Heather Jeffcoat, DPT at Livestrong.com

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Published: 06 March 2024

Last Updated: 25 June 2024

959 Views

• painful intercourse
• pelvic floor physical therapy
• pelvic pain
• frequent urination
• fecal incontinence
• bladder leakage

Should You See a Pelvic Floor Therapist? Six Signs Suggest So

One of the first things Lacey discovered is that within the wider field of physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy is still a somewhat unknown quantity:

When you think of pelvic floor therapy, you may think of Kegel exercises — which are basically a workout for your pelvic floor muscles — but there's a lot more to it than that. When these muscles aren't functioning properly (aka, pelvic floor dysfunction), a variety of symptoms can get in the way of your day-to-day activities. We spoke to pelvic floor physical therapists about the signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction to look out for. If you experience any of these, it might be time to see a pelvic floor specialist.

Having realized the importance of pelvic health and the specialized training that is required to optimize it, Lacey came to me for some insights. 

Read more: Livestrong | 6 Signs You Should See a Pelvic Floor Therapist

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Published: 19 August 2022

Last Updated: 19 August 2022

1643 Views

• menopause
• hormonal issues
• sex after menopause
• perimenopause

Learn Why Sex Can Be Painful After Menopause - And What You Can Do About It

First we had the Baby Boom, and then the Menopause Boom. Since then we've learned a lot about what menopause is all about, but as happens with any time of change in our lives, there are still a number of questions to be answered. One of the more common ones concerns why sex can be painful after menopause.

Some of the answers to this question will be familiar to any woman who has experienced insufficient lubrication for any number of reasons, often to the point where they either cannot enjoy sex to the fullest - or cannot even do it at all due to the pain and discomfort. But during the fertile period of a woman's life, these issues can often be corrected depending on the cause.

Read more: Livestrong | Why Sex Can Be Painful After Menopause

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Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS

Published: 12 April 2022

Last Updated: 17 June 2022

805 Views

• diastasis recti
• abdominal muscles
• abdominal separation

Do You Have Ab Muscle Separation? These 10 Diastasis Recti Exercises Can Help Fix It.

For how common it is, diastasis recti (DR) is a condition that's surprisingly misunderstood.

In short, DR is what it's called when your abdominal muscles separate — specifically, the two sides of your rectus abdominis (your "six-pack muscles"). Separated stomach muscles occur as a result of too much pressure inside the abdomen (intra-abdominal pressure). That's why it's extremely common during pregnancy.

Read more: Livestrong | 10 Diastasis Recti Exercises for Ab Muscle...

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Published: 08 April 2022

Last Updated: 08 April 2022

605 Views

• urinary incontinence
• peeing
• squatty potty

Everyone Has to Pee... Should You Use a Squatty Potty?

A squatty potty or toilet stool can make it easier to have a bowel movement, particularly if you're dealing with constipation. But is it worth sitting on one just for peeing too?

The answer is yes.

A deep squat position or feet on a toilet stool is preferred for both urinating and bowel movements,"

says Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, owner of Femina Physical Therapy in Los Angeles and President of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

Here's why it helps, and how to know if you need one.

Read more: Livestrong | Should You Use a Squatty Potty When You Pee?

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Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS

Published: 05 March 2021

Last Updated: 17 June 2022

2408 Views

• exercise
• shoulders
• strength conditioning

In an ideal world, we would all have perfectly balanced strength and crush workouts left and right. But here in the real world, however, many people struggle with muscular imbalances that make certain movements extra challenging.

Shoulder imbalances are particularly prevalent, says Kasia Gondek, physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Fusion Wellness and Physical Therapy. It's common — but not normal — for one shoulder to have less strength, activation or coordination than the other, Dr. Gondek says:

Read more: Livestrong | 2 Tests to Help Determine if One Shoulder Is...

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Published: 18 December 2019

Last Updated: 26 December 2019

2466 Views

• pilates
• home gym
• Livestrong

Livestrong.com is a quite popular website that (in their own words) "provides the blueprint to simple healthy living". It was founded by world champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, and it covers a wide variety of topics that help people make better choices about their health and wellness.

While compiling information for the article linked below they reached out Heather Jeffcoat for her opinion on several topics, including the best options for Pilates reformers. To quote Heather:

Read more: The Best Pilates Reformers for Your Home Gym -...

Livestrong x Heather - The Best Sex Positions for Any Kind of Lover

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Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Published: 17 June 2016

Last Updated: 01 August 2024

5426 Views

• media
• online publications

The Best Sex Positions for Any Kind of Lover

The popular health website Livestrong reached out to Heather Jeffcoat for her expertise in overcoming sexual pain and discomfort due to vaginsmus and other diagnoses. Penned by none other than August McLaughlin of the popular Girl Boner Radio show, you can be sure that this read will be time well spent.

There is Poetry in Variety

McLaughlin begins with an analogous reference to the late William Cowper:

When poet William Cowper said, “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor,” he may very well have been talking about the bedroom. A little (or a lot) of variety can make sex more fun and pleasurable, but when a physical condition makes certain positions challenging or painful, finding safe, creative alternatives is important.

August turns to Heather for some insight into what positions to avoid and (better yet) which ones to enjoy to not only minimize your pain but maximize your pleasure.

Read more: Livestrong x Heather - The Best Sex Positions for Any Kind...