Well and Good

Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 25 October 2022; Last Updated: 10 September 2023; 1053 Views

When Well + Good author Gabrielle Kassel was writing an article about lifting and your pelvic floor she reached out to me for my insights. Here is a brief synopsis of the article along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

While pelvic floor dysfunction is not ideal for anyone—after all, these deep stabilizer muscles support sexual function, bladder and bowel control, sound posture, plus arm and leg power, among other tasks—for people who like to pick things up and put them down (i.e. lift weights), it can lead to improper movement mechanics, as well as leakage mid-lift.

So if you regularly hit the weight room with the goal of getting stronger, doctor of physical therapy Corey Hazama, DPT, an expert with Pelvic Gym, a pelvic health education platform, says properly strengthening and engaging your pelvic floor is as important as any other muscle group you’re training. Below are six things you should know about the pelvic floor and its function if you lift —including exactly how to brace your core and breathe while strength training in order to optimize your efforts and avoid injury.

5 Ways That Enduring the Pandemic and Bladder Health Are Related

It has taken a toll, but here are a few tips on what you can do about it

As pelvic health specialists, bladder health is one of our main areas of focus here at Femina PT and Fusion Wellness PT, and as this article at Well + Good states:

Our society has finally started to show some improvement in acknowledging the importance of having open, public conversations about bladder health—including the many ways that your urinary system impacts your lifestyle on a day-to-day basis—over the last several years."

The article touches on the root causes of bladder issues, how these causes were exacerbated by the fears that arose from the pandemic, and even disposable underwear for those dealing with urinary incontinence. It also asks the question "Has something changed for the worst in the broader scope of people's bladder health?" The answer to this is multi-faceted, and Hannah Schneider does a great job of analyzing each one of these facets.

Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 02 May 2022; Last Updated: 17 June 2022; 702 Views

The popular website Well + Good has been featuring a lot of content on the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy lately, and though it's one thing to do the research and write about what you find, it's the next step of having the author actually experience the process for themselves that can really bring the issue to light. This is exactly what Natalie Arroyo Camacho has done in this latest article, and it's perhaps their most informative piece yet on the topic. Read on for excerpts from the article interspersed with my own thoughts and comments.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

The Many Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Are Still Being Discovered

Despite its increased recognition as valuable therapy for many symptoms, there is still a lot to be learned

Natalie begins with some thoughts on what she was expecting from her session and how wrong she was about her preconcieved notions. She expected something akin to a Pilates class, perhaps in part because she had seen so much info on Pilates and yoga on our site. She may have been surprised to discover that Pilates and yoga are only one aspect of what we offer:

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Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 23 February 2022; Last Updated: 10 September 2023; 773 Views

young woman experiencing pelvic floor tension — Photo: Stocksy/ Gabrielle Lutze

This article by Hannah Schneider on Well + Good explores the relationship between pelvic floor tension and frequent headaches. Hannah reached out to me for my thoughts and I was glad to offer some insights. Here is a brief synopsis of the article along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Can Pelvic Floor Tension Spread to Your Head?

Everywhere you turn, it seems like there’s something new to know about the pelvic floor. Whether that’s healthy peeing tips or the fact that not everyone needs to do Kegels, there are often surprises. Fortunately or unfortunately, there’s another thing to add to this list: Pelvic floor tension can contribute to headaches. But don’t worry. This isn’t a pelvic floor riddle for you to untangle on your own. We asked Heather Jeffcoat DPT, pelvic floor physical therapist, author, and owner of FeminaPT to break down the connection.

Are Toilet Squat Stools Useful?

Read on to find out!

As far as modern inventions go, toilet squat stools are pretty useful without being super high-tech. They straighten the angle of your colon, which allows stool to move out of your body easier. In short: Toilet stools can make your bowel movements more seamless. However, Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, pelvic floor therapist and physical therapist of Femina PT in Los Angeles, warns that, even though squat stools might reduce the urge, it's still important not to strain.

Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 23 February 2022; Last Updated: 08 April 2022; 521 Views

Hannah Schneider of the website Well + Good has been getting acquainted with all kinds of toilet squat stools lately, and she was pleased to find a stylish alternative in the Tushy Ottoman. Here is a brief synopsis of the article along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

Meet the Tushy Ottoman - It's One Chic Toilet Stool!

A stylish alternative that won't ruin your bathroom's vibe

Life is full of little dreams, grand aspirations, and micro-wishes. For me, one of those has always been to own a toilet stool, more commonly known as a squatty potty. You're probably thinking: Why don't you just get one? Well, in the decade since I left my parent's house, I've had an endless parade of roommates, and I thought maybe introducing a community toilet squat stool would be weird. The reason? Most of them are eyesores. They're not discrete and broadcast, "Hey everyone, I like to do my business THIS way!" I've never felt comfortable pitching a toilet stool to roommates—until I was introduced to the Tushy Ottoman.

Looking for a Secret Weapon Against Constipation?

Look to Your Pelvic Floor.

Constipation can be physically uncomfortable, but it can also be downright frustrating. Whether factors like dietary habits, dehydration, or stress trigger your constipation, it can be tempting to fight it by forcing a bowel movement. Straining, however, isn't a great idea. It's not super effective, and it can increase your risk of anal fissures and prolapse.

Instead, a key to relieving constipation might actually involve relaxing your pelvic floor.

Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 09 February 2022; Last Updated: 10 September 2023; 995 Views

Once again Well + Good writer Hannah Schneider has reached out to me for my expertise, this time for an article on waking up to pee at night. Here is a brief synopsis of the article, along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

If You Are Tired of Waking Up to Pee at Night, We've Got Some Answers

Getting up to pee during the night can be super disorienting. It turns out that it can give you some insight into your health. To be clear: Getting up to go to pee every once in a while is perfectly fine, according to Heather Jeffcoat, DPT , Fusion Wellness & Femina Physical Therapy in Los Angeles, California. But if you're waking up to pee (and you're not on medication like a diuretic) it might help to examine what's going on.

People can develop nocturia for a whole host of reasons. Some of the reasons, according to Dr. Jeffcoat, are mechanical or based on the literal musculature function of the bladder and pelvic floor.