Pelvic Floor Function & Digestion

You’ve probably scrolled through a reel or a post on your feed about a pelvic floor therapist and you might be thinking what the heck is this? The most that women know about their pelvic floor is kegels, and most of us aren’t even doing it right! Well there is more to the pelvic floor than kegels, and the importance of pelvic floor strength actually impacts all women, not just postpartum. Our pelvic floor is connected to so many aspects of our body, including our gut! Keen to know more? Well today’s guest is a specialist in this arena!  

 

In today’s episode I am talking to Jeanice Mitchell, a pelvic floor physical therapist with over 20 years of experience helping women strengthen their pelvic floor. 

 

During our conversation Jeanice  shares how she got into the pelvic floor strength practice after giving birth to her first baby. She talks about what the pelvic floor is and how we interact with it on a daily basis, how your pelvic floor should actually function and how your pelvic floor plays a role in digestion and digestive disorders.

 

In this episode, we cover:

• Jeanice shares how she became a pelvic floor therapist [2:25]
• What is the pelvic floor and what function does it serve  [7:01]
• What isn’t normal pelvic floor function (even if you think it is) [13:20]
• Preparing your pelvic floor muscles [20:25]
• How your pelvic floor plays a role in digestion and digestive disorders [24:41]
• Signs that you need help with your pelvic floor [29:30]
• Evaluating your pelvic floor health [39:32]
• What you can do now to connect with your pelvic floor health [50:54]

 

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About our guest: Jeanice Mitchell is a physical therapist with advanced training and certifications in women’s health, biofeedback, and pelvic health. She began specializing in this area of physical therapy after the birth of her son in 1999. She has seen the profound impact of pelvic floor PT on her own life as well as with countless patients over the years.

She started myPFM.com (a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization) in 2018 with the goal of improving global pelvic health awareness and access to resources. The mission of myPFM is “Pelvic Health for All. Everyone. Everywhere. Every Language.” You can find fun, engaging pelvic health content and resources on her website, Instagram and YouTube channels.

 

Links:

Instagram @mypelvicfloormuscles: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYwR3XEqOHk/?utm_medium=copy_link

YouTube mypelvicfloormuscles: https://youtube.com/c/myPelvicFloorMuscles

Pelvic health webinars: Online Courses | Mypfm

Donate to myPFM non-profit: Donate | Mypfm

Pelvic Flicks “Like Netflix for the pelvic floor”: HOME | Pelvic Flicks

Link to perineal tear prevention clinical care standards: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/third-and-fourth-degree-perineal-tears-clinical-care-standard

 

How to poop when and where you choose: https://youtu.be/Yy1EJdjyPtw

 

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