Podcast appearances and mentions of christina prevett

Dr. Christina Prevett // www.ptonice.com 

When you're passionate about Olympic weightlifting, pregnancy doesn't mean you have to abandon the barbell—it means learning to adapt with intelligence and awareness. Christina Prevett breaks down the crucial modifications that keep both mom and baby safe while preserving hard-earned technique.The conversation explores four key considerations every pregnant weightlifter needs to understand. First, contact points and bar path must adapt as your baby bump grows—not because contact is dangerous, but because forcing traditional positioning can develop technical habits that are difficult to break postpartum. Second, the speed and depth of squats require personalized modification based on how your changing body feels in these positions. Third, setup positions from the floor may need elevation or stance adjustments to accommodate your growing belly. Finally, breathing strategies can shift from traditional bracing to continuous exhales that maintain core stability while respecting pregnancy physiology.What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical postpartum guidance. Christina explains why technique, not strength, becomes the limiting factor after delivery. The dramatic shift from pregnant to non-pregnant happens rapidly, leaving many athletes feeling disconnected from their body awareness. Starting with empty barbell work becomes crucial for proprioceptive retraining before adding load.Special attention is given to C-section recovery, with innovative modifications like the "no contact snatch" that respect surgical healing while maintaining training consistency. The guidance extends to belt use timelines and core rehabilitation approaches that transfer directly to barbell performance.Whether you're planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or navigating postpartum return, this episode provides the blueprint for maintaining your weightlifting practice safely through all phases of motherhood. Ready to keep the barbell in your life through pregnancy and beyond? This is your roadmap.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Dr. Christina Prevett // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Podcast, ICE CEO Jeff Moore & Older Adult and Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett sit down to discuss her research in the fields of geriatrics & pelvic health, highlighting key topics such as the safety & efficacy of high-load resistance training for older adults and the postpartum population. Take a listen to the episode or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Christina Prevett shares powerful insights about pelvic floor issues in the military and advocates for better awareness and support for female service members. She connects her personal experience using exercise as a coping mechanism during difficult times to the importance of movement for pregnant and postpartum women's mental health.• One in three female service members experience pelvic floor or genitourinary complaints• Military physical testing and duties place significant demands on the pelvic floor• Six key gaps exist in military support: lack of education, stigma, toilet access during deployment, urge suppression, menstrual cycle management, and pregnancy/postpartum fitness• Research shows high-strain activities like paratrooper training can change vaginal wall mobility even in women who haven't given birth• Pelvic floor issues can be categorized as "not strong enough," "not coordinated enough," or "too tight" syndromes• Sexual trauma in military settings may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction• Building resilience through proper mechanics and individualized rehabilitation is key for returning to duty after pregnancy• These principles apply broadly to women in physically demanding occupations beyond the militaryI hope you found that interesting. If you have any other questions or comments, let me know. Otherwise, have an incredible week and I will talk to you all next time.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses a groundbreaking new paper published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which addresses the removal of medical clearance requirements for postpartum individuals. Christina highlights her involvement in this important project led by Dr. Margie Davenport, focusing on the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologists' Postpartum Return to Exercise Guidelines. Christina covers the launch of the Get Active Questionnaire Postpartum, a new screening tool for exercise professionals, along with the publication of several systematic reviews and the International Delphi Statement related to postpartum exercise. Tune in to learn about the significant changes in postpartum exercise practices and the research driving these advancements. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter!

Dr. Christina Prevett as she explores the concept of being "old school" in the medical and rehabilitation fields. She discusses the implications of adhering to outdated practices despite the presence of new evidence and protocols. Christina emphasizes the importance of valuing the experience of veteran clinicians while navigating the challenges of ageism in the workplace. She provides insights into how this mindset can impact patient care and professional development.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett explores the concept of being "old school" in the medical and rehabilitation fields. She discusses the implications of adhering to outdated practices despite the presence of new evidence and protocols. Christina emphasizes the importance of valuing the experience of veteran clinicians while navigating the challenges of ageism in the workplace. She provides insights into how this mindset can impact patient care and professional development. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Get ready to dive into a rich conversation on the Barbell Mamas podcast where we explore the intersection of pregnancy and fitness! Christina Prevett, a dedicated pelvic floor physical therapist and mother, unpacks her own experiences, shedding light on how motherhood impacts our relationship with exercise. This episode touches on crucial themes such as the influence of social media on pregnant women's fitness decisions and the misconceptions that flood the narrative around safe practices.Through Christina's candid reflections, listeners will find clarity on the importance of listening to one's body as an essential part of navigating workouts during pregnancy. She challenges conventional timelines and offers an empowering perspective that emphasizes personal readiness over strict guidelines. Whether you're an athlete or just looking to maintain your fitness, this episode will equip you with valuable insights tailored to your unique experience.Join the conversation as we break down barriers, debunk myths, and build a community that embraces fitness in all its forms during the beautiful journey of motherhood. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help us reach more women on their motherhood journey!___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Step into a heartfelt conversation about the challenges and victories faced by mothers who strive to maintain their physical health amidst the overwhelming journey of pregnancy and postpartum experiences. In this episode, Christina Prevett, a pelvic floor physical therapist and devoted mom, opens up about her personal experiences with vulnerability in healthcare. We dive deep into the emotional struggles surrounding pregnancy loss, the importance of empathy in obstetrical care, and how sharing personal narratives can create a robust support network for mothers.Christina shares the rollercoaster of her own fertility journey, navigating moments of heart-wrenching loss and the subsequent medical care that made her feel both supported and vulnerable. This episode challenges the clinical detachment often observed in healthcare settings by emphasizing the necessity of nurturing emotional connections between providers and patients. As Christina reflects on her experiences, listeners are invited to consider their own feelings of vulnerability and the need for authentic communication during times of upheaval.By daring to address these sensitive topics openly, we hope to foster a conversation that uplifts and connects moms—reminding them that they're not alone and that sharing their journeys is vital in creating community. Join us as we explore the depths of motherhood, the impact of emotional experiences, and the ways we can support each other through the complexities of life's journeys. Be sure to share this episode, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover this essential conversation!___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Rediscover your gymnastics prowess postpartum with insights from Christina Prevett, a seasoned pelvic floor physical therapist and exercise researcher. Imagine confidently tackling handstands and kipping pull-ups after childbirth, without hesitation or fear. Christina combines her personal journey as a mother of two with her professional expertise to offer practical advice on maintaining and rebuilding core strength. She shares the secret to harnessing the power of your transverse abdominis, shoulders, lats, and grip, challenging the notion that pregnancy should limit your physical capabilities. Through her guidance, active moms are empowered to embrace their fitness journeys and reclaim their gymnastics skills with confidence.Unpack the nuances of postpartum recovery, whether it's a natural delivery or C-section, and understand how factors like torso length can shape your fitness comeback. Christina sheds light on the common hurdles and offers early postpartum exercises like deep breathing and bird dogs to kickstart your recovery. With a rich library of resources available on barbellmamas.com and a dedicated YouTube channel, Christina equips listeners with the tools needed to maximize their gymnastics strength postpartum. Transform this period into an opportunity for unprecedented growth, and look forward to a wealth of knowledge that will be shared in the upcoming discussions.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses the theme of vulnerability in obstetrical care. Drawing parallels between the treatment of older adults in healthcare and the experiences of pregnant individuals, Christina emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in obstetrical settings. She reflects on her own feelings of vulnerability during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, encouraging listeners to consider how their patients feel during these critical times. The episode calls for a reframe in how we approach and support individuals in obstetrical care, highlighting the need for compassion and respect for their experiences. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses the critical topic of falls prevention among older adults. She challenges the current frameworks and statistics surrounding falls, highlighting that one in three older adults experience falls each year, which are responsible for 90% of hip and wrist fractures. Christina emphasizes the importance of reevaluating the narrative around falls prevention and its implications for funding and research. Through her experiences in teaching the Older Adult course, Christina engages with clinicians of varying backgrounds to explore the prevalence of falls and the need for a shift in perspective regarding this pressing issue. Tune in for valuable insights on reframing falls prevention strategies to improve outcomes for older adults. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Ever wondered how pregnancy fatigue and vomiting can challenge the pelvic floor? Tune in to the latest episode of the Barbell Mamas podcast, where we unravel the physical complexities of pregnancy. Christina Prevett, a pelvic floor physical therapist, joins co-host Sheena Berman to explore how the tiredness of pregnancy and frequent vomiting can strain the pelvic floor, leading to symptoms like involuntary urine release. With insights from Dr. Jenny LaCrosse, we dive into anatomical variations and the potential hormonal links that might predispose some individuals to pelvic floor issues. This episode promises to shed light on the intricacies of pregnancy that often go unnoticed.Moving beyond fatigue, we also explore the biomechanical changes that come with pregnancy. As your body adapts to its new passenger, anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis become part of the norm. Christina discusses the critical role of strength training and debunks myths about weakened muscles during pregnancy. Through a candid conversation, we highlight how modifying exercises instead of eliminating them can sustain core strength and manage symptoms like leaking during activities such as running. The emphasis is on understanding your body's evolving needs and fostering resilience through tailored exercise routines.Pelvic floor health doesn't stop at understanding; it requires action. Our episode continues with a focus on pelvic floor exercises and therapy, challenging the anti-Kegel sentiment with evidence-based support for pelvic floor strengthening. We emphasize the importance of coordination, relaxation, and strengthening, offering strategies for modifying activities that trigger symptoms. By maintaining strength and avoiding deconditioning, expectant mothers can enhance their postpartum recovery. Join us in this comprehensive discussion that empowers you to navigate the physical demands of pregnancy with confidence and care.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Discover the transformative journey of cesarean delivery and postpartum recovery with Christina Prevett, a seasoned pelvic floor physical therapist. This episode promises insights into the complexities of C-sections, a topic affecting nearly one-third of births in the U.S. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the reasons behind planned and emergency C-sections, the physiological and emotional impacts on new mothers, and why having a doula's support can be a game-changer during labor. Whether you're preparing for the possibility of a C-section or seeking reassurance after an unexpected one, this discussion offers essential knowledge and emotional guidance.Navigate the C-section process with clarity as we highlight differences between planned, emergent, and emergency scenarios. Christina details what truly happens in the operating room, from anesthesia procedures to managing unexpected labor developments. This episode is packed with practical advice to reduce anxiety and empower expectant mothers and their partners with the knowledge needed for a smoother birth experience. Expect to uncover ethical considerations and choices surrounding planned C-sections, ensuring you're fully informed about your options.Post-operative recovery is crucial, and we cover the essentials of effective rehabilitation after a C-section. Learn how to listen to your body, initiate gentle pelvic floor exercises, and the benefits of early movement. Christina shares tips on techniques like scar massage and strengthening the abdominal wall that pave the way for a strong postpartum recovery. As a special highlight, we introduce our Pregnant Powerlifting program, supporting powerlifting enthusiasts through pregnancy with tailored guidance and community support. Join us as we empower mothers to embrace their journeys with strength and confidence.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Ever wondered how weightlifting and motherhood intersect with evolving pregnancy care guidelines? Christina Previtt takes us on a journey through her own experiences as a national-level weightlifter and a mom, shedding light on the future of pregnancy and postpartum exercise research. Against the backdrop of a turbulent political landscape, Christina shares her optimism for 2025, where evidence-based decisions empower women to confidently navigate their health and fitness during pregnancy. This episode promises insights into the transition from rigid exercise norms to a more dynamic, research-informed approach.Christina emphasizes the necessity for individualized postpartum care, arguing against the one-size-fits-all protocols that often fall short. She highlights the value of creating personalized care plans that take into account factors like delivery method, pre-existing conditions, and social support systems. Collaboration between physical therapists and medical professionals is key, and Christina passionately advocates for this teamwork to enhance symptom management and adapt to tissue healing timelines. By integrating lifestyle factors and fostering open communication, she envisions a respectful and comprehensive continuum of care.The episode also tackles the challenges of navigating women's health in 2025, amidst growing skepticism fueled by social media misinformation. Christina advocates for credible voices on these platforms and encourages critical thinking among consumers. She appreciates the beneficial role of doulas while cautioning against unregulated advice. Drawing inspiration from a fantasy novel, the concept of the "thought cage" becomes a metaphor for choosing which ideas to express openly. Christina underscores the importance of respectful dialogue, setting boundaries against negativity, and preparing for meaningful discussions with a positive outlook on the future.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

In this engaging conversation, Julie Aviles and Annie Glackin explore the unique challenges and insights related to female runners and athletes. They discuss the importance of understanding hormonal health, bone health, and the need for diversified movement in training. The conversation highlights the gaps in female athlete research and the significance of empowering women in fitness, emphasizing that every woman engaging in physical activity is an athlete. They also touch on the upcoming Female Runner Course, aimed at educating healthcare professionals on how to better serve female athletes across their lifespan. In this engaging conversation, Annie Glackin and Julie Aviles explore the multifaceted world of fitness, emphasizing the importance of efficient training for bone health, the balance between enjoyment and necessity in workouts, and the power of simplicity in strength training. They discuss the significance of community in fitness, the journey of returning to running postpartum, and the joy of setting personal goals. The conversation highlights how fitness can foster personal growth and connection, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique journeys and find fun in their fitness pursuits. www.thegoalsetmindset.com Follow Julie: https://www.instagram.com/julieavilesdpt/ Follow Annie: https://www.instagram.com/pace_doctor/ Finish Line Seminars: https://finishlineseminars.com/courses-1 Related Episodes: Ep. 105 "Resistance Training Through Pregnancy w/ Christina Prevett" Ep. 86 "Understanding Menstrual Health & Female Hormones w/ Laura DeCesaris" Shownotes: 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:54 The Female Runner Course 09:54 Understanding Female Athletes 15:06 Hormonal Health and Performance 20:00 Bone Health and Stress Injuries 24:58 Diversifying Movement for Runners 29:45 Empowering Female Athletes 40:02 Efficient Bone Health Training 42:59 Balancing Enjoyment and Necessity in Fitness 44:50 The Power of Simplicity in Training 48:08 Embracing Strength and Community 51:58 The Journey of Returning to Running 57:56 Finding Joy in Fitness and Community 01:03:58 The Impact of Fitness on Personal Growth 01:10:04 Setting Goals and Embracing the Journey

This episode trains listeners on how to safely and effectively run during the winter months while addressing common concerns and practical tips for comfort and safety. With insights on gear, fueling, and navigating postpartum questions, it provides a holistic approach to winter running.• Discusses winter running preparation and importance of layering • Shares practical tips for staying warm and safe • Explains how to fuel properly during winter runs • Addresses postpartum challenges related to running • Discusses incontinence and pelvic floor strength during running • Highlights community safety measures for female runners___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses the rising trend of the anti-Kegel movement within pelvic health. She explores the origins of the anti-Kegel sentiment, referencing a study that compared EMG activation from Kegel exercises to that of other core exercises such as planks and leg lifts. This study led some to believe that whole body exercises could replace Kegels, a notion Christina critically examines. She presents both sides of the argument, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to pelvic health moving forward into 2025. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter!

If we know that exercising has such potent and in many times IMMEDIATE effects on mood, then the question becomes, why aren't ALL of us doing it with no issues? Some of our older adults (and clients of all ages) think of EXERCISE like a cuss word. Yuck. They HATE it. They have a visceral reaction to it. This is known as the AFFECTIVE response of exercise. The “suck” in the middle of a hard workout hits us all differently and even KNOWING that you get to the other side. The suck can make people disengage. So how do we tackle it? Dr. Christina Prevett breaks this down.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett explores the emotional landscape of exercising, specifically focusing on the feelings experienced during workouts. She discusses the common negative reactions older adults may have towards exercise, particularly high-intensity workouts. Christina emphasizes the importance of intensity and effort in therapeutic exercise, noting the discomfort that often accompanies it. She highlights the emotional journey of exercising, which includes a positive mindset before beginning, the struggle during intense exertion, and the rewarding feelings of accomplishment afterward. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

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Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett reflects on the theme of aging and longevity. Christina encourages listeners to adopt a mindset of being "old people in training." She emphasizes the importance of setting ourselves up for success in our 30s and beyond to ensure a vibrant, active life as we age. This episode is a call to action for personal reflection on health and longevity, steering away from restrictive diets or weight loss goals, and instead focusing on holistic well-being. Join Christina for a thoughtful exploration of how we can prepare ourselves for a healthy future and help others do the same. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Unlock the secrets to a smoother postpartum recovery with insights from Christina Prevett, your guide to navigating the complex world of pelvic floor health after childbirth. As both a pelvic floor physical therapist and a fitness enthusiast, Christina shares her expertise on why every mother should prioritize postpartum pelvic floor checks, even if everything seems normal. The episode uncovers the often-overlooked aspects of postpartum care, emphasizing the necessity of consulting specialists to distinguish what's typical from what's not. Despite the hurdles of accessibility and financial constraints in areas like the US, Christina offers guidance on how to manage these challenges and why clear communication is critical for effective recovery.Join the Barbell Mamas podcast as we venture into the multifaceted landscape of postpartum fitness, blending cultural considerations with cutting-edge research. We discuss the influence of conservative medical guidelines in litigious societies and the evolving landscape of exercise recommendations for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The episode also features a lively Q&A session tackling questions about hormonal impacts on pelvic pain, the potential effects of fast labor, and practical tips for postpartum running and gym recovery. Whether you're curious about the use of belly binders or the role of weightlifting belts during pregnancy, Christina provides thoughtful answers to support your journey back to strength and normalcy, all while wishing you a joyous Christmas season.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Constipation can be miserable. It's painful and uncomfortable As geriatric clinicians, we have so much treatment options we can leverage to help our clients out. Open up the conversation about constipation, and then try out some of these ideas Dr. Christina Prevett goes through in today's episode.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett continues her series on constipation in older adults. She discusses the significant increase in constipation rates as people age and emphasizes the importance for physical and occupational therapists to address this issue. Christina highlights the implications for rehabilitation professionals and the need for awareness and proactive discussions regarding gastrointestinal health in older patients. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the holidays, juggling festive joy with personal loss and family chaos? Join me, Christina on the Barbell Mamas podcast as I open up about my own journey through the whirlwind of Christmas with little ones, while navigating the heartache of miscarriage and family grief. Together with my husband, we share how we maintain sanity and health through exercise, even when our schedules are unraveled by holiday events. Discover our strategies for keeping movement a priority, not just for physical fitness but as a crucial anchor for mental well-being during this emotionally charged season.As a physiotherapist and mother, I know firsthand the challenges of balancing indulgence with wellness. In this episode, we'll explore how to redefine exercise not as a mere obligation, but as a stress-relief tool amidst holiday temptations. Plus, I'll extend heartfelt holiday wishes, recognizing both the joy and financial strains of the season. Whether you're feeling festive or frazzled, remember that all emotions are valid. Reach out for support or to discuss pelvic health questions, and let's support each other in creating magic for ourselves and those we love this holiday season.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Can't wait for you to hear this interview!  We discuss why a standing assessment is so critical, the limitations of a supine exam and the PERF, how to 'stack the deck' for our pregnant patients and what we know - and don't know! - about exercise during pregnancy.We talk about the power and limitations of research.  And we dive into Christina's mission to remove as much fear as possible from pregnancy and post-partum.Discover what Christina learned from her own pregnancy, diving into research, and conducting her own.  This will change your mindset on helping your pregnant patients!Dr. Christina PrevettChristina is a pelvic physio, researcher, 'clinician-scientist' and post-doctoral fellow.  Her research focus is high-load weight training during pregnancy and she's passionate about removing the fear from the pregnancy and post-partum journey.  She's the founder of the Barbell Mamas (https://thebarbellmamas.com/), and make sure you're following her amazing content @dr.christina_prevettBusiness Accelerator Program - New Cohort Open Thursday!Registration for the January Cohort of the Accelerator Program opens on Thursday!  If you're a business owner looking to take things to the next level in 2025, make sure to check it out and get on the wait list here: www.pelvicptrising.com/acceleratorSee how business owners increased their revenue, boosted their confidence and reduced the overwhelm of building a business!About UsNicole and Jesse Cozean founded Pelvic PT Rising to provide clinical and business resources to physical therapists to change the way we treat pelvic health.   PelvicSanity Physical Therapy (www.pelvicsanity.com) together in 2016.  It grew quickly into one of the largest cash-based physical therapy practices in the country.Through Pelvic PT Rising, Nicole has created clinical courses (www.pelvicptrising.com/clinical) to help pelvic health providers gain confidence in their skills and provide frameworks to get better patient outcomes.  Together, Jesse and Nicole have helped 600+ pelvic practices start and grow through the Pelvic PT Rising Business Programs (www.pelvicptrising.com/business) to build a practice that works for them! Get in Touch!Learn more at www.pelvicptrising.com, follow Nicole @nicolecozeandpt (www.instagram.com/nicolecozeandpt) or reach out via email (nicole@pelvicsanity.com).Check out our Clinical Courses, Business Resources and learn more about us at Pelvic PT Rising...Let's Continue to Rise!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett opens up about her personal experience with miscarriage and its impact on her understanding of pelvic health practice. She shares insights into how professionals can better support individuals who have faced similar losses, highlighting the often-overlooked aspects of this sensitive topic. Christina emphasizes the importance of empathy and awareness in healthcare, encouraging listeners to reflect on their practices and the support they provide to patients navigating these difficult experiences. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter!

Can traditional pregnancy exercise advice be holding you back? Join me, as we challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to stay fit during pregnancy and motherhood. In our latest episode of the Barbell Mamas podcast, we explore the origins and impact of common phrases like "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" and "Just listen to your body." With a blend of personal experience and professional insight as a pelvic floor physical therapist, we unpack how these sayings, though well-intentioned, might instill unnecessary fear in expectant and new mothers striving to maintain their fitness routines.Our conversation shifts to the reality of exercising while pregnant and postpartum, shining a light on misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of staying active. We explore how many supposed exercise contraindications during pregnancy are not as restrictive as they seem and argue against the widely accepted notion of a mandatory six-week rest period post-birth. By advocating for gradual and individualized exercise plans, we aim to empower mothers to embrace their unique journeys with confidence, underlining the value of professional guidance while acknowledging accessibility challenges.Finally, we celebrate the individuality of postpartum recovery, encouraging more nuanced discussions that move away from one-size-fits-all advice. Our excitement for upcoming research that could reshape current exercise narratives adds a hopeful note to our dialogue. As we conclude, we reflect on the warmth of Thanksgiving and express our anticipation for the holiday season, sharing a bit of snowstorm excitement to bring a festive close to this enlightening episode.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Have you ever wondered how mom influencers can shape our perceptions of health and medicine, even when they lack professional expertise? Join Christina as she unravels the impact of influencer culture on medical misinformation, especially in the sensitive spheres of pregnancy and postpartum care. Through personal reflection and shared vulnerability, Christina highlights her journey and the overwhelming support she received after experiencing loss, reminding us how personal stories can touch lives while cautioning against the dangers of anecdotal evidence when it comes to health advice.As modern healthcare evolves, the rise of unregulated professionals and holistic approaches adds layers of complexity to how we view traditional and alternative medicine. Christina delves into how the strain on the healthcare system and the spread of misinformation through influencer channels can lead to mistrust in conventional medicine. By examining the Dunning-Kruger effect and its influence in online spaces, she emphasizes the importance of evidence-based public health messages, especially during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Christina's insights serve as a critical reminder to maintain a questioning mindset and adhere to scientifically backed health guidance.Researchers and medical professionals face a growing challenge in battling misinformation online, and Christina explores their role in fostering constructive dialogue and engaging with influencers in meaningful ways. By advocating for respectful conversations and acknowledging both the strengths and gaps in current research, she calls for a balanced integration of Eastern and Western medicine practices. With the ever-changing landscape of technology, including AI, Christina encourages listeners to discern trustworthy information amidst the noise and highlights the necessity of a holistic approach in overcoming misleading narratives that fuel fear and confusion.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

After experiencing the heartbreak of miscarriage, I am opening my heart to share my deeply personal journey on the Barbell Mamas podcast. From the initial joy of discovering I was pregnant with our third child to the devastation of a chemical pregnancy and miscarriage, this episode offers an intimate look into the emotional highs and lows that many face but rarely discuss openly. As a pelvic floor physical therapist and a mom, I aim to provide both solace to those who have endured similar losses and insights for clinicians and coaches who support them.The rollercoaster of early pregnancy complications is fraught with uncertainty and emotional upheaval. I recount our struggle with a large subchorionic hematoma and fluctuating HCG levels, which ultimately led to the confirmation of a miscarriage. This journey underlines the critical importance of monitoring, follow-up, and the immense emotional toll such experiences can inflict. The support from healthcare providers and the accessibility of Canadian healthcare became pillars of strength during this difficult time, and I share my gratitude for the compassion and understanding I found in my personal network.In embracing vulnerability, I invite listeners to engage with this heartfelt discussion and reflect on their own experiences. My commitment to being an open book serves as both a form of self-reflection and an educational opportunity for others navigating similar challenges. Whether you're a mom who enjoys exercising, a healthcare professional, or someone who has faced the emotional terrain of miscarriage, this episode aims to remind you that you are not alone, and healing—though gradual—can be nurtured through shared stories and supportive communities.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Join us on the Barbell Mamas podcast as we challenge long-held myths about exercising during pregnancy with a bold statement: Intense workouts are not the enemy. I'm Christina Prevett, your host and guide, here to unpack the realities surrounding physical activity while expecting. Many fear that maintaining a fitness routine could be harmful, but the truth is, there are fewer restrictions than most believe. Excessive heat and activities risking abdominal injury are the primary concerns—not the intensity of the workout itself. We'll explore miscarriage statistics and personal experiences, reassuring you that exercise, when done mindfully, can be part of a healthy pregnancy journey.We'll also discuss the critical role of autonomy in healthcare decisions, recognizing that each individual must honor their unique path, whether that means sticking with a rigorous exercise regime or adjusting to new expectations. As a clinician and researcher, I believe in empowering you to make the best choices for your health without fear of judgment. We'll touch on the current climate in the United States, offering hope and support to our listeners amidst uncertainties. Take a moment with us to prioritize your well-being and prepare to reconnect after a short break.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

If you work in acute care, you are working with catheters. If you are in home health, you may be dealing with the hospital consequences of those catheters. In today's episode, Dr. Christina Prevett talks about catheters. She goes into types, complications and pelvic floor considerations.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett explores the essential aspects of catheter use in geriatric care. She discusses the considerations that clinicians should keep in mind regarding catheter placement, pelvic health implications, and current guidelines surrounding catheterization. Christina also teases an upcoming virtual ICE session that will provide a deeper dive into these topics, emphasizing the importance of understanding catheterization in the context of geriatric pelvic health. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Ever felt the weight of societal expectations to maintain a "fit pregnancy" or achieve a rapid postpartum "bounce back"? You're not alone. Join me, Christina Prevett, as we unravel these pressures and explore the real-life challenges of staying active during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Lean into stories, like that of Shannon Clark, an international strongwoman who defied severe nausea to sustain her workouts. Together, we'll discuss the power of self-compassion and the importance of listening to your body, reassuring you that it's perfectly okay to pause and prioritize self-care when needed.Discover practical strategies for maintaining fitness amidst the whirlwind of motherhood. We'll talk about the magic of "movement snacks"—short, efficient workouts that fit into even the busiest of schedules—and how ingrained exercise habits can serve as anchors during life's chaotic transitions. Whether you're navigating the fatigue of pregnancy or the demands of a newborn, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you find balance and resilience in your unique journey. Tune in, share your own strategies, and become part of a supportive community embracing motherhood with grace and patience.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Strength training can be the game-changer runners didn't know they needed, especially when navigating the unique challenges of pregnancy and postpartum. Join me, Christina Prevett, as I embark on an exploration of how fortifying key muscle groups around the hips and knees can prevent common running injuries like shin splints. Feel the Ontario breeze with me as I share my personal journey through running during the seasonal splendor, emphasizing the importance of integrating strength workouts into your routine for longer, faster, and more injury-free runs.Ever wonder why your legs feel like lead after a good strength session?Let's unpack the impact of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) on running economy and overall performance. While it might seem counterintuitive, strength training supports long-term fitness goals and reduces injury risk. Sharing stories from my own experiences, we discuss the delicate balance between strength and endurance training, reassuring you that not every run needs to be perfect and that finding joy in the journey is just as important as the destination.For those wondering how to weave strength sessions into a busy running schedule, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, we've got you covered. Strategically planned workouts, understanding the interference effect, and acknowledging the body's changing needs are all discussed. Early postpartum rehabilitation, far from being a limitation, is an opportunity to rebuild stronger foundations. Discover practical tips for building effective routines that challenge your muscles, support your endurance goals, and empower you on your fitness journey.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

Today we're going to dive into childbirth empowerment, highlighting the significance of understanding childbirth sensations and the benefits of perineal massage. Christina guides us through the creation of a flexible birth plan, ensuring expectant mothers are informed of various outcomes. This knowledge aims to reduce stress and fear, turning what could be overwhelming experiences into empowering moments. Our conversation underscores the importance of awareness and preparedness in childbirth, advocating for a journey that prioritizes well-being and informed decision-making.As we navigate the complexities of postpartum life, we tackle the challenges of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship and societal pressures. Christina candidly shares her personal experiences, shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness and self-compassion during this transition. We conclude with a heartfelt discussion on the importance of seeking support and fostering a community that champions mental health and fitness for mothers. Join us in celebrating motherhood as a journey of strength, resilience, and shared experiences.___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

We all get firmer in our beliefs with more experience but it's important to keep an open mind, continue to learn, shape and evolve your practice. In today's episode, Dr. Christina Prevett dives into the 5 things she's changed her mind on in geriatric practice. 

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE Pelvic division leader Christina Prevett delves into the fascinating journey of exploring male pelvic health as a female provider. She shares her personal experiences and how her initial reluctance to engage in pelvic health transformed into a deep passion, leading her to teach and conduct research in the field. Christina discusses key considerations for female providers contemplating a venture into male pelvic health, highlighting the importance of openness and adaptability in their careers. This episode encourages listeners to consider the expanding horizons of pelvic health and to embrace opportunities they may not have expected. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses the efficacy of rehab in hernia prevention, management, and post-surgical care. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab.

