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5 Steps For Returning To Exercise Postpartum

1/23/2019

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  1. Start with breathing and gentle movement right away.
  2. Ask your doctor about your delivery.
  3. Schedule an evaluation with a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist.
  4. Focus on healing and strengthening rather than weight loss.
  5. Find a community for support.


Breathing

While structured breathing work may seem simple-even silly- to some, we know that it is a powerful tool for the pregnant and postpartum woman.  Deep breaths have the ability to calm the nervous system which can affect muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure.  Additionally, the respiratory diaphragm can mobilize muscles in the pelvis and back due to anatomical connections. Muscles, including those shown in the photo below, are big players in midline stabilization and support.  A great place to start is the 90/90 breathing drill (seen below). Try this out for 10-15 breaths at the end of your day.
Ask questions​

Many postpartum women do not know all of the details after birthing their baby.  Some have told me they were not aware they had stitches down below until the 6-week check-up when the doctor wanted to make sure they were healing well!  The check-up at 6 weeks can be quick so arrive with questions. It is helpful to know about any tearing, episiotomies, tools used during the birth, etc.  These factors are all great to bear in mind as you return to exercise and daily functioning.

Another question to ask-- “Is there a pelvic health PT that you would recommend?”  They may know someone in the area or have worked with them prior.  However, do not become discouraged if they don’t have a name to offer.  A Google search for “women’s health PT” or “pelvic PT” should show professionals in the area.  Compare websites and reviews to see if the PT would be a good fit for you and your goals!​


​Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Once you have been cleared by the doctor for “usual exercise” and intercourse, I highly suggest visiting a pelvic health or women’s health PT.  They will be able to further answer any questions about symptoms you may experience immediately postpartum and later.

A pelvic PT is specialized on evaluation and treatment of the pelvic floor musculature.  They can perform internal evaluations to test the strength and endurance of your pelvic floor, check for prolapse, address any soft tissue issues, etc.

For the evaluation, the therapist will use a gloved finger to palpate muscles internally. While a great deal of information can be gathered from an internal evaluation, it is not necessary for visiting a pelvic PT.   The therapist can then prescribe exercises to help relieve the symptoms and provide hands-on work to hips, back, sacrum and other involved areas. Your PT should be a huge help in getting you back to fitness postpartum!  Other areas they can treat and improve are bowel/bladder issues, painful sex, and pelvic pain.


Focus on healing and strength rather than weight loss

Social media and advertising may be all about “getting your body back” and fixing “mummy tummy,” but that is not the focus when you are postpartum.  The first step in returning to fitness is addressing foundational strength and continuing to heal from the pregnancy and birth.  Your body will go through so many changes in the months following your pregnancy and the timeline is different for every single woman.

Steer clear of programs that say at week 8 you do blank. It should all be self-paced and based on symptoms, your birth story, and prior activity level.  Do you need help starting out?  This was the number one question I received from women in the clinic.  “What can I do?  Where do I start?” So I developed programming to recover and rebuild your core after having a baby. Check out the THRIVE: Rebuild Bundle programming HERE.
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Find a community for support

Returning to group classes or running groups can be challenging because you will not be jumping right back into the level you were previously exercising.  Having a group of women who understand your needs and have been or are currently at the same stage as you is tremendously beneficial.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please join my Back to Fitness Postpartum Facebook page.  We have posts nearly every day and a lot of great discussions- some serious and some silly!

Once you return to group classes, be sure that the trainer knows you are postpartum and if there are any symptoms with movements.  If they offer other movement suggestions that still do not feel great, then modify further!  Symptoms (leaking, pain, heaviness in the vagina) are a signal to decrease the workload by resting or modifying or both!

Getting back to fitness postpartum can be challenging but it is not impossible!  With a holistic plan and support you will be able to recover and rebuild to get back to your favorite activities.  If you are looking for help with learning more about postpartum fitness, the pelvic floor and how to reach your goals, then please reach out at Athletes’ Potential.


