Pelvic Function

Join me for a Conference in South Africa!

I’m delighted to be one of the speakers confirmed for the 2024 SASHA (Southern African Sexual Health Association) Congress which will be hosted in Sandton in just a few weeks!

The theme is ‘Exploring New Horizons in Sexual Health’.

When: 19-20 October 2024
Where: The Capital on the Park, Sandton

This CPD-accredited event promises to bring together a kaleidoscope of voices, priorities and perspectives in sexual health. Join us for two full days of workshops, symposia, networking opportunities and socialising.

I will be on a panel discussing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, and hopefully presenting preliminary data from my research!

I’d love to see you there.

To register or find out more click here: https://sasha2024.co.za/

2024 SASHA CONGRESS 🎉

After the inaugural SASHA conference in 2022, we knew that we had started something good, and that it would continue in the future to enhance sexual health in Southern Africa.

In 2022 we aimed to bring everyone and everything in sexual health together with our theme, Merging the Mosaic. Building on this theme, the conference this year will focus on the dynamics within the interprofessional team, and the skills and practical approach to improve sexual health from different and new perspectives. We will look a bit further than the obvious and discover new and innovative ways of managing the variety of factors that contribute to the different aspects of sexual health.

The conference speaks to an interprofessional audience focusing on a biopsychosocial (-cultural) approach to the management of sexual health. Keynote addresses will cover topics such as Compulsive Sexual Behaviour and Desire Discrepancy. Amongst some of the other topics that will be covered are Interstitial Cystitis and Female Sexual Function, as well as the Contemporary use of Hormones.

This year the workshops will not run parallel with other tracks, but will form part of the main conference programme to ensure accessibility to everyone who is interested in attending. The workshops will have a practical focus and will be on Adolescent Sexual Health, while the second workshop will cover the topic of Asexuality.

Conferences are however not only there to learn, but it also is a unique opportunity for networking and future collaborations. We are looking forward to meeting you in person and have some innovative conversations with you during the networking session and cocktail function.

When: 19-20 October 2024
Where: The Capital On The Park, Sandton, Johannesburg.

Registration Fees - Early Bird Special:

SASHA Members: R3000
Non-Members: R4000
Undergraduate Students: R2000

Please note: The Early Bird Special ends 31 July 2024.

Register now: https://sasha2024.co.za (link in bio)

CPD-Accredited.

Met some new friends out walking this morning....

research QR code

Recovering from another excellent academic, research, and social offering at 2024 annual congress.

I was honoured to share my views on the evolution of chronic pelvic pain and shamelessly slipped in a taster of my research in chronic overlapping pain conditions ( ) and (or autonomic nervous system dysregulation). I was humbled and flattered by the kind response from the delegates.

My poster was underwhelming, but a great learning experience. 😌

Major take-aways:
1. We get our understanding of health for FEMALE humans from MALE rats. 🙋🏽‍♀️🐁 and yes, boys and girls are different in more than genitalia and secondary characteristics. Testosterone and estrogen have DIFFERENT physiological effects in the body, and on pain. 🧠💥
2. If we cannot see people we consult with through the lens of their , , and , we are blinkered and ineffective in motivating for change.
3. is gathering loads of awesome SOUTH AFRICAN data, to better understand postoperative pain in our populations 🙌🏼
4. Generational pain is the end clinical manifestation of a vulnerable sociopsychobiological state. We need to do better.
5. is real - need to prioritize a degree of self-care admist the Load of Service. We are just as human as the people we assist
6. is scary, complete with microclots and 'sticky' (clumped) red blood cells. Some excellent pictures showing the process!
7. Whilst autonomic changes are present in (complex regional pain syndrome, for those who don't know or can't remember...) they are prevalent in , , , , (chronic low back pain), , , and , , and (chronic fatigue syndrome).

There were many aha moments, and my little summary does not do justice to the intelligence, curiosity, and empathy of Pain People .

To old colleagues, new friends, and the physio who retired in January but came anyway because she doesn't want to give it up (despite not needing the points) - I salute you and hope to see you at another congress soon 👊🏽

Sunrise over Indian ocean from 6th floor....

