Sinead Dufour's guest appearances

Sinead Dufour

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

Fit2B Radio

At Your Cervix

Susie Gronski

Shelly Prosko

Kim Vopni

Rachael Kay Albers

Kate Ahl

Natalie Eckdahl

Jill Miller

Amanda Bond

Carol Cox

Jules Mitchell

Judith Hanson Lasater

Katie Brauer

Dianne Bondy

Erin Odom

Tarzan Kay

OwlTail

If you’ve dealt with a painful pubic bone – like you feel like there’s a knife in your crotch whenever you step over something – or a super sore lower back, aching hips, and feel like you can barely walk during pregnancy and beyond, then you need to give this show a listen. We brought [...]

Pelvic Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour

075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour   Shannon is pleased to have Dr. Sinead Dufour as her first returning guest to discuss pelvic girdle pain. Sinead has been a practicing physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at The Womb.     Pelvic girdle pain develops in pregnancy or postnatally. It’s pain that develops below the rib line and travels below the gluteal fold. 75% of women have pelvic girdle pain in their second pregnancy and 20% have continuous pelvic girdle pain postnatal.   Shannon and Dr. Sinead Dufour discuss how our understanding of pelvic girdle pain has evolved, the misconceptions that make treating the pain difficult, and what yoga teachers can do to help their students experiencing pelvic pain. Dr. Sinead discusses how important it is for women to trust their pelvis by recognizing its strength and directing signals of safety, reassurance, and resilience to help prevent the pain and reduce fear of giving birth.   9:35 What is pelvic girdle pain?   14:45 What do we now know about the effect of pregnancy hormones in causing laxity of the pelvis and how that understanding has evolved; central mechanism versus mechanical factors   20:15 How we can talk to our yoga students about their pelvic girdle pain; pelvic sensitivity does not mean lack of strength of the pelvic region, the effect of asymmetrical movement, misconceptions and outdated information   22:25 The problem with misconceptions around pelvic health in pregnancy; creates increased fear around giving birth, can actually cause more pain if the woman feels compelled to clench her pelvis believing it to be weak   26:45 How new research has informed the way Dr. Sinead Dufour treats her patients with pelvic girdle pain and how it can inform the way yoga teachers can help students   29:40 Previous pregnancy as a risk factor but not a determining factor, higher risk if there’s been a trauma in the first pregnancy   32:05 Understanding that the mechanics isn’t the driver of the pain but it is relevant, and the mechanics is something they can have control over- don’t be afraid of movement, be mindful, some movement is good to avoid   33:15 Movements for those with pelvic girdle pain (and those to avoid)   38:10 Study of the effect of high cortisol and the importance of education around these findings and the application to yoga   40:00 Importance of language around pelvic girdle pain using “sensitive pelvis” instead of “falling apart” or “dysfunctional” and the misconception of engaging the pelvis to remedy the pain   42:50 Incidents of long-term pelvic girdle pain (20% of women) indicates the current approach needs to incorporate new research and deconstruct long-held beliefs   46:25 Hypertonic pelvis and taking care around doing exercises such as kegels   48:50 The importance of referring students to a pelvic floor physiotherapist- even before pregnancy to “reset” the pelvis, build trust in the body, empowerment in knowledge   53:40 Do men experience pelvic girdle pain?   56:15 The benefit of therapy in pregnancy and postnatally- is it appropriate to refer a student to a therapist?   58:40 Dr. Sinead’s preference for the term “motor control exercises” instead of “stability exercises”   1:02:44 How to reach Dr. Sinead Dufour   1:03:15 Shannon’s wrap-up and key takeaways   Links   Email Dr. Sinead Dufour: dr.sinead@thewomb.ca   Website:  The Womb   Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist   PDF:  Dr. Sinead Dufour's Postpartum Movement Tips   PDF:  Dr. Sinead Dufour's Study: Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: A cross sectional study.     Pelvic Symmetry Sequence by Shannon Crow   Relevant TCYT Episodes:    007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn  008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni  009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko  033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour    The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Book a Consultation Call with Shannon   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour Shannon is pleased to have Dr. Sinead Dufour as her first returning guest to discuss pelvic girdle pain. Sinead has been a practicing physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at <a href="http://thewomb.