Thanks for reading,

    Dr. Jackie, DPT
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Optimizing Function of the Diaphragm & the Pelvic Floor

8/10/2016

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Many people are willing to go the extra step to increase their efficiency and function when it comes to their sport: the latest and greatest running shoes, wrist wraps and weight belts to hit a PR or a personal trainer for the extra push.  What if we could improve our function and decrease pain for free?  I think I would have your attention.  
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As we spend hours each week training, two very important muscle groups are ignored:  the diaphragm and the pelvic floor.  It is not for lack of use; every time you take a breath the diaphragm contracts and lowers to help fill your lungs. The pelvic floor works double time; these muscles are firing like crazy to keep you stabilized with each breath and during movements. If they work all day long, they should be strong - right? Not always the case.

The “core”:

Often times the “core” and “abs” are used interchangeably.  The abdominal muscles that you see in a six pack are just the most superficial muscles of the core.  The deep core is comprised of the diaphragm, pelvic floor, transverse abdominis and multifidi.  These four muscles make up the “canister” of the inner core.  As you see in the picture below, the glottis is also included in this as it has direct function with the diaphragm, and thus the pelvic floor.  The transverse abdominis is a deep core muscle that is often referred to as a corset.  It attaches to your pelvis and lower ribs and even has connections to the diaphragm through fascia.  The multifidi are small back muscles that attach your vertebra and also connect to the pelvis at the lower levels.  See how it is all connected? It is important to keep in mind that these are endurance muscles.
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The diaphragm is the second largest muscle in the body!  It attaches from the chest bone, to the ribs and down to the upper three lumbar vertebra.  The pelvic floor is a group of smaller muscles that act as a hammock in the bottom on the pelvis.  They attach from the sacrum to the inner ring of the pelvis.  The diaphragm and pelvic floor have an intimate relationship of synergy during breathing.  With inhalation, the diaphragm draws down and the pelvic floor drops simultaneously.  It is essential that they have the endurance to move with each breath, but the pelvic floor must also have the strength to withhold increases in intraabdominal pressure.
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When the diaphragm and pelvic floor are stacked one on top of the other, you are able to more efficiently breathe and manage the pressure in your core. This is best achieved through optimal posture.  When you are unable to manage the pressure, it will push towards the weakest area: often the pelvic floor.  This leads to stress urinary incontinence, or peeing during jumping, running, laughing, sneezing, etc.  This can be exacerbated by poor postures.
Can you imagine how each of these poor postures affects your canister? Both sway back and increased lordosis move the core out of the optimal stacked position. Thoracic kyphosis, rounded upper back, puts your diaphragm in a shortened position, thus making it less efficient. 

Breaking or bending the canister is easily identifiable in poor overhead lifts and poor running form.  The picture below shows that with a poor finish overhead, her diaphragm and pelvis are no longer stacked.  This affects her breathing efficiency, the internal pressure and work of the pelvic floor.  Not to mention, this puts her big movers, specifically the lats, at a disadvantage and can cause back pain.  You have probably also observed runners moving their core out of the optimal position.  Those who run bent over at the waist or those who lean their torso back as if running downhill are essentially bending the canister.
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When you lift something, the deep back and abdominal muscles will contract for stabilization and the pelvic floor should slightly lift to help secure the lower abdominal organs.  However, if you hold your breath and bear down, the pressure pushes the pelvic floor down.  This can make you more susceptible to leaking or pelvic pain.  So I should never hold my breath?  No, you absolutely must hold your breath or brace with certain athletic movements.  Especially lifting heavy weights!

How to Brace:

Bracing or breath-holding is common for many athletes. Learning how to properly brace will ensure success in the movement and the proper distribution of tension throughout the body.  Many times, tension is increased but only in the superior and inferior directions, or up and down.  Remember the picture above: this means that the diaphragm and the pelvic floor are receiving most of the force.  Luckily our diaphragm is big and smart, it knows that in order to live it must work.  Unfortunately, the pelvic floor then becomes the weakest link and may be overtaken by the pressure.  This results in SUI, or leaking during exercise.  Focusing on sending the tension in 360 degrees will be helpful to reduce this downward pressure.  Rather than just bearing down through your thorax, add tension to your hips and shoulder girdle.

But what if you’re a runner?  Obviously you do not want to hold your breath throughout a long run or even periodically.  Then it is important to either down train or strengthen your pelvic floor, depending on your issue.  If you experience problems with bounding or impact such as a box jump, exhaling on the landing will help to decrease the pressure in the thorax and load on the pelvic floor.