Should pregnant women lift weights? If so, how can they do it safely? How soon after delivery can they start training again? Can strength training improve postpartum recovery? Dr. Christina Prevett PT, PhD, is the founder of Barbell Mamas and has spent years studying how strength training can benefit pregnant women. Her work challenges many common misconceptions about exercise during and after pregnancy, and she provides evidence-based recommendations for how to use strength training to stay healthier during pregnancy and recover faster after delivery. In this interview, you'll learn . . . Common misconceptions about weightlifting during pregnancy and how to address them Recommended modifications for pregnant women who want to keep training How resistance training during pregnancy can impact labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery Strategies for coaches who are training pregnant athletes When and how women can safely return to heavy lifting after giving birth So, if you want to understand the science behind prenatal strength training and learn how to safely maintain your fitness during pregnancy, click play and join the conversation. --- Timestamps: (05:56) Common misconceptions about high-intensity training during pregnancy (09:06) Benefits of weightlifting during pregnancy (17:30) Postpartum advantages of high-intensity training (20:33) How exercise during pregnancy can ease the postpartum period (22:39) Programming considerations for women during pregnancy (30:53) Setting the right intensity levels for pregnant women (33:44) Effective pelvic floor exercises for pregnancy (39:49) Is there a stigma surrounding pelvic floor strengthening exercises? (41:35) Activities to avoid during pregnancy (44:42) How to safely do cardio during pregnancy --- Mentioned on the Show: The Shredded Chef  Whey+  Legion Diet Quiz The Barbell Mamas  Christina's Instagram

In geri, we get into TOUGH situations. We get medical complexities and communication breakdowns, burnt out clinicians and tough administrations. But for all that difficulty, what we also see is HOPE Bright lights Incredible teams and changing practice. We are leading the charge over here but it's not because of us … it's because of you! Dr. Christina Prevett talks about her reflections on our care in geriatrics after an incredible MMOA Summit this weekend.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses reframing the conversation around post-operative guidelines for physical therapy treatment. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHello everyone and welcome to the PT on Ice daily show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our lead faculty in our geriatric division. I'm coming to you from the University of Ottawa, so if there's a little bit of background noise, that is exactly why. But today, what I wanted to talk to you about, and the reason why I'm on here a little bit early is because I feel like this is gonna take me a little bit of time to get through, is to start reconceptualizing our post-operative guidelines when we're thinking about not just musculoskeletal injury, but many of our post-operative protocols when we're thinking about early healing and early recovery. in the post-operative window. And so I just posted a reel on our ICE Instagram account that's talking about hip precautions and how we have research going back from as like synthesis of research systematic reviews of research going back as far as 2015 to show that these precautions that were intended to reduce risk of early hip dislocation actually don't do that and what they actually do is they exacerbate post-operative deconditioning and they increase fear of movement. And we see this all the time in clinical practice, right? Individuals go for surgery. They're given these restrictions. These restrictions are not evidence informed. They're never discharged. And what it does is it causes people to disengage with activities of daily living, with sports, with activities that they enjoy. They become more sedentary. And then downstream, we see that the amount of postoperative deconditioning is greater and their capacity to engage back into the things that they enjoy before surgery is less. You know, I've had clients that have said to me, I'm so much worse. Like, my pain is better, but I feel worse than when I went in for surgery. Like, why did I even get this done if I could have dealt with this surgery? And so over the last couple of months, I have really been thinking and noodling on this. I did a podcast on the pelvic section on our Mondays around how our pelvic restrictive guidelines around lifting are not evidence informed at all either. And that when we remove those guidelines, and we have now multiple RCTs that have said, you know, other than don't have penetrative intercourse for six weeks, when we say here are your buoys, and here's how you can progress based on how you feel. not only do you not see an increased risk of postoperative complications in those individuals with liberal restrictions, but they actually have a reduced pelvic floor burden in that postoperative window. And so that early recovery is actually enhanced. And so we have to kind of understand where some of these guidelines come from and how are we as a profession in allied health going to start pushing the narrative and where is our role in that because I think we have a really massive role. So the first thing that needs to be acknowledged that is really front of center when it comes to post-operative guidelines is that when we do research and we take surgeons and we have done cross-sectional surveys, not we other researchers, and asked, you know, where did these lifting restrictions come from? Like, where is your evidence? Or do you believe that your restrictions are evidence-informed? In our pelvic literature, we saw that 75% of urogyne surgeons recognized that the reason for their restrictions is because this is what they have always done. And only 23% of the surgeons surveyed believed that the restrictions that they were giving were evidence-informed. Now that is a massive problem, right? We so often in medicine come through the lens of let's avoid bad outcomes that we don't acknowledge that the lack of doing something by restricting a person's movement can actually lead to adverse outcomes down the road, right? Because yes, they're not saying we did X activity and caused X outcome, but the removal of activity, now what we know in all of our accumulated literature on the effect of deconditioning on trajectory of aging, clinical geriatric syndromes, and post-operative deconditioning that can lead to changes in independence, that deconditioning also needs to be acknowledged in our algorithm of what we are thinking when it comes to our post-operative guidelines. And so what we are acknowledging first is that one, we have evidence that does not support restrictive guidelines in many different examples, right, our arthritis literature, not sitting in bed post cardiac surgery, our lifting restrictions post pelvic surgery, we now have a variety of different areas across different organ systems, musculoskeletal surgery, cardiovascular surgery, urogyne surgeries where we are acknowledging that our restrictions are overly restrictive and that that restriction does not create better outcomes. The step forward that I want to make is that not only are they not leading to better outcomes, but that subsequent deconditioning by overly restricting a person is an adverse outcome in itself in the opposite direction. And what this is highlighting is that we have a big knowledge translation gap problem. We acknowledge in many areas of medicine that this exists, but this is front of center for our allied health clinicians around what we are allowing in our practice or what we are acknowledging in our practice. And so you're gonna say Christina, okay, where are these restrictions coming from and why as a clinician am I hesitant to push back on these guidelines despite the fact that I know that these are not evidence-informed, right? So because there's a hesitancy on the side of the clinician and We want to acknowledge those. Those are the elephants in the room, right? So the first thing is around the fear of an adverse outcome, right? When we don't do anything, we don't have that same feeling of responsibility if something was to go wrong, right? Because I didn't push them. So it wasn't me that caused that adverse outcome, right? And we can't always avoid adverse outcomes, but what we do a lot at MMOA is we try and flip the script of, you know, we think about the harm of loading people, but what's the harm if we don't load them? And that's a slower churn, a slower burn, but it's important to acknowledge that that's relevant too, right? So that fear. But the fear also comes from going against the surgeon and liability and referrals. And so I want to acknowledge that piece and I want to acknowledge it on a couple of different stances. Number one is that our messaging is never to, you know, speak negatively to the surgeon and speak about the person. We speak about the concept. And so the way that if I'm trying to remove restrictions that have been placed on somebody or deviate from a protocol, which I tend to do a lot, when the surgeon has outlined this, I will say where your surgeon was looking at was this is their scope. They're looking for lumps, bumps, infection, early complications. Where my lens is here. based on their assessment of you two weeks ago, they may have felt X from where I am assessing you today. Here's where I think our steps are going forward. So it is not bashing the surgeon. It is not going against the surgeon. It is using my scope as a doctorate level clinician to be able to make further recommendations going forward. And as a newbie clinician, the thought of going against the protocol set out by the surgeon used to terrify me, right? I'm a rule follower and our medical system has placed medicine at the top, which, you know, they have the brunt of the liability. I understand where that is coming from. But as I get into my research degree or when I get into my research career and I acknowledge the level of the evidence when I see the outcomes that are so much better when I ditch these protocols and load people more aggressively earlier and I recognize that a surgeon has never never actually rehabbed a person after their surgeries, it changes my mind, right? I would never go up to the surgeon and say, you know, you are going to go with that anterolateral approach for that hip replacement. I really think you should take a posterior approach. It would be better. Because that's not my scope of practice, right? That's not what I do. That is not where my skill set is. So why are we so shackled by a surgeon telling us what our job is, who has never, never rehabbed a person after their surgery, has not actually seen them for more than 15 minutes in an appointment after their surgery. And so I I would never take continuing education from a PT who has never treated the condition that they are teaching about, right? Like you would never go to see me and teach in geriatrics if I have never rehabbed a person who is over the age of 65. So why is our system created in a way where we are taking rehab advice from someone who has never done rehab, whose medical degree does not actually have an exercise prescription component in a lot of cases. And so that acknowledgement has really shifted my perspective on this is maybe foundational work that they are giving and they are catering also to the lowest common denominator, right? Like when I am working with a person and they are trying to give a blanket statement guideline that has exercises on it, they have to cater to the person with the most amount of deconditioning in order to believe that this protocol is safe for everyone. And we acknowledge as clinicians that that blanket statement never ever works, including blanket protocols, because our people come in with a variety of different chronic diseases, comorbidities, positions, supports, biopsychosocial considerations, motivations and drives, and musculoskeletal reserve around that postoperative joint. And so what we have to acknowledge is the flaws in the system, but I'm not saying that as a bad thing, I'm saying that as this is where I come in. High five me in, this is my job, and I need to advocate for my profession in making an opinion on this, right? And this is where we need to lock shields with medicine and surgery, not blast each other with swords and acknowledge where our scope is and where their scope is. The final thing is around liability, right? And I think the post-operative guidelines around joint replacement are a really good example of where the liability, we have to be acknowledging liability, but we also want to make sure that we are thinking on the other side of the equation, where when we are working with individuals post-operatively, we are worried about post-operative dislocations. And what we see is that those with low musculoskeletal reserve going into surgery and have a fall in the early postoperative window are the ones who are more likely to dislocate or those that have a size fit issue or get a deep infection in the early postoperative window. So what we are doing by deconditioning is we are impacting one of those risk factors in a positive way. If we are creating more deconditioning, if we are lacking reserve around that joint and we are not supervising them, potentially in the early post-operative window, that is where we can have liability on creating an adverse outcome. But we don't have any evidence around pushing individuals too far from an exercise perspective early on, creating adverse outcomes. Now, if that was to change, sure, we're gonna change our strategy, but we want to really be thinking about this from a clinical and critical lens, because it's really important that we acknowledge these things. So, What do I think we actually need to think about with our post-operative guidelines? Or what do I think we are missing with our post-operative guidelines? I feel like we are missing our confounding variables that are going to dictate how quickly we're going to be able to progress individuals. So what do I mean by that? We acknowledge as clinicians, because we do this all the time in our assessments, that there is going to be different things in a person's background that is going to allow us to be more aggressive in rehab or is going to cause us to take a slower approach. Those are not acknowledged in our postoperative guidelines right now. So what are some of those things? One is our level of frailty, burden of clinical geriatric syndromes or complex comorbidities. Secondary is musculoskeletal reserve going into surgery or the amount of deconditioning we are able to stave off with early postoperative mobility. And so what we are acknowledging or what we want to acknowledge is that some individuals, we obviously have that early protective phase around a graft. I'm not saying that we're just going to blast that out of the water, but we know that after two weeks, most of our collagen synthesis is there and now it's remodeling in order to get stronger. And that remodeling requires load. But then we create a brace around an individual for six weeks where we're actually not creating a lot of loading through that joint or we're not actually having pulsing forces from our muscles that are acting and contracting to start creating tensile forces in order for our collagen fibers that are coming down or our healing fibers that are needing that load in order to get stronger. And there's a huge amount of variability in our in vivo studies around the strength of collagen resynthesis and that range is probably related to musculoskeletal reserve. And so, one, we need to acknowledge that yes, we have that early protective phase, but their amount of reserve going into their surgery is going to be a predictive factor of how aggressive we can potentially be post-operatively. Their complexities with respect to comorbidity are going to incur a higher or lower inflammatory load that is going to dictate how fast we're gonna be able to progress exercises, right? When we really step back from all of our comorbidities, a lot of them are related to inflammatory cascades, depending on the organ system that is impacted by the disease. And so when we have individuals with a high comorbidity burden, they are gonna have a higher inflammatory load, and that higher inflammatory load is going to impact how fast we're gonna be able to get individuals working, but on the flip side of that, exercise is anti-inflammatory. but it's going to slow down our progressions. So all of this to say is that one, we need to be confident in our assessment skills that includes early postoperative management. We need to acknowledge that our role is one of critical thinking that allows us to take information medically from the surgeon and some of their early protective phase issues, and then be able to progress them as we see fit, because we're the ones who are seeing individuals that are progressing and we are responsible as well for their wellbeing and their capacity to return to activities of daily living. And that baseline musculoskeletal reserve going into surgery is going to be a big confounding variable or a big protective variable in order to think about their postoperative reserve. And so where I see our postoperative guidelines hopefully going in the next several years is one, blanket statements are gonna go out the window, right? We are going to remove these lifting restrictions. We are gonna give individuals buoys, okay? We're gonna say, hey, you just had surgery on X joint. This is what I want you to think about. I want you to be thinking about gradually returning to movement within your comfort zone, and I want you to look for X, Y, Z. And if you are experiencing X, Y, Z, that is your body telling you that you've probably pushed it a little bit too far today, okay? You're not hurt. sore is safe, but it's your body telling you that you just had surgery and we need to stay within these buoys and those buoys are going to change. And as you get further from surgery, you're going to be able to experience more and more of life and you're going to be able to come back to more and more things and that is going to be okay. And we're going to be able to guide you along that process. In rehab, what we tend to do is think about things very linearly, where we say, okay, we're going to do range of motion passively, range of motion actively, maybe in combination with some isometrics, and then we're going to load through range. I think that's a huge mistake. And you guys can give me your thoughts on this. I feel like, you know, Ice talks a lot about and not or, that we need to be strengthening through the range that individuals have in that moment. And then as they gain more range, we're gonna continue giving them strength in the upper ranges that they are now gaining, right? I think waiting to exercise through range or strengthen through range actually deconditions the joint more, and it ends up being a huge issue. We see this all the time in rotator cuff post-op management, right? There's a protective phase that now, thankfully, a lot of the surgeons in my area are not prescribing to, thankfully. And then we go range of motion first, and then we go strengthening through range, and then getting that strength in those upper ranges, especially over 90 degrees, is a bear in rehab. And where I have seen a shift in my practice, and I've seen better outcomes anecdotally from it, is that I am strengthening through range and with weight bearing earlier, and they're gaining their strength back a lot faster. And so I think this and not or approach to orthopedic post-operative rehab is going to be important. Now, I acknowledge that I'm in an outpatient setting and I'm going to be seeing people who probably have a little bit more musculoskeletal reserve going into surgery than others who are in skilled nursing facilities, et cetera. But that means that your deconditioning effect is going to be that much more detrimental, right? When I have a person who doesn't have a lot of reserve going into surgery and then I see that dip postoperatively, that is going to be very, very impactful for them versus my person who has more reserve going in. And so it makes me not change my stance, but actually be more diligent about my loading principles in that early postoperative period because that deconditioned individual cannot handle more deconditioning. And we see this all the time, right? It's why our hip fracture research is so poor. You know, we have those statistics that if you break your hip and you need a, or if that your 50%, 50% of people who have that surgery end up in a nursing home or don't end up making it over a year or whatever that may be. And that's likely because they have a period of deconditioning on a deconditioned person that creates a lack of reserve around that joint. And then they aren't able to come back from it. So our role in rehab becomes even more urgent where we need to prevent that from happening, right? We, we can't wait. on a lot of those things. Obviously weight-bearing status is going to be one of the things we have to be mindful of, but being able to strengthen a joint around non-weight-bearing status in order to try and reserve as much capacity around the hip and pelvic musculature as we can is going to be really, really important. So I hope all of that made sense, right? We have this gap and I want us to have so much strength in our convictions around how important it is for us to push back against these guidelines. Yes, it's scary, right? We don't like pushing back against medicine because sometimes I think we are not as confident as we should be in our doctoral level education and our evidence is on our side. And so we don't have to be jerks about it, but we have to acknowledge that our outcomes could be so much better. And I want to let you center in on the fact that you are the expert here. The surgeon is the expert in the actual surgery. You are the expert in managing them after. That handoff should be seamless. And it is important for us to advocate. And until we advocate and have respectful conversations that, yes, are scary, yes, your heart rate is going to be up, yes, you're going to feel like you have that adrenaline going through your system, but have the evidence in your back pocket Acknowledge your scope of practice and your skill set and make sure you are there to best serve your older adults. All right, that is my rant for today. If you were trying to see us live in person over the summer, Julie is in Virginia Beach, July 13th, 14th, so this upcoming weekend. Jeff Musgrave is up in Victor, New York, July 20th and 21st. And the entire crew is up for MMA Summit in Littleton, Colorado, July 27th and 28th. So if you were looking to see us on the road in the month of July, you have a couple of opportunities. If you're hoping to get into our online courses, our next MMOA level one starts August 14th. We are just finishing up our last cohort and we have a bit of a break for the summer. And then our advanced concepts level two course is starting October 17th. So I hope you all, I want to know your thoughts around this. Am I going crazy? Am I on the same boat or same page as you all? And what can we do collectively to make this a little bit better? All right, have a wonderful week everyone and we will talk to you all soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHey everybody, Alan here. Currently I have the pleasure of serving as their Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we jump into today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, let's give a shout out to our sponsor Jane, a clinic management software and EMR. Whether you're just starting to do your research or you've been contemplating switching your software for a while now, the Jane team understands that this process can feel intimidating. That's why their goal is to provide you with the onboarding resources you need to make your switch as smooth as possible. Jane offers personalized calls to set up your account, a free date import, and a variety of online resources to get you up and running quickly once you switch. And if you need a helping hand along the way, you'll have access to unlimited phone, email, and chat support included in your Jane subscription. If you're interested in learning more, you want to book a one-on-one demo, you can head on over to jane.app.com. And if you decide to make the switch, don't forget to use the code icePT1MO at signup to receive a one-month free grace period on your new Jane account. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everybody and welcome to the PT on ICE Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our lead faculty within our pelvic health division. Sorry for coming on here a little bit early. We are in the throes of young kids finishing school and trying to work around new schedules. So apologies for being a little bit early. But today what I wanted to talk to you all about was what do we really know about resistance training in pregnancy. And as many of you who have kind of followed the podcast in the past know, I'm a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Alberta looking specifically at resistance training in pregnancy, which means that a big part of my job in my postdoctoral fellowship is to be very aware of the state of the literature and then where my role is as a person trying to build a program of research to be able to add to the existing body of literature. And I'm going to start this episode talking a little bit about my story getting into this because I think that it's relevant. So my PhD research was in high load resistance training in a geriatric population. I love my older adults. You know that I'm part of the older adult division. And I had two children while I was going through my doctoral studies. I was going part time. And then I was also a national level weightlifter before I got pregnant with my daughter. So I was doing a lot of heavy resistance training during my pregnancy. And I had a committee meeting during my pregnancy talking about, you know, obviously that I was going to go off on that leave, et cetera. And one of my committee members, whose name is Stu Phillips, many of you know him from the protein metabolism and resistance training literature. He said, you know, Christina, if you think that there isn't any research in loading the older adult appropriately, wolf when it comes to what we know in pregnancy. And I thought that was super fascinating and of course being the nerdy researcher that I am, I looked into the research and I recognized that he was right. And So I kind of want to talk today about what we truly do know, what the state of the literature is, a little bit about me trying to change that, I'm going to talk a little bit about some of my research studies, and then where we can go going forward. So we know in a general population that resistance training is one of the best things that we can do for our overall health. I don't tend to try and put people into specific buckets that you have to exercise in a specific way because the best exercise is the one that you do. But in terms of longevity and maintaining independence into older age, supporting whatever exercise you like to do with resistance training is definitely a recommendation that I'm gonna make with a lot of passion. Whether you choose to prescribe to that exercise program or not, Resistance training is one of these exercise modalities that is going to allow us to have independence. It's going to stave off a lot of chronic disease and musculoskeletal injury. And we know that, you know, the best exercise program is the one that we start as early in our life as possible and go into older adulthood. I'm going to try and put on as much muscle mass as I can before the age of 40 and then hold onto it for dear life into hopefully 100. And so we have a lot of really positive evidence for resistance training in a general, like reproductive age population, but then also into older adulthood. We've talked a lot about it in the Jerry segment. But when we don't have evidence, right, around exercise, or we don't have any evidence in any type of intervention in pregnancy, we freeze, right? And I say this all the time. If we don't know, the answer is no. and when we aren't sure we freeze, which is where bed rest and pelvic rest recommendations have come in when complications can creep up in pregnancy because we don't really know what we can do, right? We're not really sure what we can do. So we want to give a recommendation that we're doing something. And so we pull people back from activities of daily living, sport, exercise and we say like, let's not do anything because you know, there's this complication happening. And where evidence is starting to show now is that many of our complications have pro-inflammatory cascades and therefore exercise might be a really important mitigating factor or modifiable influence on a person's experience of complications during pregnancy. But the baseline is that if we don't know that the answer is no. And so that knee jerk reaction has trickled into a lot of our recommendations around exercise in pregnancy and specifically around resistance training. So when we look at public perception of resistance training or exercise in pregnancy in general, it's really interesting because aerobic training is generally seen as more positive as something that you're doing to benefit the health of mom and baby. But there's a lot of fear-focused messages that are put into the resistance training space. And gosh, we've seen this all the time, right? Like we see when a person lifts a heavy deadlift and they're pregnant, like go into the comment sections and you just are gonna heave because you see everybody telling you that your baby's gonna die and that you're being reckless and all this type of thing. And so if we're going to combat these messages, and we know that the perception is generally more negative because of a lot of fear and thoughts of danger around resistance training and pregnancy, we have to one, know where the state of the research is. And then two, we have to build levels of evidence that are going to gradually gain us more confidence and being able to remove some of those fears around resistance training. I've done podcast episodes before where I talk about risk tolerance of providers to allow individuals to flex their own decision making during pregnancy and how in low to moderate intensity exercise, we tend to feel very good in that risk tolerance zone, but where we get a little squeamish is in these higher intensity zones. Part of the reason for that is the state of the literature currently. So right now I can't speak specifically to my results because I haven't published this yet, but I am working on a systematic review on resistance training during pregnancy. And we have pulled about 50 studies on resistance training during pregnancy, which sounds like a lot, which it is. And it's been a lot of work to get the systematic review under control. But what we have noticed and what I have seen over and over and over again is a couple of things about the resistance training literature. Number one is that we have very few studies that look at resistance training in isolation. And you may not think that's necessarily a bad thing, because a lot of people are exercising in multiple modalities. Think about functional fitness, they're doing aerobic training and resistance training. But when we know that there's a lot of incurred benefit of aerobic training, especially when it's dosed appropriately, there's an interference effect that we see in the literature. So what I mean by that is that we know that there is benefits of aerobic training on rates of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. We know that individuals who respond and continue to do aerobic training have less rates of gestational diabetes. We know all of these things already. So when we put in a known benefit and then kind of add in resistance training, we can't say with confidence that resistance training reduces our risk of gestational diabetes because we know that aerobic training does and aerobic training is in that multi-component program. So it's a big issue right now that we don't have a ton of research that's on resistance training in isolation, because then we can't isolate and say resistance training benefits X, Y, Z outcome, and aerobic training, there may be overlap, and they also do X, Y, and A, B, C, but without studies done in isolation, interventional studies done in isolation, we can't really say that this is incurring some sort of benefit. The second thing about our current state of the literature is that the resistance training research is unbelievably underdosed. So I'm gonna make a comparison for you. So the evidence that we have right now around resistance training in those with congestive heart failure in their 70s and 80s is higher dosed than a lot of the resistance training literature in pregnancy. Let me say that again. A lot of our dosing for resistance training is higher in our older adults with frailty, multi-morbidity, and complexity than it is for our uncomplicated pregnancies. When I am looking at that research, that makes me sad, and it just shows how much we need to do. When there is a randomized control trial that comes out in 2024, and the aerobic dosing is 70 to 80% of heart rate reserve, which is a great intensity for the aerobic training, and the resistance training part of the exercise program is using a yellow Theraband, I see red and I start to rage. And so the dosing here is unbelievably poor, especially for somebody, right, who we are not thinking has low musculoskeletal reserve going into their pregnancy, right? In general, individuals are not having trouble with activities of daily living as soon as they find out they're pregnant. And so we are going in almost with this assumption that individuals who are pregnant cannot have higher loading on their skeleton. And we're worried about strain, but a strain is not happening on the body with a yellow TheraBand for a person who's of reproductive age who is pregnant. Like that is not an appropriate dose. And so it's concerning that there is not an appropriate dosage for our resistance training interventions, especially when it is dosed appropriately. the aerobic side. So this brings me to our next problem. is if resistance training isn't dosed appropriately, if I am getting an individual who is pregnant with no complications to do a 16-week exercise program where the max amount that they are allowed to lift is two kilos or 4.4 pounds, and I wish I was lying about that prescription, can I realistically, as a provider and as a researcher in that space, say resistance training was the part of that exercise program that incurred the positive benefit? Right, going back to my first point about how when we have multi-component programs and there's a known benefit for aerobic training, it's hard to see the additive effect of resistance training. In combination with the fact that the resistance training prescription is not sufficient, what I would deem sufficient, to drive musculoskeletal adaptation or maintenance to prevent deconditioning in a pregnant individual. That creates a problem. It creates a problem and it creates all the downstream issues that we're seeing where pregnant individuals are restricted, right? Like when our max is a yellow fare ban on a 2024 randomized control trial, that don't lift more than 20, don't lift more than 30 pounds. that's gonna hold, you know, that's not gonna get better because we don't have any evidence to back us up, right? And so this is like a call to action around how we need to change some of our thought processes around the way that we are prescribing exercise for pregnant individuals, but we also need to push back on academia and be like, hey, like, this is not okay for this to be the state of our literature because I hate that I have to say this and my postdoctoral supervisor and I were having this conversation. Do we even have enough evidence in resistance training in pregnancy to truly be able to include it in our guidelines? And the answer is we don't. Not really. We're extrapolating from our general population literature and we're saying, well, based on some of the preliminary literature we have right now, light toning exercises seem to be okay. Literally the term in a big conglomerate of our RCTs was saying that they did aerobic training and light toning for our resistance training interventions. That drives me. It drives me with just unbelievable amounts of passion about why it is so important for this clinician science bridge to happen. It is why I will not step away from literature and doing research because we just need to demand so much better. And so what does that mean going forward? we need more research in this area. And so that is where my postdoctoral work has really taken off. So when we are thinking about our literature base, when the state of the literature is a two pound dumbbell, and I'm saying, I want to do an RCT where women are deadlifting over a hundred pounds, you can imagine that that amount of gap can create issues with an IRB board or an ethics board saying, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We don't want to put mom and baby at risk. here's what we need to do. And so because of that, we need to build layers of evidence. So if you guys remember from your schooling, right, we have our levels of evidence from level five, which kind of our clinical commentaries, our professionals who are doing this in practice, that when the evidence isn't there to back us up, and then we go retrospective, prospective, RCT, and then systematic reviews and meta-analyses are kind of at the top of this evidence pyramid. And so when we are trying to build an area that does not have a ton of research to back us up, we need to start building levels of evidence. And that's what I'm trying to do. And so this started with our cross-sectional survey. You've heard us talk about this on our podcast, this podcast in the past, where the first thing that we have to do is show that there are individuals who are heavy lifting during their pregnancy. And so the cross-sectional survey that was published last year was the first step in that process. say, hey, look, we put out a survey for a couple of weeks online. We got almost 700 women who had lifted heavy during their pregnancies to tell us about their experiences. Great. Look, there's this need. They are very confused about what they're allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do. Like they're getting advice, like don't lift more than 20 pounds. Two, if you were doing it before, you can continue doing it now. Just don't strain your body. And even the strain on the body is a little bit question marks because, you know, there's so much that goes into it, et cetera. Right? It creates a situation where we recognize that there is a need because there is an absence of literature and there are people who need the answers to that. The next part is that we're going to start doing retrospective data taking and so right now I have two research studies that are open for enrollment and I am going to beg all the clinicians who are listening to this if you have a person who fits these bills if you could please please please send them our studies because I hope that the first part of this podcast tells you that there is just so much we need to do. There is so much that we need to do in this area, and I need your help in order to do it. So our retrospective study is taking individuals who have given birth within the last year and tracked their exercise through a training app. So if that was Wattify, if that was an Excel spreadsheet, if that was, you know, pen and paper, whatever it may be. If you tracked your exercise during pregnancy, specifically your resistance training, and you gave birth in the last year, we want you in our research study. So what we're going to do is we're going to ask you a whole bunch of questions about your pregnancy, your labor and delivery, how you felt about it, all those types of things, and then we're going to ask you to upload your training logs. And so what we're gonna try and do is descriptively see how did people modify? Are there any issues with resistance training that are popping up as patterns that clinicians or providers or obstetricians need to be aware of? And then how can we use that information to start help counseling individuals on strength training during pregnancy? And so that's a retrospective study. We also have a prospective study that is open for analysis. This is gonna take me about three and a half years to get out, but that is okay. So we are taking individuals who are less than 20 weeks pregnant, so in that first trimester, first half of their pregnancy, and we are following them forward over time. So every trimester, we are asking individuals questions about exercise during pregnancy, and we are asking you to upload your training logs. And so what that's going to do is it's going to build on our level of evidence, right? So now we have cross-sectional snapshots in time. There are recall biases that happen with that. We have our retrospective study that because we were using the training log, that recall bias is worked around because we have evidence of what they did over time. And then the prospective study, we are getting their thoughts in real time going forward. And so now we've gone from a level five of evidence and we're going to be pushing up to level With that evidence, my next goal is something interventional. Right now, we're going to have this building of evidence that we're seeing that is going to allow me to apply for funding for a randomized control trial that looks at different dosing schemas for individuals who are deciding that they want a resistance train during their pregnancy. SUMMARY And so if you have any individuals or if you are listening and you are in one of these two camps, I would love for you to join our army to try and build the level of evidence on resistance training in pregnancy. It is so necessary. It is so needed. And we are going to be leading the way in our pelvic division. We are very actively involved in research. Obviously, I'm a postdoctoral research fellow, so I'm there in the weeds of it, but also our other faculty are involved in the trenches as well. And it's just so, so, so important that we do this the right way and that we gradually build a level of evidence. And I am not okay with where we are right now. We need to do better. I will be part of the trying to make this better. And I'm recruiting you all to my cause to try and help me out. So I will post these research links in the captions, or you can head over to my Instagram at drchristina underscore private, and you can hopefully sign up for some of our studies. All right, if you are wanting to hear me get all fired up about other stuff or you wanna hear some of our faculty on the road, we have two courses in July that are still open for participation if individuals wanna sign up. I am in Cincinnati, Ohio. That is a smaller course. So if you are interested, July 2021, I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio. If you are interested and you are closer to Wyoming, we have a course July 27th, 28th in Wyoming. If you cannot get on the road because of kiddos like me who is coming early because kiddos are home for the summer, we have our next online cohort starting July 6th. So we are past 90% sold out for that course. So if you are looking to get in, please don't wait because there may not be the opportunity and then you'll have to wait until the fall. All right, that's all I got. 19 minutes. I'm sorry, I just get so passionate talking about resistance training in pregnancy. I hope you all have a wonderful week, and we'll talk to you all soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett as she discusses experiencing loss, processing grief, and its impact on being a geriatric clinician. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHey everyone, Alan here, Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get into today's episode, I'd like to introduce our sponsor, Jane, a clinic management software and EMR with a human touch. Whether you're switching your software or going paperless for the first time ever, the Jane team knows that the onboarding process can feel a little overwhelming. That's why with Jane, you don't just get software, you get a whole team. Including in every Jane subscription is their new award-winning customer support available by phone, email, or chat whenever you need it, even on Saturdays. You can also book a free account setup consultation to review your account and ensure that you feel confident about going live with your switch. And if you'd like some extra advice along the way, you can tap into a lovely community of practitioners, clinic owners, and front desk staff through Jane's community Facebook group. If you're interested in making the switch to Jane, head on over to jane.app.switch to book a one-on-one demo with a member of Jane's support team. Don't forget to mention code IcePT1MO at the time of sign up for a one month free grace period on your new Jane account. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everyone and welcome to the PT on ICE Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty within our geriatric division and today I want to talk a little bit about grief. This is kind of a personal conversation, but it's also one that I think is really important when we are working with older adults. So personally, I've kind of been speaking a little bit on my social media. I lost somebody very close to me very recently. So I lost my godmother. She was my aunt. She was in my top 10 list of favorite people and she was somebody who had battled cancer a long time ago. They found out a couple of weeks ago that she had a metastasis in her brain and her first radiation she didn't do very well and she passed away like very very suddenly. And to say that this rocked me, like, I don't know if I'm going to keep it together on this podcast. I'm going to try. But to say that this rocked me was like an understatement of the world. And it was devastating. I'm still not OK. And it made me think a lot about grief. So I am 34 years old. And over the last two and a half years, I have lost three people that are really close to me. I lost an uncle that was my dad's best friend, my aunt who was my mom's best friend, which means that they were around us all the time, and I lost my grandmother who I was really close to. And as I was reflecting on this most recent loss, which my aunt was probably the closest person that I have ever lost, I reflected a lot on the process of grief and I thought a lot about how my older adults must feel. And so it reminded me of a conversation that I had with my grandmother. So my grandmother passed away just shy, a month shy of her 98th birthday. She lived a very long life. Her husband was alive until he was 93. And she was just this incredible role model of successful aging. somebody who was able to keep cognitive capacities, physical capacities in the realm of what she wanted for a very long time. And I was having a heart-to-heart with her one time, and I'm sure many of you have had similar conversations with loved ones that have lived a long life. And I said, you know, Grandma, I want to be like you and live to 100, because at that time I was certain she was going to be a centurion. And she turned to me and she said, you don't really want to live to 100. And I asked her why, and she's like, because everybody around you is dead. And to be somebody at, I'm 34 years old, to have had this feeling of accumulated loss, I'm only starting to potentially scratch the surface of what she could possibly mean and what all of our or so many of our older adults may be experiencing in their life. And so while I feel the acute sting of losing somebody really close to me, what I'm also like really recognizing is that there's also a accumulation effect that weighs heavily on my heart around having multiple people that I've been really close to that have passed away. And if I am feeling that at 34, I can only imagine how many of my older adults are feeling when it comes to, you know, they've lost parents, all parents, both parents, their in-laws' parents. They may have lost siblings or, God forbid, kids. Like there's friends and family, like you know, there's jokes around how our older adults are one of their social calls is going to funerals because they experience loss around them so frequently. And I never truly appreciated, I think, how much of a toll that would take on an individual's soul and their experience in some of their zest for life until I felt like some of the accumulated effects over a relatively short amount of time of experiencing a significant amount of loss. what this got me to think about is the way that we interact with grief with our older adults. And when we, really as a culture, how we interact with grief. And so I had one of our TAs, Rachel Moore, she's one of our lead faculty for Pelvic. We were having conversations about this and she said, you know, it's so interesting because everything else just keeps going and you feel like you're stuck in this loop of, oh my gosh, this person has left. And it's true, right? We are with individuals in that short amount of time where we're doing funeral preparations and all those types of things, but that grief weighs heavily on a person's soul and on a person's mind. And we don't really teach individuals how to deal with grief. And when it comes to older adults, we oftentimes think that this is such a normal part of the aging process that I don't think we ever truly hold space for individuals when they are dealing with grief. And so when I was reading a book called Breaking the Age Code, this really came front of mind. So we talk at an MMOA about the psychosocial considerations of working with older adults, about how it can be so great for us to put a heavy deadlift in their hand or get them getting up off the floor for the first time in a decade. And all of those things are really wonderful. But if there are other buckets that are just leaking because they do not have the financial resources, the mental resources, or the skills in order to help with these big buckets that are truly just hemorrhaging, then we're not really gonna give them the best type of care. And when I was reading a book called Breaking the Age Code, it really came front of mind for me about this. where when we look at mental health disorders, and not to say that grief is not a very healthy expression of sadness, but Becca Levy, who wrote The Code Breaking the Age Code, she's the one that we talk about with all of our ageism literature. She wrote a section in this book, her book on mental health, and she talks a lot about how the knee-jerk reaction with our older adults is to give them anxiolytics and antidepressants, without truly leaning into grief and leaning into talk therapies and conservative cognitive behavioral therapies that can just be so, so beneficial when we're working with our older adults. And she described some literature where she actually said, you know, many of our older adults may do even better with talk therapies than some of our younger individuals do because they're creating that connection so intensely. are craving those skill sets that they need in order to make it through their day because their grief is so heavy and your grief doesn't just last for two weeks. And so I was reading, kind of thinking about all this and the weight of grief and the thoughts around grief and how this relates to our older adults and how personally this is relating to me. I started reading a book called The Collected Regrets of Clover and there was a couple of things that they really talked about that I think is helpful for the way that I'm approaching now or thinking about approaching conversations with some of my older adults that I am working with who are experiencing loss or who have disclosed to me that they have lost a lot of people that are close to them. This book is it's fiction. It is so beautiful. It talks about a woman who is a death doula who basically comes and supports individuals through the end of their life. Similar to how a postpartum doula would help a new baby come into the world or a pregnancy postpartum doula, a death doula helps people end their life and end their life on their terms. And they talk about how when we're thinking about grief, First, it's this large weight that is on their frame. And as time passes, that big backpack turns into a purse. And what she's saying is that your grief is always carried with you, but the weight of it becomes easier to carry with time. It never goes away, but we start to be able to function in some ways with it. And I think that's really such a powerful thing to speak to. And when we are working with our older adults, they may be holding a lot of purses. They may be carrying a lot of bags of loss in the non-literal sense that can create this expression of apathy or a lack of engagement, which can sometimes create this space where it may be hard for individuals to engage with us in rehab. sometimes being able to dig deep into some of those considerations and create resources for them can be one of the best things that we can do. And so in this book, she had this quote and I read it on my Instagram a couple of weeks ago, but I'm going to read it to you now. And then we're going to finish off this podcast with a couple of things that I'm thinking about as a geriatric clinician to recognize that there is a lot of grief with our people that we are working with that we cannot see that are influencing who they are and how they show up in the world. And so in this book, this was literally the fifth page in. So if you're a fiction reader, this is such a beautiful book, but they said the most important thing is never to look away from someone's pain, not just the physical pain of their body shutting down, which we see all the time in rehab, right? But the emotional pain of watching their life end while knowing they could have lived it better. Giving someone the chance to be seen at their most vulnerable is much more healing than any words. And it was my honor to do that, to look them in the eye and acknowledge their hurt, to let it exist undiluted, even when the sadness was overwhelming. And so to put this into the context of rehab, I think there's a couple of things that I can think of as a clinician. And the first is that physical vulnerability and emotional grief, they are challenging to navigate. And we want to recognize that not only are we working with individuals who have low physical reserve, but there is an emotional piece of recognizing the loss of physical capacities and the emotional load of the loss of people that love them and they loved. as they get older. So my dad is 67. He has lost his mom, his brother, his best friend, and another friend from school in the last two years. And he's like, this might be it for me. All these people that I planned my retirement with are no longer with me. And I don't want to go to the golf courses anymore. I don't want to engage in physical activity because the people that I wanted to engage in physical activity with are no longer there. diving deep into some of those conversations, we say at MMOA to get truly curious, but not only physically curious about the things that drive individuals, but emotionally curious about maybe some of the things that are holding them back. And I think that can be a really, really wonderful way to get into some of the barriers and recognize that it's a little bit more complicated than them just not wanting to engage in doing squats with us, right? And so that's kind of number one. Number two is it's heavy for us to be able to listen to things that are really sad, but we can have a very big role in trying to mend and heal some individuals who do not have somebody to talk to. We have a loneliness epidemic in our older adult spaces, really all over our generations, but that is compounded, that loneliness is compounded when the people that you are not lonely with have passed away. And so recognizing trying to create resources, whether that is resources within the community like seniors associations or gyms where individuals can connect and have new kinships, especially in the face of loss when they are ready to. is one way for us to create resources and networks. But additionally, having a person that you can refer that is a psychologist, a talk therapist, a psychiatrist too, but where the knee-jerk reaction isn't just prescribing medications. And I am not anti-medication, do not mishear me, but I think that the addition of, you know, our conservative side, we talk about how we are not anti-surgery, we are conservative management forward. Why are we not applying this same mindset when we are working with our older adults who are dealing with really heavy emotions and maybe have never been taught how to deal with grief? I am a parent who is trying to not hide, but make appropriate the work that, you know, of grief and grief processing with my five-year-old. And I am acutely aware of trying to teach her skills to manage sad emotions. But so many of our older adults don't, they don't have those skills. And so it's important for us to recognize some of those resources. And so where I'm going to challenge you all today is one, to lean into these conversations if you have them with some of your older adults. But two, is to do a quick Google search to see if you can find a talk therapist in your area that you could have in your referral network when these conversations do come up. And inevitably, if you're working in geriatrics, the concept of grief and loss will come up. I recognize that in the United States and in Canada, one of the hardest things is finding someone who's in network or taking Medicare and finding somebody who doesn't have a super long wait list. I totally recognize that. It may require a little bit of digging deeper and that can oftentimes be one of the biggest barriers for individuals seeking care through talk therapy and why our primary care physicians are leaning into med management. But sometimes, you know, the best thing we can do is try and find some providers, find individuals who work with older adults on the regular, and try and create those bridges and those connections when appropriate. All right, I hope you found that helpful. I kept it together pretty good, I think, considering all things considered. If you are looking to get into some of our older adult live courses for the summer, we have a couple of opportunities coming up. Our last opportunity in June is in Charlotte, North Carolina with Julie. That is June 22nd and 23rd. In July, we have three courses going. We have Virginia Beach, July 13th, 14th. Jeff Musgrave is up in Victor, New York, July 20th and 21st. And if you truly want the full experience of all of our MMOA faculty and staff, we have our MMOA Summit where Dustin and I are going to be teaching the course, but all of our teaching assistants and other lead faculty are going to be there. That is going to be in Littleton, Colorado, July 27th, 28th. That is going to be a super fun time if you are interested in hanging out with all of us and geeking out about older adult care, like that is the time to take MMOA Live. So if you have any other thoughts, questions, concerns, let me know. If you want to share some of your grief journey, I am all ears because It has been quite the couple weeks that I know that I'm just at the front end of this journey and I'm not gonna shy away from it. And it's definitely given me some new perspective as a geriatric clinician. Even when I thought I kind of had done my research and I've been in a lot of experiences talking about grief, it is so different when you're experiencing it yourself. All right, hope you all have a wonderful week. Signing off now, bye. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