I am delighted to have been invited to present a keynote on the evolution of at PainSA. I had such a fabulous time last year - these caring clinicians and daring researchers aka Pain People are
And... my abstract on my research has been accepted for a poster presentation, so I get to talk about my work - Happy Times ahead!!! 🤓

PROGRAMME - 2024 PainSA Congress - Elangeni Hotel

Generally fit and healthy? Want to contribute to important research into the stress response and chronic pain? Ethical approval granted.
HPALS

We are looking for volunteers for research into the role of the stress response in chronic overlapping pain conditions - including chronic migraine and tension type headaches, temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, bladder pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, and vulvodynia.
If this is you, or someone you know - please make contact on [email protected]
South African Depression Anxiety
Fibromyalgia support Cape Town

Delicate reminder that all your insides move to make space for baby....

Just a little picture of how things look when you’re carrying another human. ❤️
Join my group : 👉👉 Baby Loves👈👈 . Thank you so much ❤

We are conducting a study on female runners returning to running after giving birth. If you think you might be eligible, please contact Rochelle at the below details.
This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand.

We are RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS for research into the role of and the on CHRONIC OVERLAPPING PAIN CONDITIONS including

How is this for faecal impaction?
Diet (fluid and fiber), movement, correct defaecation dynamics, and healthy autonomic nervous system activity are essential!

That's one massive p**p: https://ifls.online/3hYzSqM

Well, that was fun - thank you for the opportunity....
Spreading the word regarding and

Day 1 was inspiring and my main take away messages are:
1. Sociopsychobiological (as opposed to biopsychosocial) as CONTEXT matters
2. Person-centered not patient-centered care (addresses the power dynamic)
3. Pain People are my tribe

Day 2 will no doubt ring more delights, including my lecture on

Arrived at and already had some fascinating discussions with an anaesthetist, oncologist, and physios - and we haven't even registered yet!
Flying the flag of pelvic pain and multisystemic comorbidity...

Pelvic physiotherapists tend to love their work; patients are regularly less enthusiastic, certainly in the early days of assessment. Often our patients teach us as much as we impart to them; and rarely, a truly remarkable patient crops up who takes things to a whole other level.

I have just such a patient, who not only benefitted from pelvic physiotherapy but embraced self-efficacy and responsibility. However, letting this patient loose with a TheraWand resulted in inspiration and a journey down a road he had no idea he was going to travel (said patient wears many hats, one being engineer…). What followed was months of designing; manufacturing (heating, bending, shaping, routing etc.); testing and trialling; fine tuning; website building etc. One year on, and I have the honour of introducing:

PhysioWand P15 and P20

Unique selling point: each end has been tapered either in or out, by an additional 50° and 45° respectively.

This additional angulation inwards allows for easier access to anterior pelvic structures; whilst the additional angulation outwards improves access to posterior pelvic structures (please see diagrams….)

We acknowledge that all people are different shapes and sizes and that there is no ‘one size fits all’. However, we believe that with this small modification, certain patients may enjoy easier access to deeper layers of the pelvic floor musculature.

We also acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of Greats (Dr Ruth Jones in particular – she was my Masters supervisor!) and do not seek to divert patients away from established brands; we exist as another option.

Another important aspect of the PhysioWand is accessibility to (pelvic) products in Sub-Saharan Africa; given the challenges of procuring stock in South Africa, we now have a locally manufactured pelvic wand available at competitive prices (international orders are welcome).

Registration is super easy – pop on over to www.physiowand.com; if you are a healthcare professional (and register on the site), a 20% discount is automatically applied to your orders!

Beautifully said - thank you Helen Roome: Occupational Therapist - Adults.