Whether you have an underactive, overactive or normal pelvic floor, learning to properly brace with the diaphragm and pelvic floor engagement is important. By spreading the tension throughout your body, you are able to sustain more tension for greater loads. 

Pulling it all together:

As you train, don’t neglect two important muscle groups: the diaphragm and the pelvic floor.  They are often forgotten since you cannot see them in the mirror. But if you optimize their function, then your workouts will improve!  Maintaining optimal posture is a great start; this applies to quiet standing, as well as during workouts.  When you brace, be sure to spread tension throughout your body to avoid pushing it all to the pelvic floor.  

If you continue to experience issues or wish to have someone closely screen your movement with breathing and bracing, come by and see us at Athletes’ Potential.  This is just the tip of the iceberg!
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Thanks for reading,
    
 Dr. Jackie, PT, DPT


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Pictures
https://samanthaeiblingyoga.com/tag/pelvic-floor-muscles/
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Baby Bumps and Barbells - Postpartum

7/27/2016

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​Previously, we talked about safe exercise during your pregnancy. But how do you know when and
where to start after having your baby? As always, consult your doctor before beginning an exercise
program. Complications during labor or other factors, such as diastasis recti, can change your return-to-exercise timeline.

Before I list a few suggestions for exercise, it’s important to review the guidelines:

 Protect your joints- effects of the hormone relaxin can last up to six months postpartum. Your
ligaments will have more laxity and range of motion will be increased. It is important that you
control your movement throughout the entire range and avoid loading your joints at the end
range. An example that I use a lot is crashing into the bottom of a squat—avoid that! Mobility
exercises, specifically distraction, with bands should not be used directly after pregnancy and added conservatively after a few months.

 Ease into exercise- you may find that beginning with low impact exercise is more comfortable,
such as swimming, biking, light weight training. Just as during your pregnancy, listen to your
body and avoid going to exhaustion right out of the gates.

 Stay hydrated- especially if breast feeding, it is important to remain hydrated. The
cardiovascular changes that took place during pregnancy will begin to level off. So drinking
plenty of water and maintaining electrolyte levels is important for the health of you and your
child!

 Mind your belly- diastasis recti is the separation of your abdominal muscles during pregnancy.
Depending on the amount of separation, different exercises should be avoided. Not all women
experience diastasis recti but it important that you communicate with your care provider to
determine if it affects you. If so, abdominal crunches, planks and sit-up variations should be
avoided until it is healing and closed to a certain degree.

 Pelvic floor health- many factors during the pregnancy will make your pelvic floor vulnerable to
dysfunction: pressure from the baby, altered posture during the pregnancy, episiotomy or
spontaneous laceration, vaginal delivery. It is important to check in with your pelvic floor and
decide if it needs some attention before returning to exercise. Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead
to a slew of issues; three very common issues are urinary stress incontinence (peeing when you
sneeze, jump, etc), low back/hip pain and painful intercourse. If any of these issues persist, see
a pelvic floor physical therapist and they can get you back on track. These are all common but
not normal.
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​Keeping the guidelines in mind, work through these exercises and find your weaknesses.
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Hollow Rock Regression- this exercise is great to begin to regain midline control. Do not do this if you have diastasis recti.

​Air Squat- slow and steady, controlling your speed on the descent. If you are having hard time with
control, squat to a box!

​Monster Walks- the deep rotators of the hip have fascial connections with the pelvic floor so they
directly impact its function.

​Diaphragm Reset- it is important to practice breathing with proper posture- ribs over hips. In the later stages of pregnancy, the exaggerated lumbar lordosis (sway back) puts your diaphragm at a
disadvantage.
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Starting with these foundational exercises will make your transition back to higher level exercise as seamless as possible. Keep those precautions in mind and communicate with your healthcare provider if you have any questions. If pelvic floor dysfunction seems to be sticking around, seek out a pelvic floor therapist. This is something that can be treated and resolved!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Jackie, PT, DPT, CSCS​


Photos:
http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/a2679791515bfaa20529fedf7844268414
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Should Women Train Differently Than Men?

6/28/2016

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Should women train differently than men? The answer to this question is far from black and white. 