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Womb</a>.   Pelvic girdle pain develops in pregnancy or postnatally. It’s pain that develops below the rib line and travels below the gluteal fold. 75% of women have pelvic girdle pain in their second pregnancy and 20% have continuous pelvic girdle pain postnatal. Shannon and Dr. Sinead Dufour discuss how our understanding of pelvic girdle pain has evolved, the misconceptions that make treating the pain difficult, and what yoga teachers can do to help their students experiencing pelvic pain. Dr. Sinead discusses how important it is for women to trust their pelvis by recognizing its strength and directing signals of safety, reassurance, and resilience to help prevent the pain and reduce fear of giving birth. 9:35 What is pelvic girdle pain? 14:45 What do we now know about the effect of pregnancy hormones in causing laxity of the pelvis and how that understanding has evolved; central mechanism versus mechanical factors 20:15 How we can talk to our yoga students about their pelvic girdle pain; pelvic sensitivity does not mean lack of strength of the pelvic region, the effect of asymmetrical movement, misconceptions and outdated information 22:25 The problem with misconceptions around pelvic health in pregnancy; creates increased fear around giving birth, can actually cause more pain if the woman feels compelled to clench her pelvis believing it to be weak 26:45 How new research has informed the way Dr. Sinead Dufour treats her patients with pelvic girdle pain and how it can inform the way yoga teachers can help students 29:40 Previous pregnancy as a risk factor but not a determining factor, higher risk if there’s been a trauma in the first pregnancy 32:05 Understanding that the mechanics isn’t the driver of the pain but it is relevant, and the mechanics is something they can have control over- don’t be afraid of movement, be mindful, some movement is good to avoid 33:15 Movements for those with pelvic girdle pain (and those to avoid) 38:10 Study of the effect of high cortisol and the importance of education around these findings and the application to yoga 40:00 Importance of language around pelvic girdle pain using “sensitive pelvis” instead of “falling apart” or “dysfunctional” and the misconception of engaging the pelvis to remedy the pain 42:50 Incidents of long-term pelvic girdle pain (20% of women) indicates the current approach needs to incorporate new research and deconstruct long-held beliefs 46:25 Hypertonic pelvis and taking care around doing exercises such as kegels 48:50 The importance of referring students to a pelvic floor physiotherapist- even before pregnancy to “reset” the pelvis, build trust in the body, empowerment in knowledge 53:40 Do men experience pelvic girdle pain? 56:15 The benefit of therapy in pregnancy and postnatally- is it appropriate to refer a student to a therapist? 58:40 Dr. Sinead’s preference for the term “motor control exercises” instead of “stability exercises” 1:02:44 How to reach Dr. Sinead Dufour 1:03:15 Shannon’s wrap-up and key takeaways Links Email Dr. Sinead Dufour: dr.sinead@thewomb.ca Website: <a href="http://thewomb.ca/index.php/blog-2/item/pregnancy-related-pelvic-girdle-pain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Womb</a> <a href="http://pelvichealthsolutions.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist</a> PDF: <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCYT-Podcast-Dr.-Sinead-Dufour-Pregnancy-Postpartum-Movement-Tips.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Dr. Sinead Dufour's Postpartum Movement Tips</a> PDF: <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCYT-Podcast-Dr.-Sinead-Dufour-Pelvic-Girdle-Pain-Study.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Dr. Sinead Dufour's Study: Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: A cross sectional study.  </a> <a href="http://www.shannoncrow.com/pelvic-symmetry-sequence/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pelvic Symmetry Sequence</a> by Shannon Crow Relevant TCYT Episodes: <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/007-breath-pelvic-health-trista-zinn/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/008-core-breath-pelvic-health-kim-vopni/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/009-kegels-mula-bandha-pelvic-health-shelly-prosko/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/033-a-new-perspective-on-diastasis-recti-with-dr-sinead-dufour/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectedyogateacher/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/consultation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book a Consultation Call with Shannon</a> Gratitude to our Sponsor <a href="https://www.schedulicity.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schedulicity</a>

