I have reason to celebrate! My blog has moved. I am now exclusively located on my new and improved site and blog.
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www.gingergarner.com
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Breathing In This Life...Support for Mothers Living Fit & Fearless
Empowering women to embrace their inner Lamb & Lion. A gathering place to learn about fit minds, bodies, and spirits through yoga speak, green living, and more...just for women.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A "Fantasy State of the Union"
As American mothers our opinions may differ on many topics - from politics to diapering to schooling to daycare to working outside vs. inside the home, just to name a few. Some of these topics cause us to draw battle lines and take sides in contentious and unnecessary "mommy wars."
However, I think perhaps, we can all agree on this statement - a country that discriminates against its own families is a country that cannot prosper. In other words, if America and its lawmakers (continue to) neglect the well being of America's families - then it cannot thrive.
Last night's State of the Union Address had many Americans tuned in - and as a mother, you are naturally (and voraciously) concerned about your children's future and your family's well being. Your (Wo)Man in Washington blogger and Advocacy Coordinator for the National Association of Mothers' Centers, Valerie Young, has published a clever piece about just that topic. It is entitled "Fantasy State of the Union," and it addresses the very thing which I believe, is hindering the well being of our Nation.
In it, Ms. Young details an America where:
Please take time to read Valerie's post, which she has so graciously permitted me to piggyback from her blog to mine today. It is an urgent message that should spur our Nation's leaders to action, and should naturally spur all those who currently follow and suffer from these inequities - to stand up and lead.
I believe her message, and others like it such as Dr. Riane Eisler and her Caring Economics Campaign, harness effectual ideas that, if heeded, can lead our country toward a more prosperous, compassionate, and solvent age - which benefits everyone.
As mothers, we are raising up our country's future. Therefore, we have a voice. We have power. We can create change - for our children's future and to strengthen this, our American family and country.
However, I think perhaps, we can all agree on this statement - a country that discriminates against its own families is a country that cannot prosper. In other words, if America and its lawmakers (continue to) neglect the well being of America's families - then it cannot thrive.
Last night's State of the Union Address had many Americans tuned in - and as a mother, you are naturally (and voraciously) concerned about your children's future and your family's well being. Your (Wo)Man in Washington blogger and Advocacy Coordinator for the National Association of Mothers' Centers, Valerie Young, has published a clever piece about just that topic. It is entitled "Fantasy State of the Union," and it addresses the very thing which I believe, is hindering the well being of our Nation.
In it, Ms. Young details an America where:
- equal rights for mothers and families exist
- being a mother is not the most common risk factor for living in poverty.
Please take time to read Valerie's post, which she has so graciously permitted me to piggyback from her blog to mine today. It is an urgent message that should spur our Nation's leaders to action, and should naturally spur all those who currently follow and suffer from these inequities - to stand up and lead.
I believe her message, and others like it such as Dr. Riane Eisler and her Caring Economics Campaign, harness effectual ideas that, if heeded, can lead our country toward a more prosperous, compassionate, and solvent age - which benefits everyone.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Embarrassing Health Questions Answered: What To Do about Urinary Leakage
Women are often embarrassed to admit or ask questions about their bladder problems. Physical therapy can help, which is good news you can use. |
This week's guest post is by physiotherapist and yoga expert Shelly Prosko. Visit Shelly at http://www.physio-yogatherapy.com/
It is a fact that 53% of women
between the ages of 20-80 years old experience urinary incontinence (the
inability to control the bladder) at some point in their lives (Culligan &
Heit, 2000). Less than half of these women do not even mention it to their
physician (Burgio, 1994) perhaps because they are too embarrassed, or simply
because they think it is normal to experience ‘a bit of leakage’ when they
sneeze or laugh. Or, that it is normal
after pregnancy or with age. Or, that is
normal because their mom, sister, and best friend all experience a ‘bit of
leakage’ too.
But it is not normal.
Yes, it is common, but not normal. Urinary incontinence can be prevented and
treated in most cases.
The two main types of
urinary incontinence are stress and urge. It is important to know the difference
between the two, and know which one you may have, in order to treat it
accurately. However, it is common to have a combination of the two as well.
Stress incontinence is what occurs when the pelvic floor muscles
(PFM’s) have become too weak to stop the flow of urine during actions that put
pressure or stress on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing,
twisting, or lifting. Pelvic floor
weakness can result from the muscles being overstretched during childbirth or
even from low estrogen levels, such as during menstruation or menopause.
Urge
incontinence is when there is a sudden ‘urge’ to urinate with an inability
to control the bladder. This happens
when the pelvic floor muscles are chronically tense to the point of fatigue,
and consequently give out at inappropriate times. If the PFM’s are consistently tense, without
knowing how to relax, release, and control them, other problems in addition to
urge incontinence can arise like low back pain, irritable bowel syndrome,
interstitial cystitis, and painful intercourse.