There are some principles of strength and conditioning that remain constant whether training a male or female.  However, the biological makeup of women causes some factors to be different than a man.
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First I will address the YES, or why women should train differently.
  • Women tend to be more flexible, particularly while pregnant and post-partum.  While men may need to focus on mobilizing their tight hips or distracting their shoulders prior to exercise, this may not be warranted for some women.  If you know that you are hypermobile, or double jointed, you will not need the same mobility work for your joints.  Rather, your time would be better spent practicing motor control.  Controlling end range movement is always important, particularly when moving under weight. I’ve used the example before, avoid crashing into the bottom on a squat!  Dr. Danny broke this concept down very nicely in his previous blog post “How to Dramatically Improve Your Squat”. Check it out!​
  • “Core” work is important!  The core I am referring to is not just the six pack abs but the entire canister: diaphragm, pelvic floor, abdominals and posterior spinal muscles.  Women tend to have more pelvic health issues than men—this could be because they report it more but is more likely due to posterior chain weakness, poor motor control and post-partum effects.  Interestingly enough, the pelvic floor has been found to be weaker in athletes than non-active women! But don’t forget the other dimensions of the core. Here are a few suggestions for adjuncts to warm up and training schedules.
  • Diaphragmatic breathing- Many times athletes become upper chest breathers which is essentially using neck muscles to assist with breathing.  Ideally, we want to be belly breathers.  When inhaling deeply, the abdomen and lower thorax should expand before you see chest rise. Again I am going to point you to Dr. Danny’s last article because he explains a step-by-step approach to practicing this technique!
  • Posterior chain strength- Hamstring, hip and low back strength are essential for a balanced core.  Women may be prone to decreased posterior chain activation due to boney makeup of the pelvis, hips and knees.  Pregnant or post-partum women will also see a change in posterior chain strength due to the shift of the low back into increased lordosis, or sway back.  Different postures are assumed when the center of mass is moved due to the baby bump.
  • Unilateral training- This is a great way to engage the core, specifically the obliques and deep core (transversus abdominis) during training. Having a weight on one side of the body puts force on the torso making it want to rotate.  There are some specific “anti-rotation” exercises (Pallof press, for example) but this can be integrated into those posterior chain exercises! Reverse lunges with a front racked kettlebell is one of my favorites. If the kettlebell is in the front rack on the right, then the right leg lunges backward.  Unilateral training is also a great adjunct for upper body training. 
  • Pelvic Floor health- Training the external rotators of the hip has been shown to improve pelvic floor function.  So even though they are not a “pelvic floor muscle”, they are deep inside the hip and have a direct connection to the pelvic floor.  The monster walk is a great example and many people are familiar with the exercise. I like to warm up with some version of these before I squat or run.  You can walk sideways, forward or backward.  Also, for those weightlifters out there, you can set up in a split jerk stance and walk sideways as well!  This will give the deep hip external rotators some strengthening time while also getting fired up for lower extremity functional movement.
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  • Women are able to perform resistance training for more reps at the same percentage.  So when Jack hits reps at 80% of his max, Jill can hit more at the same percentage of her max! This may be due to muscular architecture or neuromuscular control but regardless, don’t be afraid to tweak training protocols or rep counts if it feels too easy!
  • Women have the ability to recover more quickly within training sessions and from day-to-day workouts.  Estrogen has anti-catabolic effects that allows improved muscle repair and reduces protein breakdown during exercise. It has also been shown to improve metabolic profiles effecting triglycerides and glucose levels.

NO- Reasons why women should not train differently than men
  • “Weight training will make women look like men.”  This statement is simply not true.  Our biology is different, so the amount of muscle that we can naturally put on is not in the same realm as men! Men produce 10x the amount of testosterone as women.  Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the anabolic effects of muscle and strength gains.
  • Don’t be afraid to add resistance training to your workouts.  As I mentioned before, it will not make you look “manly” but also it is a wonderful way to increase bone density and further improve lipid profiles.