075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour

Shannon met Dr. Sinead Dufour at a pelvic health workshop for yoga teachers as part of the MamaNurture prenatal yoga teacher training. It was through Sinead that Shannon discovered she had Diastasis. Shannon talks about how some of the yoga poses done after she gave birth were contributing to her condition. Diastasis is not widely understood in prenatal and postnatal health. It has been falsely understood as the separation of the abdominal muscles (it is even implied in the name) when it is actually the overstraining or damaging of the linea alba tissue. It was after giving birth to her twins that Sinead discovered significant gaps and misconceptions in the health care system and fitness community that left women without the tools needed to take care of the pelvic health. She felt strongly that she needed to be part of the solution. Sinead has been a practising physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at The Womb.   Among this episode’s points of discussion are: the role the linea alba plays in Diastasis, Dr. Sinead Dufour’s  leadership in up-and-coming research on DRA to establish common practice principles, and what can be done to prevent this condition.   8:55 Sinead's journey to becoming a leading Pelvic Health expert 10:50 What is Diastasis? A common misconception about Diastasis. Diastasis or Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA) 12:25 Linea alba’s role in pregnancy and Diastasis 15:30 New study by top 22 Diastasis experts in Canada in order to establish practice principles experts can agree on 18:10 Delphi Process with 3 phases setting the practice principles 20:45 Diastasis related to manometric pressure system manometric pressure system- the pressure system modulated by the core four, inclusive of the linea alba and the glottis (think the concept of intra-abdominal pressure)   19:10 Dr. Sinead’s research study 20:10 What experts are saying: what is Diastasis and how should we manage it? 23:00 Prenatal - how can we prevent Diastasis?  Avoid exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles such as crunches and sit-ups Emphasis on facilitating optimal co-activation of the deep inner unit Ensuring the core 4 are working together: pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis and multifidus Working synergistically Promoting effective, tension free diaphragmatic breathing More focus on diaphragmatic breath with ease -- less extended belly breathing and more rib cage breath Emphasizing postures that reduce excessive strained intra-abdominal pressure Avoid plank pose while pregnant or straining on the toilet,(especially with breath holding).  25:15 Importance of continuous breath 28:45 Encouraging students, not to breath hold (and why they may be doing so) 31:00 Empowering language - What can students do instead of what can't it do 32:15 Listen to the body - pain or struggling in a pose 33:05 Intrapartum (during childbirth) considerations  Continuous breath - no Valsalva breath Avoiding a back lying position when possible  37:35 Prenatal yoga teachers are the ones who can advocate, inform and empower those who are susceptible to diastasis or other pelvic health issues 38:25 When to refer a yoga student to a pelvic floor physiotherapist 40:00 Postpartum (4th trimester) - "critical healing period"  Abstain from exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal       muscles Promote exercises that are not the same action as a crunch Every body is unique and so each person needs something different Watch for doming or invagination at linea alba during exercise  5.Optimal load transfer at linea alba 45:25 Later diastasis- watch out for doming or invagination (reverse doming) 46:10 Front loading poses: bird dog, plank - when can we do these? 47:30 Any incontinence issues - because Diastasis is a pelvic floor dysfunction   48:50 How yoga can help with the internal pressure system and nervous system   49:55 Autonomic nervous system tension affects the connective and visceral tissue   50:45 Benefits of a yin yoga style   51:40 Fertility yoga series at The Womb   52:50 Increased inter-recti distance is normal in pregnancy   53:45 Diastasis has nothing to do with the inter-recti distance (the width between the rectus abdominis muscles)   57:20 How to test for Diastasis at home   58:40 How a yoga teacher can help assess linea alba during a pelvic floor contraction   1:00:25 Another Diastasis assessment- digital pelvic floor contraction (highlights how integrated the linea alba is with the pelvic floor)   1:01:25 Yoga teachers are in a great position to get ahead of the curve to spread new information discovered through research (before it will be widely taught)   1:05:50 Inter-recti distance as an assessment needs to be thrown out- as people get better and more functional the distance can actually increase proving that inter-recti is meaningless   1:06:55 The general preface statement that will be published in their research document   1:08:50 Preface statement for assessment of DRA   1:10:10 How to work with Dr. Sinead Dufour     Links   The Womb   Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist   Mama Nurture   Relevant TCYT Episodes:  007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn  008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni  009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko    The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

