Pelvic Health Resource Round-Up March & April

Explore 15 pelvic health resources that made the news in March and April 2024.

#1 Pelvic Floor Therapy with Brittany Mahomes

Brittany Mahomes spoke briefly about her personal experience with pelvic floor injury in a recent post, encouraging women to explore pelvic health options before starting their journey to motherhood. After suffering a back injury, her message was simple and clear to her fellow moms: “Take care of your pelvic floor.”

#2 The Truth Behind Incontinence Care

This article from Urology Times discusses a study launched by Axena Health to identify barriers that patients encounter when seeking treatment for urinary and fecal incontinence. This study aims to enroll 500 patients and seeks to understand the patient journey to improve conservative treatment options.

#3 Stay Prepared for Pain

Did you know that massage, breath, and movement can soothe pelvic pain? This article reviews:

• How to use therapy balls to release tension. Check out the exercises in the article.

• Techniques that combine breathing and movement to relax and strengthen pelvic muscles.

• Movement exercises to improve overall pelvic health and address common issues like incontinence and postpartum recovery.

#4 Obesity and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor therapist Gayle Guyardo sits down with wellness guru Dr. Brittney Sargent to discuss the connection between obesity and pelvic floor dysfunction in this 4-minute video interview.

#5 Let’s Talk Men’s Pelvic Health 

Pelvic health expert Tyler Graham, PT, breaks down barriers in his discussion about men’s pelvic health in a new podcast. The podcast emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence around this often-overlooked area of men’s health. 

#6 What You Need to Know About Adenomyosis

What is adenomyosis? This little-known but prevalent condition impacts as many as 1-in-5 women worldwide. Common signs and symptoms of adenomyosis include:

• Increased risk of infertility

• Heavy bleeding

• Bleeding after birth

• Preterm delivery

#7 Women’s Health in Sports Medicine

Does athleticism impact women’s health differently than men’s? Recent studies have shown that investing in adequate research on women’s health could change the way we care for female athletes. Check out this article to review the unique challenges female athletes face, such as higher injury rates, the effects of the menstrual cycle on performance, and issues related to pregnancy and motherhood.

#8 Pilates for Pelvic Health

Share this five-minute pelvic-floor-strengthening Pilates workout with your patients suffering from pelvic dysfunction. This workout leverages the bridge post to encourage pelvic floor muscle contraction. 

#9 Observational Cohort Study of Pelvic Floor Photobiomodulation

This observational cohort study published in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research  found that 64.5% of women experienced improvement in pelvic pain symptoms after nine treatments of transvaginal photobiomodulation (TV-PBM). 

#10 The Secrets of Fascia

Dr. Abhinav Gautam, MD delves into the connection between fascia and chronic pain in this interview from the Digital Journal. Dr. Gautam reveals that fascia dysfunction can cause mobility issues, such as:

• Restricted movement

• Muscle imbalances 

• Nerve compression

• Chronic pain conditions

• Poor circulation

• Joint dysfunction

• Postural issues

• Impaired flexibility

• Impact on organ function

#11 Aging with Grace

Pelvic health is not a health concern exclusive to women.  A healthy pelvic floor benefits individuals of all ages and genders. Discover how to promote better pelvic health in patients of all ages and genders, urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction and treatments ranging from manual therapy to biofeedback to improve overall pelvic health and quality of life.

#12 Pelvic Pain Resource Library from the International Pelvic Pain Society

Browse this library of educational handouts from the International Pelvic Pain Society on topics ranging from interdisciplinary approaches to pelvic pain, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, and more.

#13 The Art of Physiological Relaxation

Fascia and movement expert Jill Miller, C-IAYT, ERYT, YA-CEP discusses the art of physiological relaxation in this recent podcast from Body by Breath. Tune in to this episode to learn about:

• Innovation in the yoga classroom

• Disrupting the yoga space

• How fascia makes you whole

• Breath-induced altered states

• Breath as a tool to reduce stress and promote relaxation

• Accessing the parasympathetic dominant state for healing, recovery, and growth

• An embodied breath approach to yoga therapy

#14 Mission Critical Resource

Discover how the military is investing in better pelvic health for female service members to promote pelvic health rehabilitation. 

#15 Physicians and Decision-Making 

Learn how shared decision-making can improve the level of care for women with pelvic floor disorders in urogynecology in this article from Contemporary OB/GYN. The article highlights a study that shows increased patient satisfaction when physicians are aware of and consider patient preferences for involvement in medical decisions. The study emphasizes patient-centered care, especially for women with pelvic floor disorders, by supporting shared decision-making to improve outcomes and satisfaction.