So what do you do with this information?  For most of you, continue to train as you were.  However, it will behoove you to add some extra warm-up drills, “core” exercises and closely analyze your motor control.  However, do not cut yourself short on the intensity.  Remember, women can perform more reps at higher weight and yes you will maintain a feminine figure!  Keep the intensity high for greater metabolic impact and don’t skip the weights.
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Thanks for reading!
​

    -Dr. Jackie, PT, DPT, CSCS​


References:
Mata, John D et al. Sex Differences in Strength and Power Support the Use of a Mixed-Model Approach to Resistance Training Program. Strength and Conditioning Journal 38:2 April 2016.
Tuttle, Lori J et al. The Role of the Obturator Internus Muscle in Pelvic Floor Function. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy. 40:1 2016.
Photos:    
http://onepercentchange.net/why-your-fitness-assessment-helps-with-weight-loss/
http://redefiningstrength.com/best-glute-exercises/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/13/running-effect-on-breasts_n_6460248.html
http://sites.psu.edu/amberwaresticker/2015/09/16/rhetoric-and-rosie-the-riveter/
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Baby Bumps and Barbells

5/11/2016

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Many active women wish to continue their lifestyle even through pregnancy.  Aerobic activity and resistance training are fantastic for maintaining fitness while keeping the baby healthy.  Of course, always consult your doctor after becoming pregnant to make sure that it is safe to exercise at various intensities.
 There are endless physiological changes during pregnancy that effect your body’s response to exercise.  The pregnant women has 30-50% higher cardiac output, meaning the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute is greater when pregnant.  Due to this change, your heart rate during exercise will not be a reliable indicator of exercise intensity.  The amount of air inhaled and exhaled in one minute is also increased by 50%.  Therefore, the best way to judge exercise intensity will be how it feels to you.  A useful scale that is popular in the medical world is called the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (pictured right).  The moderate exercise will fall in the range of 11-12 while the vigorous exercise should be kept around 14-15.  Again, we want to avoid exhaustion but still challenge the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory systems.  Another major change is the flood of the hormone relaxin throughout the body that relaxes the ligaments and allows for greater ranges of motion.  Thus, with any activity it is essential to maintain a safe range of motion.  Free falling in the bottom of the squat where your calves meet your butt is not a great idea.  Or pushing a little further in a stretch should be avoided!  
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The general guidelines are to accumulate at least 20 minutes of moderate intensity almost every day of the week.  For those of you who look for more intense activity, 3-5 days of vigorous activity is suggested for 20-60 minutes per bout.  ​​
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Baby Bumps & Barbells guidelines:
  • Continue to exercise just as you did before the pregnancy.  It is suggested that continuing to workout at the same intensity is still safe.  If you were not active before, an exercise routine will undoubtedly benefit you and the baby but you will want to maintain a low intensity, staying around the 9-11 range.
  • Avoid performing exercises laying on your back, specifically in the second and third trimesters.  This position could put pressure on important vessels as well as can challenge your breathing.
  • Do not exercise to exhaustion.  Remember, you cannot rely on heart rate alone!
  • If it hurts or is uncomfortable, stop doing it.  This seems obvious, but I thought it was worth emphasizing.
  • Any aerobic and resistance training using large muscle groups will be beneficial.  (walking, hiking, jogging/running, swimming, cycling, rowing, dancing, rope skipping, etc)
  • As the baby bump grows, modifying exercises will be necessary.  Some ideas include substituting a barbell for dumbbells, low step ups or squat to box instead of box jumps, and ring rows instead of pull ups.
  • Continuing to run, swim and row is safe as long as you and the baby are healthy and comfortable.

Targeted Strengthening

As the baby bump grows and the center of mass is moved forward, your posture will be affected.  The lumbar lordosis, or curve of the low back, will increase drastically throughout the pregnancy.  Often times, your thoracic spine will flatten.  Although postural changes are expected and normal, it is important to continue to maintain the best posture possible.  Continuing upper body strength training and focusing on proper posture are key.
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Another group of muscles that is greatly affected during pregnancy is the posterior chain.  I’m talking specifically about the glutes and the hamstrings.  Any barbell work to strengthen these areas should be continued throughout, keeping the baby bumps and barbells guidelines in mind. Lunges and squats remain some of the best and most simple workouts to target the posterior chain with little risk.  
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Birddog- if achieving this position proves to be too difficult, you can keep your knees down and extended just one arm at a time.  Then you can progress to extending just one leg at a time before combining for an arm and a leg simultaneously.
Safe Stretching
As mentioned earlier, pregnant women are inherently more bendy than they were pre-pregnancy so stretching may seem unwarranted.  However, most of these stretches are aimed at relieving areas of pain or tension from the growing bump and new posture.