Did you know that NON-MEDICATION interventions are recommended as first-line treatment of FIBROMYALGIA?
The interventions with the most research backing include exercise/physical activity and psychological treatments.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis (cited below) has helped us to understand what interventions are effective for which symptoms of Fibromyalgia. We can then try to tailor treatment plans to the experience of the individual, based on which of their symptoms are troubling them most. For example, they found that:

• All forms of exercise (except for flexibility exercise) improved pain and depression

• Mind–body and strengthening exercises improved fatigue

• Aerobic (also called "cardio") and strengthening exercises improved sleep

• Psychological treatments (including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness) improved pain, sleep, and depression - but not fatigue.

• Exercise, psychological treatments, multidisciplinary modality, balneotherapy, and massage reduced the overall functional impact of Fibromyalgia

These form part of WHAT you can do for managing Fibromyalgia but you could benefit from guidance from a pain-informed therapist on HOW to use them.

Reference: Kundakci, B., Kaur, J., Goh, S. L., Hall, M., Doherty, M., Zhang, W., & Abhishek, A. (2022). Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for individual features of fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Pain, 163(8), 1432-1445.

Excellent infographic - note the comorbidity (more than one thing occurring at once) and the impact on background bodily functions.
I would add in tension type and/or migraine headache, chronic low back pain, bladder issues (including interstitial cystitis), and sexual dysfunction.

An ME/CFS infographic Shantel Palmer drew/made

What people call a ‘weak bladder’ (because they have to go all the time) but actually the bladder is playing Boss and should be taught to wait a while (defer urination)….

My PhD is progressing nicely i.e., I have imposter syndrome and am aware of how MUCH I don't know....

Oh so true.

I aspire to this....

When we are able to access safety in ourselves, we are better able to help provide a space of safety for the world around us. Consider asking yourself how you access safety in your body and how the safety you hold can be shared with others. To build community, please share your supportive messages of safety for others below. 🌞

A useful South African study on postpartum (postnatal) return to running.... Any takers?

Returning to running after child birth Rochelle Bouwer, a qualified physiotherapist and PhD student at Wits University, is doing research to determine how female athletes returned to running after childbirth.

A stunning 3D view of the cl****is!

How does the cl****is fit together with the other pelvic organs? This 3D representation shows how.
1. G***s (the part visible from the outside)
2. Corpus clitoridis (body)
3. Crura
4. Bulbs
5. Urethra
6. Va**nal opening
7. Va**na
8. Uterus
9. Bladder

By Helen O'Connell, 2021

This is right up my street/bike lane/desire line (those lines you get on grass, where people want to walk and the path doesn’t go).
The impact of the movement choices we make on Health and the Environment...
A society driven by People Power! Get up and moving, People!

"Bicycle is the slow death of the planet."

A banker made the economists think this when he said:

“A cyclist is a disaster for the country’s economy: he doesn’t buy cars and doesn’t borrow money to buy. He don't pay insurance policies. Don't buy fuel, don't pay to have the car serviced, and no repairs needed. He doesn't use paid parking. Doesn't cause any major accidents. No need for multi-lane highways.

He is not getting obese.

Healthy people are not necessary or useful to the economy. They are not buying the medicine. They dont go to hospitals or doctors.

They add nothing to the country's GDP.

"On the contrary, each new McDonald’s store creates at least 30 jobs—actually 10 cardiologists, 10 dentists, 10 dietitians and nutritionists—obviously as well as the people who work in the store itself."

Choose wisely: a bike or a McDonald's? It's something to think about.

~ Emeric Sillo

PS: walking is even worse. Pedestrians don't even buy a bicycle!

*Posted by Jessica Maria Dwyer on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessdwyer/)
**Photo credit: Franz-Michael S. Mellbin (2011)

A history of (severe trauma in childhood) has a profound impact on both health and behaviour in adulthood....

Adults with a history of childhood trauma explore less during a foraging task and collect fewer rewards, study finds People with adverse childhood experiences explore less as adults and may be less sensitive to positive rewards, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Using a foraging paradigm, the researchers found evidence that reward-based decision-making may contr...

Thank you Fiona Morgan Physiotherapy And Pilates and - this REALLY got me thinking 🧠

From If Feelings Could Talk. In our world today, even more so, we need this.