Many people believe that
the popular Kegel exercises which consist of ‘squeezing’ the PFM’s will solve
the leakage problems. However, this is not necessarily the case. If your incontinence is due to chronically
tensed PFM’s that are fatiguing (urge incontinence), then simply performing
Kegel exercises may actually be worsening
your problem. Learning how to release your PFM’s in conjunction with
diaphragmatic breathing would be more beneficial for someone with urge
incontinence. If your incontinence is PFM weakness due to being overstretched
or inadequately activated, then correctly prescribed Kegel exercises can
help. But Kegel exercises do not address
all of the muscles that are important for a healthy pelvic floor. Kegels are
still only a small part of the overall treatment of this dysfunction.
Treatment of incontinence
may begin by learning how to activate, release, and control the PFM’s. PFM training with a physical therapist has been
recommended for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence and for
prevention of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after delivery
(Britnell, et al 2005). Successful physiotherapy treatment protocols also
include hip adductor and deep abdominal muscle strengthening, lumbar or core
stability training, and prescription of exercises that address postural
mal-alignment or hip tightness that may be contributing to pelvic floor weakness. Education regarding bladder irritants in the
diet can also be included in your treatment plan.
Yoga and Pilates have
also been shown to improve both types of incontinence due to their ability to
address the above areas.
A physical therapist
trained in this area will be able to help diagnose which type of incontinence
you may have, and help develop an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment need not be invasive and usually
consists of 4 to 6 visits. The
assessment typically consists of a series of questions followed by a physical
examination of postural alignment, hip, pelvis and abdominal strength and
flexibility testing. Although
incontinence is common, it can be treated.
So whether you are a new mom or a retiree, you can still continue to
enjoy a healthy lifestyle knowing you have confidence in controlling your
bladder.
Ask your OB/gyn or midwife about physical therapy if you are suffering from urinary leakage. You can, in many states in the US, also go directly to your local physical therapist without a doctor's referral to receive evaluation and care for women's health issues such as incontinence.
About the Author
Shelly Prosko, RPT, PYT-C, CPI
Shelly Prosko, RPT, PYT-C, CPI
Shelly is a Registered Physiotherapist, Yoga
Therapist and a Certified Pilates Instructor. She received her Physiotherapy
degree at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada in 1998, her Yoga Therapist
training through Professional Yoga Therapy Studies in North Carolina (www.professionalyogatherapy. org)
and her Pilates certification through Professional Health and Fitness Institute
in Maryland (www.prohealthandfitness.com).
She has treated a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions while working in private orthopaedic clinics and long term care facilities across Canada and the United States. Shelly was the physiotherapist and clinic manager at The Morris Center For Sports Medicine in Watkinsville, Georgia for 7 years. In 2006, she relocated to Alberta and continued to work in the private orthopaedic clinic setting and was actively involved in the occupational rehabilitation programs at CBI Health.
In 2009, Shelly settled in the Okanagan and continues to follow her passions at Sun City Physiotherapy by offering private Physio-Yoga Therapy sessions and by incorporating Yoga Therapy and Pilates into her physiotherapy treatments (www.physio-yogatherapy.com) She also teaches specialty Physio-Yoga Therapy classes in the community. She believes that bridging the gap between Western and Eastern healthcare philosophies is essential in order to achieve optimal health. Consequently, her treatments are individually based and are a unique blend of both approaches.
In addition to her many skills as a health care practitioner, Shelly is also an accomplished figure skater and has traveled the world with many professional ice shows. She is also passionate about music, dance, acting, trapeze, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
She has treated a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions while working in private orthopaedic clinics and long term care facilities across Canada and the United States. Shelly was the physiotherapist and clinic manager at The Morris Center For Sports Medicine in Watkinsville, Georgia for 7 years. In 2006, she relocated to Alberta and continued to work in the private orthopaedic clinic setting and was actively involved in the occupational rehabilitation programs at CBI Health.
In 2009, Shelly settled in the Okanagan and continues to follow her passions at Sun City Physiotherapy by offering private Physio-Yoga Therapy sessions and by incorporating Yoga Therapy and Pilates into her physiotherapy treatments (www.physio-yogatherapy.com) She also teaches specialty Physio-Yoga Therapy classes in the community. She believes that bridging the gap between Western and Eastern healthcare philosophies is essential in order to achieve optimal health. Consequently, her treatments are individually based and are a unique blend of both approaches.
In addition to her many skills as a health care practitioner, Shelly is also an accomplished figure skater and has traveled the world with many professional ice shows. She is also passionate about music, dance, acting, trapeze, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
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