​Child’s pose
- as the baby bump grows, this can be modified by having your arms and hands out-stretched on a workout ball, chair, or any other elevated surface.  A large ball will give you the option of small rotations right and left with your arms to feel the stretch intensified along your sides.
Seated Hamstring Stretch- as the bump grows it may be necessary to use a bed sheet wrapped across the bottom of the foot and held with the hands.
Hip flexor stretch- while standing at the bottom of a staircase, place the lead foot two or three steps up.  Keeping the back leg on the bottom with a slight bend in the knee, shift the weight forward to the lead foot to the point that you feel a comfortable stretch in the front of you trailing hip.
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Cat Cow- a great way to stretch the lower back and get the thoracic spine moving throughout the entire pregnancy.
Pigeon- if you are unable to achieve or maintain this position, adding a firm pillow under the upper thigh of the back leg and buttock area of the front leg may be more comfortable.
Deep Squat- a great stretch for your hips and pelvic floor during the pregnancy.  **Caution – in the third trimester, ask your doctor before trying this stretch as it may induce labor **
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Remaining active will lead to a healthier and happier pregnancy.  Keeping the posterior chain strong can ward off back pain for mom while exercise activity increases blood flow for the baby.  Remember, it is important to always listen to your body and consult healthcare professionals when questions arise.

Thanks for reading!
-Dr. Jackie, PT, DPT, CSCS

​References
R Artal, M O’Toole. Guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Photos:  FitPregnancy.com, tfwropestone.com, fusionwellness.com, themusicmommy.com, alimcwilliams.com, momjunction.com
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Why You Pee When You Do Double Unders

3/24/2016

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Midline stabilization is heralded as the foundation of safe and successful weightlifting.  But have we been ignoring a part of the “core”?  The pelvic floor is a topic that tends to be avoided.  Most people do not casually discuss urinary frequency over coffee or admit to their coach that they pee every time they perform double-unders.  Men- if you think this one is just for the women, stick around! 
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I only realized the prevalence of leakage after CrossFit HQ posted a video following regionals.  All of these women were saying “It’s ok, I pee during workouts too.  It’s normal!” Please do not confuse normal and common.  Urinary incontinence may be common in certain populations, especially of heavy lifters, but it is absolutely not normal. 

The pelvic floor includes a group of muscles that attach from your coccyx (tail bone) and sacrum to your pelvic ring. 
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​These muscles are important for bowel and bladder function, organ support, and stability of the pelvis.  Although pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) was thought to be largely a problem of women, it is becoming apparent that men have similar issues.  The pelvic floor may seem very foreign and uncomfortable to discuss, but when it properly functions it can improve your workouts. Here’s how:

I like Mary Massery’s description of the core as a “soda-pop can”.  The front of the can is the abs, the back is the multifidi, the pop top is the glottis and the bottom of the can is the pelvic floor. The core pressure is maintained by a functioning glottis and pelvic floor, with the diaphragm acting as a pressure regulator.  
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​When you take a breath in, the diaphragm descends.  This requires the pelvic floor muscles to descend and lengthen. When you exhale the diaphragm rises and the pelvic floor rises and tightens. 

In fit individuals, (notice I said individuals and not just women), a common pelvic floor problem is overactive muscles. Very strong back or abdominal muscles can cause increased inward pressure.  It’s been shown that when your deep abdominals contract, so does your pelvic floor. 

Imagine squeezing the can from both sides with the pressure maintained. The bottom and top will have to withstand more pressure and bulge. If your abdominals are always squeezing in then your pelvic floor is always pushing up to withstand the pressure.  It’s overworked!  The diaphragm is pretty darn good at its job.  If it does not work, we have a bigger issue on our hands. 

So often, when something’s ‘gotta give’- it’s the pelvic floor.  When all of these muscles work in concert, your canister and the force it can produce is maximized. Thus, your workout improves.

A conversation about breathing techniques regarding the glottis and diaphragm is essential to training the entire core. Here I am simply touching on one contribution but remember it does not work alone. 

Keep in mind, PFD can also manifest in ways such as pelvic pain, painful intercourse, low back pain, urinary frequency or even the dreaded butt wink. It is not just urinary incontinence. 

 “ Pelvic floor pain is only caused by pregnancy, right?” 