In this episode, Dr. Christina delves into the nuanced aspects of strength training across different stages of life from dispelling myths to navigating pregnancy and postpartum concerns. She uncovers the historical misconceptions surrounding heavy lifting for females, provides the latest recommendations and guidelines for safely resuming strength training after pregnancy, and empowers expecting mothers to embrace strength training safely and confidently. Delve into the truth about diastasis recti and learn which core exercises are safe during pregnancy and stay tuned as Dr. Christins unveils the myths behind pelvic health, Barefoot Mini-Course - STARTS TODAY BUT YOU CAN STILL JOIN: Experiencing aches, pains, and niggles in your feet and ankles. Join the ⁠Barefoot Mini-Course⁠ as it contains all the tools you need to assess what could be contributing to your aches and pains and what exercises are best for you to address those limitations! With educational videos, a workbook, and lifetime access, you will begin to feel something different and work towards your movement goals faster! Learn more about how to better take care of your feet, what type of shoes best support your outdoors, and how to reduce the pain you're currently dealing with. ⁠JOIN US HERE⁠! We start today but you can still join this week! ⁠⁠⁠VivoBarefoot Discount: Your feet have the components they need to support themselves! That's why we love ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VivoBarefoot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ because the shoes themselves help us gain mobility and strength in our feet. Live that barefoot life in style, choose VivoBarefoot and use code ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TOB at checkout to get 15% off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Your foot and body will thank you (affiliate link)! **Vivo offers a 100-day trial period. If you are not completely satisfied, you can send the shoes back and get a refund. LMNT Discount Code: Fuel every system within the body and the brain with ⁠LMNT⁠! Keep yourself hydrated on a cellular level by replenishing the sodium, potassium, and magnesium that our body needs for basic cellular processes like nerve signalling, smooth muscle contractions, unnecessary fatigue, aches and pain, brain fog, and recovery! Get a free gift with every purchase and try some new flavours as you stay hydrated! ⁠Get Your Free Gift HERE!⁠ What You Will Learn in This Interview with ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Christina Prevett 02:55 - What made Dr. Christina interested in geriatric patients? 10:00 - Why strength training is important no matter how old you are. 15:55 - Dosing and progression for strength training with age. 18:21 - History of myths around heavy lifting for females. 24:49 - Current recommendations to return back to strength training after pregnancy. 35:45 - How to approach fear around strength training around pregnancy. 38:00 - Core safe exercises during pregnancy: the truth about diastasis recti. 42:50 - Does abdominal coning during post-partum matter? 47:23 - Learn more with Christina. To learn more about this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and view full show notes, please visit the full website here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jen.health/podcast/359⁠ Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave a quick rating and review of the show! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tobpodcast/message

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses the management of urinary incontinence in the older male, implications for function, and quality of life. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHey everyone, Alan here, Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get into today's episode, I'd like to introduce our sponsor, Jane, a clinic management software and EMR with a human touch. Whether you're switching your software or going paperless for the first time ever, the Jane team knows that the onboarding process can feel a little overwhelming. That's why with Jane, you don't just get software, you get a whole team. Including in every Jane subscription is their new award-winning customer support available by phone, email, or chat whenever you need it, even on Saturdays. You can also book a free account setup consultation to review your account and ensure that you feel confident about going live with your switch. And if you'd like some extra advice along the way, you can tap into a lovely community of practitioners, clinic owners, and front desk staff through Jane's community Facebook group. If you're interested in making the switch to Jane, head on over to jane.app.switch to book a one-on-one demo with a member of Jane's support team. Don't forget to mention code IcePT1MO at the time of sign up for a one month free grace period on your new Jane account. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everybody and welcome to the PT on Ice daily show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our lead faculty in our geriatric division and today I am hoping to talk a little bit about urinary incontinence in the older male. A lot of times we focus a lot of our conversations around pelvic health on the female side of the sex spectrum. But today I really want to talk about males. We talk a lot in MMOA, especially in our Level 2 course where we do an entire segment on pelvic health for the older adult. around how every clinician is a pelvic floor clinician. And the reason why we say that is because if you're interacting with hip and low back pain, then you're interacting with the pelvic floor as part of our core canister. And urinary incontinence is a leading cause of institutionalization and a very big reason why some people may not want to engage in the dosage of exercise that they need in order for them to gain the independence that they're hoping to gain. And so we really want to make sure that we are at least doing our due diligence in screening. When we are working with individuals, we wanna know if there's any urinary incontinence on board. And then we wanna talk about what is going on with respect to the male aging pelvis and how that interacts with signs and symptoms like urinary incontinence. So the biggest, biggest, getting bigger area of the male pelvis where there's a lot of conversations around its impact with age is the prostate. So we do know that there is an enlarging of the prostate that occurs with age. And the main roles of the prostate is to create seminal fluid and help with propulsion of ejaculation of that seminal fluid when mixed with the sperm when achieving orgasm. And what we recognize is that as individuals age, there is a growing of the prostate, an enlargement of the prostate that occurs. that is called benign prostatic hyperplasia. Now this is non-cancerous. This is not a malignancy. This is a part of aging physiology in the pelvis. And what we recognize is that there's also a lot of discrepancies of if this is something that we need to worry about or not. So enlargement of the prostate happens in almost every human with a penis. And it can be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. In the literature, sometimes it's called BPE, benign prostatic enlargement. If it is associated with symptoms, that is not always consistently done, but there is screening that can happen. And then that enlargement, if it does have cancerous tissues in it, now we're thinking prostate cancer and individuals are going for screens for malignancy in the prostate, and then leading to potentially intervention, including radiation and, or radical prostatectomy. And I've done podcast episodes on radical prostatectomy before. When we're thinking about lower urinary tract symptoms, that can include stress urinary incontinence. And oftentimes in males, because of the length of the urethra, the level of incontinence is significantly less than in the female pelvis. So only about 5% of individuals over the age of 65 have incontinence. And usually it is as a consequence of conditions like radical prostatectomy. So it can be radical prostatectomy. Individuals can have pelvic fracture trauma. Some neurodegenerative conditions can also have a urinary condition associated with it. And so usually there's a precipitating event, not always, but most of the time there is some sort of precipitating event that has happened around the pelvis that has led to urinary incontinence. For example, when you have a radical prostatectomy, the prostate is removed. That includes the areas around the external anal sphincter. The urethra is then pulled up to reconnect to the bladder, which can disrupt the pelvic floor, the deep pelvic floor muscles that are responsible for kinking that hose of the urethra in order for a stress urinary incontinence not to occur. And so it makes sense why there's a disruption to that longer urethra can lead to things like stress urinary incontinence. When you have an older adult with stress urinary incontinence, I know it doesn't sound that, that surgery doesn't sound that great, but it is minimally invasive and people do respond pretty well to it, but we have podcast episodes on the, the surgical art of radical frost detective and what we can expect postoperatively. So when we're working with individuals, urinary incontinence is something that we may be managing and we have a big role to play in helping with post-operative or the new development of urinary incontinence. And so when we're thinking about management, we have kind of our conservative buckets, and then we have surgical management. If you are a person who's had a radical prostatectomy, the natural physiology is that many symptoms resolve within a year. So usually we are not doing any follow-up, or your urologist is not doing any follow-up surgical intervention around the pelvis until a year post-operatively with individuals post-radical prostatectomy. But we do have conservative methods that we can use in the shorter term, and hopefully to try and avoid a subsequent surgical management. And so those buckets are pelvic floor muscle training, penile clamps, and surgical intervention. And so the first and go-to knee-jerk reaction is always going to be conservative management, especially if initiated pre-operatively or pre-event, where individuals who are males get an awareness of the pelvic floor system. Because incontinence and pelvic floor issues in the male pelvis are not as common, many times education around the pelvic floor is not as widespread, individuals are not having these conversations as frequently, and then recognizing how to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles can be something, especially if there is a training effect that we are doing with appropriate dosing, can help with mild to moderate urinary incontinence post pelvic event in the older male. When we are thinking about pelvic floor muscle training, we are trying to cue the pelvis either to stop the flow of urine, or to try and shorten the base of the penis. Those are the two cues that have been shown in research to have the highest EMG activation of the pelvic floor when trying to teach the pelvic floor contraction in an older male, and trying to get a strengthening effect with appropriate dosage. And there's some protocols in the post-radical prostatectomy world that tries to accumulate 20, 30, 40 reps. It's a bit variable, but we wanna make sure that we are getting a training effect based on where individual's baseline status is. initiating pelvic floor muscle training, seeking a pelvic floor physical therapist, or if you're okay with palpating externally, you can go kind of medial to the sits bones and see if there's a contraction of those pelvic floor muscles in the male. If you are a non-internal pelvic floor physical therapist, then you can work on some of that coordination and contraction in individuals who this is a barrier for them going out into the house. So that's kind of our first option. Our second option is a penile clamp. And so if you're aware, in the female pelvic space, we have a device called a pessary, which is inserted intravaginally, and basically what it does is it kinks off the urethra mechanically in order to help reduce symptoms of pelvic floor prolapse, or pelvic organ prolapse, rather, or urinary incontinence. We see this a lot as a conservative management in order to avoid pelvic surgery, We have a similar type of compression device for the male, but obviously there is not an intravaginal hole for our male anatomy and therefore it is placed externally. So what a pelvic clamp is, is It is attached to the mid shaft in a flaccid penis and it has a little bump on the bottom of the device. So there's a compression and on that bottom ridge, it essentially applies the same type of compression as the pessary to the bottom of the male penis in order to avoid incontinence issues. And what we see is that it can significantly reduce the number of pads or reduce the pad test, which is urine coming into a pad in a certain amount of time by weight. and the amount of subjective reports of incontinence. When we are thinking about penile clamps, comfort is going to be one of the biggest concerns where, you know, individuals, I think the last study that I was looking at was like about half of individuals reported that it wasn't really that comfy to be wearing the clamp on the shaft of their penis. It may be because of, you know, making sure that we have proper education or finding the right fit of the clamp, but something for us to be thinking about or, you know, having conversations about with the individual where we may be suggesting this conservative management strategy. And then the second thing that is a really important part for us to be considering is vascular health. We know that a lot of issues around the pelvis, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction, have a big vascular health component, aka we're screaming from the rooftops about health promotion, including around the penis. It's just super important for us to consider if individuals have poor perfusion, that even with a small amount of compression, we have to think about vascular health and skin integrity concerns. So trying to figure out who this might be the best individual to be using this type of thing with. Individuals who may really like this option are those who are very adamantly against having surgery or those who are not a candidate for surgery. So here's that double edged sword, right? Where a lot of individuals with high amounts of vascular concerns are going to be individuals who cannot undergo another surgery. They may be the ones that we are thinking about, you know, using this clamp, but we're going to make sure that we take a lot of breaks from wearing it. There was a study that was done out of Japan that was showing that individuals were able to wear it for two to three hours with a 15 minute break. and there was no adverse events to using it. Other studies have talked about doing an hour on, hour off, or using it when trying to do activities around the house. So you're kind of using it for a specific goal or task in standing to try and prevent some of that UI issue from happening. So that's bucket two. So we have our pelvic floor muscle training, We have our conservative penile clamp, and then we have our surgical interventions. And so for the two interventions for our males, we have a urethral sling, which is done through the trans or obturator foramen. And it is essentially a meshing tape that helps to apply resistance to the urethra with or without additional compression, depending on the technique that we are leveraging. in order to help keep the sphincters closed when we want them to be closed. These are indicated for mild to moderate types of urinary incontinence and not usually indicated for more severe cases. When we have individuals with more severe cases, individuals are using an artificial sphincter. So what this is, is it is a device that comes in and essentially creates a clamp with a balloon, or a cuff with a balloon rather, over the urethral opening, not the urethral opening, mid urethra, and your urine starts to accumulate in your bladder. Person's body is going to get the cue that they have to go to the bathroom, and when they go to the bathroom, they release a button in the scrotum that's placed in the scrotum, and it deflates the balloon, allowing the urethra to unkink and for urine to be able to pass through. And then the mechanism goes on a timer. So either it's between 90 seconds and three minutes, depending on the device, and that allows the urethra to be open for that amount of time. And then after that time has elapsed, the cuff closes. Yeah, it's really incredible. Like the technology is really intense. So when you're thinking about who might be indicated for using this artificial sphincter, dexterity and cognition are two big issues in an older male population where we may be thinking about, you know, are they gonna be able to get to the release mechanism on the scrotum? Are they cognitively gonna be able to do the procedure in order for the cuff to deflate? In more severe cases, this is indicated. And there is a fairly severe revision rate. So 20 to 30% will require some sort of mechanical revision, whether the device is kinked, whether there's clogs or hoses, like there is a higher chance of that happening because it's a more, it's a mechanical device, like there are moving parts. And so those parts can break down versus in a sling where you're essentially tacking up that resistance against the urethra. It's something that's a little bit more, doesn't have the same amount of moving parts. So there's a very high success rate for both of these surgeries. Infection rates and things like that tend to be fairly low and it can help to improve sexual function and be able to help individuals achieve better quality of life and physical function and is a good option for individuals who have exhausted their conservative management and have not seen the improvement that they wish to see. So if you are working with these individuals, usually the post-operative instructions are to avoid heavy lifting for six weeks. and then can start returning to moving around. It's not very smooth where individuals can get back to what? That is a conversation for another day. But overall, management can be quite good. So I hope you found that helpful around the way that this is kind of managed from a medical perspective. We can be very helpful in the conservative management piece where it can come along individuals in the post-operative piece or perioperative moment. And it's a thing that we see when we're working with our older adults, right? That we see it in geriatrics. So hopefully that was helpful and kind of fills in some knowledge gaps for you if this is not an area that you practice in all the time. All right. If you want to get all of that information in our UI section, that is in our MMOA level two. So you have to have taken MMOA level one in order to get access to our special populations because we build on a lot of questions. Thank you so much. That's so sweet of you. And we build that into level two. If you are looking to take MMOA live, we are still on the road all summer. It is nice weather, but we are visiting all over the United States. We are in Scottsdale, Arizona, June 1st and 2nd. Spring, Texas, 8th and 9th. We are getting toasty in those places. Let me tell you, I'm not doing those courses. Those are all dusted and jammed. June 22nd, 23rd, we are in Charlotte, North Carolina. And July 13th, 14th, we are in Virginia Beach. So if you are around and you want to take out live content in the summer, we got you covered. Other than that, please have a wonderful week. I hope you all are enjoying your post Memorial Day week and we will see you all next time. Bye. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses the benefits of birth control and when we should be thinking more positively about these medications and methods Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHey everybody, Alan here. Currently I have the pleasure of serving as their Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we jump into today's episode of the PTI Nice Daily Show, let's give a shout out to our sponsor Jane, a clinic management software and EMR. Whether you're just starting to do your research or you've been contemplating switching your software for a while now, the Jane team understands that this process can feel intimidating. That's why their goal is to provide you with the onboarding resources you need to make your switch as smooth as possible. Jane offers personalized calls to set up your account, a free date import, and a variety of online resources to get you up and running quickly once you switch. And if you need a helping hand along the way, you'll have access to unlimited phone, email, and chat support included in your Jane subscription. If you're interested in learning more, you want to book a one-on-one demo, you can head on over to jane.app.switch. And if you decide to make the switch, don't forget to use the code ICEPT1MO at signup to receive a one-month free grace period on your new Jane account. CHRISTINA PREVETTHello, everyone, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty in our pelvic divisions. And I am coming to you from a hotel room. I'm about to get back after teaching MMOA Live here this weekend. So you got my hotel version of today's podcast. Today we're going to be talking about advocating for birth control. And so this might be a bit of a hot take hot topic, because in the allied health or birth provider space, there has been a lot of anti birth control messaging. And so I want to kind of play devil's advocate a little bit. and speak to some of the potential pros of birth control, and then really try and loop this into why it is so important, especially as healthcare providers, that we become more nuanced in our approach, right? It is so easy with social media for us to be thinking in 30 to 60 second snippets. But one of the reasons why I love the podcast is that we're able to kind of dive into nuance a little bit more. So firstly, the development of the oral contraceptive pill was one of the big revolutionary medical marvels that allowed women to have reproductive choice in a lot of ways, right? The idea behind oral contraceptives was that females could have some, you know, obviously when they're having intercourse, but like they were able to prevent unwanted pregnancies and that gave them some sense of control in a lot of ways. So the development of oral contraceptives outside of barrier methods was truly such an amazing medical advancement that paved the way for a lot in reproductive healthcare. With the use of exogenous hormones, what we have also seen with the use of oral contraceptives is that it has been used in the management of different gynecological conditions. So here's where we get to messaging numero uno. When people take birth control, they aren't actually balancing their hormones. Something is doing it for them and it is a band-aid and it's making all your sex hormones go down. This is the messaging. So we shouldn't be giving people birth control because it's not fixing the problem. So let's talk about an argument where that works, and let's talk about an argument where it doesn't. Okay, so in our pelvic division, we talk a lot about relative energy deficiency in sport. This is for individuals with primary or secondary amenorrhea, where because they are not fueling their body appropriately, their body goes into battery saver mode, which means that they are not doing any bodily processes that require excesses of energy out like energy out because they don't have enough energy coming in, which can include pregnancy. And so we suppress the HPT access to prevent ourselves from ovulating because right now we're not taking in enough fuel for our body to function. We're definitely not taking in enough fuel to support a pregnancy. In those circumstances where individuals are not getting their period because of under fueling, sometimes birth control can be recommended and The argument can be made that. we're not getting at the root cause for the hormonal imbalance, because you need to have that fuel to the root cause, and we should see a hormonal re-regulation, and reds from the literature that we have right now is reversible, right? So that makes sense, right? If individuals are highly active, they're in low energy availability, and they're not screening for root causes of issues with hormone status, and we give birth control as a knee-jerk reaction without doing the proper investigations, I can see where that argument of it's exogenously balancing your hormones would work. But here's where it doesn't. Okay, here's where it doesn't. So birth control is also used as a frontline treatment for a lot of fertility-impacting conditions or gynecological conditions, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids, right? PCOS, is a androgen excess and it is a chronic disease. It is a chronic disease. It is a chronic disease that has no cure. So there is no cure to be able to balance your hormones naturally with PCOS. Does health promotion potentially help with becoming more regular with your menstrual cycle? Does it help with bringing you to a more regular cycle where you may be more ovulatory with PCOS? Yes. Are you going to change to a, within normal levels, your androgen access? Probably not. So guess what? The birth control pill is being used to bring androgen load down, right? And that is how we treat chronic diseases, right? I don't give a person, oh, I'm not, I'm not a physician, but physicians don't give a person a blood pressure med and we get mad at the physician for giving them a blood pressure med because they're treating the symptom of the high blood pressure, but they're not getting to the root cause of the issue, which is cardiovascular disease, right? These medications are given specifically to manage the symptoms. which is the exact same logic that we are seeing with individuals with gynecological conditions. We are not giving oral contraceptives in order to balance their hormones because they are chronic diseases, right? Outside of excision for endometriosis and fibroids, where we may see a reduction in symptoms, that is not a guarantee. And the only known cure for true 100% cure for endometriosis and fibroids is a hysterectomy. So if we have individuals with a high amount of symptom burden, heck yes, we are going to treat the symptoms, right? And so we can use oral contraceptives to treat those symptoms, right? If I wanted to pull this into our physiotherapy logic, that would be like saying, well, this person has a disc bulge on MRI. If we can't fix the disc bulge and get it back in that spinal alignment, then all of our interventions for pain don't matter because we're not fixing the root cause, right? So, but, PT we say you are not your image like we're not just going to treat you mechanically we're gonna treat how you're feeling within your own body and yet we flip that in our health care providers spaces when we talk about birth control and we make women with heavy menstrual bleeding with heavy periods with individuals who are suffering from fatigue and lethargy because they have anemia we have cyclical pain that could be treated with oral contraceptives and we make them feel bad that they're using it or make them feel fear that they shouldn't be using this because they should be able to balance their hormones regularly and so inadvertently in an attempt to help we're kind of gaslighting them, right? And, and I, I mean this in a very, like, I want to have a fruitful conversation about this because I have seen this messaging over and over and over again. And when individuals have gynecological conditions, birth control can be a management strategy. Should it be a knee-jerk reaction for everybody without the need for further investigation or evaluation? No. Are individuals oftentimes dismissed with birth control because they're not actively trying to get pregnant? Yes. Do some people not tolerate certain types of oral contraceptives or different types of birth control methods? Absolutely. But it is a trial of treatment that has some evidence to back it up. and it can be helpful in some circumstances with some individuals. So having this knee-jerk reaction and saying, well, it's not getting to the root cause or it's not balancing our hormones in the background of a chronic disease with no cure, we are missing the mark on our messaging. And so many of our clients come to us as pelvic PTs and they trust our opinions. And we are trying to lock shields with physicians, not battle with swords. And we need to be mindful of that, that by being very dismissive or not getting to the nuanced approach to contraceptive care or using birth control methods, we are not doing ourselves any favors and we're not helping our clients by not getting into the nuance of it. So the first argument that we see a lot is you aren't balancing your hormones, like it's doing something for you. It's taking your HPG access and bringing it down to nothing, right? That's not always the case and not always the method of oral contraceptives. It can blunt the HPG access, but it doesn't make it go down to zero. And then the secondary piece that individuals have fear on when thinking about oral contraceptives is future fertility. So, There was a cross-sectional study that said that almost 70% of females surveyed were worried about long-term fertility because of oral contraceptive use. We do not have evidence. We actually have multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses that actually demonstrate that there are no changes in fertility upon cessation of long-term birth control utilization. All right, let me repeat. We do not have evidence that being on birth control negatively impacts future fertility. It does not. What we see is that using hormonal, non-hormonal IUDs, oral contraceptives and patches, the rates of live pregnancy or positive pregnancy rate for contraceptive versus non-contraceptive users in age-matched cohorts appears to be the same. where we can kind of get into this bias, this selection bias, is based on the reason for individuals going on birth control. So if you were a person who went on oral contraceptives in order to prevent pregnancy, but you did not have any fertility related concerns, and that wasn't a factor in your prescription, once you stop taking oral contraceptives, maybe after a couple months things will kind of re-regulate, you should have no future impacts on your fertility. Where you can have downstream fertility related issues is based on the reason for being on those oral contraceptives. So if you are on oral contraceptives for heavy bleeding or cyclical related pain, or hirsutism or clinical androgenism as a consequence of PCOS, we know that PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids can negatively impact your fertility and increase your chance of infertility. So in those situations, because we were treating the symptoms of your condition, we do not have the capacity outside of excision and endometriosis and fibroids to cure these conditions, that downstream fertility consequence is still going to be present upon removing your birth control method or upon removing oral contraceptive use. So it is not the pill itself, it is some of the reasons why you were on the pill that can negatively impact future fertility. And so I have now been talking for about 11 or 12 minutes on the nuance of birth control. The final thing that I will say is it is hysterical to me that the clinicians who are absolutely adamant against birth control for reproductive age individuals, are big advocates for using topical estrogens and hormone replacement therapies, menopausal hormone therapies, for individuals going through the menopausal window, because they are treating the symptoms of menopause, right? We are not trying to fix a person's hormones. We aren't gaslighting them and saying, oh, well, you know, this is your natural aging consequences, so you're just gonna deal with your menopausal symptoms. No, we're at the forefront advocating for topical estrogens and the use of exogenous hormones to be able to help individuals at the end of their reproductive window. So then why are we telling individuals with chronic diseases like PCOS that we can't or shouldn't use, that we should be fearful of using oral contraceptives in their reproductive window when they do not want to be pregnant? Right, and we know that it is a chronic disease that has no cure, and we make them feel bad for treating the symptoms with these exogenous hormones. So we just need to be so careful in our profession about how we are catching onto these trends. I always talk about the fact that I am scrunchy, not crunchy. I am a huge advocate in holistic care. And I think that holistic care can come alongside Western medicine in an evidence-informed way. All of my research is in health promotion, which means that I am in the science-based crunchy. So we just need to be mindful about not having this knee-jerk reaction and saying that birth control is bad. That is the messaging that I'm seeing. And that is absolutely not true. In the messaging, the logic in the messaging is flawed. When we're thinking about gynecological conditions, many of them are chronic conditions that do not have 100% curative rate. PCOS is a chronic disease with no cure. Endometriosis and fibroids can have excision, but the only thing that's going to guarantee that you are not gonna have another growth is a hysterectomy, which is not obviously a viable option for individuals who wanna get pregnant. And therefore, using oral contraceptives for managing signs and symptoms of those conditions is a evidence-informed utilization or medication that people can do. That does not mean that it is for everybody. That does not mean that people can self-select. It's okay for them to self-select away from it. We just wanna make sure that they're getting the right information about what it is and what it isn't. Birth control does not impact your future fertility. We now have multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pending normal reproductive status, normal fertility rates, that we have no infertility-related conditions that there is no difference in conception rates once getting off birth control. And then we are huge advocates for the use of supplemental hormones through menopausal hormone therapy at the end of a person's reproductive window. All right, that was my rant for the day. I hope you guys found that helpful. I really just wanna get into the nuance of this, right? Like we wanna make sure that we are being mindful of our messaging and we are not, inadvertently shaming people or making them fearful or Gaslighting them and saying you don't need birth control you can use all these natural methods When we don't have the same effectiveness data in some of those health promotion technology or health promotion interventions SUMMARY All right You probably wonder why we're deep diving into this. This is because of level two, right? We have a huge role, right? We are doing level two right now for our pelvic course, and we are trying to do fitness-forward pelvic PT in a variety of different conditions. Fertility, baseline fertility, infertility-related conditions, and our role coming alongside those who are going through assisted reproductive technologies is in our curriculum. So we are in the weeds of that research and talking about the ways that we can be involved in rehab. And then if you guys are interested in seeing us live, we have two courses going June 1st and June 2nd. I am in Highland, Michigan, and Alexis is up in Alaska with Heather. And then June 8th and 9th, I'm in Mineola, New York. I'm near New York City at Garden City CrossFit. So if you are hoping to jump into a pelvic live course, I hope that I can see you at the beginning of June. Otherwise, have a really wonderful week, everybody. Hopefully I won't be so nasally and sick the next time I'm on the podcast. One can only hope. And have a really wonderful week. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses how environmental factors influence all aspects of the aging experience, including movement, nutrition, and social interaction. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTIONHey everybody, Alan here. Currently, I have the pleasure of serving as their Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we jump into today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, let's give a shout out to our sponsor Jane, a clinic management software and EMR. Whether you're just starting to do your research or you've been contemplating switching your software for a while now, the Jane team understands that this process can feel intimidating. That's why their goal is to provide you with the onboarding resources you need to make your switch as smooth as possible. Jane offers personalized calls to set up your account, a free date import, and a variety of online resources to get you up and running quickly once you switch. And if you need a helping hand along the way, you'll have access to unlimited phone, email, and chat support included in your Jane subscription. If you're interested in learning more, you want to book a one-on-one demo, you can head on over to jane.app.switch. And if you decide to make the switch, don't forget to use the code icePT1MO at signup to receive a one-month free grace period on your new Jane account. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everyone and welcome to the PT on Ice daily show. My name is Christina Previtt. I am one of our lead faculty for our geriatric division. I am also one of our leads in our pelvic division, but today we are going to talk about all things older adults. So I have been away for the last two weeks because my family and I took, my husband and I took a vacation to Italy. And it was the first time I've ever been in Europe. It was an incredible, incredible trip for a lot of different ways. But of course it got my Jerry brain working and reflecting on differences in culture and the way that we interact with older adults and how I saw older adults who were moving around their environment in Italy. And so, I just kind of wanted to go on today and talk a little bit about some of those differences. If you have followed the MMOA podcast, you know that Ellen and I and some of our MMOA team did a grouping of episodes around the blue zones. So the blue zones are areas around the world that have a above average number of individuals who live to 100. And it's been a big area of research and trying to figure out like the secret sauce of being able to live to a hundred. And one of them was actually in Italy. So it was in Sardinia and that was, that's not where I was. Um, I was in Rome and Maori, but a lot of the concepts and themes that they were talking about in the, that mini series and in the book on the blue zones, it made a lot of sense and it just made me highlight or see a lot of the differences in our North American culture than what we're seeing over in Europe. And Going into Rome was the craziest experience. It's so busy. It is almost impossible to drive. And then going into Maiori, which was in the southern part of Italy, we were in a very small town, not one of the bigger touristy towns along the Amalfi Coast. And it was being in Maori that I really saw some of, or I was more able to really look at how individuals are aging in different areas, in different countries, and made me think a lot about our aging experience in North America. So the biggest thing that I saw in our culture, and these are things that we cannot control, and I'm going to kind of bring this back to our course content, is It is very difficult. The environment at which a lot of the cities in Europe being so old are developed. are very walkable. They're very walkable and it almost is not disincentivized, but it's almost a net negative to have a vehicle. In Rome, for sure, it would be terrifying to drive around Rome. But even in Maiori, like a lot of the areas were very condensed in terms of the groceries and where you would grab most of your main amenities for the week. And it allowed for individuals to walk a lot of their tasks. And not only was that environment one where walking was really the main source of transportation, the environment at which you were walking was not a straight plane. This was a big area, like it was obviously had a coastal, like mountainous coastal plain. And so there was a lot of steps. And so one day my husband and I, we went on a lemon hike or a pathway of the lemons, which I became obsessed with, but it was literally a straight shot up. It was, I think we did like 17 flights of stairs to get to the pathway. for this hike and there were houses that were littered across the side and so I saw a person they were in probably their early 70s and they had groceries in each of their hands and they were gradually working their way up these steps. And a lot of the times, we know some of our recommendations for our older adults is to walk more. When you're walking around this town, you are going up and down hills. And there is an intensity to that. My heart rate was not low. And when you're adding in groceries in your hands and there isn't a handrail, it forces you almost to maintain a certain amount of physical activity in order to maintain your independence. And so the first thing that I was really, it really struck me about being in an Italian city was how the environment really was conducive to movement. And it wasn't low intensity movement. It was actually quite high intensity movement just because of the way that the city was built. And it made me reflect a lot on our thoughts of just walk more, right? Like there's a lot of debate about is walking intense enough for us to be able to incur either some physical activity benefit or to be able to maintain physical activity as we get older. And when I compare and contrast the way that cities are designed in North America that has so much more space and does not have the same historical architecture that's trying to be maintained, we don't have walkable cities in a lot of ways, right? If I think about the current city that I live in, it is very, very spread out. And it is almost impossible outside of the downtown center for you to be able to walk and have yourself walk to get groceries or pick things up. It is always the knee-jerk reaction that you get into your car and go places. And when you are walking, at least where I am, I'm not in like a beautiful area like Colorado that's all hills and mountains. It's pretty straight plain. And so When that happens, a lot of the blue zones are in areas where physical activity is forced into your day-to-day interactions. If you want to go see your friend, you have to walk up the hill to their house. If you want to get groceries, then you need to go down four flights of steps to get to the market. That is not the same. And so when we think about our industrialized cities, And the way that technology and car transportation has really changed the way that we build out different cities, what we recognize is that when our environment does not create opportunities for physical activity, that is when purposeful movement needs to be scheduled in a person's day. And I think this is a really interesting concept, right? Because the blue zones were in a lot of these areas where the environment was conducive to intense exercise, at least in a moderate intensity zone because of the way that the cities were developed. That is not true in a lot of the areas where we are practicing. And so this This dichotomy between just walk more can work, but the intensity oftentimes isn't there because of the way the environment is set up. And when that environment isn't set up to encourage physical activity throughout our day, we can very easily get into the slippery slope of sedentary behavior. And when that occurs, we have to make purposeful movement a priority in our day. And this is not just for our older adults, this is for everybody. But this is where gyms come in, right? This is where purposeful exercise programs now are coming front of mind and are becoming a really important aspect of our culture. Because so many of us now, or the people that we are working with, our older adults that we are working with, are not in gyms. those environments anymore, like that is not the way that our environments are set up. And so we have to be mindful of that when we're thinking about our interventions. So the difference in the environment and how easy it was to walk with intensity when we were in Italy was so, so different than what we see in our very typical North American cities, where you have to get into your car. That was probably one of the biggest things, is just looking around the environment and seeing just the stark differences. One of the things that I also really enjoyed watching, especially when I was in a small town in Italy, was the way that slow-paced, naturally occurring, intergenerational conversation happened. When I was walking down a street with my husband, I would look around and people would walk and they would see people in the city square and there were moms with their little kids and they were talking to older members of the community. And again, the environment made it so that this intergenerational conversation happened as a natural consequence of a person's day. And instead of rushing by each other, and maybe giving a head nod of acknowledgement if we weren't head down in our phone, people stopped and interacted. Now, I'm not saying that everybody in Europe is in this area, but definitely the area that I was in, which is very closely structured to the way that Sardinia is, I saw these interactions happen every day where you are walking down the street and they had a place to go, but they weren't so rushed that the thought of a five minute conversation was something that they could not handle, or they weren't ready for, or they weren't rushing from one place to the other. And then these social interactions occurred where you could just see this transfer of knowledge that was happening from older generations to younger generations. And there was just this sight of respect and reverence of these communications that was just so lovely to see. Again, I'm not saying the North American culture does not have that front of mind, but we live in a place where I don't know many people who stay in the very close proximity bubble of their family, right? Like I talk to clinicians every single weekend where I say, where are you from? And they say, oh, well, I'm living in North Carolina now, but my family, of, yeah, my family is in Michigan, or it's not abnormal for people to be very far away from their family or their loved ones. And the culture is so busy that even calling loved ones weekly can be something that has to take a lot of conscious effort because it's so easy to get into the rhythm and fast pace of the week that, and this is speaking to myself as well, that those stop and pause conversations with someone on the street. They're not as commonplace and especially across generations where you're seeing a mom with their little baby stop in a group of older Italian men who are playing a board game outside in the community square and you're seeing that interaction happen in such a beautiful way. And so seeing some of that intergenerational communication because of the way that the environment was set up was just so lovely to see and made me think a lot about how we have this loneliness epidemic in North America. And it is really from the fact that we are so spread out, we are so far apart, that it makes it really difficult for those interactions to happen very naturally. And it creates this spot where, you know, my grandmother had 10 children. My mom was one of 10. We don't see that size of family as often anymore. And there would be times where my mom would visit for 45 minutes, but that was the only interaction that my grandmother had throughout the day. And her kids would call, and this is not like a negative on them. It is very much the fact that, you know, the way that our culture is set up now is that those interactions don't happen very genuinely or very easily. And they take a lot of effort and there's a lot of things on our time. And so that, again, that environmental piece is like this big umbrella where the environment was set up that allowed for physical activity, but it also allowed for social interaction. And so subsequently with those two things, it being very easy, those barriers were almost stripped away for movement and for interaction. What I noticed was that the pace and stress of life was very different. So we went from Maori, we went back on a plane or on a train rather to the Rome terminal, which is a crazy busy terminal. And on the last day of our trip, we ended up going back around rush hour. So we took a six o'clock train from Salerno and we went to Rome. So we ended in Rome around 7.30, which is peak prime time. And if anyone has been in a train station or taken public transportation, I used to go into Toronto and Union Station is a very big hub. Toronto is a very big center for commuting. So the GO train is very busy. And if you are in Union Station around rush hour, It is true chaos. People are trying to get on the train, but they're still on the clock, so they're on their phones. There is a rush to get a seat. It is stressful. You find out 10 minutes before, which is similar to the Rome Terminal, about where you are going, and it is a rush. It is so busy, and there is this stressful environment that is in the air, and people get so used to it because they do this every single day. Their commutes are really long. I was kind of expecting to see that in Rome, right? Like Rome is a very big central hub for Italy. It essentially mimics what we see in Toronto or other big city centers. But even though people were dressed and heading to work, that stressful environment wasn't there. People were walking casually to their job. They were not racing. They were not running. And it made me think about the underlying stress that our culture and our community is under. and how this translates into our aging experience. Like what is our nervous system primed for when we are in a very high stress state all of the time? And then we retire after being in that high stress state for 40 years and go into retirement, right? There is a well-known statistic that there is an increased incidence of health events in the year following retirement. And there's a lot of conversations around, you know, purpose and drive and changes in status. But maybe part of that is that you're changing your sympathetic drive so drastically that your body is having a hard time adjusting and it can show underlying issues. The stress piece on our culture in North America, even in the busiest centers of Rome, like the chaos of the Colosseum or around the Basilica, it was not there. Like that feeling of underlying stress and tension for having a group of people who are all very hastened and rushed to get into a lot of different places, despite Rome being crazy busy with tourists, like they were telling us about the millions of people that come into Rome every year for tourist related activities. And it was wild to me to see how much of a difference, even with that amount of tourist attraction, even with that bustle and busyness, that that underlying stress was not there from even people who are local to Rome, who are working in Rome. And so I think about how that presence of stress for us in middle age, what does that do on the system or on the resiliency of the system with age? And so Again, the change in the environment really was opening up my eyes to a lot of the things that we see in our fast-paced cultures and made me reflect a lot on how that changes a person's aging experience. And when you are forced to do movement and you retain a certain amount of physical capacity, and that allows you to engage in life, that allows you to live at a pace that is amenable for your mental health, and you're surrounded by, honestly, so much beauty, it just makes me think about how Italy can so easily create successful agers. And I'm not saying that North America can't and that the US and Canada can't, but it definitely takes more effort, I think, in North America. I think we need to think a lot more about the way that we are aging and the way that we are interacting with our environment, with our people, and make a conscious effort to engage in physical activity, engage in purposeful interactions, engage in a pace of life that works for us and our family. And that is just so ingrained and it is so easy to do in Italy because of some of the cultural considerations that are there when we are working or we are seeing individuals interact. Now, of course, I am the outsider looking in, I am an aging researcher who just finds this super fascinating, but I want to know what your guys' thoughts are. If you've visited Europe, especially if you've been in a small town in a European country Do you see those differences? How can we think about the way that the environment in a lot of European countries and cultures is set up to make successful aging a little bit easier? How can we create that with our people? How can we create that type of environment that makes successful aging easier, that makes successful aging for us easier? Because that environmental switch it just takes away a lot of the work of it. Like there was no processed food in the markets. If you wanted to get processed food, you would really have to look hard for it. And that was in Rome too, right? There wasn't a ton of candy, like there was pastries and things like that, but you were making it when you were in Maiori. And it just, it made some of those health promoting decisions easier to make and more intuitive. So it made me think a lot about that. I have had an incredible time, but seeing some of the older adults in Italy was definitely one of the highlights for me and seeing just the way that they interacted. All right, if you are aiming to get into one of our MMOA live courses, we have two courses going up this weekend. So I'm going to be in Bismarck, North Dakota with Trissa. We are also in Richmond, Virginia this weekend. June 8th and 9th, we have a smaller course in Spring, Texas. So if you're looking for a lot of one-on-one time and attention from the instructor, that is Jeff Musgraves going to be out there in Spring. So really encourage you to jump into our live course. Today is the last day to sign up for MMOA level one. So if you are hoping to get into our online course, that is your last opportunity is going to be today. We get started this week on the circle platform on our ice physio app. I'm super excited for that and all of the newness of the app. If you have any questions or comments, I want to hear about your European aging experiences. Let me know. Otherwise, have a really wonderful week, everyone. And I'm going to get off here before Alan kicks me off. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses female fertility, including what physical therapy interventions are not currently supported by research for use in assisting with conception but also offers some key ideas to come alongside this vulnerable population to assist them within the limits of our scope of practice. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION CHRISTINA PREVETTHello everyone and welcome to the PT on Ice daily show. I'm trying to get YouTube up and running. I don't know why it's telling me that this isn't available, but I am gonna give it another go. If you don't know me, my name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our division leads for our pelvic division as well as our geriatric division. And today I wanted to talk to you all a little bit about our role in fertility. So we are working on our level two, finishing up our level two course content. And one of the areas, our level two course is talking about how to create a fitness forward approach to pelvic health in a variety of different conditions. And so one of those conditions is around fertility, infertility, birth control, that type of space. And I have thought, an astronomical amount about where our role is in fertility, fertility management, and infertility. And so to kind of give context to this, like it really has been in the last five or ten years where we have started to advocate for ourselves as a member of the obstetrical team, right? So we really advocate in pelvic health, especially with rates of pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic injury that happen around the pregnancy and postpartum period, that we have a role to play from a rehab perspective when it comes to female health and male health in the fertility space potentially. And so we have kind of made this jump where we are now very well known for being in the obstetrical space, helping with birth prep, helping with reducing perennial trauma, rehabbing from perennial or abdominal trauma as a consequence of a C-section or a vaginal delivery. And so we really have etched our role in a wonderful way in the obstetrical space. And so it doesn't really seem like that big of a leap for us to think about coming into the fertility space, right? Because it's all kind of centered around the pelvis. It's an area where there is a lot of misunderstanding. There's a lot of grief. There's a lot of trauma that happens. And so we are seeing more and more of our physical therapists and other allied health providers start advertising services in fertility. FERTILITY GONE WRONG And so Before I go into some of the research in this space and where we at ICE stand in this space, I want to tell you all a story about where this can go terribly wrong. So I owned a physiotherapy clinic and a gym up in Kingston, Ontario for five years. And I had a woman come in to see me and she was looking for a consult for the gym. Her husband was in the military. He had done multiple tours and they were having trouble conceiving. So they had done multiple rounds of IVF, neither of which had been successful. I think they had done two rounds and he was currently deployed and he was struggling with mental health stuff. He was struggling with PTSD. She was, as a consequence of the healing process, was also struggling with a lot of mental health and anxiety, trying to be that person for him. So it was a really complicated situation, their fertility journey. And so they were, she was coming in saying, you know, well, if I can get in better shape, then maybe it's going to help this next round of IVF. And so I was talking about her history with exercise, and then I was talking about her history with rehab, just trying to get to see if, you know, she would want to come into one of our programs and what that program may be. And she told me that she was seeing another provider and was getting adjusted three times a week for fertility. And so I kind of asked her the situations and circumstances around that. And she said that, you know, I am willing to try anything to get pregnant. It's what I want more than anything else. And so she's like, I went to this provider and they did a x-ray of my entire back. And I was starting to have low back pain, which like infertility, trauma, mental health, baby that they want that they cannot have. Like her pain was focusing around her pelvis and her low back. And provider x-rayed the entire spine and said, oh, here it is. Here's your infertility. It is at your neck and you have a issue at C5, C6, and there's an innervation right there, right to the uterus. You're going to get adjusted by me three times a week for six months. And I guarantee you the next time you have IVF, it's going to be successful. And I have never raged internally in a conversation so much in my entire life. It was a really tough spot for me to be because I was a person that she had never met before. Then she was asking about gym-based services, did not even know that I was a physical therapist because that was not the role that I was playing in this interaction. And she was in such a vulnerable space that if I came in super hot and was like, that is not true, then I would have potentially severed a line of hope for her that she had developed, but oh my goodness, how unethical is it for you to make promises that you cannot keep? And so I tell this story to give the frame of reference that I think about when I make statements about where we lie with respect to our role in rehab. FERTILITY: A VULNERABLE POPULATION So the first thing that we always have to think with this, and this is in any space where we are trying to kind of go into new markets, and I am not against being in new markets, but this population in particular is a very vulnerable population. This is a population where individuals are feeling like their body is failing, The emotional and mental load of fertility is high. The shame and guilt and spiraling and social context and people asking you if you're gonna be having babies soon even though it is something you want more than anything else in the world and it is not happening. The feeling of your body failing you at something that you quote unquote should be able to do. These are all things that make us need to think very clearly about the statements and promises that we make as we consider niching into this space. The second filter of this is from a manual therapy perspective. We have no evidence that our manual therapy increases chances of conceiving. So we cannot say that we are changing the orientation of the uterus to make for a more hospitable environment. We cannot say that. It is not ethical for us to say that. One, because we have no evidence that there's going to be any movement of really strong really anchored organs in our body where we are placing hands on people right like our evidence is that we are horrible at landmarking exactly what what muscle we are on we are not doing a hip flexor release and and changing trigger points in our muscles We are not able to really localize our manifs and we're really interacting with the nervous system. So if we can't even do that at the superficial musculoskeletal system, why do we think that our manual therapy is going to impact our organs? So we need to be very mindful about what we are doing. And so the first thing we have to filter is the ethics. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THE USE OF MANUAL THERAPY TO IMPROVE FERTILITY The second thing we have to recognize is that we are currently going into a space that does not have evidence for our manual therapy techniques to change our fertility. That is number two. That is not to say that this evidence will not develop. It is a new area, but we cannot say, if you come to see me, you're more likely to get pregnant. We cannot say that. We can say that we are exploring different modalities and we can have lots of conversations about fertility. We are educated providers in the fertility space, but we need to be very clear with our communication about what we can promise to individuals because it is unethical for us to say that this is gonna happen. Three, there is a placebo effect of somebody taking care of you when you are in such a vulnerable space, right? There is one of the biggest and best things that we can do as rehab providers is that we are able to have space, have time to listen to our people and cater to and speak toward the emotional side of what they are going through. A lot of the interactions with our medical space when it comes to fertility are very much focused on the physiology of it, right? Because that is what they are trying to remove barriers for from a physiological perspective, whether it's on the male or female side, and allow fertilization to occur in successful implantation. But we need to be very, very mindful. So to finish off this episode, what can we do? Where do we have evidence around a potential role in rehab. Okay, so in order for conception to happen, right, we need to have, on the female side, we have to have an egg that is released on a monthly basis, right, so we have to be ovulating. That egg has to travel into the fallopian tube. Sex needs to occur with ejaculation so that the sperm is meeting the egg in the fallopian tube. And then the fertilized egg needs to travel through the fallopian tube and embed into the uterus and have the hormonal environment, have the enrichment of the uterine walls in order for that implantation to be successful and maintained. Okay. So the first piece in our fertility is the ovulation space. And if you've been following our pelvic crew for a long period of time, you know that one of the areas around ovulation, and we are not medical providers, so we are not looking at their hormone levels. We are not seeing if luteinizing hormone is creating a estrogen surge that allows ovulation to take place. But we are one of those providers that oftentimes can catch relative energy deficiency in sport. So We can have conversations that individuals are amenorrheic to be a resource dealer and a primary care provider to refer on if we think that something is going on with their menstrual cycle that has to do with their nutrition or that they are not ovulating as a consequence of low energy availability. So from that perspective, if they're not getting their period, like we may be that resource dealer to a registered dietitian or nutritionist that has a scope of practice that works with potential disordered eating, potential issues with fertility, and that has a more broad scope of practice to be able to speak to those levels, right? We could be referring to our obstetrician if individuals are thinking of conceiving in the next six months and they don't have their period, let's get them to get their doc to do blood work or let's like get earlier on that process and then send that letter and say, you know, I've been treating this person for musculoskeletal issues. Like I am a little bit worried about relative energy deficiency in sport and we can make that connection. We can also educate on the menstrual cycle and what is required for fertility to take place, right? We can be talking about when our fertility windows are, right? We are not reproductively positive or we're not able to have a fertilized egg at all parts of our cycle, right? Ovulation occurs between day 12 and day 14. So that window, usually between 11 and 15 days of your cycle is like your chance window of getting pregnant. So we can be educating on that. We have evidence for that. Medically, in our scope of practice, we can absolutely be talking about that physiology. We have a role in that space and we have the time to sit down with our people and talk about tracking your menstrual cycle and recognizing some of the signs that you might be ovulating, like changes in cervical mucus and body temperature and those types of things. The second piece where we have a role is that sex needs to be successful in that women are able to have penetrative intercourse and ejaculation needs to occur. And so I'm going to do an entire second episode on male fertility and male fertility factors and our role in male fertility, because fun fact, 30 to 50% of infertility cases are male factors. And yet all of our information is on female related fertility factors. And so in order for sex to be able to happen, individuals have to not have pain. and they need to be able to have penetrative intercourse. So here's another area where our role can be quite massive, right? In really extreme cases of pelvic pain or vaginismus or vulvodynia, there are circumstances where the pain is so severe that individuals do artificial insemination or other assisted reproductive technologies because they are unable, without significant severe pain, to be able to have penetrative intercourse in order for ovulation or fertilization rather to occur. So we have a role in that space as well. And this is where our evidence is, right? So if individuals are having pain with intercourse or on that guarded high nervous system response, right? Parasympathetic tone is a very important part of our arousal response. then we can be interacting with that nervous system and we can be working on pain-centered modalities in order to try and allow individuals to be able to participate in intercourse in order for individuals to be able to successfully, hopefully conceive. Where some individuals, and this is gonna be long, so I'm gonna try not to rant too much, where we're taking a bit too much of a stretch for where we are at in our opinion, is around the hypertonicity and what the hypertonicity of the pelvic floor is doing from a hospitable environment for fertility and saying, well, your body might not be ready. Let's talk about our vagina and our pelvic floor muscles and our cervix. Our pelvic floor muscles are here. Our cervix is here at the top. So once sperm has passed your cervix or has gotten through that, and you, I'm not saying that your penis goes past your cervix, but what I'm saying is when you are having that ejaculation, that the sperm is going to go up towards the cervix. Once you have passed that pelvic floor layer, the pelvic floor has nothing to do with our fertility, right? So that hypertonicity piece, likely has no impact outside of pain responses on successful fertilization of an egg, right? Because that sperm is gonna go up towards the cervix and sneak through to try and be able to ovulate that egg or to be able to fertilize that egg like really quickly and the muscles of the pelvic floor are not impeding sperm from getting there. So again, kind of coming full circle, like our role is in education and pain management from where our evidence stands right now. And if we are going into these areas of gray, we need to be mindful of our language. And then we need to really think critically about what do we truly think is going on? And is some of my manual therapy interacting with that nervous system, bringing that stress response down, getting us into more parasympathetic tone, or am I moving an organ? That's where we need to be critical and we need to be honest with our people. We talk about all the time with diastasis recti rehab that I cannot make any promises about what your belly looks like at rest because all of our interventions are when your belly is contracted. I can get you stronger. I'm going to be able to have more function. I'm going to be able to say this, this, and this, but I cannot promise you that your belly is going to look different or that it is going to look the way it did before pregnancy, nor would I really expect it to. I am very clear with that communication. We need to be mindful and do the same thing when we are thinking about our role in fertility. All right. That was a bit of a rant. I'm so sorry. I went a little bit long, but… This is really important. SUMMARY If you want to talk more about fertility, that is in our level two course, which means that you'll have to take our level one online course. Our next cohort, which sold out a couple of weeks ago, it starts today, which means that our next cohort is starting the week of April 30th. So if you are interested, let us know. Our next cohort of level two that's gonna dive into all this literature is in August. So take that level one, get into that level two, and I am so excited to be able to deep dive into these spaces a little bit more. All right, have a great week, everybody. Talk soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. April Dominick // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic faculty member April Dominick shares some insights and a “big win” from a coffee marketing meetup with a physician. She cites 5 clinical pearls for how to approach challenging the status quo of practice patterns with the providers in your community. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Good morning, everyone. This is Dr. April Dominick. I am on faculty with the Ice Pelvic Division. And today I wanted to discuss a recent marketing win that I had with a physician and some insights regarding how to challenge the status quo of practice patterns within providers in your community. One concern that we often get with our ICE courses and especially in the pelvic division is someone will say, hey, I love all of this incredible research that you all are sharing that is completely different from the way that I practice and I'm so stoked and I'm so behind it. But how do I recommend or how do you recommend that I bring this back to a community of providers who are pretty steadfast in their practice patterns? So today I'll share that recent interaction. And again, it was a marketing meetup with a physician and I want to share how it went from an invite for a latte to an invite for a lecture that I could give And all of that happened in just under 35 minutes. So I met with an OB who I have a pretty solid referral relationship with. She refers folks to me, I refer folks to her, and we were just catching up over some mutual patients that we had. And the conversation ended up turning towards how she counsels patients in the pregnant and postpartum space in regards to exercise. And she absolutely encourages people to continue moving, keep exercising, working out. But she says, you know, I caution them against doing planks and I don't really support twisting and turning because I don't want to make that diastasis recti worsen or that thinning of the linea alba. And she also says that she cautions individuals with any sort of impact because she doesn't want to further any sort of urinary incontinence. In my head, I was like, ooh, gosh, there's so much research that has come out, especially in the past six to 10 years, that doesn't support that line of thinking. But how do I share that with her without, you know, stepping on her toes and interrupting this beautiful relationship that I've developed with her? So I asked, I said, would you mind if I shared some updated evidence that we have regarding all of those topics? And she was totally game. She was like, fire away. Yes. So I shared the benefits and the protective mechanisms that we know about as far as core strengthening during pregnancy and early postpartum. I relayed to her the reality of the situation regarding diastasis recti is we don't even really have a consensus in the literature for defining it. And I also quoted some studies that we also talk about in our live courses and our online courses about when it comes to someone who is one year postpartum, they are likely still, some of them still have a diastasis recti and that those with a persistent diastasis recti tend to have a weaker rectus and oblique strength score compared to those without a DRA about a year postpartum. I also anecdotally, I mean, I had to squeeze this in somehow, but I anecdotally shared that since I started loading the core more during pregnancy and early postpartum, that some of our mutual clients, I did some name drops, have actually had relatively quicker recoveries on the back end, on the PT side. And they've returned to their functional activities seemingly with more ease. And that was, of course, all things considered and just an anecdote, but it's something that a trend that I've noticed. And that's all for folks who have prioritize course strength training as opposed to those who have not or those who continued some sort of resistance training of some sort. We also talked about other topics and I threw in that we have a lot of evidence regarding the benefits of resistance training and lifting heavy during pregnancy and some preliminary evidence that says hey, exercise and heavy strength training may support the role of lowering some pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and even some perinatal mood disorders. And then of course, I let her know, you know what, I am there to help support someone in their endurance training, their impact training, Um, and I help address that pelvic floor dysfunction. So I actually will come alongside someone, um, with those goals. And if there is any sort of pelvic floor dysfunction or urinary leakage, um, I got them. And, and that's not something that I discourage. Her mind was blown. Like she was glued to me as I was just rattling off all of this new information to her that differed from her current practice patterns and likely what she had been trained under when she went to school or in the last continuing education class that she went to. Or maybe she just hasn't really been to any of this because that's not necessarily her expertise. So she was just mind blown and she was so excited to learn this new information. And I said, you know what, this line of practice that I just shared with you, all of these recent updates and literature, this is more of a recent shift even for me. When I first started practicing in pelvic health, up until three to four years ago, I had many of the same practice patterns that you just shared with me. And in fact, many PTs, many other pelvic PTs are still currently practicing with those similar philosophies because that's how we were trained. And not everyone is caught up in respect to the latest evidence. So we talked about different concerns also that we hear in our clinic rooms. And that was fascinating, a whole nother podcast episode, but it was just really fascinating to hear that some of the concerns that her clients have, that our clients have, what they tell her in the clinic room is very different from what the conversations I have. And of course I shared with her, you know, a lot of the folks who are pregnant and postpartum, They have so much fear on board regarding getting a diastasis recti during pregnancy. By the way, it's 100% normal. And how they often pay for generic programs to get flat abs from Instagram influencers and they don't work and then they're frustrated. Or they share with me how they're just terrified about getting a perineal tear during delivery. or they're just determined not to have their organs fall on the ground after pregnancy. And it was so interesting because she, she was like, April, that is, those are not the main concerns in my sessions. And she was like, this is so informative to hear what's happening over there. She also doesn't have Instagram. So I feel like that may influence what it is that she sees and hears. But again, we were talking about in our clinic spaces. So I also got curious because I had some questions that were more on topics about her expertise, like perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy, which all of those topics are being discussed way more in the pelvic PT space now. So at the end of the conversation, she thanked me so much for sharing the recent literature. She said, I am so much more confident now promoting whole body strength, including the core, like I feel comfortable because of what you shared with me, promoting people doing planks and promoting impact exercise throughout pregnancy and postpartum. She wanted those articles emailed to her immediately. And the most surprising and probably the best part of this entire meetup was that she asked if I would like to give a presentation at Grand Rounds of the do's and don'ts of exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. She was like, my colleagues would 100% benefit from hearing what you have to say. It'll be a tough crowd because she said many of her fellow nurses and physicians assistants and doctors practice from what they learned, uh, 20 to 30 years ago and are even way further behind than how she practices. She's like, some of them are still promoting bed rest. Um, even when the client doesn't meet that criteria. And she said that she often will come behind providers as she's rounding up the hospital and say to the clients, no, I want you to get up and move. Moving is good, exercise is good. Because I guess some of her other colleagues have said, no, no, no, just stay in the bed, stay in the bed, that's gonna be better for recovery. So I was of course ecstatic when she asked me to do a Grand Rounds lecture. I told her, you know what, it would even be very helpful from my perspective if clients heard about the benefits of continuing resistance training and core work and impact exercise from the medical community because Clients have so much respect for the medical community. So if they are hearing about it first from them and then they get to see me later, if that's the order that happens, even better that we are reinforcing that strength is queen and that can help knock down a lot of those fear-based messaging that our clients get. So, In a matter of 30 minutes, I went from coffee grounds to grand rounds. I want to identify just five things or themes that I came up with from that interaction that may help you cultivate a relationship with a provider, whether it's an OB, an orthopedic surgeon, or a chiropractor, massage therapist, whatever. Use these when you are going to market. LEVERAGE THE LITERATURE Number one, leverage the literature. and thoughtfully ask if it's okay for you to share that recent literature has overturned some of those old tiny beliefs. So reference some of the amazing evidence-based pearls that you've gotten from your ICE courses or from some of our posts. It's all about being respectful for that delivery in the question. So I'd recommend that you just be honest and say, would it be okay if I shared some of the recent literature with you that I have found incredibly helpful for my practice in bettering client outcomes? VALIDATE THE OTHER PERSON Number two, validate them. Share that it wasn't long ago that you were practicing in a different way that maybe didn't align with some of the recent clinical practice guidelines. Sometimes the oldest techniques don't necessarily stand the test of time and they may not be the most effective. SHARE CLINICAL OUTCOMES Number three, share some stellar clinical outcomes. Use wins from mutual patients if that's an already established referral source. ASK FOR ADVICE Number four, ask them for advice. When it comes to a topic that is in their expertise that you may be curious about, or maybe you have an uptick in this particular diagnosis on your caseload. There is nothing that people love more than talking about themselves. Exhibit A, just kidding. Um, but they love talking about how they treat their philosophy. And when you ask someone for insight that shows, you know what, that shows that you're curious and you're wanting to learn from them. So it becomes more of a two way street. LEAN INTO YOUR PERSONALITY & PASSION And then finally, number five, lean into your unique personality and passion. When people get a sense of how incredibly passionate you are about changing lives and how you practice being about it day in and day out, they listen. Think about the first time you tuned into a PTA on Ice podcast episode with Jeff Moore or Christina Prevett blasting their truths from behind the mic. how you can feel their excitement through your speaker as they rap about getting that PT version 2.0 going, about how we need to remove barriers to exercise in the older adult, the pregnant and postpartum space. So lean into your personality, whether it's loud and proud or quiet confidence, and let that drive your passion behind changing the status quo in your community. I hope you found this marketing one of mine and those insights helpful for your next marketing meeting. Remember, leverage recent literature, validate the provider and how you may have just recently shifted to using these more evidence-based interventions and strategies, share recent client wins and trends, get curious about their expertise, and then lean into your personality and let that elevate your passion for providing Fitness Forward, evidence-informed care in the PT space. SUMMARY If you're feeling like you need to brush up on some of the latest research and treatment strategies in regards to fitness, guidelines, and any sort of pelvic health issue, join us in our Ice Pelvic Courses. We have some live courses coming to you. Alexis and Rachel will be in Newark, California. the first weekend of March, and then Alexis and I will be in Bismarck, North Dakota the second weekend of March. There's still time to sign up for those. And then from an online perspective, our next level one cohort starts March 5th, and we only have a few seats away from being sold out for that cohort. So hop on in. Thank you so much for joining and remember to bring that Be About It attitude not just to your workouts but to your marketing meetings and coffee meetups as well. Cheers y'all! OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Rachel Moore // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic faculty member Rachel Moore discusses the ins and outs of bracing and how to engage in conversations with fitness professionals to make sure we are all speaking the same language. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Hey everyone, this is Alan. Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get started with today's episode, I want to talk to you about VersaLifts. Today's episode is brought to you by VersaLifts. Best known for their heel lift shoe inserts, VersaLifts has been a leading innovator in bringing simple but highly effective rehab tools to the market. If you have clients with stiff ankles, Achilles tendinopathy, or basic skeletal structure limitations keeping them from squatting with proper form and good depth, a little heel lift can make a huge difference. VersaLifts heel lifts are available in three different sizes and all of them add an additional half inch of drop to any training shoe, helping athletes squat deeper with better form. Visit www.vlifts.com/icephysio or click the link in today's show notes to get your VersaLifts today. RACHEL MOORE Good morning, PT on ICE Daily Show. What is up? It is Monday morning. My name is Dr. Rachel Moore. I am here representing our pelvic division, hanging out today to chat with you guys about bracing. So really breaking down the brace, understanding this concept a little bit more, understanding maybe where some pitfalls are in our communication with our fitness professionals that we are working with. So diving into that, let's just get started. IS ALL BRACING INSTRUCTION THE SAME?The brace as a term is kind of like poorly defined. There's really an understanding maybe in the PT world of what the brace is and then maybe in the strength world of what the brace is. And oftentimes what we're seeing or what we're getting feedback from is maybe there's a disconnect between what we're teaching as PTs or being taught as PTs and what the fitness professionals in our communities are being taught. And we wanted to kind of break down where this comes from. So for one, a lot of times fitness professionals aren't necessarily ever truly like taught how to do a brace. The most common cue we hear in like the fitness professional space is brace like somebody is going to punch you in the belly or like somebody is going to hit you in the stomach. And a lot of times that kind of brings about, or people think that this means this push out and this push out. on the PT side of things is actually what we're trying to avoid. And so we get some feedback from students in our courses and that's actually kind of what inspired the topic today is we got an email from one of the students who had taken our courses who said that she was kind of hearing from fitness professionals in her community that the way she was teaching the brace wasn't correct. So what do we do with that conversation? How do we navigate that conversation with those fitness professionals? And how do we kind of get across that we're probably saying the same thing, but it's not coming across the same way. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BRACE? So first thing I want to do is really define what the brace is. And in order to define what the brace is, we have to define the component pieces of the core canister, which is what's involved in the brace. So when we're talking about our core canister, we're talking about a 360 degree canister that has a top and a bottom. The top of that is going to be our diaphragm. The bottom of that is going to be our pelvic floor. The front insides are our anterior abdominal wall. A lot of times people just say, oh, that's the transverse abdominal muscles. But in reality, we have to understand that that is more than just the transverse abs. That's actually all of the layers of the abdominal wall. and then the back is the spine and the muscles of the spine. When we talk about this brace, we want the canister to have equal pressure distributed around it and dissipate forces in an equalized manner, rather than maybe one side of the canister getting too much force, which then causes a leakage of pressure into a different direction. So when we're explaining the brace, or we're teaching the brace, We oftentimes teach it as tense your abs, or think about pulling your pelvic bones together. A cue that we use a ton over in the pelvic division with our pregnant athletes is if you have a baby, hug your baby, or if you can remember what it felt like to recently be pregnant, hug baby, that pull together of the abs. We are never queuing a push out because if we think about this canister, a push outwards is going to cause a mismatch of pressure within the inside of that canister. That's then going to come downwards through the pelvic floor. And oftentimes in the pelvic space can elicit pelvic floor symptoms like leakage, heaviness, or farting in the bottom of a squat or when we're lifting. so we expect that the pelvic floor is going to match the degree of abdominal brace we don't necessarily cue an intentional pelvic floor contraction when we're saying brace we might in our populations that are having issues with symptoms cue almost like an over correction because especially if there's somebody that's actually bearing down or pushing when they're bracing and not understanding that they're lengthening their pelvic floor rather than either staying at the same level or allowing their pelvic floor to match the demand of everything that's on top of it. So when we're cuing our brace, it is tense your abs, pelvic floor either stays the same or we slightly lift pelvic floor to match that pressure. That's how we teach that brace. THE CONFUSING NATURE OF THE WEIGHTLIFTING BELT The confusion I think comes in especially when we start talking about layering in a belt. So oftentimes in the strength training world, we see athletes busting out a belt and maybe they're using it all the time for every However, whatever the weight is on the bar, it's not necessarily just that they're heavier lifts or maybe they're reserving it for their heavier lifts. The key thing with the belt is that when we layer in the belt, the brace doesn't change. And that's something that I think we need to make sure our athletes and our coaches are understanding is that the belt is there to give us this extra support and really proprioceptive input to allow that increase in spinal stiffness to happen, but it is not a mechanism to push into. and I have my husband's belt. I left mine at the gym, so this isn't gonna fit me exactly right, but I wanna walk through the fit of the belt and where I think this confusion maybe comes from when we start talking about fitness professionals queuing a push-out. So with the belt, when we're talking about using a weightlifting belt, we want to think about, if you have YouTube or Instagram live up, I've got the belt here, and I'm just gonna kinda walk through the fit of the belt and what we're looking for. So when we are putting a weightlifting belt on, we're looking to fill that space in between our pelvis and our ribcage. If there's a little bit of overlap, that's totally fine, but we're kind of going like the top of the pelvis and that's my marker for where this belt is going to go. When I put my belt on, I'm going to put my belt on and as I tighten it, I want to fully exhale. I'm not like sucking in and shrinking and shriveling up as tiny as I can. I'm just doing a comfortable exhale. And then from there, I'm tightening. And in this tightening, I can breathe. I can talk. I can put a finger in between me and my belt, and I'm not uncomfortable. It's not squeezing me. If we have the fit of the belt correct, then that approximation that comes from inhaling i think is maybe what the confusion is coming from so if i have my belt on right i tightened it on my exhale as i do an inhale and i think about inhaling into my belly and into my spine that good solid 360 breath i feel my tissues push into that belt that is different than me intentionally pushing into the belt, that push your belly out sensation. If you're watching this live or listening to this later, put your hands on your belly and feel what happens when you push your stomach out. What do you feel at your pelvic floor? More than likely, it's a dropdown. If we think about tensing our core, Usually we don't feel much there. Maybe we feel a slight lift. And if we do feel a drop down, then we over correct and think about going up towards the basement to mitigate that. But the key here is the fit of the belt and understanding how to do that brace. So where does the confusion come in? When we're talking about our fitness professionals or maybe people who have never been trained in how to use a belt, the thought is to push out into the belt to create that contact with the belt. But if we have the belt fitting correctly, we don't need to do that push up. That's the biggest thing that I want you guys to understand and take away is it all comes back to the fit and making sure that we're using that belt correctly. Even without the belt, our brace stays the same, right? We're thinking inhale into belly, tense abs. It's never push out as if we're pushing our abdominal wall away. WORKING ALONGSIDE FITNESS PROFESSIONALS So when we're having these conversations with Fitness professionals or other coaches in our community who are maybe pushing back and saying like that's not how we teach our brace Really breaking this down and explaining to them where we're coming from and why. I think a lot of the time like we assume that everybody is just saying the opposite just for the sake of saying the opposite or maybe like they're just digging their heels in and there's no sense in educating them. But in reality like we have a lot of opportunity here to create bridges with these fitness professionals and create positive relationships. And we're not gonna do that by saying, well, you're wrong, or telling the athletes, well, your coach is wrong, just do it how I teach you. So using this as an opportunity to get in front of those coaches and those fitness professionals, and as a way to kind of bridge this relationship of, hey, you guys are coaching, I'm teaching your athletes, I would love to get on the same page, this is how I teach a brace, this is why. The goal here is to create equalized pressure across this core canister, If we push out in one direction or another, we put ourselves at risk of potentially having pressure leakage, quote unquote, out through that wall. It's also just not as strong. And at the end of the day, all of us are here to help people get stronger and move better. So if we think about this and conceptualize all of these walls of this castle being strong rather than one being broken or pushed out, then we can kind of understand that that applies into better, more efficient bracing mechanic, which then leads into better lifting and higher strength with our sets that we're working on, increasing our strength and capacity there. If this is confusing to you, I've got another podcast episode, episode 1577 of PT on Ice Daily Show that's all about the Valsalva, kind of breaks down a little bit more of the specifics of the Valsalva, which is that breath hold with the brace. The Valsalva can also have the belt, so we can have this spectrum of breathing. SUMMARY We really break down the spectrum of breathing in our live courses. Our live course is coming up in March. There are so many opportunities to catch the live course out on the road in March, y'all. March 2nd and 3rd in California, 9th and 10th in North Dakota, 23rd and 24th in South Carolina. So holy cow, so many opportunities to come hang out with us. Be on the lookout. Christina Prevett and I also did a clinical commentary that will be coming out in the spring 2024 edition. of the Journal of Pelvic Obstetric and Gynecologic Physiotherapy, so that should be coming out here pretty soon. We'll be blasting that all over the place when it does come out, but be on the lookout. Sign up for our pelvic newsletter, because that's gonna be one of the first places that drops, as well as on our hump day hustling. Thanks for joining me this morning, guys. I hope that cleared up some confusion. If you have any questions about bracing, or you're not sure how to explain it, or anything along those lines, please reach out, shoot me a message. I'm happy to chat with you more. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, join Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses how it can feel very overwhelming when your practice looks very different then what you are exposed to in a course like Modern Management of the Older Adult. You don't need to change drastically overnight (though you can!) but we encourage you to take the first step. In today's episode, Christina takes you through 4 steps you can take TODAY, to level up Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes, or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Hey everyone, this is Alan. Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get started with today's episode, I want to talk to you about VersaLifts. Today's episode is brought to you by VersaLifts. Best known for their heel lift shoe inserts, VersaLifts has been a leading innovator in bringing simple but highly effective rehab tools to the market. If you have clients with stiff ankles, Achilles tendinopathy, or basic skeletal structure limitations keeping them from squatting with proper form and good depth, a little heel lift can make a huge difference. VersaLifts heel lifts are available in three different sizes and all of them add an additional half inch of h drop to any training shoe, helping athletes squat deeper with better form. Visit www.vlifts.com/icephysio or click the link in today's show notes to get your VersaLifts today. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everybody and welcome to the PT on ICE daily show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty within our geriatric division. And today I wanted to talk to you about something that we see a lot as we talk to clinicians across the country, across North America, sometimes internationally, about some of the barriers to implementing some of these exercise interventions that we know are so, so relevant and helpful to get our older adults as strong as possible, to give them as much reserve as possible. So when we go into different live courses, we have our two-day online, or we have our eight-week online course, we have our two-day live course. We talk to clinicians in the geriatric space who are in a lot of different practice settings, right? It's really great and really unique that one, we oftentimes have a multidisciplinary group. So we're seeing OTs, PTs, CODAs, PTAs. But then we also have a lot of people in the room who are in different practice settings. So in any course, we can have some people who are in acute care, in home health, in skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, fitness. We kind of see this spectrum, right? And we know that with our older adults, that there is a spectrum. And in our courses, we try to speak to that spectrum. So we try to speak to the clinician who is working with really sick folks in the hospital, to the, person who's in fitness and is keeping older adults who are doing fairly well as active as they can into hopefully their 90s and 100s. But sometimes there can be these barriers that are maybe not to do with the client that you're seeing, but the clinician and the space at which the clinician is at in order for it to feel like an overwhelming barrier to get individuals to or to see some of the changes we know are going to lead to better outcomes. And this is not to cast any blame on the clinician, but to acknowledge that it is not just you working with the client, it's you working with the client within the system that is medicine and the system that is your employer. And it's something that we want to acknowledge. So I was at a course recently and I had a person come up to me and I just, I loved the vulnerability, but she said to me, you know, I am a worse clinician than I was five years ago. And she was, she's about five, six years out. And you know, I'm going to talk about what you can do today, but I want to acknowledge this first. And she said, I'm just so tired. And she wasn't saying it for, you know, sympathy. She was just wanting an acknowledgement that she knew that all of the things that we were talking about in this course were exactly what she needed to be doing. And yet all of the other stuff around the system that she was experiencing was making it so that she was exhausted and it made it hard to do the better thing, right? Because Seated Therax is not as cognitively demanding on us as clinicians. The safety profile is oftentimes a lot lower, is a lot lower, even if the returns are not as good. And I first, before we start talking about ways that we can start leveling up our therapy practice, like what is the next step that we can take? If this story is resonating with you, what I want you to do is know that we see you. We see how hard clinicians are working. We see how hard it can be to push back against a narrative that has been, you know, kind of placed into our system that makes it so that there are barriers that are systems and administrative barriers that make, you know, leveling up in geriatrics be difficult to do. It is especially difficult if you are the one trying to push against this and everybody else in your practice is not. And so I first want to just acknowledge you and say, you know, I'm going to start trying to give some practical tips around ways that you can take that next step. But if your biggest barrier is where you are at from a headspace perspective or where you are at from a cultural perspective, just know that I acknowledge that where you are. and maybe some of that reflection will help work towards, you know, I don't know what that next step is for you to try and help get you out of that burnout or out of that exhaustion state, but it may be your biggest hurdle when it comes to leveling up in the geriatric space. So I wanted to acknowledge that first. "WHERE DO I START?" Okay, so the next step is I have no idea where to start. and I have no idea what to do. And so where I want all of you to start, and this is gonna be my challenge for you for the rest of the week, is do one thing different. level up in one thing. So when people come and take our course, they think, okay, now everything that I do has to be different. And that would be like taking you and you eat fast food six times a day or six times a week and you don't exercise at all and you're not sleeping and you're over caffeinated and you don't know what water is. And then you say, okay, I'm going to go and I'm going to eat super clean. I'm never going to have any fast food ever again. I'm just going to drink water. I'm going to kick out caffeine and I'm going to exercise 150 minutes. of aerobic and two times a week of strength training. I love that goal for you, but we wanna make it so that it makes what seems impossible possible. And we're gonna start taking these little steps, right? So we talk a lot in MMA about graded exposure and acknowledging that process when it comes to our patients, but we acknowledge that that practice change also takes time. And if this is not an area where you are focusing with respect to intensity, and this is particularly true in the resistance training space, just know that we don't need to drastically change. LAYER IN STANDING EXERCISES We need to take the next step. And so what can that be? Let's go through three examples of what that can look like. So you have a patient who is coming in and you have been doing predominantly seated exercise. and this is no shame at all. This is where you are at with this person. They are tired, their joints are irritable, and you know that you're gonna have to do a lot of pressing to get that session to be mostly in standing. Great. I want you to get them standing for one. If that's one exercise, that's one set. If you are doing long arc quad, change that to a standing terminal knee extension with a band around the rig or around a doorknob or around the high-low table that allows them to do that exercise in standing. So the one next step can be is to choose one person on your caseload where the easier choice was to do the seated option, but you're going to get them to do the standing option. So that's taking the step Here, that was number one. START USING AMRAP SETS Number two, if you are a person who has had trouble finding a quantifiable baseline assessment of strength. And this is so many people in our profession, like we ask all the time, like how many people take a kind of estimated strength measurement before they prescribe strength exercise? And most people are saying, well, shoot, I don't really do that. And it was a big growth area for me too. So the first opportunity for leveling up, today in your geriatric practice is to get a person who you would have chose a seated option, but you're going to try and get them into standing for at least one set. The second one is going to be to pick one exercise for one person and do an AMRAP set. So we talk about using estimated 100 maxes. So an AMRAP set is as many repetitions as possible. We can use it for a quantifiable baseline amount of strength, You're going to choose a weight that you think individuals can do for 10 repetitions or less because there's a cardiovascular component if we're over 10, if you've ever lifted heavy weights for more than 10 reps, you know what I'm talking about. And I want you to put an AMRAP set in today. So that's number two. Number three is you take one person's session and you get an objective measure for every set. So this is my number three. So one is get a person in standing if we want to have them sitting even though we know they can stand. Number two is getting an AMRAP set to try and find a quantifiable baseline amount of strength. BEGIN TO OBJECTIVELY QUANTITY EFFORT WITH RPE And three is to find a rate using a rating of perceived exertion, an RPE, for each exercise. and try and get individuals in that moderate sweet spot between five and seven. Hey, if you want to push them up to 10, I'm here for it. But if we are trying to take the first step to level up, what we want to make sure is that we are asking our patients, how hard do you think this is? And some people are going to say it's hard because they're tired. Some people are going to say it's hard because of pain. or some people are going to say it's hard because it's effortful, and effort is the name of the game, right? Effort when we're bumping up against pain can be that we're kind of toggling in this wiggle room between this increase in pain and how long it takes for their pain to come down to baseline. It can be exertional effort, but effort is the currency that we are looking at when it comes to all of our rehab interventions. And so the step that I want you all to take is to take a rate of perceived exertion for every exercise. So if they are doing clams, if they are doing bed mobility, I wanna say how hard do you think that was on a scale of one to 10? Or was it easy, medium, or hard? And you want them at least in the medium. There are so many times where I think that I am hitting the right mark when it comes to intensity for my older adults, and then I ask them, and they're like, oh, it's like a three. And I was like, well, dang. Linda, I'm going to switch this weight for you." And we end up taking the weight and putting it higher. Of course, your clients learn that and they'll look at you and you'll ask and they'll say, eight. And I was like, I don't believe you. That's not an eight. And you switch that exercise out. But giving you a rating of perceived exertion, one, that's something that you can document to make sure that you're getting that intensity, is a great way for you to be able to level up your Jerry game today. Okay, I know I said three, but I'm gonna give you four. BEGIN TO MEASURE REST INTERVALS The fourth one that you can do, and then I'll kind of go through all of them again, is to record your rest. Oftentimes we do our sets and then we kind of wait and we wave a little bit and we think, oh, well, I'm getting bored or they're getting bored or they're finished with the story. Okay, we'll start the next set. And we have no idea what that intensity looks like if they are resting for 30 seconds versus 90. If you are working with an individual with a high enough amount of load, they should need that full minute to recover. And so if we don't Check how much rest they're getting it can be really difficult for us to know if we're hitting the mark again with intensity So I gave you a bonus one So I'll do three plus bonus that I didn't lie to you at the beginning of this session About or this podcast about what our ways for us to level up our Jerry game So let's bring this around full circle the first thing is I want to acknowledge you if the hardest part about leveling up your Jerry game is because of the mental state that you are in right now if that is because of your job if that is because of family stress if that has become because of work culture expectations that make it difficult. I want to first acknowledge that and where you are. And know that sometimes if you are sitting at a 40% baseline, your cognitive reserve, and you're giving 40%, then you're giving 100% of the effort that you have available right now. And I want that acknowledged. And I know that it's not just simple as like, let's just change these one things for individuals who are kind of in the throes of some of those difficulties. If you are able to get through and try one thing different today, I gave four options, right? So doing that AMRAP set, getting a person doing an exercise in standing that we probably would have biased towards sitting, taking a rating of perceived exertion for every exercise in a session, or measuring rest, putting a clock on in the background and having it roll up and just kind of getting an idea of how much rest individuals are taking. You'd be surprised how much of our exercises, our interventions are gone because of us taking longer rest intervals than are probably necessary. SUMMARY All right, if you want to learn more of these level up steps, you can hit us up at MMOA Live. In two weeks on the 17th, 18th, I'm in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Sam. It's going to be such a fun course. On the 23rd, 24th, We are in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. We actually also have a sold out course right now in Rochester on that same weekend, which is super exciting. I love when we see these big crowds. But Alex is going to be in Gales Ferry. And then March 2nd and 3rd, we are in Rome, Georgia and Sparks Glencoe, Maryland. So if you are looking to find us on the road, if you want to figure out all these level up techniques, That is the place to do it. It is two days. It is so fun. You get to hang out with us and our crew. Maybe we can give you that little boost of motivation that you need to take that first step forward. And we would love to be that little bit of a motivation boost and a culture for you if you are struggling right now with different aspects that are outside of your control and your patient's control. within our healthcare system. So I encourage you to see us on the road if you haven't yet. Have a wonderful rest of your week, everybody, and hopefully I will see you all eyeball to eyeball at a course soon. Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

 Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses her journey to becoming a pelvic floor PT. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes or check out the full show notes on our blog at www.ptonice.com/blog. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Hey everyone, this is Alan. Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get started with today's episode, I want to talk to you about VersaLifts. Today's episode is brought to you by VersaLifts. Best known for their heel lift shoe inserts, VersaLifts has been a leading innovator in bringing simple but highly effective rehab tools to the market. If you have clients with stiff ankles, Achilles tendinopathy, or basic skeletal structure limitations keeping them from squatting with proper form and good depth, a little heel lift can make a huge difference. VersaLifts heel lifts are available in three different sizes and all of them add an additional half inch of drop to any training shoe, helping athletes squat deeper with better form. Visit www.vlifts.com/icephysio or click the link in today's show notes to get your VersaLifts today. CHRISTINA PREVETT Everyone and welcome to the PT on ICE daily show My name is Christina Prevett and I am one of the lead faculty within our pelvic health division Today I want to talk a little bit about kind of my journey in to pelvic PT and the reason why I want to do that is because when I first started in pelvic I was actually really adamant that I was never going to be a pelvic PT. It was not something that I wanted. It was not something that I wanted to do. And I want to talk to you a little bit about why I think that's important and where we have seen a shift in pelvic PT that I think is super beneficial. So you all haven't seen me on the podcast now for a while. You know that my start and my love is working in geriatrics, right? My PhD was in geriatrics. My business model was very focused on, with Stavoff, on healthy aging. I did a lot of bridge programming between one-on-one rehab and group fitness wellness for individuals with complexities with the idea of removing barriers to exercise, and optimizing as many facilitators as possible in kind of a medically supervised but not medically necessary type of way. And part of my PhD was really trying to get into this health and wellness space. And you know that fits the bias at ICE really beautifully because we truly believe in preventative healthcare versus our sick care system that we currently have. And part of that was to do a scoping review around where physical therapists could be involved in health and wellness. And I meant that as a primary and secondary prevention aim. So not once disease has already been established, but what to think about this bridge, identifying risk factors to potential issues, or to really think about population level health. And of course, there was a lot of things in the literature that lit up around, you know, chronic Z self-management and working and isolating at risk factors like blood pressure. But one of the other things that came up and came up really strongly in the evidence base was around perinatal care. And so a lot of people go into pelvic PT around their own experiences, and that was actually not the case for me. And so I had applied for a city grant. I was like, well, if this is where we are going and we want to take a lifespan approach, then let's try and get involved in exercise in the perinatal space. And so we applied for a grant, we were able to get grant funding, and we started a program called Strong Like Mom. it was a new area for me you know i did my research on like exercise this is a lot of postpartum exercise in canada we have a year of maternity leave so a lot of moms in the first year would bring their babies in it was really great i was kind of in a period of my life where my husband and i were talking about having kids so i got exposure to other moms and their experiences i got to talk through different pelvic health complaints. And from an external perspective, I was able to help manage a lot of those conditions. But I was not internally trained. And this was back 2018, 2019. And I was still adamant that I was not going to be internally trained. And here's why. I had this belief that I had to be a Volvo Cupcake type of person. And this is absolutely no, no negativity at those who go into pelvic and love it so much that they buy a costume where their head is the clitoris. Like we need those people because they reach individuals in such a unique way. But that was the way that I had interpreted going into pelvic. So I had my exercise class. I was talking about pelvic health issues. But I really truly thought that as soon as I became a pelvic PT, all I did was internal assessments. I stayed in the room with people in supine and I stopped getting an orthopedic caseload because everybody that I talked to, their entire caseload turned into pelvic. And I loved working with older adults. I loved working orthopedically. I saw a lot of people with complexities and multimorbidity. I loved that part of my job. And I did not want that to go away from me. And so in 2018, so I must've started this program in 2017. So we're talking some years now. In 2018, I was a national level weightlifter and I got pregnant with my daughter. And we got pregnant faster than we thought we were going to, which is such a blessing. But I was prepping for a weightlifting meet, trying to qualify for nationals again for 2019. And I already had the meat. I was like well into my prep. And so I was like, you know, I'm not worried about weight. I'm well off my weight category. I'm still gonna compete. And I remember the first time I went to snatch heavy and I made contact at my hip, I started to cry. And I knew that exercise was not bad. I had well gone into the literature with me being a PhD student around exercise and pregnancy, but the visceral, fear response and the thought that everything in my brain had said, I need to protect was real. And I was lucky. We had a referral network with individuals. We were working in a research program with a high-risk fetal medicine physician and obstetrician. And we were doing referrals back and forth for individuals with cardiovascular risk. That's a whole other conversation for another day. But in that moment, I reached out to him and I said, Hey, like I'm a weightlifter. And I sent him a video of a snatch. I was like, I'm prepping for a meet. What are your thoughts?" And his messaging was so clear. He said, that baby's so small, it is back in your pelvis, and your body is used to this. It's okay, you are going to be fine. And my fear melted. It melted. And I will never, never not be grateful for that interaction. And in that moment, I recognized one, how much fear we can have around pregnancy because it's so protected. But number two, how much that fear can be melted away by somebody in the obstetrical space that you trust, that allows that fear to extinguish. And so, This was all kind of happening. Again, I wasn't doing internal PT, but I started to feel this like gut pull to this space. But I still had this like interaction where I just did not want to do only internal assessments. This is kind of the origin story of pelvic. And so I was still not coming to terms with this, but I really wanted to start bridging towards this fitness. I had been doing Strong Like Mom for a couple of years. I was a national-level weightlifter on Instagram and social media. I was getting comments about my body prolapsing and all these things that were so fear-focused, and it started to just gut me that it was so fear-invoking. and I was going and I was interacting with other pelvic BTs, they were the ones who were making me afraid because they were the ones telling me that I was going to prolapse. They were the ones who were saying, and this is not against them because that is truly what we believed and what we were taught in our training. We have come so far to move away from that narrative, but that was where the narrative was in 2018. My staff member who was an internal trained PT and I went to fitness athlete and being in this space, we kind of took over a little bit, sorry guys. In this live course, talking about things like diastasis recti and talking about how to load the core and it very naturally for me became this teaching moment. And this was in 2018, 2019. And in that moment, because Alan was there, he was like, this needs to happen. This needs to happen. And even then. When I started teaching, I was like, I do so much externally. I've seen such great results. I know there's a referral network if I need it for looking at these interactions, but I'm not, I'm still resisting against it. So I was there and we have so much evidence around telemedicine. And it was just, it was still, I was still doing everything externally. And I was like, I'm not going to bridge that gap. And so you're probably wondering where it switched. It switched when I realized that I could do pelvic PT my way. I did not have to be a person who loved looking at vulvas on cupcakes in order to be unbelievably passionate about removing barriers to exercise. You have heard me say that very quickly, when people start interacting with the healthcare system, they start to be afraid. in females or peoples with uteruses where their fear often can start is in pregnancy because they want to protect and our medical system is designed to look for what is wrong and try and mitigate those risks. And I recognize that in order to be a frontline person, to be able to mitigate that messaging, the internal PT part was necessary. And so in 2019, I went back and started doing some internal training and the training was fantastic. I loved it, but it taught me the assessment. I spent a lot of time on the assessment and I was so thankful that my external training and just figuring out my own caseload over several years had allowed me to know the intervention side of things. And they had to marry. And so our online course is very focused on external techniques. That was where my expertise was. I started blending that with my internal techniques. And I realized that the internal assessment is a tool in our toolbox. It is not our profession. It is not our profession. And as I have started to interact and build more experience and all these types of things in this space, in tandem with some of the research side of things, I so sparingly use the internal assessment outside of often times if we're working with individuals with pain. But it is not who pelvic PT is. And when I removed that expectation, yeah, 100% this, when I removed that expectation that that is what my job was, that is what defined me as a pelvic PT, I became very free to explore this beautiful area of our profession. And I blend my orthopedic knowledge all the time. I use the information from the internal assessment to provide education. And as we were doing this, and as Alexis was coming into our division and all these things were happening, I realized that our online course would not be enough. It would not be enough because we had to be able to bridge from lying in supine to fitness. We were having this disconnect where we had exercise professionals who felt very good about being able to have all of these movements and interact with these different conditions. And then we have these pelvic PTs who are very good at the assessment aspect. But going from that assessment and early foundational graded exposure to getting individuals running and playing and expressing joy with different planes of movement and different unexpected changes in their body's positions, we had a disconnect there. And so our life course started to really take form in 2020. And I know that people may think that while we do it really differently in our pelvic course, than others and the reason why it's so different is that yes we teach the foundations of the internal but we teach it in the morning of the first day because it is a tool in our toolbox. It is not an entire entry-level course in our perspective. And so we teach it in Supine, and then we bridge that to standing because how are we going to figure out where people are leaking? Yes, Supine gives us tons of information, It allows us to get some orientation, and then we go into the standing assessment, and from there we bridge. And we spend the rest of the weekend bridging, because that is where our profession needs to go. Just like you were saying, we need to use the internal. It is an absolutely pivotal skill, but we need to do that and bridge to fitness, and we are not just pelvic PTs. We are pelvic orthopedic PTs that blend everything that we know within our medical training in order to drive a fitness forward message. And so now I am loud and proud that I am an internally trained pelvic PT and I leverage it in my practice every single week. I'm a part-time practicing clinician right now because of my research. and it gives me so much insight. My patients do amazing, but it's not because of my fingers and their vulva. It is because it is the basis of which we build our foundations, just like I'm not going to just do Kegels, right? I'm going to teach the coordination of the pelvic floor to bridge to function. That is the same thing that we are doing in this fitness forward pelvic PT approach. It is why I hope that when I share my story, that somebody resonates with it. Somebody who has hesitated and said, I do not want this to be who I become. And I hope it gives you freedom, that it gives you this unbelievable understanding of the bottom of the core canister. So if you are interacting with someone who has hip pain or back pain or abdominal pain, you are interacting with it. You are interacting with the pelvic floor. And it will give you this idea that the training is not going to put you into this pigeonhole that you cannot get out of. All right, that is end for me. If you are interested in figuring out our internal assessment, we have so many live courses coming up over the beginning of 2024. I'm gonna be in Raleigh, North Carolina. We only have three spots left for that course. This weekend, end of the month, Alexis is doing a course in Hendersonville. And then beginning of February, I am going to be in Bellingham, Washington. doing all things pelvic PT. So if you are interested, let us know. Otherwise, have a really wonderful start to your week and we will talk to you all soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett discusses the role of estrogen in the body, the important role estrogen (or lack thereof) may play in rehab outcomes, assessing menopause in the clinic, and hormone replacement therapy. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Hey everyone, this is Alan. Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get started with today's episode, I want to talk to you about VersaLifts. Today's episode is brought to you by VersaLifts. Best known for their heel lift shoe inserts, VersaLifts has been a leading innovator in bringing simple but highly effective rehab tools to the market. If you have clients with stiff ankles, Achilles tendinopathy, or basic skeletal structure limitations keeping them from squatting with proper form and good depth, a little heel lift can make a huge difference. VersaLifts heel lifts are available in three different sizes and all of them add an additional half inch of drop to any training shoe, helping athletes squat deeper with better form. Visit www.vlifts.com/icephysio or click the link in today's show notes to get your VersaLifts today. CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty within our pelvic division. And y'all, the pelvic division has been just really busy over the last couple of weeks, couple of months, heck, the entire year. But if you did not see, we actually just sold out our first online cohort for 2024. And so that is sold out. So our next cohort for our online level one is March 5th. Our brand new inaugural cohort for level two, if you've taken level one, is April 30th. And in 2024, I am going to be in Raleigh, North Carolina with Rachel Moore, January 13th, 14th. And Alexis is going to be teaching in Hendersonville, 27th, 28th of January. And then we're heading over to Bellingham, Washington, February 3rd and 4th. Those are the first three courses of 2024 if you guys are interested in coming to our live course and doing some of our skills check for cert. ESTROGEN & REHAB Okay, so I kind of want to talk about estrogen and specifically estrogen in later life and lack of estrogen and how it influences rehab. So this has been something that I've been really kind of geeking out about over the last little while around, you know, not just as pelvic therapists, but as anybody working with a person going through menopause, if you are working with anybody over the age of 50, a female over the age of 50, you are interacting with a person who is going through estrogen depletion in their body. And As I've learned more about the influence of estrogen on our bodies, the more I am recognizing even outside or maybe even especially outside of the context of pelvic health when I'm seeing people who are postmenopausal, but in my orthopedic rehab, how much it is influencing our outcomes. and just a person, a person who is a female in an aging body, what the lack of estrogen may do for the way that we experience aging. And then I kind of want to cap this podcast off talking a bit about some of the myths and misconceptions around estrogen replacement therapy. or menopause replacement therapy. And we'll talk a little bit about the change in the labeling of these types of treatments and where some of the thoughts around risk for things like sex-related cancers has come up. So to start this off, I want to start with a story. So I was working with a woman who was coming in. She was in her early 60s and dealing with shoulder pain. She had a history about 10 years ago of frozen shoulder. So when it comes to adhesive capsulitis, we know that being a female and being kind of in middle age is a risk factor. And I never really thought about that risk factor being linked to estrogen status or like the beginning of perimenopause. Still wasn't really thinking about it. But she said, you know, that was a really long journey when her shoulder froze. And but it got better, got better over time. She realized that she was going through hormone replacement therapy or she was going through menopause. She got put on hormone replacement therapy. She was on it for 10 years. And then her doctor on a follow up where she was trying to get a renewal said, actually, you've been on it for too long. I'm going to take you off of it, which that That's a whole other ethical scenario, especially because we should be weaning off estrogen replacement therapies, not just going cold turkey. But however, took her off and within a couple of months of that weaning process, her other shoulder started to freeze. I've obviously been in the weeds of this research right now around the influence of estrogen on our body, but I was thinking about and reflecting on how many women I have worked with over my career. THE INFLUENCE OF ESTROGEN ON OUTCOMES I've been a PT for 10 years, so very still early on in my career, but how many have I not recognized the influence of a person's estrogen status on our outcomes? And so when we think about estrogen, we think about fertility, rightfully so. We think about pelvic floor physical therapists kind of specializing in the fertility space, granted, but estrogen, when we have a depletion in estrogen as women go through menopause, it affects every part of our body where there is an estrogen receptor. And I don't think that many orthopedic therapists or people who kind of aren't niching into this space, myself included until I got into this arena, recognize just how widespread that is. And in pelvic health, we've done an incredible job of advocating for individuals in the perinatal space. We still have, of course, ways to go. However, you know, there's this rise of individuals going through menopause who are starting to advocate that we need that same type of education. And too frequently now that I've been asking are my patients saying to me, oh, well, my doctor said it was just part of aging and I shouldn't be on hormone replacement for this long or like have just been dismissed about their symptoms and have not linked some of these other body systems and the experiences that they're having in these other body systems with their estrogen depletion. I have a client seeing me for ankle pain and she's kind of in that postmenopausal window and she said, I am trying to learn a new body that I do not understand. And I think that was such a profound statement because so many individuals are feeling this way and we have a huge role to play in rehab. And I'm not talking pelvic, I'm talking generally. THE ROLE OF ESTROGEN IN THE BODY And so when we think about estrogen, estrogen has receptors in our brain. It has receptors in our joints and muscles. It has receptors in our heart, and it influences our bone, right? Bone is probably the easiest one. We know that individuals who are postmenopausal are at increased risk for osteoporosis osteopenia, that there is an accelerated rate of decline in bone mineral density loss with estrogen as rates of, estrogen helps rates of bone build up. And with estrogen depletion, we see a switch in the slope of the line where bone breakdown exceeds rate of bone growth. And so rates of osteoporosis go up postmenopausally. We also see that individuals who are in an estrogen depleted state have higher rates of joint pain. So kind of an umbrella term of joint arthralgia. and we see links to risk factors around things like adhesive capsulitis in individuals going through perimenopause, but very little research has actually looked at individuals' experiences of musculoskeletal pain in the postmenopausal window. So we could have individuals who are not responding as quickly to rehab, even though we're throwing everything at them that is evidence-based and evidence-informed, because they are going through menopause and it's the influence of their hormones is changing the way that their body is responding to some of our rehab interventions and we don't know about it. Our body also has estrogen receptors in the heart. And so we see that men tend to have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease and heart disease than women, but that change in rate between men and women starts to change in that postmenopausal window. So rates of heart disease start to go up postmenopausally because of the protective effect of estrogen on the heart. What we also see from a metabolism perspective is that there is a change to the way that fat is laid down when individuals are postmenopausal. So where we have the protective subcutaneous fat that tends to be something that is kind of a net, potentially neutral way of laying down fat, the more dangerous fat is visceral fat lay down, and that tends to accelerate in a postmenopausal female because of estrogen deficiency. which then increases risk for a whole bunch of different metabolic diseases, including, you know, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, like all these diabetes, all of these things that we know are linked to pro-inflammatory cascades. It accelerates for individuals as they go through menopause. And then finally, from a cognition perspective, we have systematic review evidence that Individuals who go through premature ovarian insufficiency. So individuals who go into menopause before the age of 40 are at an increased risk for cognitive decline. So rates of Alzheimer's are higher in individuals who go through early menopause. And we see that there may be a protective effect, preventative effect of the development of cognitive decline for these individuals who are going through menopause early if they are on hormonal contraception. Which gives a very strong argument for the link between estrogen status and cognition. And when we think about symptoms of menopause, we kind of put them into different buckets. We talk about, you know, vasomotor symptoms, which are night sweats, issues with sleep, sleep disturbances are very high around the postmenopausal or menopausal transition, and hot flashes. Right? And there's kind of like this immediate withdrawal effect of estrogen. Like you could almost think about it as like a drug withdrawal. Like when we get withdrawn from estrogen, those vasomotor symptoms kick up. And then eventually our body gets used to being in that state of estrogen deficiency and those withdrawal symptoms kind of go away. But genitourinary syndrome of menopause is really focused on the aging of the pelvis and its influences. And so when we're in pelvic health and we're talking about estrogen deficiency, we see, you know, adhesions in the labia minora to the labia majora. We see an increase in friability of tissues. We see an increase or a changes to the pH of the vaginal microbiome. And so these all have influences, but the genital urinary syndrome very much focuses on the pelvis. ASKING ABOUT MENOPAUSE And so if you are not in pelvic health, you may not be really considering it a reason to be asking about symptoms of menopause and when you went in through menopause. But if you are an individual who is working with anybody who is a female over the age of 50, you should be asking, are you in menopause? Have you gone through menopause? When did you go through menopause? And menopause is diagnosed as the 12 month mark of not having a period. So when you have not had a period for 12 months consecutively, that is considering being in menopause. Average age is 50 to 51 in the United States. asking around changes in symptoms around the menopausal transition. Did you notice a change to your mood? Did you see a change to your sleep? Did you see a change to your cognition? Did you see a change to all these other things? Because we know that if you're depressed and not sleeping and your joint pain is up, we're probably gonna have a lot of conversations that we need to have around recovery. It's gonna influence the way that our treatment is going to go. And then we can be an advocate for ways to manage. Too often, and there is nothing that makes me more mad. Like when I see individuals who have gone to their doctor and they say, I am suffering with vasomotor symptoms. I am suffering with all of these things. And they say, I have no libido. And they say, well, you are going through menopause. And that's kind of the way it is. Men will get Cialis or other types of hormone replacement for their sexual dysfunctions very readily. And it is met with hesitation when we are talking about female reproductive aging. And I was just at a course where it has some individuals who are part of the military and the military nurse practitioners were there, which is really cool. But they said, you know, we are so willing to prescribe Cialis but we are very hesitant as a division to give hormone replacement therapy. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY And so the next part of this conversation, one, estrogen affects everything. It's absolutely gonna influence our pelvic floor. It's absolutely gonna influence our pelvic health. But then the next thing that people are asking is around estrogen replacement therapy, sex hormone replacement therapy, and its safety and efficacy. So I wanna do a little bit of a history lesson here around where this risk is coming from. So there is a large longitudinal study called the Women's Health Initiative that has been collecting data on women for a very, very long time. And early, early on in about 2001, a study was released from the Women's Health Initiative that said that there was a 25% increased risk of sex-related cancers for individuals who are on hormone therapy than individuals who are not. This was, potent, like kind of true, but it missed the forest for the trees. And so when we kind of zoom out and we look at relative risk of sex-related cancers, that, well, that translated into, instead of it being three in 1,000, and these are not perfect numbers, I don't remember off the top of my head, it changed to a four in 1,000 rate or incidence of sex-related cancers. When if you think about it like that, that is not the biggest difference. However, that one study came out and it changed everything. It was largely disseminated, many media outlets put it up, and it made everybody very, very fearful of prescribing hormones. So there's a couple things nuanced to this. When we are taking any type of medication and our sex hormones are not anything different, there is always going to be potential risks. Those have to be balanced by the benefits. We see, for example, that individuals who are on replacement therapy have a lower risk of Alzheimer's, dementia, especially if individuals are going through a menopause early. We see sexual health, sexual, satisfaction increases on hormone replacement therapy. We see an increase or rather a decrease in rates of urinary tract infections. And if you are working in the geriatric space, move this into Wednesday. It makes a huge difference. A urinary tract infection can change a person's life. A person can die of a UTI because it can end up, they get in hospital, UTI becomes sepsis, sepsis becomes a full blown, you know, it's now a full blown infection and individuals don't get out of hospital or they see a consistent change in function. All of these benefits for many are going to outweigh that slight increase in risk. Now, we have evidence since then that that risk percentage may have actually been when we replicate a study, which is super important before we're making very broad sweeping statements. There is a range of that relative risk and it actually might be lower. And because of that, we now have good evidence for individuals who are going through chemo to be able to have, because it can irradiate and bring you into a low estrogen state, where they may use topical estrogens. We have more evidence for individuals who are on estrogen receptor blockers, like tamoxifen, to, again, have topical estrogens. Because, obviously, we're not gonna wanna ingest estrogen when we're trying to block it so that cancer doesn't regrow, but to put it on the external genitalia, that would allow us to remove some of those pelvic-related symptoms for individuals being in low estrogen as a consequence of cancer treatment. And this evidence is continuing to grow. NO EVIDENCE FOR AN OPTIMAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT WINDOW The other question, when I go back to my patient that I talked about, is that he said, well, you've been on it for enough, this physician, and I'm gonna take you off. We actually, again, don't really have any evidence around where that window is. Like how long you can be on it before the risks start to outweigh the benefits. And because we don't know, individuals are just creating a risk tolerance zone for themselves and then unilaterally kind of applying it in their practice. And so we still have so much work to do in this space. We are starting to see a change in our language around hormone replacement therapy, and it's being changed to MHT, menopausal hormone therapy. And it is actually encompassing a variety of different treatments. It is not just a systemic pill that you can take that is a natural replacement, there is those. There are progesterone replacements. There are estrogen and progesterone combos. There is evidence for testosterone replacement and testosterone replacement helping individuals with hyposexual disorders. And then there are topical estrogen therapies where individuals who are experiencing recurrent UTI, individuals with issues with labial adhesions, individuals with clitoral adhesions, all these different things can see a huge benefit to this type of hormone replacement. And so, The role that we have to play here, if you were a pelvic clinician listening to this, we have a ton of advocacy to work on. Staying up to date with the evidence, referring back for potential counseling on hormone replacement, and continuing to have those conversations with our physicians is gonna be super important. If you are a person who's an orthopedic specialist, you need to be asking about estrogen status. Have you lost your menstrual cycle? That puts you in low estrogen. Have you recently had a baby? If you're a postpartum and you're dealing with a wrist injury, that low estrogen is gonna impact your ligaments. It's going to make it so that you may be more likely to have things like mom wrist decorvains tendosynovitis. And then if you're working with individuals who are older, then again, we're gonna be asking about when you went through that menopausal transition and how you're feeling. A lot of people feel like, oh, well, I'm going okay through my menopause right now. I don't really need it. The thing is estrogen deficiency is accumulative. So it is also a discussion around the preventative aspect of continuing to have individuals on hormone replacement. I don't know the answer to this, but it is a continual conversation. It is one that is happening in lots of spheres and one where there is a role for rehab. And this has been such an important part of the development of our research base in pelvic and a huge portion of the proportion of individuals that we are seeing in our practice that we have put it into our level one. So we have an entire week on the influence of menopause on the female body and an entire module on the way that we would work towards treating individuals and advocating for individuals who are going through menopause, who are subsequently feeling issues with pelvic health. So if you are interested, get into our March cohort. I could rant about this all day. I'm already 20 minutes in. I'm gonna get off here, but it's important. And it is not just important to our pelvic health clinicians. It is important for everybody who is working with a female body over the age of 50. And we're not even going to go into the perimenopause part because perimenopause could be 10 years before. So if you're working with anyone over the age of 40, this is relevant and it influences our rehab outcomes. All right. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Merry Christmas. If you are off, happy holidays. Whatever denomination you are, please hopefully have some time to spend with loved ones. And I hope that you get some of the rest and relaxation that is just something that you are looking for. I have two little ones, four and two, and the magic of Christmas and the holiday season is so alive and well in our house, and it is such a beautiful thing. So I hope you all get that. You are so welcome for me talking about this. I promise you, I will be diving more into this onto my personal Instagram, and it's definitely gonna come onto ICE because I think it's really important, and I think it's a huge miss that we have. So thank you for listening, and I am so excited to continue these conversations. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and hopefully you get all of that rest and relaxation for the end of 2023. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Buckle up for this episode! Dr Christina Prevett has just finished her PhD in heavy resistance training in older adults and is now doing her post-doc looking at resistance training in pregnancy & postpartum She is committed to building a body of evidence to change the narrative about the 'safety' of strength training - at every age and stage of a woman's life We discuss how to avoid frailty and building up the ceiling of resilience, which starts with challenging clinicians to think beyond 3 x 10 with the yellow theraband ;) Muscle mass, oestrogen, pelvic health, bone health, the gendered environment of gyms, accepting risk-tolerance, challenging the myths & perceptions about what is 'safe' from an evidence based perspective and SO MUCH MORE! Christina's enthusiasm for this topic is contagious, and her encouragement for us to reflect on our own biases and barriers around exercise prescription (let me just say that after we stopped recording we just kept on talking for another 40 minutes - this is a topic er are both super passionate about!) I'd highly recommend following Dr Prevett on instagram for updates on her research and the courses she is teaching - you can find her on instagram as @dr.christina_prevett and...if you're interested in diving deeper into exercise at every age and stage of a woman's life, you can still save €100 off my online courses by using the code NOV2023 at checkout - info on all the courses can be found here and you can keep up with my adventures in women's health on Instagram here - I'm at https://www.instagram.com/michellelyons_muliebrity/ Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

Dr. Christina Prevett // #LeadershipThursday // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, ICE faculty member Christina Prevett emphasizes the crucial role of understanding statistics in making clinically relevant decisions. While staying up to date with the literature and being evidence-based are often emphasized in healthcare, Christina points out that it is not enough if one lacks the ability to comprehend the meaning of statistics and their application in a clinical setting. Christina acknowledges that interpreting statistics can be challenging, even for individuals with a PhD and experience in the field. This understanding leads the host to empathize with clinicians who may find statistics intimidating. It is recognized that being evidence-informed and evidence-based requires clinicians to possess the skills to understand and interpret the data they encounter. To make statistics more clinically relevant, Christina suggests utilizing systematic reviews and meta-analyses as tools for interpretation. Specifically, she delves into the interpretation of a forest plot, which graphically represents the results of a meta-analysis. By understanding how to interpret and analyze the data presented in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, clinicians can determine if the findings are significant enough to drive changes in their practice. Christina also highlights the importance of considering clinical relevance when interpreting statistical findings. The concept of the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is introduced, which refers to the smallest change in an outcome measure that is considered clinically meaningful. An example is given of a statistically significant improvement in a timed up-and-go (TUG) test, but it is explained that it may not be clinically relevant if it does not meet the MCID for the TUG.   Take a listen to the podcast episode or read the full transcription below. If you're looking to learn more about courses designed to start your own practice, check out our Brick by Brick practice management course or our online physical therapy courses, check out our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Hey everyone, this is Alan. Chief Operating Officer here at ICE. Before we get started with today's episode, I want to talk to you about VersaLifts. Today's episode is brought to you by VersaLifts. Best known for their heel lift shoe inserts, VersaLifts has been a leading innovator in bringing simple but highly effective rehab tools to the market. If you have clients with stiff ankles, Achilles tendinopathy, or basic skeletal structure limitations keeping them from squatting with proper form and good depth, a little heel lift can make a huge difference. VersaLifts heel lifts are available in three different sizes and all of them add an additional half inch of h drop to any training shoe, helping athletes squat deeper with better form. Visit www.vlifts.com/icephysio or click the link in today's show notes to get your VersaLifts today. CHRISTINA PREVETTGood morning everybody and welcome to the PT on ICE daily show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty in our geriatric and pelvic health divisions. So usually you're seeing me on Monday and Wednesday, but today I'm putting on my PhD research hat to talk a little bit about statistics, which I know sounds really boring, but I promise I'm gonna make it really exciting. But before we do that, we have a couple of courses that are coming up across our divisions. So MMOA is in Wappinger's Falls, NY this weekend. Extremity Management is on the road in Woodstock, Georgia. And Cervical Spine is heading to Bridgewater, Massachusetts. And so if you are looking to get in some Con Ed before the end of the year, we still have a couple of opportunities across all of our different divisions. And so I encourage you to go to ptinice.com and take a look at some of those opportunities. Okay, so a little bit about my kind of hat outside of working with ice is that I recently finished my PhD at McMaster University at the end of this year. I just announced that I'm doing a part-time postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta looking at resistance training and its interaction with pregnancy and pelvic floor function. BUMPING INTO STATISTICS What that means is that I am bumping into statistics all the time. And I'm going to like kind of start this off and say, I've been asked to do some webinars and things around statistics for the ice crew for a while. And to be honest, it's been really intimidating for me to do that, despite the fact that, you know, I have a PhD and I'm interacting with this stuff all the time. Um, statistics is hard and, you know, discussing statistics in a way that makes sense is also challenging. And when I reflect on that and the fact that you know, I feel uncomfortable sometimes with interpretation and you know, I did a part-time PhD for seven years and I'm in a postdoctoral position. I recognize how challenging it can be for clinicians. And, you know, we get told all the time, like, you know, stay evidence-informed, like it's important to be evidence-based. It's important to stay up to date with the literature. But your ability to stay up to date with the literature is only as good as your capacity to understand what it is trying to tell you. And I mean that in the best way possible, that it is so tough for us to gain insights from what the statistics mean into what is clinically relevant for us to understand and be able to bring into our clinics. So today I'm trying to take our statistics and make them clinically relevant to you. SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS WITH META-ANALYSIS One of the first ways that I want to do that, and if you like this type of podcast please let me know, and I'll do more, is around the systematic review and meta-analysis and then trying to kind of deep dive into interpreting a forest plot. So when we're thinking about a systematic review, this is the highest level of evidence when we have a systematic review of intervention or prospective studies. When we take a systematic review, we ask a very specific question. And I'm going to use the example, I'm working on a systematic review right now on resistance training and pregnancy. And I'm going to take some of that to make this relevant to how this happens. This is where we're trying to get an idea of the state of the literature. So we use a PICO format, which is the population that we're trying to look at. So in this case, it's individuals who are pregnant. The intervention is what you are trying to see if there's a positive or negative benefit or whatever that exposure may be. And that for me is resistance training. The comparison group is to usual obstetrical care. And then the outcomes, we are looking at fetal delivery, pregnancy, and pelvic floor-related outcomes. So we're looking at the investigation of resistance training on incidents of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, rights of cesarean section, the size of babies, and babies more likely to be too big or too small. What does their birth weight look like? How long are they pregnant? And then are they at increased risk for things like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti, or pelvic girdle pain? So that's kind of the format of a systematic review we're trying to answer a very specific question. From there, we go to the literature and we want to make sure that we encompass as much literature as we can. in our search strategy. So that is usually why you'll see a list of PubMed and OVID, CINAHL, Sports Discus, like these types of different big searching platforms that are looked at. And then you're going to get a Prisma plot that you're going to see in the first figure. And that kind of describes a person's search strategy. So how many hits were given when this search was done? How many were excluded because of duplicates? How many were excluded from the title and abstract because they were done in rats instead of in humans? Or they were looking at an acute effect of resistance training versus being on a resistance training program like you're going to have a lot of those that are excluded. And then you're going to have kind of what is included in your systematic review, and then what is included in your meta-analysis if a meta-analysis is indicated or possible. When we're looking at a systematic review, we're looking at a qualitative synthesis. And what we mean by that is that we're trying to figure out, you know, where the state of the literature is. And when I'm reporting on something like the systematic review portion of a paper, You're seeing things like, you know, how many studies were done in resistance training in pregnancy? How long were those interventions? Were they done in the same cohort of individuals? What was, how many of them were statistically significant? What was the dosage of that intervention? Those are things that kind of come under the systematic review umbrella. But I would say really now the emphasis is being placed on the meta-analysis and that is the quantitative combination of these studies and that is what gives us this forest plot. So when we are going through and doing a meta-analysis, there are a couple of things that we need to make decisions on very early on. So the first thing is on a random or a fixed effects model. This is kind of getting into the weeds, but almost all papers are going to be a random effects model, which means that we're going to expect some variability in the population that we are working with, and we're going to account for that variability in the calculations that we're using for our forest plot. PRIORI SUBGROUP ANALYSES The second thing that we are looking at is a priori subgroup analysis. And so I'm going to use my research study to describe this. Before going into this meta-analysis and putting this forest plot together, we have to brainstorm around where possible sources of skew or bias would come into a forest plot. For example, in the resistance training intervention, it would be very different when we have resistance training in isolation versus resistance training as a component of a multi-component program. And so one of our subgroups analyses a priori we discussed was that we were going to subgroup studies that were only resistance training compared to our big meta-analysis, which included our resistance training in isolation or as a multi-pronged program. Another example in our systematic review is that some of our studies were on individuals with low risk at inception into the papers versus those that were brought into the study because they were diagnosed with a complication like gestational diabetes. we could think that the influence of resistance training on a person who has not been diagnosed with gestational diabetes versus those who have could be different. And so we did a secondary subgroup analysis where we looked at the differences between studies that looked at only individuals with gestational diabetes versus those that didn't. And so when you are looking at a forest plot, you will see the big analysis at the top, including all of the different studies. And then after that, you will see different subgroups where there's a repeater of what was in the main group, but it's a subsection of the included studies. And that's what we see. And then we try to see, you know, is resistance training and isolation positively associated with a benefit? versus multi-component or is there no difference and that gives us a lot of information too? So that's that subgroup analysis. Then you go into the results of the paper and there is a forest plot that is there and this forest plot has a bunch of different names of studies It has the total number of incidences and the weight. It has a confidence interval with a number around it. And then on the right-hand side, there's like dots with lots of lines and then a big thick dot at the bottom. I'm trying to explain this to our podcast listeners so that you can kind of understand. And I hope you're kind of thinking of a study in your mind that you have seen in the past. But we're going to kind of explain each of these different things. Okay, so when we're looking at what we are trying to find, it is going to depend if we are looking at a dichotomous variable like did gestational hypertension get diagnosed or not? And if it is a dichotomous variable, what we're looking at is an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. So if we are thinking that no difference between usual care and resistance training is one, then a reduction in risk for gestational hypertension with resistance training would be an odds ratio that is less than one. When it is less than one, it becomes statistically significant when the 95% confidence interval encompasses all numbers less than one. When the confidence interval, say for example, our odds ratio is 0.8, we can say that there is a 20% reduction in risk, because a one minus 0.8, of getting gestational hypertension because of resistance training. I'm making these numbers up. But that is only statistically significant if the confidence interval is 0.7 to 0.9. then we can say there's a statistically significant reduction in risk for gestational hypertension with resistance training in this systematic review of this meta-analysis. Where we cannot say it's statistically significant is if the odds ratio is 0.8 and the 95% confidence interval is 0.6 to 1.2. That crossing of one means that there is a higher likelihood that there is that variation is because of chance and not because of a true difference. And so what you see is that when you're looking at the odds ratio, the combination of all of those odds ratios from the individual studies are then pooled in that bolded line at the bottom of the forest plot to give us the confidence that we have based on all of the studies combined, that there is a true effect of resistance training in this example on gestational hypertension. I-SQUARED HETEROGENEITY The other kind of statistic that we're looking at is the I-squared statistic or the amount of heterogeneity. So when you're looking at that forest plot and you're seeing all the dots and those lines, the heterogeneity is basically saying how close are those dots? How much spread is there in those dots? And so if the heterogeneity is low, we can say that not only did we have a statistically significant result, but across all of the studies, we tended to see a trend in the same direction. So it allows us to have more strength and confidence in the results that we are getting. If we see a high amount of heterogeneity, so like there are some that are like really favoring control and saying that resistance training is bad for gestational hypertension, and then some are having really positive effects of gestational hypertension on resistance training, that I square statistic would be high, and then we would probably have to be doing more evaluation, and that's where we would rely really heavily on the subgroup and say, Well, is there certain subpopulations of this group that are skewing the data in one way or the other where their results may be different than the results of other individuals? And so that gives us a bit more information. So the odds ratio is when we're looking at the presence of an event and it's a binary variable of yes, this exposure exists or no, this exposure didn't. When we are looking at continuous variables, we are looking at like a time on an outcome measure, like the time to up and go, we are looking at a mean difference score between resistance training and a control. So the mean difference is going to be in the measurement of the outcome measure that we are looking at. So the target would be seconds. So then from the pool, it would be plus, Six seconds or mine I guess minus six seconds would be in favor of resistance training and that your tug score is six seconds less in a resistance training arm than a control arm or if it goes against resistance training it would be plus six and Again, we're looking at that 95% confidence interval. That average, that mean difference is also something that we would push against what our clinically relevant difference is. So we may see something that's statistically significant at a two-second improvement, but we know that the MCID for the TUG is four seconds. So while yes, it's statistically significant, it may not be a clinically relevant finding. So that's kind of where we build in clinical relevance. And then again, we look at that 95% confidence interval, see what that spread looks like, and look at that I squared statistic. Where it gets a little bit more complicated is when we have things that are measuring the same thing, but measuring it in a different way. So an example in the systematic review that I did on resistance training and lower extremity strength is that there are a lot of different ways for us to measure lower extremity strength. Some people may use an estimated one rep max, and Some people may use a five-time sit-to-stand as a conduit for functional strength training. Some people may use a dynamometer for knee extensor strength. There's a lot of different ways for us to do that. We can still do a meta-analysis on this, but what we have to do is transform all of those variables into one type of measure. And that's when we would see something called a standardized mean difference, an SMD. And in that SMD, we're essentially taking the impacts of all these different types of measurements that are telling us the same information and putting it into an effect size. And so the effect size gives us the amount of confidence that we can see in the influence of the intervention resistance training on the outcome of lower extremity strength. So an effect size using Cohen's d statistic would be that less than 2 is no effect, 2 to 5 is a moderate or minimal effect, 5 to 0.8 is a moderate effect, and 0.8 and above is a large effect. And so in my systematic review on lower extremity strength and resistance training in individuals with mobility disability, we saw a standardized mean difference of 3, which means that we can be really confident there was a large influence of resistance training on the development of lower extremity strength. So kind of pulling this all together, I know I threw a lot at you. When you were looking at the forest plot, you were looking at trends in the data that are pooling all of the different intervention studies, looking at the same construct and looking at the same outcome. When we are looking at the odds ratio, this is a binary variable. There's going to be a 95% confidence interval. And the pooled odds ratio that we look at with respect to making decisions is that bolded number at the bottom. Our I-squared statistic gives us an idea of the spread of the data and the results that we see. When we are looking at continuous variables, you're going to see either a mean difference or a standardized mean difference. The mean difference is reported in the measurement of the outcome measure that we're talking about. So it could be seconds, it could be points. A standardized mean difference is an effect size where we are transforming multiple different outcome measures into one output that's pooling these things together, but we have to do it in a standardized metric that looks at the magnitude of the effect of that outcome. So how do we think about this clinically? Well, the first thing is that we need to understand where these effect sizes are and if they are significant. And then we have to put it through the filter of, is this clinically relevant? When we have something that isn't statistically significant, the next thing to do is go into the methods and say, you know, was this dose appropriate? Was this done in the way that I would do this? And can I be confident that the interaction between what I would do in the clinic and what was done in these studies is significant enough for me to drive changes in my practice? All right, I hope you found that helpful. I'm at 18 minutes, I knew I would. But if you have any other questions about statistics and how to interpret them, please let me know. It's really important that we know how to understand the data that we're being presented with because that's how we're gonna change our clinical decisions based on what we are seeing. All right, have a wonderful afternoon, everyone. I promise hopefully I didn't stress your brain out by talking about math too much and hopefully, this was helpful and we can do it again sometime. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Zac Morgan // #ClinicalTuesday // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett delves into the need for a shift in the perinatal space, moving away from a fear-focused message and towards one of empowerment. Christina emphasizes the significance of understanding and respecting individual risk tolerance when it comes to making decisions about exercise and healthcare during pregnancy and postpartum. Christina argues that healthcare providers should not impose their own risk tolerance onto their patients, but rather support and empower them in making informed choices that align with their own comfort levels. She also highlights the presence of unwarranted shame in the perinatal space and encourages listeners to critically evaluate their own risk tolerance zones, challenging any beliefs or practices that contribute to this shame. Christina underscores the importance of evidence-informed practice and the facilitation of movement and exercise, rather than creating barriers based on fear. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our team within our pelvic health division. And if you have been catching all of the news coming out of the ice world, you know that we just announced our pelvic certification, CertPelvic. And we are so excited to bring this to you all. One of the missions that we have been kind of on this journey for over, you know, the last four or five years has been to try and flip the script in pelvic health and really create a fitness-forward approach to pelvic health, just like we are trying to do in the orthopedic spaces. And so our cert pelvic is our next Step in that trajectory. And so we are going to have three courses in our cert pelvic curriculum We have our two-day live course and then we're gonna have two eight-week online courses level one and level two if you have taken Our live course that is going to count as your cert pelvic The only additional piece is that there is going to be an added skills check to the end of our second day. If you are interested in becoming CertPelvic, you will have to find a time when we are near your area to be able to take that skills check for the end of day two. You don't need to take the course again. You do not need to pay a fee for the skills check. We just have to get that from you for individuals who have already taken our live course. And if you're interested in catching our live course one more time, or getting in before the end of 2023, we have two opportunities left. Alexis is gonna be in Bayer, Delaware on the 18th and 19th of November, so in two weeks. And then at the beginning of December, December 2nd, and 3rd, I am gonna be in Halifax. And that course you'll see is slightly less because we are making it equivalent to the Canadian dollar. So if you're wondering why that course is at a different price, it's because we're creating an equivalency to the Canadian dollar. And so if you're interested in catching us before the end of 2023, those are your last two opportunities. EXERCISE IN THE PREGNANT & POSTPARTUM SPACE Okay, let's talk about exercise in the perinatal space. You know that we have been on a huge journey to reframe the idea around Pregnant and postpartum exercise it is no surprise to any of you who are listening and have listened to our division that we are very pro pushing the boundaries and that we believe from a fitness perspective that the answer should be yes For health promoting behaviors instead of flipping to the no and proving it I did a podcast episode a little while ago where I said is it ethical, you know to remove resistance training in a pregnant individual and because we don't have an abundance of literature. And I made the argument that it isn't. Until we have safety data to take away a health-promoting behavior, we should start with the yes. And so this kind of goes into this reframe. I was talking to Sinead DeFore, who is a Ph.D. who's looking at diastasis recti and pelvic girdle pain literature, and she created this idea around risk tolerance within my brain and it has really helped me to solidify our thoughts and feelings about exercise our sparks notes a very first thing is that We are going to have individuals who are going to have their own Risk tolerance and I'm gonna give you a couple of different examples. So everyone is gonna have their own risk tolerance when it comes to exercise. Personally, when I got pregnant with my daughter five years ago, I was a national-level weightlifter. A barbell was an extension of my hand. I knew where it was going to go. I knew what it was going to do. I could make finite, tiny little details and I would be able to manipulate my technique. I felt extremely confident moving around a barbell during my pregnancy. Was not a runner. I had done CrossFit but I wasn't doing CrossFit at that time so my body was not used to the impact of running and So I didn't feel that good running after about 18 or 20 weeks of pregnancy And so I removed running from my exercise routine I was not running that much to be good with but I removed it and I kept Olympic weightlifting all the way up until delivery and That is my risk tolerance. I decided what felt good for my body and I made decisions within that. That does not mean that I do not have individuals that I have seen that were running right up until delivery and then a heavy squat or squatting below parallel just did not feel good for them. It didn't feel good on their pelvis. So many people have their own risk tolerance. we are starting to see people push the boundaries in almost every stretch from a pregnant and postpartum fitness perspective. We are seeing individuals, part of my postdoctoral work is some of our team members are talking about contact sports, for example, and contact sports are contraindicated during pregnancy. People are told to not do equestrian, for example, during their pregnancies. And then you have some equestrian riders who feel extremely confident with the horse that they are working with and may continue to ride. Even though right now our data says that maybe we shouldn't do that on the chance that somebody falls off a horse. I treated an individual who was snowboarding, 17 weeks pregnant, fell so hard she broke her collarbone, baby ended up being okay. Another one of these decisions would probably not have been within my risk tolerance, but individuals are starting to push the boundaries. We are starting to see changes in the military with respect to flying restrictions. We were being told that when you found out that you were pregnant you were grounded with respect to flying hours. Yeah, right. Someone says, I grew up showing horses and you couldn't get any of those ladies I knew at the barn to get off that horse. Absolutely, right? And that is, again, literature that we are basing off of a lack of understanding. I'm sure that there are so many examples exactly like that, where individuals feel so confident with their horse that they are not worried. We don't have any evidence to say that Riding a horse is bad, but we just don't want to minimize the risk of falling But here's the thing if we kind of take this back and talk about risk tolerance as grown-ups We can decide it for grown-ups or not But as grown-ups we are taking risk every single day every time we walk out of our house We are deciding if it is snowing and we decide to jump into a car. We are making a decision and we are calculating We are creating risk thresholds. When we are even talking about health-promoting behaviors, we are talking about stacking the deck in our favor or away from it, right? We are health-promoting or we are taking things that are going to increase the risk of an adverse event. But none of these things are guaranteed, and everybody is going to have their own risk tolerance zones. BECOME A PRO AT PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES As physical therapists who are working in the perinatal space, it is time for us to embrace that risk tolerance, embrace the fact that individuals' risk tolerance may be different than ours. And I'm talking about kind of pushing the extremes of exercise, but I'm also talking about allowing individuals who do not feel safe continuing to do certain exercises to be allowed to step that back if that pulls them within their risk tolerance zone. We do not have a movement problem in our society. We have a lack of movement problem. All of our divisions are screaming this from the rooftops. You're going to hear me say this in geriatrics. What that means though and what we see is that during pregnancy and postpartum exercise goes down and we see that fewer individuals are hitting the exercise guidelines despite the fact that our guidelines during pregnancy from an intensity and a Duration perspective mirror that of the general population what I mean by that is we are still trying to accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy and moderate intensity resistance training are Recommended but what we see is that during pregnancy for a whole slew of reasons Not just the fact that individuals are pregnant and getting scared away from exercise though. That is a component We are seeing that individuals are less active so Then we go into the postpartum period, and it's the same thing. THE RISKS OF NOT EXERCISING DURING PREGNANCY Our division is adamantly against the six-week blanket statement that we shouldn't be doing any exercise, and we are 100% against the five in the bed, five around the bed, five in the home type of rhetoric. The reason is that it's going to increase our risk for blood clots, and it is unrealistic for so many individuals who do not have a village that allows them to be able to do that. If you are trying to bond with the baby and that is something that you want to do, excellent, but I also think that it's important for us to be able to make informed decisions, which includes the fact that early movement, and I'm not talking exercise, I'm talking about getting out of bed, is really important for the management of postpartum complications. risk tolerance is going to be different. We see a lot of individuals who want to go to the gym two weeks postpartum. Are they jumping into a CrossFit workout? No, but are they becoming around their village because they feel really lonely and sad and their hormones are all over the place and somebody is going to take their baby and tell them and have an adult conversation and that's something that they want to do completely. their risk tolerance is going to be different. Do we have some individuals who adamantly want to wait until six, eight, 10, or 12 weeks, who do not have the mind to go in, who are struggling with sleep, who are having trouble with hormones? Absolutely. And so we are going to meet them where they're at. REFRAMING RISK TOLERANCE And so why is this reframe around risk tolerance so powerful? we don't have a movement problem, which means that we need to push our recommendations within a person's risk tolerance. And the message needs to be around facilitating movement, not creating barriers to exercise, right? As physical therapists, our job is to help facilitate movement. And when we create fear in the perinatal space, by moving or shifting a person's risk tolerance down beyond the level that they want to accept. We are not providing evidence-informed practice, right? One, we don't have the evidence to show that there are things that are adverse, and many of these things are mechanistic based on theory and are starting to be disproven. But the second thing is that we need to be taking our clients' wishes and hopes into perspective and that is an equal part of the triangle of evidence-informed practice and then obviously our clinical experience. Our clinical skilled care is where we can move those buoys, and give individuals ways for them to navigate exercise so that they know what they are listening to their bodies for, in order for us to be driving change in this space. When we accept this model of risk tolerance, we get to move from the no or I don't know to the yes within these kinds of buoys or navigational obstacles that we're going to be able to keep individuals within. We need to think that we want to move individuals away from being more sedentary out of fear in the perinatal space and move them to more empowered movement of their bodies in order for them to feel strong and empowered. We are starting to see over and over and over again that Individuals who maintain strength during their pregnancy have a much easier time postpartum from a muscular physical reserve perspective. We see this across everything in rehab. Our body needs to be strong enough to handle what we're asking it to do. It doesn't it breaks down. There are overuse injuries if the tensile strength of our bone does not match the force at which we hit the floor We have a fracture we see this in orthopedics the same is true in the perinatal space like our body needs to be able to respond to the stress is on their body in the pregnant and postpartum period and if we are deconditioning our pregnant individuals we are not setting them up for success and so we need to be able to have a shifting and moving risk tolerance to meet the risk tolerance of the person that is in front of us and then if there's obviously some big risks or red flags, we are going to educate on that. But most of the time, it's our own discomfort because their risk tolerance doesn't match our risk tolerance. And then we are making recommendations that are not serving them, but making us feel more comfortable. And so my call to action for you all today is to push your comfort zones. Really reflect, is there a discrepancy or difference between your risk tolerance and mine? And if there is, is that because of my own experience in this space? Is it because of my own lack of experience with somebody with this type of risk tolerance? And then how do I marry those two things to respect where the evidence is, but also where my client's perceived risk is? And then how can I bring my own clinical practice to help marry those two things together to serve the person that is in front of me? All right, I went off on a soapbox. I can't believe I'm already 14 minutes in. I hope that you found that helpful. This idea of risk tolerance and being able to see this as a moving target, I think is going to shift us away from a fear-focused message in the perinatal space towards more one of empowerment. And if your risk tolerance is less than your client's, that is not bad, but it is not our job to project our risk tolerance onto a patient, especially when we don't have any justification for that kind of shifting or that moving away from a person's own tolerance zone. And I really challenge individuals to not make individuals feel bad. There's a lot of shame in the perinatal space that is unfounded. And I think it's really important for us to really think critically about these risk tolerance zones and where ours exist. All right. If you have any other questions, if this is something that is a reflection point for you, I want to hear about it. If you want to see more of the research and get more of the news coming out of our pelvic division, cause geez, things have been moving really fast in our divisions. I encourage you to sign up for our ice pelvic newsletter. It's a research-focused newsletter that comes out every two weeks on Thursday. Our last one went out last week. If you have any other questions about our ice pelvic cert, please reach out to us. We've been fielding questions. We just love the interest that we've seen in our certification and we are so excited to show it all to you. Otherwise, I hope that Alexis sees some of you in Bayer or I will see some of you in Halifax. Have a wonderful rest of your Monday, everyone, and we will talk soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett delves into the need for a shift in the perinatal space, moving away from a fear-focused message and towards one of empowerment. Christina emphasizes the significance of understanding and respecting individual risk tolerance when it comes to making decisions about exercise and healthcare during pregnancy and postpartum. Christina argues that healthcare providers should not impose their own risk tolerance onto their patients, but rather support and empower them in making informed choices that align with their own comfort levels. She also highlights the presence of unwarranted shame in the perinatal space and encourages listeners to critically evaluate their own risk tolerance zones, challenging any beliefs or practices that contribute to this shame. Christina underscores the importance of evidence-informed practice and the facilitation of movement and exercise, rather than creating barriers based on fear. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of our team within our pelvic health division. And if you have been catching all of the news coming out of the ice world, you know that we just announced our pelvic certification, CertPelvic. And we are so excited to bring this to you all. One of the missions that we have been kind of on this journey for over, you know, the last four or five years has been to try and flip the script in pelvic health and really create a fitness-forward approach to pelvic health, just like we are trying to do in the orthopedic spaces. And so our cert pelvic is our next Step in that trajectory. And so we are going to have three courses in our cert pelvic curriculum We have our two-day live course and then we're gonna have two eight-week online courses level one and level two if you have taken Our live course that is going to count as your cert pelvic The only additional piece is that there is going to be an added skills check to the end of our second day. If you are interested in becoming CertPelvic, you will have to find a time when we are near your area to be able to take that skills check for the end of day two. You don't need to take the course again. You do not need to pay a fee for the skills check. We just have to get that from you for individuals who have already taken our live course. And if you're interested in catching our live course one more time, or getting in before the end of 2023, we have two opportunities left. Alexis is gonna be in Bayer, Delaware on the 18th and 19th of November, so in two weeks. And then at the beginning of December, December 2nd, and 3rd, I am gonna be in Halifax. And that course you'll see is slightly less because we are making it equivalent to the Canadian dollar. So if you're wondering why that course is at a different price, it's because we're creating an equivalency to the Canadian dollar. And so if you're interested in catching us before the end of 2023, those are your last two opportunities. EXERCISE IN THE PREGNANT & POSTPARTUM SPACE Okay, let's talk about exercise in the perinatal space. You know that we have been on a huge journey to reframe the idea around Pregnant and postpartum exercise it is no surprise to any of you who are listening and have listened to our division that we are very pro pushing the boundaries and that we believe from a fitness perspective that the answer should be yes For health promoting behaviors instead of flipping to the no and proving it I did a podcast episode a little while ago where I said is it ethical, you know to remove resistance training in a pregnant individual and because we don't have an abundance of literature. And I made the argument that it isn't. Until we have safety data to take away a health-promoting behavior, we should start with the yes. And so this kind of goes into this reframe. I was talking to Sinead DeFore, who is a Ph.D. who's looking at diastasis recti and pelvic girdle pain literature, and she created this idea around risk tolerance within my brain and it has really helped me to solidify our thoughts and feelings about exercise our sparks notes a very first thing is that We are going to have individuals who are going to have their own Risk tolerance and I'm gonna give you a couple of different examples. So everyone is gonna have their own risk tolerance when it comes to exercise. Personally, when I got pregnant with my daughter five years ago, I was a national-level weightlifter. A barbell was an extension of my hand. I knew where it was going to go. I knew what it was going to do. I could make finite, tiny little details and I would be able to manipulate my technique. I felt extremely confident moving around a barbell during my pregnancy. Was not a runner. I had done CrossFit but I wasn't doing CrossFit at that time so my body was not used to the impact of running and So I didn't feel that good running after about 18 or 20 weeks of pregnancy And so I removed running from my exercise routine I was not running that much to be good with but I removed it and I kept Olympic weightlifting all the way up until delivery and That is my risk tolerance. I decided what felt good for my body and I made decisions within that. That does not mean that I do not have individuals that I have seen that were running right up until delivery and then a heavy squat or squatting below parallel just did not feel good for them. It didn't feel good on their pelvis. So many people have their own risk tolerance. we are starting to see people push the boundaries in almost every stretch from a pregnant and postpartum fitness perspective. We are seeing individuals, part of my postdoctoral work is some of our team members are talking about contact sports, for example, and contact sports are contraindicated during pregnancy. People are told to not do equestrian, for example, during their pregnancies. And then you have some equestrian riders who feel extremely confident with the horse that they are working with and may continue to ride. Even though right now our data says that maybe we shouldn't do that on the chance that somebody falls off a horse. I treated an individual who was snowboarding, 17 weeks pregnant, fell so hard she broke her collarbone, baby ended up being okay. Another one of these decisions would probably not have been within my risk tolerance, but individuals are starting to push the boundaries. We are starting to see changes in the military with respect to flying restrictions. We were being told that when you found out that you were pregnant you were grounded with respect to flying hours. Yeah, right. Someone says, I grew up showing horses and you couldn't get any of those ladies I knew at the barn to get off that horse. Absolutely, right? And that is, again, literature that we are basing off of a lack of understanding. I'm sure that there are so many examples exactly like that, where individuals feel so confident with their horse that they are not worried. We don't have any evidence to say that Riding a horse is bad, but we just don't want to minimize the risk of falling But here's the thing if we kind of take this back and talk about risk tolerance as grown-ups We can decide it for grown-ups or not But as grown-ups we are taking risk every single day every time we walk out of our house We are deciding if it is snowing and we decide to jump into a car. We are making a decision and we are calculating We are creating risk thresholds. When we are even talking about health-promoting behaviors, we are talking about stacking the deck in our favor or away from it, right? We are health-promoting or we are taking things that are going to increase the risk of an adverse event. But none of these things are guaranteed, and everybody is going to have their own risk tolerance zones. BECOME A PRO AT PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES As physical therapists who are working in the perinatal space, it is time for us to embrace that risk tolerance, embrace the fact that individuals' risk tolerance may be different than ours. And I'm talking about kind of pushing the extremes of exercise, but I'm also talking about allowing individuals who do not feel safe continuing to do certain exercises to be allowed to step that back if that pulls them within their risk tolerance zone. We do not have a movement problem in our society. We have a lack of movement problem. All of our divisions are screaming this from the rooftops. You're going to hear me say this in geriatrics. What that means though and what we see is that during pregnancy and postpartum exercise goes down and we see that fewer individuals are hitting the exercise guidelines despite the fact that our guidelines during pregnancy from an intensity and a Duration perspective mirror that of the general population what I mean by that is we are still trying to accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy and moderate intensity resistance training are Recommended but what we see is that during pregnancy for a whole slew of reasons Not just the fact that individuals are pregnant and getting scared away from exercise though. That is a component We are seeing that individuals are less active so Then we go into the postpartum period, and it's the same thing. THE RISKS OF NOT EXERCISING DURING PREGNANCY Our division is adamantly against the six-week blanket statement that we shouldn't be doing any exercise, and we are 100% against the five in the bed, five around the bed, five in the home type of rhetoric. The reason is that it's going to increase our risk for blood clots, and it is unrealistic for so many individuals who do not have a village that allows them to be able to do that. If you are trying to bond with the baby and that is something that you want to do, excellent, but I also think that it's important for us to be able to make informed decisions, which includes the fact that early movement, and I'm not talking exercise, I'm talking about getting out of bed, is really important for the management of postpartum complications. risk tolerance is going to be different. We see a lot of individuals who want to go to the gym two weeks postpartum. Are they jumping into a CrossFit workout? No, but are they becoming around their village because they feel really lonely and sad and their hormones are all over the place and somebody is going to take their baby and tell them and have an adult conversation and that's something that they want to do completely. their risk tolerance is going to be different. Do we have some individuals who adamantly want to wait until six, eight, 10, or 12 weeks, who do not have the mind to go in, who are struggling with sleep, who are having trouble with hormones? Absolutely. And so we are going to meet them where they're at. REFRAMING RISK TOLERANCE And so why is this reframe around risk tolerance so powerful? we don't have a movement problem, which means that we need to push our recommendations within a person's risk tolerance. And the message needs to be around facilitating movement, not creating barriers to exercise, right? As physical therapists, our job is to help facilitate movement. And when we create fear in the perinatal space, by moving or shifting a person's risk tolerance down beyond the level that they want to accept. We are not providing evidence-informed practice, right? One, we don't have the evidence to show that there are things that are adverse, and many of these things are mechanistic based on theory and are starting to be disproven. But the second thing is that we need to be taking our clients' wishes and hopes into perspective and that is an equal part of the triangle of evidence-informed practice and then obviously our clinical experience. Our clinical skilled care is where we can move those buoys, and give individuals ways for them to navigate exercise so that they know what they are listening to their bodies for, in order for us to be driving change in this space. When we accept this model of risk tolerance, we get to move from the no or I don't know to the yes within these kinds of buoys or navigational obstacles that we're going to be able to keep individuals within. We need to think that we want to move individuals away from being more sedentary out of fear in the perinatal space and move them to more empowered movement of their bodies in order for them to feel strong and empowered. We are starting to see over and over and over again that Individuals who maintain strength during their pregnancy have a much easier time postpartum from a muscular physical reserve perspective. We see this across everything in rehab. Our body needs to be strong enough to handle what we're asking it to do. It doesn't it breaks down. There are overuse injuries if the tensile strength of our bone does not match the force at which we hit the floor We have a fracture we see this in orthopedics the same is true in the perinatal space like our body needs to be able to respond to the stress is on their body in the pregnant and postpartum period and if we are deconditioning our pregnant individuals we are not setting them up for success and so we need to be able to have a shifting and moving risk tolerance to meet the risk tolerance of the person that is in front of us and then if there's obviously some big risks or red flags, we are going to educate on that. But most of the time, it's our own discomfort because their risk tolerance doesn't match our risk tolerance. And then we are making recommendations that are not serving them, but making us feel more comfortable. And so my call to action for you all today is to push your comfort zones. Really reflect, is there a discrepancy or difference between your risk tolerance and mine? And if there is, is that because of my own experience in this space? Is it because of my own lack of experience with somebody with this type of risk tolerance? And then how do I marry those two things to respect where the evidence is, but also where my client's perceived risk is? And then how can I bring my own clinical practice to help marry those two things together to serve the person that is in front of me? All right, I went off on a soapbox. I can't believe I'm already 14 minutes in. I hope that you found that helpful. This idea of risk tolerance and being able to see this as a moving target, I think is going to shift us away from a fear-focused message in the perinatal space towards more one of empowerment. And if your risk tolerance is less than your client's, that is not bad, but it is not our job to project our risk tolerance onto a patient, especially when we don't have any justification for that kind of shifting or that moving away from a person's own tolerance zone. And I really challenge individuals to not make individuals feel bad. There's a lot of shame in the perinatal space that is unfounded. And I think it's really important for us to really think critically about these risk tolerance zones and where ours exist. All right. If you have any other questions, if this is something that is a reflection point for you, I want to hear about it. If you want to see more of the research and get more of the news coming out of our pelvic division, cause geez, things have been moving really fast in our divisions. I encourage you to sign up for our ice pelvic newsletter. It's a research-focused newsletter that comes out every two weeks on Thursday. Our last one went out last week. If you have any other questions about our ice pelvic cert, please reach out to us. We've been fielding questions. We just love the interest that we've seen in our certification and we are so excited to show it all to you. Otherwise, I hope that Alexis sees some of you in Bayer or I will see some of you in Halifax. Have a wonderful rest of your Monday, everyone, and we will talk soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses that the fountain of function is muscle mass and estrogen in the aging female. Christina breaks down these two areas for function, and what we have physical therapist can do to help encourage both muscle mass and estrogen preservation. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 - CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the team within our Modern Management of the Older Adult Division. In our division, we have three courses in our geriatric curriculum. We have our eight-week online Essential Foundations course. We have our eight-week online Advanced Concepts course. And we have our two-day live course. We have a couple of courses that are left in the remainder of the year. We have a course coming up in November in Chandler, North Carolina. We have another course coming up in South Carolina. And we have a course coming up in Texas in December. So if you are near those courses or you are looking to get in some content before the end of the year, I encourage you to check those courses out. and you'll be able to get in with some of our faculty before, you know, we ring in 2024. 01:18 - THE FOUNTAIN OF FUNCTION Today I'm going to talk about the fountain of function. And so this is a reframe that I think is really important. And we're going to talk about what those fountains of function are. You'll notice that I did not say fountain of youth. We have this idea in our society that youth is the goal, to not feel like we're getting older in any way, to not show signs of age on our faces. And don't get me wrong, I see my aging face, I was like, oh, my face doesn't look like I am 21 anymore, and I look at the wrinkles on my face, and I have those emotions. But the idea for my life is not to try and get younger. It's to try and optimize my reserve and try and live the way that I want to live with the most amount of function possible into my 30s and 40s and 50s and 60s and hopefully all the way up to 100. Because at MMA and within ice in general, Aging is a privilege. It is something that I am very thankful for because the alternative is not that great. We're not gonna be able to reverse back time, but we can have a really successful aging process, especially when we put in the steps to live the way that we want to live, whatever that filter means for us. So I'm not looking for the fountain of youth. I am looking for the fountain of function. And so the two types, the two areas that are the fountain of function in aging women, so I'm going to talk about female anatomy, is muscle mass and estrogen. And these two things, especially when taken together and optimized to the best of our capacity, is going to allow us to have more function towards the end of our life. So let's talk about muscle mass. You have not been following the Institute of Clinical Excellence in any ways if you don't know that LODE is our love language across all of our division, across all of our faculty, and that is absolutely true in the geriatric curriculum as well. And I love it so much that I did an entire PhD on the influence of resistance training in an aging body. When we look at resistance training, we are accumulating a growth and a continuation, a plethora of education and research that looks at the impact of resistance training on health outcomes. And I just posted a paper that was a narrative review from Stu Phillips, who is one of my committee members on my PhD. 04:18 - THE COMING OF AGE OF RESISTANCE TRAINING And he talked about the coming of age of resistance training and how we are starting to see some accumulation of evidence that is mirroring and is just as strong as literature that we're seeing in aerobic training to prevent stave off different chronic diseases, including some cardiovascular diseases. And so there means that there, as of course, we're going to target the aerobic system. This is not to say to not do cardio in stead, just do resistance training, but it's showing that there is a continual and persistent growth of literature talking about the impact of resistance training on health outcomes. So what we see is that those who have more muscle mass tend to have lower all-cause mortality. They are less likely to develop cardiovascular conditions. They are better able to manage diabetes. They're less likely to get diabetes. We know that muscle mass is protective around things like osteoporosis, right? Tensile strength of the bone is important and we need impact, body weight movements, resistance training across the lifespan in order to optimize that. We see that individuals who are stronger or less likely to have sarcopenia, right? Sarcopenia is clinically relevant amounts of muscular weakness that are preventing a person from completing their day-to-day tasks. It's a totally important output of frailty. Fried's physical phenotype of frailty talks about physical reserve and physical capacity as an output of individuals seeing these constellations and signs and symptoms that lead to vulnerability to external stress. That external stress includes things like hospitalizations and being able to withstand different stressors with respect to immune system insults, including things like COVID-19, pneumonia, and the flu that allows individuals, while they are sick, to have that reserve and resiliency to lean back on in order for individuals to be able to get back to baseline or improve past baseline, post-hospitalization, or acute insult. All this to say, we know that individuals need to be trying optimize their muscle mass in their earlier life and then hold on to it for as long as possible. If you are in a setting where you are not working with individuals who have optimized their muscular mass, we also know that muscular mass can be developed and we can see improvements in physical function with resistance training at any age when we start including in our 90s. The mechanism at which strength develops is a little bit different. We're looking a lot more at neuromuscular efficiency. However, we can absolutely see that it can improve function. And so whether you are 30 or you are 85, muscle mass is a fountain of function and it allows us to withstand stress. 12:24 - ESTROGEN FUNCTION & MENOPAUSE  Now let's kind of talk about this second piece, which is estrogen. I've done several podcasts on menopause, but I want to talk about the influence of estrogen around female physiology, because I think this is really important. So when we are going through the menopausal transition, on average, individuals will start menopause between 50 and 51. Definition of menopause is when you've gone a full calendar year, 12 months without a menstrual period. That is your menopausal transition. But individuals can be experiencing perimenopausal symptoms that are indicators of dwindling or are coming down of estrogen status for up to 10 years prior to the transition into menopause. And so individuals who are in their early 40s can start to see the influences of loss of estrogen on their body. And then that influence is persistent as individuals get older. When we're talking about menopause, we often are putting this into two camps. So we have vasomotor symptoms, which are these symptoms that occur because of an acute withdrawal of estrogen. These are things like night sweats and hot flashes. As individuals transition through menopause and we get into our later life, into our 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, those symptoms tend to decline. So those vasomotor symptoms that occur as our body transitions to reductions in estrogen status they tend to go down as our body gets used to this new state of equilibrium that occurs without estrogen. In the opposite direction, the second kind of camp that we speak about when individuals are going through menopause is genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM. And that is signs and symptoms across the female physiology that are responding to losses in estrogen. and anywhere where there is an estrogen receptor within our body, they are going to experience changes when individuals transition through menopause. And we oftentimes will, in the pelvic health space, talk about changes to our reproductive anatomy, which are unbelievably relevant, but we have to also extrapolate that out and talk about different areas where estrogen is influencing female physiology and how, if you are working with an aging female, they are experiencing changes because of that change in estrogen status. And so within the reproductive track, we see that there is changes in ligamentous stability around the pelvis. And I hate that word stability, but it's a change in the turnover of the way that our ligaments are restructuring. So we have a little bit more ligamentous breakdown than buildup, right? That turnover rate is different. And so we have this shift between static support in the pelvis to the requirements or dynamic support around the pelvic floor. We see that individuals start to have vaginal atrophy. We see that the vaginal microbiome starts to change. We don't have the same cervical mucus secretion. And so things like chafing and redness can be more prevalent in a person who is postmenopausal. We can see fusing of the labia minora and majora. and this can lead to increased risks for pelvic floor dysfunction. So when we are in estrogen low states, rates for pelvic floor dysfunction go up. This includes anal incontinence, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, dyspnea, or painful punitive intercourse, and other aspects of the reproductive tract. We also see, because of this change in the vulvar anatomy, that we have an increased risk for things like urinary tract infections, that increased risk for urinary tract infection also influences individual's physical function. We know that recurrent UTIs can be a cause of changes in cognitive status for our aging females. And so something that is extremely relevant for our aging women. Other things that we see is that as individuals go into an estrogen depleted state, increased risk of cardiovascular disease goes up. Individuals as they transition through menopause, we see that in general, men tend to be more impacted by cardiovascular disease. That is shifting for a lot of different reasons, but that risk profile increases when individuals are in an estrogen depleted state. We see a change in central adiposity where weight starts to increase. Adiposity accumulation can increase, especially visceral fat accumulation, which has a risk profile in and of itself for different chronic diseases. And then we see, for example, in our bone microarchitecture that the influence of estrogen allows for continual bone regeneration and that profile again starts to switch and there's an increased risk for things like osteoporosis in an estrogen deficient state. So there's a lot of things that get impacted, right? Our skin gets impacted, our breast tissue gets impacted, our urinary tract, all of our mucosal membranes, not just in our vulva, but across our entire body, and this has impacts. And so when we are thinking about working with these individuals, one of the things that is starting to become really recommended is topical estrogens. And there's a lot of debate about this because of a study that had been done a little while ago that looked at increased risk for sex-related cancers, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, et cetera, with systemic estrogen. However, what we are starting to see now and many of our menopausal experts like Dr. Mary Claire and Dr. Rachel Rubin are really trying to have this public health approach to medicine saying that we are not doing our females a service when we are saying that there is a risk profile when subsequent studies have not been able to substantiate or replicate those findings. And so there's been a big shift in the last five years to the need for or the desire for many women who are really suffering with genital urinary syndrome of menopause to be able to take things like topical estrogens in order to really significantly reduce their symptom burden. And I'm not just talking about their pelvic floor, which is an extremely important part of their sexual health, also a vital sign of aging, but also, you know, all of these other physiological signs of estrogen deficiency that are impacting our outcomes, right? We see that individuals with that combination of muscular mass, we are seeing individuals with negative consequences of osteoporotic fracture. if we were able to be preventative in this approach where we are talking about estrogen supplementation when these symptoms start to arise, especially when they hit a threshold of bother, where there's going to be this spectrum, some individuals are very bothered and very impacted by the signs of vasomotor symptoms and genital urinary syndrome of menopause, and then some individuals are not, but for those individuals with bother, is this something that should be taken? Is this something that they can talk to their physician about? Is there this literature to support these topical estrogens? And we are starting to see this mounting of evidence that is starting to come up to help individuals in the aging process. So many of our aging adults are being told that this is just what they should be living with. This is because they're going through menopause. Deal. We saw this in the peripartum space where there's a lot of advocacy still happening with respect to not having this thought process that as soon as you have a baby that pelvic floor dysfunction is just something that you should live with. We're starting to see this rise up in our perimenopausal and postmenopausal population, where they are not accepting that this is what they should be doing. They're not being dismissed anymore for these symptoms, and it's super important. When we take this lifespan approach, this education becomes extremely relevant. Talking about the peripartum space, I truly believe that that is where we start to tell females that they are not resilient, that they are somehow fragile, that they need to be concerned for their organs falling out and all these different pelvic floor dysfunctions. And then they are not encouraged to be as resilient as they could be by taking part in heavy resistance training or impact activities or things at higher intensities. We start bringing that intensity down and the idea of, ooh, be careful or, oh, monitor this or, oh, if you have these symptoms, it's time for you to stop participating in those activities. We are seeing this shift and what this shift is going to do earlier in life is it's going to set up are aging individuals with this mindset that pelvic floor dysfunction one is not inevitable two that reserve is protective when it comes to muscular reserve and three they're going to be advocates for their own health and that includes their hormonal health and that includes not accepting that some of these symptoms of menopause are things that they just need to live with, but things that can be medically managed. Genital urinary syndrome of menopause is a syndrome condition. It is a medical diagnosis, and therefore it is something that we can be treating. As physical therapists, us being educators and conduits of that knowledge translation is extremely important. And then we are going to optimize function for these individuals. Last point that I'm going to make, because I ended up being a lot more long-winded than I thought I was going to be, is that we are now seeing this interaction between menopause, genital urinary syndromes, and long-term health outcomes. We are seeing that individuals with higher physical activity, combination, aerobic resistance, or both, are having a much lower GSM burden than those who are not. And so again, it comes back full circle, whether this health promotion is extremely important, that not only are we gonna optimize a person's muscular reserve, we're gonna make that fountain of function be extremely relevant, but we're also going to make the quality of that function a lot better because their quality of life is better because we are not allowing them to just live with these symptoms and be dismissed by our medical system, us included, that just expects this to be the way that it is. And so this advocacy piece is extremely important and it's something that we are going to be screaming from the rooftops. All right, everyone, I hope you have a wonderful week. I'm going to be diving a lot more onto my page and I'm going to be collaborating it with ICE and MMOA around hormone therapies for individuals with GSM. I am not a medical physician, so I encourage you to reach out to your urogynecologist and urologist in your area. Get that relationship with them so that you can start having these conversations and we can start talking about risk profiles. All right, have a wonderful week. If you are not on our MMOA digest, I encourage you to sign up for those newsletters. Otherwise, have a wonderful week and I will talk to you all again soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Rachel Moore // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic faculty member Rachel Moore takes a deep dive into the Valsalva Maneuver from 3 different lenses: the scholarly research, the pregnancy & postpartum patient, and the strength & conditioning world. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION00:00 - RACHEL MOORE Good morning PT on ice daily show. My name is dr. Rachel Moore. I am here with Representing the ice pelvic division. I'm on faculty with ice pelvic division. Whoo. Sorry. I need to drink my coffee um i just got back in last night super late night flying from a course this weekend our pelvic live course in um wisconsin it was so much fun we got to see some leaves change which is exciting for me because in houston we don't really have that happen um so really awesome super great weekend awesome and engaged group that we had. If you are looking to join us on the road to catch our live course, our live pelvic course, there are still so many opportunities this year. In that course, we are doing so many things. We are talking about pelvic floor considerations. We're talking about the internal assessment and actually going over and practicing it on your back and in standing. We're talking about pelvic girdle pain which is such a huge topic in the pregnancy and postpartum and just pelvic world in general and then day two we're diving into the actual fitness side of things where we're doing squats and we're learning how to brace and we're using weightlifting belts and we're getting up on the rig and doing gymnastics moves it is a blast every time I come home from a course I'm hyped and there are four more chances of in 2023 to catch this course on the road. So October 21st, we've got a course in Corvallis, Oregon. November 4th, we've got one coming up in Bozeman, Montana. November 18th, we've got one coming up in Bear, Delaware. And then December 2nd, we've got one in Nova Scotia, Canada. So tons of opportunities to catch this course live on the road. Our online course will pick up again in January. So if you're interested in joining us in the ice pelvic division, that's what we got coming up. 02:08 - THE HISTORY OF VALSALVA This morning we are here to talk about Valsalva. So the word Valsalva is kind of a term that nobody really knows what it means or everybody thinks they know what it means and they all have their own separate camps of what it could mean because it's described so many different ways in the literature. So what we're going to do this morning is clarify what the different definitions of this one word are, talk about the history of it a little bit more, where this term really even came from in the first place. So this topic is really near and dear to my heart. Recently, Christina Prevett and I recently just wrote a clinical commentary on Valsalva and on the nuances of Valsalva. and how as clinicians we can take this term and how we need to take this term and understand the lens, especially when we're looking at research, but when we're talking to patients about what this term even means and what we're actually looking for in our strength training fitness world when we say the word Valsalva. So let's kick it off with the history of Valsalva. The term Valsalva is actually named after a physician from the 18th century. So he was an otolaryngologist. Anyway, he worked in ears and throat, ear, nose and throat doctor. And he created this maneuver essentially as a way to push infection out of the ears. So, the maneuver that Dr. Valsalva described actually doesn't even look like the Valsalva that a lot of people talk about today. His maneuver was plugging your nose and blowing out, but not against a closed glottis. And when he created this maneuver, the purpose of it was to flush infection out of the ear by having that tympanic membrane push outwards to, in theory, push pus out of the ear. That is where this term was created. So when we look at Valsalva in the research lens, when we talk about diving into the specifics of research on this topic, if we're looking in the ENT world, autolaryngological world, we're thinking about this maneuver as a plugged nose, closed glottis, now push out in order to push that tympanic membrane out. When we're looking at this word in the urogynecologic world, it has a very different emphasis or purpose. So when we think about pelvic organ prolapse and the diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse, that's where we see the Valsalva, quote unquote, being useful, I would say. So the Valsalva in a urogynecologic world is an intentional bear down and strain with a closed glottis. in order to measure the descent of the pelvic organs, particularly during that POPQ or that assessment for pelvic organ prolapse. So on the ENT side, we have the focus of plugging nose, blowing out, pushing tympanic membranes out. In the urogynecologic world, we've got this strain down through the pelvic floor in order to descend the pelvic organs and measure what that descent is. 06:04 - VALSALVA IN STRENGTH TRAINING In the strength and conditioning world, the term Valsalva means something completely different. In the strength and conditioning world, the Valsalva is a maneuver that is advantageous, particularly if you're a competing athlete in the strength training world, where we need a little bit extra spinal stiffness in order to hit a lift to PR. so in the strength training world this is an inhale into the belly and then a brace of those core muscles that anterior abdominal wall and all of those muscles within the core in general in order to increase that intra-abdominal pressure and spinal stiffness to be able to lift heavier. So when we do the Valsalva, we have a 10% increase in that spinal stiffness and that carries over or translates into pounds on the barbell. So when we're again thinking about our competitive athletes who are maybe trying to like edge somebody out, the Valsalva is an incredibly useful and productive maneuver. Even if we're not a competing athlete, if we're talking about just getting stronger and we're pushing ourselves to the capacity that we want to push ourselves to in order to make those strength gains, the Valsalva is likely utilized in order to increase that capacity to lift heavier. The confusion here comes from that one word having many different definitions. And when we look at the urogynecologic world versus the strength training world, they really are truly opposite. When we're thinking about straining and bearing down, we're pushing down with our abdominal wall muscles, we're pushing down with our pelvic floor, and we expect to see that descent. I 100% agree that we shouldn't put a heavy barbell on our back and then strain and push down through our pelvic floor. That is not beneficial and it is going to put a lot of strain through the pelvic floor. Absolutely. However, when we talk about Valsalva in a strength training capacity, that's not what the Valsalva is. The Valsalva in a strength and conditioning world is that intentional inhale into the belly and brace of that anterior abdominal wall muscles. When we do that brace of those anterior abdominal wall muscles, we don't want to see a descent of the pelvic floor. That would be an improper brace that would need training to improve that coordination. What we expect to see with a valsalva in the pelvic floor world is a matched degree of contraction for the demand that's placed on that system. So if we're thinking about somebody who's lifting a heavy lift, a one rep max, We expect that pelvic floor to kick on, but we're not necessarily volitionally thinking about lifting pelvic floor and doing that pelvic floor contraction. As that core canister is engaged and we engage that proper brace, the entire core canister should kick on to a relatively equal degree. So in the strength and conditioning world, that Valsalva is advantageous. In the urogynecologic world, if we're taking that concept and applying it to lifting, it is the opposite of advantageous. So when we're looking at recommendations for our strength training athletes and our patients, we need to understand the language that is being used and what the definition of that language is. So from the standpoint of our OBs who are telling our patients, don't ever do a Valsalva, in their mind, they're saying, don't ever strain and push your pelvic floor down when you're lifting. Totally. We agree. 100%. Don't do that. It's not going to be great. But the disconnect is that this one word has so many different definitions. So we really have to dive in and break down what was that recommendation specifically. So when we're with our patients, that looks like breaking down the definition for them. 09:01 - VALSALVA MANUVEUR IN THE LITERATURE But if we're looking in the research world and we're trying to read literature, read the newest evidence about what recommendations are for our pregnant and postpartum athletes, we need to go into the article itself and look at how they define Valsalva. Because we can easily read the abstract and the conclusion of an article that says Valsalva is not recommended, but if we're, looking at this article and it's actually meaning the bearing down, then we're not getting, we're not able to extrapolate that to the strength and conditioning side. So really with this term, it's one word named after a man who the original maneuver isn't even what we're talking about anymore anyway. Across the board, we have to either figure out different words or different ways to describe this, or it really falls on us as providers to break down what it is we're talking about. So rather than just telling your patients, do a Valsalva, maybe we don't use that language at all, and we just talk about bracing. When we do a brace, we can manipulate breath. If we're gonna take that intentional inhale and then brace, that is a Valsalva, But in order to eliminate the confusion across the board, we can just call it a brace. This makes a lot more sense to patients than being told by one person to never valsalva and then by another person to valsalva. And when we lay it all out and explain what all of these differences are and how it's all one term, but it has different meanings, and none of these meanings necessarily are the same. And in fact, in the urogynecologic world, in the strength and conditioning world, they're literally the opposite. It starts to click with patients, why it's okay that my physician told me not to do this Valsalva, but you're telling me that I can, because I understand that these are two very different physiologic mechanisms. Our clinical commentary over this that dives into all of this and so much more comes out in the spring. So keep an eye out. We'll be sending it out in the ice pelvic newsletter. So if you are not signed up for that newsletter, head to PT on ice.com, go to the resources tab, sign up for that newsletter, not only for our clinical commentary in the spring, but for all kinds of resources. in the pelvic floor world. Stay up to date on the newest evidence and also just check out some cool stuff that we find along the way. I hope you guys have an awesome Monday and I hope we see you on the road soon. OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

