal #lubricants, in which she created, called Olive & Bee. Claire shares her insights about what it takes to turn an idea into a product and get it on the market, as well as what it took for her to become successful in the process. This episode has some very cool science-y and fun facts about #lube that I never knew.  

The beautiful and brilliant Michelle Lyons is back to talk about #menopause - you should remember her from her episode on #endometriosis back in July 2017, if not...go and listen to that as well!  This episode covers #menopause, #perimenopause, #exercise, #bonehealth, #tendonhealth, #hearthealth, #poo, #hormones, #nutrition, #alcohol, and much more. We may actually need to cover each of these in separate episodes with the amount of information she can discuss. Please share with friends, colleagues, family! 3rd Age Woman

Jenny Burrell, head and founder of Burrell Education, joins me to discuss the intricacies of successfully running your own business - spoiler: it starts with YOU! Jenny discusses the foundations you really need, which she expands on in the brilliant Burrell Education Business Hub Mentorship. If you run your own ship, listen in and consider trialing the mentorship program. No, I do not get paid nor is she sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to my lovely co-host for the intro/outro - who does NOT have her own accounts you can follow (but there was no stopping her on the mic) :)

Pelvic floor physiotherapist and CrossFit coach, Candice Lamb, joins me to discuss CrossFit during pregnancy. Should women who are pregnant continue to participate? What do you tell pregnant women who are doing CrossFit? Should they stop because of harm to pelvic floor and abdominal muscles? Regardless of our biased backgrounds, it's a great listen for everyone.  Bio: Candice is a Physiotherapist working in Continence and Women’s Health in private practice as well as a CrossFit Coach and wannabe CrossFit athlete at CrossFit Contessa, an all female CrossFit gym on the Sunshine Coast. She is incredibly passionate about the effect that exercise, in particular CrossFit, has on women both physically and mentally throughout their life stages. She loves educating fellow health professionals about the sport of fitness, to help them empower their patients to continue exercising (modified as needed of course) through whatever life throws at them – be it injury, pelvic floor dysfunction or pregnancy. CrossFit Journa

Physiotherapist, sex educator and counsellor, Dr. Uchenna "UC" Ossai, discusses sexuality and sexual health in physiotherapy. She talks about what exactly is sexuality, patient goals vs expectations, sexuality differences with masturbation, and more surrounding sex education for adults. Don't forget to check out all her social media, especially Bourbon Talez on IG - definitely worth the follow! Instagram - @youseelogic Web - youseelogic.com Links: O.School OMGYes Dame products   Bio from YouSeeLogic.com: Dr. Uchenna Ossai is a sex-positive pelvic health physical therapist, sex educator and counselor, and is on faculty for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Sexual Health Certificate Program. UC is only one of three licensed Physical Therapists in the world with an AASECT certification in sexuality counseling; as well as the only Black Physical Therapist with this specific designation. UC spends her days treating people with both sexual and pelvic floor dysfunction, and her evenings educating th

Dr. Chantale Dumoulin, who will be our keynote speaker for the upcoming physiotherapy conference APA Transform 2019 in October, is a physiotherapist and globally recognized researcher for her work in pelvic floor rehabilitation, specifically urinary incontinence. In this episode, she discusses her research, physiological changes to the female urinary continence system as we age, and what options we may use to prevent and treat urinary incontinence. Spoiler - Dance Like No One is Watching. Lori :)   Bio from APA Transform Conference website: Chantale is a Professor at the School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, where she developed – and currently directs – the only post-graduate university-based pelvic floor rehabilitation program for physiotherapists in Canada. Concurrently, she is a published researcher with the Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montreal; specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction. She is also the founder and director of the Centre’s ‘Incontinence an

Lecturer, researcher and physiotherapy clinician, Dr. Monika Leitner, discusses her research on pelvic floor muscle activity and pelvic floor kinematics in continent and incontinent women during running. Julie Wiebe, who has been on the podcast before, was meant to join us but I gave her the wrong date and time (face palm)! Monika Leitner, PT, is a lecturer, researcher and clinician. She graduated in physiotherapy in 1989 at the University Hospital Graz (Austria). Since then she has been working in Switzerland at medical centers, hospitals and in own physiotherapy clinic. She completed a Master in Advanced Studies in Health and Fitness and a Master of Science in Sports physiotherapy. She works as a lecturer in the bachelor physiotherapy program at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. She has finished her PhD on the pelvic floor at the Graduate School of Health Sciences of the Bern University. Her research work focusses on the dynamic function of the pelvic floor muscles, and she is devoted to contributin

