Bladder urgency (getting a sudden strong urge to pass urine) is something that can become problematic for many women and can also lead to urge incontinence when we can’t get to the bathroom in time. Often it is more noticeable at certain times of the day, ie when you get back to your front door. This visualisation can help you to feel more clam and in control of your bladder.
Why the NHS Has Pulled Me Back
Towards the end of 2020 I was presented with the opportunity to apply for a physiotherapy position within the NHS. I am no stranger to working in the NHS, I spent 4 years as a student physiotherapist on placement in various NHS health boards and when I graduated I was fortunate to secure my first job as a rotational junior physio in NHS Lothian. I spent three years working at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and despite the challenges, the pressure and the on calls I loved it! And when I think back to what I loved most it always comes back to the people; the patients, the physio colleagues and the other members of the health care team; nurses, doctors and occupational therapists to name but a few.
Therefore, in 2012 when I left the NHS to move to Trondheim, Norway with my husband, I left a part of me in the NHS and I have always felt a pull to go back. However, I now know that if hadn’t left the NHS when I did I wouldn’t be where I am today. When I started out as a junior physio I never imagined working in private practice, never mind working alone. I needed a team and I lacked the confidence to go it alone. However, after I had my daughter in 2013 my interest in all things pelvic health began and this presented opportunities that hadn’t previously been possible. Whilst living in Copenhagen, Denmark I found the confidence to start working alone and this was when my training and journey into pelvic health began.
In 2018, we moved back to Aberdeenshire, now a family of 4, and with a husband who travelled and worked long hours and no family nearby I needed (and wanted) a job that was flexible around a young family. I also didn't know where I would fit in within the NHS anymore as I was no longer a Junior Physio but there weren't any pelvic health roles (as these are like gold dust). So again, I set up on my own and developed The Physiotherapy and Pilates Company, working from a treatment room at home and teaching Pilates in local halls.
Over time my confidence grew, I saw more complex patients and made a lovely network of other physios, personal trainers, health visitors, fitness instructors and others working within the pre and post natal population. It all seemed perfect. I was there to take the kids to school, pick them up afterwards and could choose my own hours. But something was still missing… the team. And not just the physiotherapy team but also the access to the urogynaecologists, obstetricians and the other experts.
When the opportunity to work part time as a physiotherapist within the NHS Grampian Pelvic Dysfunction Team arose I knew I had to go for it! Well that’s not entirely true, I spent quite a bit of time talking myself out of it and thinking that having been out of the NHS for 8 years they wouldn’t want me back. However, I had some equally convincing friends who told me to go for it… and so I did! By the time I had met the team and was selected for interview I knew that if I wasn’t successful I was going to be extremely disappointed…so thankfully, I was successful and I start my new NHS role in a few weeks!
What does this mean for The Physiotherapy and Pilates Company… Well you shouldn’t notice much of a change. Pilates classes will continue, with a slightly reduced timetable and private physiotherapy appointments will continue in Oldmeldrum as before. However, with the experience that I will gain in the NHS I hope that I can continue to develop and improve the physiotherapy services that I offer . My biggest passion though is to improve access to services and the awareness of what’s available for both women and men struggling with pelvic dysfunction. I hope that in being part of the NHS I will be able to drive change not just from my small corner in Oldmeldrum but on a bigger platform, so that by the time I am due to retire all women will know their vulva from their vagina, they won’t be ashamed to seek help for their bladder leakage and new mums won’t be coming to clinic asking, ‘Why did no one tell me?’.
Finally, to anyone, who has played any part in this journey, whether you were there with me in the library at university; helped me get through my first weeks and months at the Royal Infirmary; pushed me to seek new opportunities in countries when I couldn’t speak the language; or you watched my children so I could attend yet another course. Whether you recommended me to a friend, or just believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself then thank you because without you I wouldn’t have gotten to this point. Let’s see what the next 12 years will bring!
Relaxation and Guided Forest Meditation
This year, more than others, we have had to find ways to help us switch off from the constant noise and information. Getting out into nature can be one of the best ways to ground ourselves and clear, or indeed, focus our minds. However, it isn’t always possible to get outdoors so with this guided forest visualisation you can bring the outside inside and allow yourself 10 minutes of calm and relaxation.
CORE and BEYOND: Postnatal
I wanted to create a class for women that goes beyond the exercises, regardless of what stage of life you are at.
A class that helps you build strength from the inside out.
A class that gives you confidence in your body whether you want to run marathons, or be able to run for a bus, without fear of pain or pelvic floor dysfunction.
A class that empowers you with knowledge about your body and and helps you to know when to push and when to scale back.
And here it is... CORE and BEYOND
Next month sees the launch of CORE and BEYOND: Postnatal, but the future will see a range of classes including Pregnancy and Healthy Bones.
For more information have a look at our promotional video
To sign up please follow this link
Stretch and Reset
At the time of writing we are three months into lockdown in Scotland due to Covid-19 and finally it feels like restrictions are slowly lifting and life is moving towards a new normal. It’s a time of reflection. A time to reflect on not only what has happened in the last fourteen weeks but also to look forward and decide which parts of ‘lockdown life’ we chose to take forward with us into this next phase.
Teaching Pilates online is not something I imagined doing, but now I can’t imagine not doing it. Of course, I miss the social interaction of a face to face class, I miss really seeing how people’s bodies are moving and I miss being able to offer hands on modifications. However, I love that I can be tucking my children into bed and then five minutes later be (virtually) in front of 14 people, also in the comfort of their own homes, ready to deliver an hour’s session of stretching, mobilising, strengthening and relaxing.
Monday evening’s Stretch and Reset class is a new lockdown addition to my weekly timetable. Initially, it was an alternative to a daytime postnatal class for mums who struggled to get the most from a class whilst also juggling a baby and often a toddler too. However, it soon became apparent that more than the newly postnatal mums were craving an opportunity to make time for themselves once the house had settled and the evening was theirs.
Stretch and Reset comprises all of the usual elements of a Pilates class but with a slower pace and more focus on stretching, releasing and lengthening. Calming music, candles, low lighting and blankets are definitely encouraged and we always finish with a guided mediation. This class definitely lends itself to being online, because at the end of the class you can simply head to bed or continue a relaxing evening without heading back outdoors, driving home and likely losing some of the benefits. It also allows those who would normally rely on babysitters, or be unable to participate, can join knowing their little ones are sleeping soundly.
One benefit of lockdown that I think we have all appreciated is the opportunity to slow down, take stock and indeed reset. Of course, lockdown has come with its own challenges and I think that now, more than ever, we need to value the importance of taking time to stop, relax and reset, because we all know that you cannot pour from an empty cup.
As restrictions begin to ease and we start to look forward, I know that Stretch and Reset will continue as an online offering for those who are enjoying it as much as I am but don’t just take it from me, here is what participants had to say about the class.
“ Great class last night. I really loved the relaxation at the end. It’s not something I would ever think to do but I’m surprised how much I enjoy it each week!” - LS
“ Thanks for a great class Fiona, I never know how much I need the class until I have finished it.” - CB
“ That was just what I need. Loved it. Thank you! Actually feel lighter!” - AL
“ That was magic, just what I needed, thank you.” - JM
If you would like help to relax out with the classes you can listen to this pre recorded guided meditation.
If you would like to join a Stretch and Reset class please follow this link.
Dispelling the Pilates Myths
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding Pilates. Hopefully this blog will help to dispell the most common ones I hear and show you a new side to the exercise regime that you may have thought was just a celebrity fad!
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