On today's episode, Julie is joined by Dr. Christina Prevett to discuss resistance training in pregnancy. Christina is a physical therapist and leading researcher and educator in the pelvic health space, specifically working to help athletes and professionals better understand the relationship between exercise and the pregnant and postpartum periods of a woman's life. She's an educator for the Institute of Clinical Excellence and the founder of the Barbell Mamas, a community designed to help pregnant and postpartum mommas continue doing what they love. As a female athlete and momma of 2 who's competed in weight lifting, powerlifting and CrossFit, Christina is on a mission to help women remain active and fit throughout the entire lifespan. In this episode, you'll learn about what the research says about resistance training in pregnancy, physiological changes to expect during this time period, how to reduce fear amongst our pregnant momma's and so much more. This episode is super informative and empowering, and it's by far one of my favorites in the history of this podcast.  Shownotes: 03:20- How did you become interested in the pelvic health space? 09:40- Strength is protective: “Nobody ever goes into something and says I wish that I was weaker.” 14:45- What does the research say about weightlifting during pregnancy? 20:40- Christina's Research on heavy lifting during pregnancy, labor & delivery outcomes & postpartum return  27:02- “This is where we really change practice- If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far go together.” 30:30- Considerations for 1st Trimester: Nausea Management & Rebound Fatigue 32:25- 2nd & 3rd Trimester: Increased MSK Load on Spine & Pelvic Floor 37:45- “It's MORE justification to load the pelvic floor so that the body can better withstand the stress placed on it.” 40:50- “Individuals who have Diastasis Recti Postpartum are weaker than those who don't.”  43:00- Navigating your “Sense of Self” as a Pregnant/Postpartum Athlete 46:48- Top strategies to reduce fear surrounding resistance training during pregnancy? 47:30- Signs that a pregnant athlete may have pushed too hard during exercise? 49:10- Biggest piece of advice for somebody who wants to educate in pelvic health?  Follow Christina: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christina_prevett/ https://www.instagram.com/thebarbellmamas/ https://www.instagram.com/icephysio/ Christina's Research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36331580/