Lauren White, Sexologist, joins me in this episode to talk about libido and how as a sexologist she can help women who feel they have little to no libido. She talks about what sex therapy can involve and how she helps to empower women. I hope you enjoy this episode and please share! Lauren White Social Media: @laurenwhiteau (both Instagram and FB) Permission    

I am joined by the first author of one of my favourite research papers: The impact of acute and chronic strenuous exercise on pelvic floor muscle strength and support in healthy nulliparous women. Dr Monique Middlekauff (Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Higher Education Teaching Specialist, and former volleyball athlete) joins me to discuss details of this study, including her amazing team Drs. Marlene Egger, Janet Shaw, and Ingrid Nygaard.  We talk about specifics of this study which looked at women doing CrossFit compared to women walking for exercise, the fun of her PhD and running this study, her online work, and her love and passion in helping people (you cannot miss the passion in her voice!). Links (also highlighted in text above): Instagram: @exerciseandsportscience Fitness for Us  Instagram:@fitnessforus_monique Abs, Core & Pelvic Floor - online content with Natalie Hodson

Dr Susan Evans is a gynaecologist, pain medicine physician, researcher, educator and chairperson of the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia. Today she shares some interesting, new findings from her latest research project on the language of pelvic pain in which she is working on with Eleanor Schofield and Professor Roly Sussex. She discusses the study, some findings thus far and implications for all clinicians in understanding pelvic pain. Thank you to the episode's sponsor, Sue Croft - physiotherapist and author of Pelvic Floor Essentials and Pelvic Floor Recovery: Physiotherapy for Gynaecological and Colorectal Repair Surgery Other links from our discussion today (also see underlined links above): Qendo Alyra Biotech - Dr. Evans' company (founder and director) to develop new treatments for pelvic pain PPEP Talk Body in Mind article on this study Woofties - ABC radio

Nadine Brown, a physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic health as well as a former competitive boxer, joins me to share her touching personal birth story. She talks so openly about the emotions she felt during pregnancy that didn't align with everyone else, the birth experience that did not go as planned, how she struggled physically and emotionally during that first year as a new mom, and how she has reached the stage of acceptance in her healing journey. Don't forget to look out for the infographic Nadine and I worked on to go with this podcast on tips to get through early motherhood at www.loriforner.com or @pelvicwod in Instagram. If you know this topic is too difficult to listen to, please come back to listen when you feel ready. If you listen and feel triggered emotionally, or any of this story feels too close to home for you or a friend, please talk to someone. Below are some links that may help: PANDA - Perinatal anxiety and depression COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence PSI - Postpartu

Pelvic floor physiotherapist and co-owner of Pelvic Floor Exercise, Fiona Rogers, comes back on the podcast to discuss the differences between vaginal dilators: which ones do we choose, for what condition might they be used for, and why are they different? Head back to the very first episode and hear her talk about vaginal weights if you missed it! Thank you so much to this episode's sponsor - Kenhub - see below for more details Fore a 20% discount on all Kenhub Premium learning plans: khub.me/loriforner For a 20% discount on illustration licenses - quote "Lori Forner" when emailing Kenhub to enquire at contact@kenhub.com Fiona's E-stim course - might be sold out but she is running more!

Today we are talking to Kathe Wallace, physiotherapist, about how to go about returning to sex after having a vaginal birth, in which she discusses in her book, Reviving your Sex Life after Childbirth. We have spoken about this topic on the podcast previously surrounding the importance of sexual intimacy in relationships, however today we are focusing on why this topic is important after a vaginal birth from a physical as well as psychological perspective, what women can assess themselves, the importance of bringing partners into the process, and where/how physiotherapists can help. Thank you to this episode's sponsor - Modibodi Bio: Kathe Wallace, PT, is an internationally recognized clinician, author and lecturer in women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction evaluation and treatment. Kathe has been a physical therapist since 1976 and focused on the pelvic floor since 1988.  She is a lifetime member of the APTA. Kathe volunteered in the early 1990’s to help the American Physical Therapy Association Sect