Shannon met Dr. Sinead Dufour at a pelvic health workshop for yoga teachers as part of the <a href="http://www.mamanurture.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MamaNurture</a> prenatal yoga teacher training. It was through Sinead that Shannon discovered she had Diastasis. Shannon talks about how some of the yoga poses done after she gave birth were contributing to her condition. Diastasis is not widely understood in prenatal and postnatal health. It has been falsely understood as the separation of the abdominal muscles (it is even implied in the name) when it is actually the overstraining or damaging of the linea alba tissue. It was after giving birth to her twins that Sinead discovered significant gaps and misconceptions in the health care system and fitness community that left women without the tools needed to take care of the pelvic health. She felt strongly that she needed to be part of the solution. Sinead has been a practising physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at <a href="http://thewomb.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Womb</a>.   Among this episode’s points of discussion are: the role the linea alba plays in Diastasis, Dr. Sinead Dufour’s  leadership in up-and-coming research on DRA to establish common practice principles, and what can be done to prevent this condition. 8:55 Sinead's journey to becoming a leading Pelvic Health expert 10:50 What is Diastasis? A common misconception about Diastasis. Diastasis or Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA) 12:25 Linea alba’s role in pregnancy and Diastasis 15:30 New study by top 22 Diastasis experts in Canada in order to establish practice principles experts can agree on 18:10 Delphi Process with 3 phases setting the practice principles 20:45 Diastasis related to manometric pressure system manometric pressure system- the pressure system modulated by the core four, inclusive of the linea alba and the glottis (think the concept of intra-abdominal pressure) 19:10 Dr. Sinead’s research study 20:10 What experts are saying: what is Diastasis and how should we manage it? 23:00 Prenatal - how can we prevent Diastasis? <ol> <li>Avoid exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles such as crunches and sit-ups</li> <li>Emphasis on facilitating optimal co-activation of the deep inner unit</li> <li>Ensuring the core 4 are working together: pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis and multifidus</li> <li>Working synergistically</li> <li>Promoting effective, tension free diaphragmatic breathing</li> <li>More focus on diaphragmatic breath with ease -- less extended belly breathing and more rib cage breath</li> <li>Emphasizing postures that reduce excessive strained intra-abdominal pressure</li> <li>Avoid plank pose while pregnant or straining on the toilet,(especially with breath holding).</li> </ol> 25:15 Importance of continuous breath 28:45 Encouraging students, not to breath hold (and why they may be doing so) 31:00 Empowering language - What can students do instead of what can't it do 32:15 Listen to the body - pain or struggling in a pose 33:05 Intrapartum (during childbirth) considerations <ol> <li>Continuous breath - no Valsalva breath</li> <li>Avoiding a back lying position when possible</li> </ol> 37:35 Prenatal yoga teachers are the ones who can advocate, inform and empower those who are susceptible to diastasis or other pelvic health issues 38:25 When to refer a yoga student to a pelvic floor physiotherapist 40:00 Postpartum (4th trimester) - "critical healing period" <ol> <li>Abstain from exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal       muscles</li> <li>Promote exercises that are not the same action as a crunch</li> <li>Every body is unique and so each person needs something different</li> <li>Watch for doming or invagination at linea alba during exercise</li> </ol> 5.Optimal load transfer at linea alba 45:25 Later diastasis- watch out for doming or invagination (reverse doming) 46:10 Front loading poses: bird dog, plank - when can we do these? 47:30 Any incontinence issues - because Diastasis is a pelvic floor dysfunction 48:50 How yoga can help with the internal pressure system and nervous system 49:55 Autonomic nervous system tension affects the connective and visceral tissue 50:45 Benefits of a yin yoga style 51:40 Fertility yoga series at The Womb 52:50 Increased inter-recti distance is normal in pregnancy 53:45 Diastasis has nothing to do with the inter-recti distance (the width between the rectus abdominis muscles) 57:20 How to test for Diastasis at home 58:40 How a yoga teacher can help assess linea alba during a pelvic floor contraction 1:00:25 Another Diastasis assessment- digital pelvic floor contraction (highlights how integrated the linea alba is with the pelvic floor) 1:01:25 Yoga teachers are in a great position to get ahead of the curve to spread new information discovered through research (before it will be widely taught) 1:05:50 Inter-recti distance as an assessment needs to be thrown out- as people get better and more functional the distance can actually increase proving that inter-recti is meaningless 1:06:55 The general preface statement that will be published in their research document 1:08:50 Preface statement for assessment of DRA 1:10:10 How to work with Dr. Sinead Dufour Links <a href="http://thewomb.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Womb</a> <a href="http://pelvichealthsolutions.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist</a> <a href="http://www.mamanurture.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mama Nurture</a> Relevant TCYT Episodes: <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/007-breath-pelvic-health-trista-zinn/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/008-core-breath-pelvic-health-kim-vopni/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni</a> <a href="http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/009-kegels-mula-bandha-pelvic-health-shelly-prosko/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectedyogateacher/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group</a> Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- <a href="https://www.schedulicity.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schedulicity</a>

033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour