Fiona McMahon DPT

Did you pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just affect female bodies?
Here are some signs of pelvic floor dysfunction in men.
Keep in mind these symptoms are not exclusive to the pelvic floor. If you have been to a physician and still find your symptoms persisting, it might be time to give pelvic floor therapy a try!

As a pelvic floor therapist, I have encountered many patients who thought their running days were behind them.

As a runner, I could imagine the pain and despair that could come with that thought.

This week, I want to dive into running from a pelvic floor perspective. We will discuss the pros and cons ( challenges, might be a better word) of running with pelvic floor dysfunction and how we can train ourselves to run with less stress on the pelvic floor.

Hope you follow along!

Happy International Women’s Day

When I started Ember Physical Therapy, I was nervous! I had the physical therapy part down, but I had never ever dreamt of building a business on my own.
I honestly can say it would have never come to fruition had it not been for the women, who took time from their own businesses and careers to place their hands on my back, and lend me their expertise and encouragement. From calls at 6am before driving their kids to the next birthday party, to the invites to networking events, to the shoulder to lean on. I am so grateful.
I love my new home in Northern Jersey and one of the things I love the very most is the collective of brilliant, compassionate, and creative caretakers I have in my community.

Happy Women’s day to you!

You’re Invited!

Pelvic pain and mental health challenges can weigh heavily on you. Too often folks with both mental health conditions and pelvic floor dysfunction have their symptoms dismissed as being “all in their head”.
Pelvic floor pain is real and the suffering that can come with conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma is too. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the co-linear relationship between mental and physical health with Ember Physical Therapy and Mindfully Alive on March 7th, at 6:30 pm. This webinar is free to the public. We will be discussing the causes and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, how the body processes trauma and anxiety, and leave you with practical next steps for your healing journey.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83635610423
and in link in bio

Exciting news! I will be giving a LIVE in person Q&A with at the Book Nook in Ridgewood! I can’t wait to see you there! Got questions already? drop em in the comments

💦Urinary incontinence is a common complaint after pregnancy, but it doesn’t have to be.

Skilled pelvic floor physical therapy can help you to prepare and recover from birth with as few post-partum symptoms as possible.🤰

The perfect time to get started is before baby 👶

Did you know the pelvic floor plays an essential role in s*xual function from arousal to or**sm?
Find out more in our latest blog: When Pain Comes with S*x Part 1: Female anatomy.
Drop a 🐱 in the comments to have the link sent to you directly or find it on our website: Emberphysicaltherapy.com

I’ve been thinking a lot about overwhelm and burnout lately, especially when it comes to folks with chronic pain and chronic illness.
Life and life’s obligations roll on no matter how you’re feeling, not to mention the extra work on your plate of just trying to stay well.
I see you.
You can also feel pulled in a million different directions in terms of how to care for yourself. You’re told to meditate, do yoga, exercise, change your posture, and change your diet all while trying to manage your life. It can feel like too much.
I see you.
Remember you are doing the best you can. Do not let perfect be the enemy of the good. On days when it’s all too much, focus on one thing and let the rest go.
The body likes consistency. Doing one thing regularly will always beat doing all the things just one time. If regular overwhelm is affecting your physical therapy treatment, let your physical therapist know so that they can modify your program and connect you with the right support if necessary. You’ve got this

Struggling with symptoms but no answers?
Maybe it’s pelvic floor dysfunction.
I cannot begin to tell you how many folks I’ve seen who have spent years and hours in doctors’ offices trying to find the cause of their symptoms.
These patients may have tried antibiotics but found there was no infection.
Submitted to multiple diagnostic procedures only to have results returned as “unremarkable”.
When this happens, they are left feeling like it is all in their head

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL DOCTOR FOR SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE

You’re pregnant! 🤰Now what?
We all want to make sure we are doing everything “right” when it comes to pregnancy. So what’s the deal with exercise?

👩🏻‍⚕️Always discuss your exercise routine with your doctor, but if you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal it is generally safe to continue with or even start exercise while pregnant.

Exercise during pregnancy has been found to reduce:
- Lumbopelvic pain
- Constipation
- Risk for gestational diabetes

⏰The general guidelines are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.

Not sure where to start, or how to continue? That’s where PT comes in. Skilled pelvic floor physical therapists can help to modify exercise to make it more comfortable as your pregnancy progresses as well as tailor your routine to best support labor and delivery as well as postpartum recovery!

Read the caption for more⬇️

1.) Don’t be afraid to look for a second opinion if you feel like other providers have written off your pain, there are many expert pelvic clinicians across disciplines who are prepared to help with real solutions to your pain.👩🏻‍⚕️

2.) Constipation can cause or greatly intensify pelvic pain. If you are constipated be sure to address this with your pelvic floor clinician as treating constipation is a vital part of addressing pain. 💩

3.) Hydrate. It may be tempting to avoid water, especially if you have bladder pain. Concentrated urine can be irritating. Proper hydration is also good for the fascia and muscles of the pelvic floor. No need to drink excessive quantities ( which can backfire), but drinking water regularly throughout the day is key. 💦

4.) Manage stress. It’s not all in your head. Stress can cause involuntary clenching of the pelvic floor as well as affect digestion and urination. 🧘‍♀️

5.) Start pelvic floor physical therapy! The sooner we see you, the sooner you get to start feeling better!💪🏼.

Curious about Ember? Call 551- 244-1186 or email [email protected] for a free 15-minute phone consult. 📲.

Kind words from zoc doc 💛

DON’T MISS IT! ⏰
Potty training and pelvic floor physical therapists go together like peanut butter and jelly! 🥪This Thursday and I will dive deep into potty training from a pelvic floor perspective, helping empower you to make the best decisions for you and your kiddos! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️🦸
Our mission is to provide a judgment-free zone, where we share tips, science, and perspective to take the worry out of potty training. 🚽🧻
Join us at 12 pm EST on 8/24 I promise it will be an absolute blast! 💥🚀.