Wrong.  There has been no correlation shown between PFD and post-partum women.  Sure, some moms experience issues but again, it is not normal for any population.  Weakness and/or tightness of the pelvic floor can be caused by poor postural habits, extended periods of sitting, over training of the abdominals and pregnancy.  Excluding pregnancy of course, men are susceptible to all of the other risk factors.  
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“Ok, so I pee on myself at the gym and it’s not normal.  What do I do to stop it?” 

  • Minimize extended periods of sitting.  Standing is definitely superior to sitting but if you can, squat.  Hanging out in the bottom of your squat while you type an email can effectively lengthen the pelvic floor muscles. 
  • Check your posture. Slumped sitting will lead to a laundry list of issues from head to toe, inside and out.  But specifically, avoid slumped or “sacral sitting” with your pelvis tucked under and your lumbar curve reversed. This causes the pelvic floor muscles to maintain an abnormal length for extended periods.  
  • Train naked.  Ok, not no-clothes naked but no-gear naked.  Take off the wrist wraps, knee sleeves, weight belt, K-tape, etc.  Make training about you and your barbell.  Minimizing the amount of external support will expose your weak areas and teach your body to naturally stabilize. So you can’t PR your clean without your gear?  Keep training at that safe, lower weight where your body can appropriately respond and adapt. You’ll thank me later. 
  • If you have continual issues or have specific questions, contact your local pelvic floor physical therapist.  They can help identify dysfunction and provide specific, individualized treatments. 
                                          
 Thanks for reading!

     Dr. Jackie, PT, DPT, CSCS




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References:
Sapsford, Ruth R, Hodges, Paul W. Contraction of the Pelvic Floor Muscles during Abdominal Maneuvers. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2001, Vol.82(8), pp.1081-1088. 
Healthyplace.com 
​Presentation at CSM 2016 by Mary Massery: referencing Massery 2005 & 2006. 

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Parenthood and Pain: Part 3

3/5/2014

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So you learned how to hold your kids in Part 1 and then learned how to pick your kids up in Part 2. Now that you fine physical specimens have that stuff under control it's time to learn how to fix yourself!
The reality is sometimes we can't help but be in a bad position with our kids. Sometimes you have to round your back to get your toddler out of the tub. Sometimes you have to keep you neck in a flexed position for a long time when you are giving a baby a bottle or breast feeding. Shit, sometimes you even have to sit for long periods of time in chairs designed for people that are 3 feet tall and you may be 6'2, like me. In these situations it's up to us to correct some of the damage we may be doing to ourselves.
Today is about correcting the upper back and neck. A nice little addition to this is that it will also do wonders for your overhead position. It's a win win! Minimize the effect of crappy positions while chasing your kids around and snatch more!
Good luck and thanks for all the positive feedback about the parents series. Kids are awesome but so is a pain free back!

Dr. Danny, PT, DPT
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Parenthood and Pain Part 2

2/26/2014

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So you learned how to hold a baby in Part 1 but that's the easy part. Now we have to go over how to pick these little suckers up off the ground!

It's my honest opinion that kids often times intentionally try and make it as hard as possible to pick them up. When my son doesn't want bath time to end but I'm tired of dodging wet foam alphabet letters, it's time to pick him up. Picking up a 28 lbs toddler may not sound very difficult but if you think that, you obviously don't have kids. Try this to get a better understanding of what it's like. Go to a fish market and buy a 28 lbs live salmon. Now fill the bath tub up and put the fish in the water after you cover it in soap. Now bend over and try and pick up the fish and wrap it in a towel. Let me know how that works out for you.

Today's video is designed to help you save your back while you perform your parenting activities. Whether it be getting a kid out of the tub, putting them in a car seat or getting them in and out of a crib. Parenthood is basically performing high volumes of deficit deadlifts in really awkward positions.
Best of luck with the kids!

Dr. Danny, PT, DPT
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Parenthood and Pain Part 1

2/18/2014

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Everyone's happy except my son, let the fun begin!
Hey guys, being a parent is freaking hard! If you have kids you know what I'm talking about. If you don't have kids, enjoy your free time and sleep while it lasts.
Over the course of the next few weeks we'll be releasing some videos on how to stay pain free as a parent. From holding your kids, to picking them up and everything in between. We can apply some of the Movement and Mobility principles to every situation. Enjoy the videos and apply the concepts to your daily lives. Don't worry guys, we can survive parenthood together!

Dr. Danny, PT, DPT
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