Today I speak with Dr. Christina Prevett PT, PhD, researcher in pregnancy and aging, lead faculty at Institute of Clinical Excellence Physio for Pelvic Health & Geriatrics, and Creator of the Barbell Mamas. Christina helps female athletes maximize fitness potential with online programming for pregnant & postpartum CrossFitters & weightlifters.  Christina and I talk about how far we have come in supporting strength athlete, both pregnant and postpartum, as well as where the research is headed. If you're a barbell athlete, you don not want to miss this conversation! We talk about: -lack of research available -affects of resistance training on pelvic floor -breath holding -stress urinary incontinence -listening to your body -ethics issues and pregnancy research -increasing visibility -debunking hormone myths -benefits of strength training Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 4:02 research following experience 9:50 changes in pelvic floor 11:30 unpacking Valsava maneuver 21:03 resistance training in supine 25:30 findings of the research 31:10 averages in the study 37:40 the progress made 43:00 addressing inequity 45:37 addressing menopause 52:40 benefits of strength training 60:25 rapid fire questions  CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com  CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christina_prevett/ Website: https://thebarbellmamas.com/ The Active Mom Postpartum Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to Postpartum for active moms & the postpartum professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and postpartum professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 start rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic division leader Christina Prevett Addresses the fear of exercising during pregnancy and how it can hinder the care provided to pregnant individuals. Christina shares that she has received messages from pregnant individuals expressing their concerns and uncertainties about exercising while pregnant. The fear of exercise causing harm is often the primary concern that arises when someone discovers they are pregnant. Christina emphasizes that this fear is not supported by scientific literature and believes that removing this barrier can lead to a significant shift in the way pregnant individuals are cared for. She argues that the medical system has contributed to this fear and stress the importance of reframing the conversation around exercise during pregnancy. Instead of focusing on the potential harm, Christina suggests highlighting the health-promoting aspects of exercise and removing any obstacles that may prevent pregnant individuals from engaging in physical activity. Christina also points out that society does not have a movement problem, but rather a lack of movement problem, which is often observed during pregnancy. She highlights that the fear of harm is one of the factors contributing to the decrease in exercise during pregnancy. Overall, Christina emphasizes the need to address and alleviate the fear of exercise during pregnancy in order to improve the care provided to pregnant individuals. By reframing the conversation and focusing on the health benefits of exercise, pregnant individuals can be empowered to continue exercising during pregnancy and set up for success. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 INTRO Hey everyone, Alan here. Before we get into today's episode, I'd like to take a moment to introduce our show sponsor, Jane. If you don't know about Jane, Jane is an all in one practice management software with features like online booking, scheduling, documentation, and a PCI compliant payment solution. The time that you spend with your patients and clients is very valuable and filling out forms during their appointment time can quickly take away from the time that you all have together. That's why the team at Jane has designed online intake forms, that your patients can complete from the comfort of their own homes. And to help them remember to fill out their forms, Jane has your back with a friendly email reminder sent 24 hours before their appointment. This means they arrive ready to start their appointment and you can arrive ready to help. Jane's online intake forms are fully customizable to ensure you're collecting everything you need ahead of time, whether that's getting a credit card on file, insurance billing details, or a signed consent form. You can build out your intake forms from scratch or use templates from Jane's template library and customize it further to meet your practice needs. If you're interested in learning more, head on over to jane.app.com. Use the code icePT1MO at sign up to receive a one month grace period on your new account. Thanks everyone. Enjoy today's episode of the PT on Ice daily show. 01:26 CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the faculty within our pelvic health division. If you did not see, we had an absolutely packed house in Arizona for our two-day live course, and we have a couple of live courses coming up through the end of the year. Importantly, we're taking the move up to Canada and we are trying to see if we can take some of these courses up there. So I am going to be in Ontario this next weekend, the 31st first or 30th first. in Hamilton, Ontario, which is close to Toronto. And then in December, I'm going to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the east side of the country. So if you are a Canadian who keeps saying, why aren't we bringing these ice courses up to the north into Canada, we are trying to do that. So I hope that I will see some of you in our Canadian courses towards the end of this year and this weekend. Okay, so this is kind of a little bit of a punchy topic where, and I've been thinking about this a lot. 02:40  ETHICAL RESISTANCE TRAINING RESTRICTIONS So to give context, so today we're going to be talking about, is it ethical to put resistance training restrictions on women that are pregnant? Where this comes from, so we are in this space of exercise, and to this day, very commonly, there is a restriction that can sometimes be placed on people that are pregnant that tell you that you should not lift more than 25 to 30 pounds during your pregnancy. And if you have seen me in the geriatric division, We've done a lot of pushback against putting restrictions on the amount of absolute load that is on an individual because of these preconceived notions that individuals of a certain age are not capable. I've had conversations before where people think that the two divisions that I'm a part of, the geriatric and the pelvic health division, are very different, but they both have one key concept that are kind of overlapping with them. that is under dosage of an under prescription of exercise. And so my PhD in geriatrics looked at high load resistance training for at risk older adults. I have since shifted some of my research into the pelvic health space looking at high load resistance training during pregnancy And that is where this conversation came up. So the motivation behind this episode was a conversation that I had with Margie Davenport, who I'm doing some postdoctoral research with, where we were talking about a systematic review that we are working on with Jess Gingrich, who's part of our pelvic team, on resistance training during pregnancy. And so part of the things that we are reporting on are things like what was the frequency, intensity, time, and type. exercise prescription principles for these randomized control trials or these exercise studies that were done in individuals who are pregnant. And I've talked about how understanding the context where these prescriptions come from, saying don't lift more than 20 or 25 pounds, have come from the fact that we do not have research in this area over a certain prescription, hence some of the cross-sectional data that we're doing, hence some of the follow-up studies that we are doing. So that's where this came from. But the reframe that really came into my mind over the last little bit was when Margie said, is it ethical to put restrictions on pregnant people for lifting? And so let's talk about that. So when it comes to these restrictions or when it comes to our recommendations, they come from the foundation of do no harm, right? no harm. We are trying to make sure that we are keeping our pregnant people safe and we are making our recommendations and they tend to be more conservative because this is a very protected time in a pregnant person's life. And so because we don't have any research in pregnant people, we say don't do it. But when it comes to the research, where we have to go is looking outside of the research, blending it with what we know in our current patient population, and then take the wants and desires of the person that is in front of us. We know that strength is protective at every single point in our life. We know that being stronger makes you more resilient. We know that it prevents chronic disease. that it keeps you with higher amounts of quality of life for longer. It helps protect you and give you reserve if you are sick. There are so many reasons why strength is protective. And it has been shown across almost every single patient population at every age. It is shown that strength is protective. When we have our pregnant population, we use these restrictions because we don't have anything above. But when we come down to the foundation of strength is protective, And we think about the lens of these restrictions, don't lift more than 25 pounds. We have to ask the question, are we going by do no harm? Because it's not that we have evidence that going above 25 pounds is harmful. It's that we don't have evidence at all. And so when we don't have evidence at all, we have to take a look at other areas or other amounts of the lifespan of the woman. And we have to think about, are there any harms that we can think of that are specific to pregnant physiology? And then kind of blend these two things together. 08:16 RESISTANCE TRAINING DURING PREGNANCY And from a pregnant physiology perspective, the theoretical constructs that are driving some of these recommendations are things like the change to fetal heart rate and placental blood flow as a consequence of lifting heavy weight, and the shunting of blood away from the uterus that happens when we resistance train towards the working muscle. And we don't have any evidence from our acute studies that have looked at hemodynamics in the cardiovascular response to resistance training at a variety of loads to show that there is any adverse event that happens to mom or baby hemodynamically that would insinuate that there is some type of harm to fetal inflows and outflows as a consequence of resistance training. When we look at high load resistance training across the lifespan, we also have to think of what happens if we start to make women afraid of resistance training. What happens when we say don't lift more than 25 pounds or don't lift this heavy weight because you're going to prolapse or don't lift this heavy weight because it's going to cause incontinence. We don't have to just think about this snapshot in time where we're trying to maybe circumvent some leakage. We have to think what is the internal dialogue that starts to happen in that woman's life that is going to impact her at 65. where we think that we shouldn't be that resilient or we shouldn't be doing that much resistance training, we shouldn't put that muscle on us anymore because we are going to cause pelvic floor issues or we are going to harm our baby. What does that internal dialogue do to exercise selection in the postpartum period, in the midlife period, in the perimenopausal period, in the older adult period? Is me saying that you shouldn't be resistance training going to impact what I'm working with older adults down the line? and this may seem like a bit of a stretch but when we don't have evidence around fetal hemodynamics we don't have any case reports that have shown that an individual who's lifting heavy weight goes into a hypertensive emergency or that there's any type of pre-eclampsia that happens acutely or that after going to the gym an individual has had a fetal death which would be a case report that would come out in the literature as a special kind of This is something that happened that we should keep our eyes on that's how we start developing levels of evidence to start investigating different phenomena Because we don't have any of those things This reframe I think can be super important of Not what is the what is the harm of resistance training? it's how are we setting our moms back if they don't resistance train during their pregnancies? And you know I've talked to moms who've been placed on activity restriction or bed rest and they say like I had a complication that caused me to have to be in bed and let me tell you being weaker going into that postpartum period was painful for me. It was a lot harder for me. It was not something that I would wish on anyone to have to feel so weak and vulnerable in a time where you already feel weak and vulnerable. So instead of saying what is the risk of us doing resistance training during pregnancy, It's what is the risk if we decondition our moms to be and have them, are we setting them up for success in the postpartum period by purposefully deconditioning them? And you may think that that is a strong statement of purposely deconditioning, but when you are making a recommendation that they are not allowed to lift their toddler up or that it is somehow dangerous to do that, We don't want to acknowledge that while we are removing a stimulus, that we are actually promoting deconditioning. We are promoting deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system. And when we look at return to exercise postpartum and we look at persistent issues in the postpartum period, for example, diastasis recti, we know that those with diastasis recti are weaker across their abdominal musculature than those that aren't. We know that one of the biggest issues to returning to exercise is pelvic floor dysfunction, but it is also lower extremity musculoskeletal pain where our body has not had that type of stimulus or impact. It hasn't remained as strong as it was before pregnancy. And now when we're trying to return to activity. we're having lower extremity pain. 12:22 MOM WRIST & MOM KNEE Why do we have so much mom wrist and mom knee, which we now have evidence are not actually physiological changes that occur within a female's body that are a consequence of the hormones of pregnancy. We see a weakness issue that comes into pregnancy, a certain amount of deconditioning that is expected as a consequence of pregnancy, but we do not promote, uh, blunting of some of that deconditioning by promoting resilience and resistance training. And so I feel like there is a paradigm shift that is happening, and it starts with reframing our questions. Instead of saying, what is the harm of resistance training? If we flip that and say, what is the risk of deconditioning a pregnant person? that changes the game. It changes the way that we frame exercise and what we consider to be bad. We don't have evidence at any levels of intensity in any modality of fitness that high intensity resistance training or aerobic training is bad for a developing fetus. or for a pregnant person. And in fact, it is creating a cardiovascular training effect to strengthen the fetal cardiac system when individuals are participating in aerobic training. And so how do we set moms up for success? Instead of saying, what is the fear? of exercising because that's the first … I literally had somebody message me yesterday saying, I'm four weeks pregnant and now I'm so scared. I have all these questions. I do all this strength training. I do all of this aerobic training and I don't know what I'm allowed to do. We have created that system where you get a positive pregnancy test and the first thing that you question and the first thing that you start to be fearful of is, is the exercise that I am currently doing going to cause harm? Our medical system has created that, and we need to work tirelessly to remove it, and instead say, what are the health-promoting factors, including exercise, that I enjoy, that I want to do, that I want to continue in order for me to feel strong, for me to feel healthy, for me to feel happy, for me to have strong mental health and resiliency, and that is going to trickle into the health of my baby. If we take that reframe, if we say instead of what is the things that are going to cause harm, it's how do we remove barriers to exercise, especially when we look at our society and we do not have a movement problem. We have a lack of movement problem. And dip in exercise occurs during pregnancy. And there is a lot of things that can contribute to that. But one of the things is fear that the exercise that they love to do, that they self-select to do is somehow harmful. And if we can remove that barrier, we are going to shift the way we take care of our pregnant people. And we are going to start to see our pregnant people be able to do all of these wonderful things without the fear that is unfounded in the literature of doing harm. All right, my rant for a Monday. I hope you all start to think about this. I have actually really been thinking about the do no harm piece of exercise and if it is founded and how to change the way that we frame exercise prescription. for our pregnant individuals. So I hope you found this helpful. If you have any thoughts around this, I would love to hear it. I'm definitely gonna be thinking about the way that I'm framing this up and seeing if there's any challenges that I can think of in my mind that would counter some of these arguments. So I would love to have these conversations with you all. If you wanna see some of the research coming out on exercise and pregnancy, I encourage you to sign up for our pelvic newsletter. It goes out every two weeks. We just had a letter go out last week. where any new research that's coming out, we try and stay on top of it. And this is where some of these podcasts come from. So if not, I hope to see you on the road. If you are Canadian, I hope to see you at one of our courses in Ontario or Nova Scotia. Otherwise, have a really wonderful beginning of your week, everyone, and we will talk to you all soon. 16:55 OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Welcome back to "Focus on Female," the series where we celebrate and empower women from all walks of life! In this exciting episode, your host Niki sits down with the incredible Dr. Christina Prevett, a renowned pelvic floor physical therapist and a true pioneer in the fields of pregnancy and aging research. Dr. Prevett's expertise and passion for her work have led to groundbreaking discoveries that are changing lives for women everywhere. In this enlightening episode, we dive deep into Christina's groundbreaking work, particularly her role in developing "Barbell Mamas," a vibrant and supportive training community. Barbell Mamas is dedicated to helping pregnant and postpartum mothers stay active in sports like CrossFit, weightlifting, and powerlifting, even in the face of the unique challenges these phases of life can present. Join us as we explore the importance of continued resistance training throughout every phase of life, with a special focus on the incredible journey of motherhood. Discover valuable insights and empowering advice that can help you or the strong women in your life stay fit, healthy, and confident during pregnancy and beyond. Dr. Christina Prevett's knowledge and dedication are sure to inspire you, so don't miss this enlightening episode of "Focus on Female." Hit that subscribe button, give us a thumbs up, and share this episode with all the amazing women you know. Let's empower each other to reach new heights!

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, Modern Management of the Older Adult division leader Christina Prevett discusses masters athletes who challenge negative age paradigms and serve as role models for younger generations.  According to the episode, the decline in physiological systems can be attributed to both aging and other factors such as inactivity, sedentary behavior, obesity, and chronic diseases. It can be challenging to distinguish between changes in physiological systems solely due to the natural aging process and those influenced by these other factors. However, Christina suggests that psychosocial factors also play a role in positive aging. Factors like loneliness, connectedness, sense of purpose, and the ability to make healthcare decisions not only for oneself but also for others contribute to positive aging. These psychosocial factors are independent of physical capacity and can help individuals maintain a positive aging experience. Christina emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships, connectedness, and the capacity to learn, grow, and contribute in the context of healthy aging. These aspects are relevant not only for older adults but also for all generations, including Gen X, Gen Z, millennials, boomers, and masters athletes. Loneliness is a significant issue in society, affecting people of all age groups, as highlighted in the episode. Building and maintaining connections and relationships are crucial for sustaining healthy lifestyle factors and combating the loneliness epidemic. This is particularly relevant for older adults, who may struggle to maintain relationships as they age. Christina mentions the challenges of making new friends as an adult, as expressed by her grandmother. The masters athletes discussed in the episode serve as examples of individuals who demonstrate the importance of these aspects in healthy aging. They not only prioritize their physical performance but also value psychosocial considerations. Masters athletes have the opportunity to build relationships with individuals across different age groups who share similar mindsets regarding health promotion. This allows for the exchange of knowledge and the adoption of healthy lifestyle factors. Furthermore, masters athletes have the capacity to learn, grow, and make decisions. They challenge negative age paradigms and combat belief systems around aging through their athleticism. They set goals not only for their own performance but also for serving as role models to younger generations within their family and sport. Masters athletes also contribute positively to their sport by creating mentorship opportunities for younger athletes. They serve as examples of successful aging and contribute to the overall belief in the ideology of successful aging. Overall, this episode emphasizes that building and maintaining relationships, connectedness, and the capacity to learn, grow, and contribute are essential aspects of healthy aging for all generations, including older adults and masters athletes. These aspects not only contribute to physical well-being but also to psychosocial well-being and the overall belief in successful aging. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 INTRO What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the PT on Ice Daily Show. Before we jump into today's episode, let's chat about Jane, our show sponsor. Jane makes the Daily Show possible and is the practice management software that so many folks here at ICE utilize. The team at Jane knows how important it is for your patients to get the care they need. And with this in mind, they've made it really easy and convenient for patients to book online. One tip that has worked well for a lot of practices is to make the booking button on your website prominent so patients can't miss it. Once clicked, they get redirected to a beautifully branded online booking site. And from there, the entire booking process only takes around two minutes. After booking an appointment, patients get access to a secure portal where they can conveniently manage their appointments and payment details, add themselves to a wait list, opt in to text and email reminders, and fill out their intake form. If you all are curious to learn more about online booking with Jane, head over to jane.app.physicaltherapy.com. Book their one-on-one demo with a member of their team. And if you're ready to get started, make sure to use the code IcePT1MO. When you sign up is that gives you a one month grace period that gets applied to your new account. Thanks everybody. Enjoy today's show. 01:43 CHRISTINA PREVETT Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the PT on Ice Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty within our modern management of the older adult division. We have three courses in our geriatric curriculum that encompass CERT MMOA. We have our eight week online essential foundations course with our next course starting October 11th. We have our eight week online advanced concepts course, which if you have taken our essential foundations, you are eligible for advanced concepts that starts October 12th. And then we have our two day live course that we still have quite a few courses for the remainder of 2023 if you were looking to get involved. So we are in Falls Church, Virginia, October 7th and 8th. I am in Fountain Valley, California on the 14th and 15th. And then we are in Mattawa, New Jersey on the 21st and 22nd. And if you did not see that we are currently in what I call revamp season, we just updated our live content for MMA Live. And if you are in advanced concepts coming up in October, you are going to be getting brand new material. And I am so, so excited about that. 00:00 THE MASTERS ATHLETE And what we are going to talk about today is some of that content relating to the master's athlete. When we think about our geriatric curriculum, let's be honest, we are not talking about master's athletes most of the time, right? We often will talk about this sickness, wellness, fitness continuum. And when we talk to our geriatric clinicians who are on our calls or taking our courses, and we say, you know, what percentage of individuals are in the sickness or the completely sedentary side of the spectrum, We're talking about the majority, right? We're talking about the majority. We're getting individuals who are saying 80, 90% of their caseload is completely sedentary or is struggling with the chronic disease burden from multimorbidity. And very few of our clinicians are working with the master's athlete. So why do we care about this group? Well, one, we want to cover the full spectrum of geriatrics. But secondly, there is this really neat kind of underpinning that we are gaining from a research perspective when we are evaluating the master's athlete. When we talk about aging physiology, it can be really tough to tease apart what is what we would call the natural history of getting older, what are things that we can expect to change across our physiological systems as a consequence of getting older, and what are the contributions of other things to that aging process. We talk about how we have accelerators and brakes to the aging process, and we can stack the deck in our favor, and then we're just talking about risks and statistics. And one of those things is that as we get older, we tend to move less. We tend to be more sedentary. Obesity rates can go up. And chronic disease, one of the biggest risk factors across all categories, is age. And so we have this hard time teasing apart what is from the aging process and what is from the inactivity, the compounding effect of sedentary behavior, kind of what are those influences? And so the masters athlete has, especially for our lifelong exercisers, those who are veterans, who have never really stepped away from the sport for very long, we're starting to get some ideas and tease apart, you know, what is an aging process and what is accelerated because of changes related to inactivity, obesity, chronic disease. And so I kind of want to tie this in. So we have this physiological change. 06:05 CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS IN AGING And when we look at, for example, in the cardiovascular system, our masters endurance athletes maintain their VO2 max by about 57%. And our endurance athletes, when we compare our masters endurance athletes in their 70s, have a lower VO2 max than our endurance athletes in their 20s, but a similar VO2 max to our younger individuals in their 20s who are completely sedentary. And so that is showing that while yes, there is a change to our cardiovascular output, our max heart rate is going to go down, our stroke output, our stroke volume, our cardiac output is going to decrease. Our amount of deconditioning in our VO2 max as a marker of cardiovascular fitness is a slower blunting than maybe we had previously thought. And things like our ejection fraction and our resting heart rate actually do not change with age in a healthy, cardiovascularly conditioned older adult. And to me, that's fascinating. So we're looking at that from the endurance side. When we flip to the strength side, we see that our raw strength in our power lifters is relatively maintained and up until about the fifth decade of life. So an individual squat bench deadlift, as long as they stay injury free and training volume remains pretty consistent, we're going to maintain those numbers for quite some time. 08:50 TYPE 2 FIBER REDISTRIBUTION And then as we go into different age groups over the age of 40, we're going to start to see some blunting down of that strength effect as a consequence of age. We talk about in the musculoskeletal system though, that there is this change in this redistribution of our muscular fibers, where we see a shift from this composition that has a bias towards type two fibers in certain muscle groups. And we see this shift towards more of a type one slow twitch fiber archetype in many of our muscles. And we seem to see that this is true in our strength athletes as well. And the way we're starting to gain insight into this information is by comparing our power lifters and our weight lifters. So our power lifters are slow strength movements. We have the squat, the bench, the deadlift. For our weightlifters, we are working on speed strength. So we are going to get those type two fibers at high percentages of our one rep max, but we're also gonna try and preferentially activate them with some of these fast twitch movements, such as the clean and jerk and the snatch. And we start to see that the open records for weightlifting in age groups decline much steeper. That means that we are still seeing this switch of type 2 fibers. That does not mean that we don't train power and we're going to try and have this use it or lose it principle that holds true for everything. But we know that that type 2 fiber redistribution is part of this aging physiology that we can expect to see in many of our older adults. Taking a step back from that, it's super interesting to see that we are getting this heightened or slower rate of cardiovascular aging in our endurance athletes. And we're getting this relatively slower change in the musculoskeletal system in our strength athletes. And that specificity principle appears to hold true. And it's something that we see very consistently in our rehabilitation efforts, right? We are trying to train the person's body to not experience pain, dysfunction, or loss of physical function in the exercises, in the movements, in the day-to-day tasks that are important to our individuals. And so when I step back and think about myself as a person in my 30s who's going to try to hold on to my physical function for as long as possible, somebody who maybe isn't in the highest level of competition, but would still consider myself to be very much an athlete, this idea of training both systems I think is extremely important and extremely relevant in our messaging for maintaining physical function. We see oftentimes that we focus in strength training for very good reason. Oftentimes our older adults, unless there's a significant amount of cardiovascular compromise, are losing the strength to complete activities of daily living, like getting off the floor or being able to get up from a chair without using their hands before their cardiovascular system. In our kind of community dwelling older adults, not our individuals with pulmonary pathologies like congestive heart failure or COPD, that cardiovascular system isn't being the limiting factor as often. But what we want to be thinking about is how do we optimize the reserve in both of these systems and how do we slow down the slope of the line? In I'm MMOA, we talk about how we do not want to think that successful aging is just related to physical function. Physical function is a really important part of aging frameworks. and successful aging frameworks, but it is not the only thing. And so I kind of want to take this conversation and then take it a step further. So while yes, we see that our masters athletes are able to have a blunting of the changes in physical function that we see with aging, as a consequence of optimizing their physical reserve earlier in life and then maintaining that optimized physical function into later decades. Where we want to also bridge this is towards some of the frameworks that we're seeing with healthy aging. So the World Health Organization put out a healthy aging framework with the idea of having this decade-long initiative that internationally we are going to try to be encouraging healthy aging initiatives because our global population is aging and that is going to put a massive burden on our healthcare system. And there's a lot of things that we need to think about. And so their framework is really brilliant in that they talk about the ability to meet basic needs and the ability to maintain mobility, like their ability to be mobile around their community. And I think our Masters athletes are good examples of what this might look like in order to try and maintain this type of physical function. 14:58 BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN AGING But the other three things are important considerations as well and do not relate directly to physical function, but there are some kind of extensions or indirect relationships that we can make. And those are the ability to build and maintain relationships, so that connection, the ability to learn, grow, and make decisions, so autonomy in some ways and purpose, and the ability to contribute, which really kind of ties into that purpose conversation. And if you listen to the MMOA podcast, Ellen and I were just on that platform, if you want to take a look, talking about the blue zones. And this was a series that was done on Netflix that talked about these areas around the world that have a higher percentage of individuals living over 100 compared to global norms. And where they were talking about this was not only related to physical function, where physical function was something that we were considering, but they also talked about some of these biopsychosocial considerations like building and maintaining relationships and that contribution to that other aspect of a person's soul and a person's being. When we look at the Masters athletes and we look at qualitative systematic protocols or systematic studies that are looking at some of the other indirect indicators of what a Masters athlete values outside of their physical performance, they kind of touch on these other aspects of the healthy aging framework. where the ability to maintain relationships, one of the things that can be a big struggle for our older adults, and my grandmother who was in her 90s said this beautifully, she said, everybody I know is dying. And Having, building new friends as a grownup is extremely hard. And so one of the other things that our master's athlete literature is really demonstrating is some of these other bio, or these psychosocial considerations that are just so important when an individual is aging. So what they're showing is that our older adults who are master's athletes continuing to compete have this avenue to build relationships with individuals across different age cohorts that have similar mindsets related to health promotion. And that's so important, right? We see that we tend to take on a lot of the lifestyle factors of the individuals who are closest to us. Our literature shows that if we are around individuals who are in the overweight or obese categories, we are more likely to be overweight or obese. The business sentence is, if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. And that's around this building and maintaining of connections and relationships that also have this trickling effect of helping to sustain healthy lifestyle factors. And this loneliness epidemic is so relevant now for all generations, Gen X, Gen Z, millennials, boomers, and some of our older adults. Like all of this connectedness is such an important part of healthy aging. And we're seeing this in our masters athletes as well. And then finally, this capacity to learn, grow and make decisions and the ability to contribute. Our masters athletes are also demonstrating this because they talk about this capacity with athleticism to combat belief systems around aging, to start tackling some of these negative age paradigms, to be able to have goals related to not only what their performance is, but role modeling their athleticism to younger generations within their family and within their sport. and their capacity to be able to create this mentorship for some of their younger athletes that allows them to contribute very positively to their sport. And so not only are we seeing that physiologically within our systems, our masters athletes are blunting some of the slopes of the line across different organ systems, but we're also seeing some of these indirect psychosocial positive contributions of individuals in the Masters Athlete space that are contributing to this overall belief around Masters Athletes having an ideology around successful aging. 17:23 MASTERS ATHLETES & CHRONIC DISEASE Some of our masters athletes, we kind of consider them to be completely free of chronic disease. And while we do see a lower incidence of chronic disease, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, for example, in our masters athletes who have continued being active throughout their life, that does not mean that they are immune, but it does mean that when they are diagnosed with things like chronic conditions, that they are better able to manage those disease processes because they have these healthy lifestyle factors that are going to slow down the disease process. So all of these things kind of coming full circle, where we are looking at the master's athlete that while yes, in many of our older adults that we are teaching for clinicians, they are not going to be primarily focused in the master's athlete category. They do give us a lot of insight into the rates of loss in physiological systems and what we can attribute truly to aging versus other confounding variables such as inactivity, sedentary behavior, obesity, chronic disease burden. And then we can also see how some of the influence of these other psychosocial factors, this loneliness epidemic that we are seeing, this connectedness that is needed, this sense of purpose and the capacity to take risk and be a contributing factor to not only their own healthcare decisions, but those of their family and the people around them that are trusting them with their wisdom and knowledge and experience is a way for us to see this positive aging cohort that is also independent of their physical capacity that they are able to maintain. All right, I ended up going a little bit long, but I think this is such an important conversation. And not just for our older adults who are already in these age cohorts, but anybody who is listening, who is thinking about themselves as an athlete. Because we see in the literature that the Masters athlete is defined as anybody who is kind of reasonably beyond the open retirement age, but is continuing to train and compete in sport for the purpose of physical fitness. But in MMA, we think about it as anyone who wants to intentionally move their body towards a goal. And that may be all of you that are listening to this. It's like, how can you put in that master's athlete mindset into your own life to connect with other people with like-minded goals, to be able to optimize your physical function if you are listening and you are 30 or 40 or 50? to maintain that when you are 80? And then how can we do this to help drive purpose in our lives, to allow for that feeling of fulfillment that is just so important to maintain as we get older? All right, if you are looking for more information about research coming out in the geriatric space, I encourage you to go to pti.nice.com slash resources and sign up for MMOA Digest. Otherwise, I hope you have an amazing week and we will talk to you soon. 20:26 OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on Ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CEUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Christina Prevett, PT, PhD and Alexis Morgan, PT, DPT are pelvic floor physiotherapists who lead the Pelvic Division at the Institute for Clinical Excellence.  Together, they work to help other physiotherapists empower their pregnant and postpartum athletes to safely continue strength training via online and live courses across North America. Christina recently completed her PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, and she holds a Masters of Physiotherapy.  She also helps create programming for pregnant and postpartum athletes via The Barbell Mamas.  Christina is a national level weightlifter, who competed in powerlifting and olympic weightlifting meets within 6 months of giving birth to her daughter. She has also completed the CrossFit Open while pregnant twice! Alexis is a clinical practitioner and co-owner of Onward Physical Therapy in Hendersonville, TN with her husband.  In her practice, she works with individuals interested in improving their pelvic health, utilizing and applying the latest research. As a CrossFit Level 2 trainer, Alexis is dedicated to fitness; you can find her exercising at the 4pm class at CrossFit Hendersonville. You can connect with Alexis & Christina via Instagram. @alexismorganpt, @christina_prevett, & @icephysio Related Episodes: Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Dr. Julie Wiebe Ep 179 - Half His Size: Physical Therapist Alan Fredendall on Losing 200 Pounds and Introducing Patients to CrossFit If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice.  I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #ICEPelvic // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, #ICEPelvic Division Leader Christina Prevett breaks down two recent studies, one that is VERY new to challenge beliefs on prolapse, the pelvic floor and strength training. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about our live pregnancy and postpartum physical therapy courses or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. Are you looking for more information on how to keep lifting weights while pregnant? Check out the ICE Pelvic bi-weekly newsletter! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 INTRO Hey everyone, Alan here. Before we get into today's episode, I'd like to take a moment to introduce our show sponsor Jane. If you don't know about Jane, Jane is an all-in-one practice management software with features like online booking, scheduling, documentation, and a PCI-compliant payment solution. The time that you spend with your patients and clients is very valuable, and filling out forms during their appointment time can quickly take away from the time that you all have together. That's why the team at Jane has designed online intake forms that your patients can complete from the comfort of their own homes. And to help them remember to fill out their forms, Jane has your back, with a friendly email reminder sent 24 hours before their appointment. This means they arrive ready to start their appointment, and you can arrive ready to help. Jane's online intake forms are fully customizable to ensure you're collecting everything you need ahead of time, whether that's getting a credit card on file, insurance billing details, or a signed consent form. You can build out your intake forms from scratch or use templates from Jane's template library and customize it further to meet your practice needs. If you're interested in learning more, head on over to jane.app slash guide. Use the code ICEPT1MO at signup to receive a one-month grace period on your new account. Thanks everyone. Enjoy today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show. 01:22 CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everybody and welcome to the PT on ICE Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the team within our pelvic health division. If you are interested in learning more about our pelvic health division, we have a online newsletter that goes out every two weeks that focuses on the research, which I'm going to talk about today, in pelvic health. One of the things that is so exciting, but maybe a little bit overwhelming about being in public health and being in this area of exercise and rehab in the pelvic health space is that it is constantly changing. The research is coming out at a very fast pace, fast being relative because research is very slow, but we try and focus in on getting that research to your inboxes every two weeks. You can go to PTonICE.com slash resources and sign up for that newsletter. I am writing it this week and it goes out on Thursday. Also all of our online content, our next online cohort, and all of our upcoming live courses, our two-day live course is in that email newsletter. I hope that you all sign up to get all that research straight to your inbox. 02:48 ACUTE EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING Today I'm going to be talking about a new study that came out of Carrie Bowes' lab, talking about the acute effects of resistance training on the pelvic floor. And so before I do that, I kind of want to set the stage for you all around some of the thoughts in pelvic health around heavy strength training. Where we have started this journey was that one of the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse or descent of one or more of the vaginal walls towards the vaginal opening is that occupational heavy lifting. So individuals who lift heavy weights for their job, consistently lifting heavy weights, were shown to be at risk for more objective descent of one or more of those walls compared to those that didn't. And that because we didn't have any research on resistance training was extrapolated and said, well, maybe we shouldn't do any strenuous heavy lifting as females in order to mitigate or prevent the risk of pelvic organ prolapse from occurring. That was kind of the thought. Since then, we have really pushed back against that narrative and said, well, that doesn't really make a lot of sense because it's very different to go in for eight hours a day doing lifting versus, you know, the 30 to 90 minutes that individuals are doing. In your job, you can't control if you're feeling bad or feeling weak and just take a rest day or modify the way that you're doing your exercise. So again, there isn't really that comparison. 04:24 ACUTE CHANGES TO THE PELVIC FLOOR And now we're starting to get more and more research come out that's talking about kind of this acute change to the pelvic floor that we're seeing with different amounts of strength training or different types of strength training. So Carrie Bo came out with a study and what she was doing was she was taking individuals who were resistance trained. So on average, these were individuals who had never had kids. They were Nellie Parris. And so I never had a delivery and were trained resistance trained athletes. So they had on average about two years of experience. They were then put into a crossover design. So what that means was they took half the individuals and got them to strength train first and then took half the individuals and got them to rest first and then kind of compared. So what they were trying to look at was after a high load resistance training session, what was the impact on the pelvic floor? The thoughts were one of two camps. There's two camps in this space. One is that individuals who strenuously lift are going to have bigger pelvic floor muscles, stronger pelvic floor muscles. And the other is that it may actually create damage over time that they're going to see a big change in symptoms or change in vaginal descent. So you kind of have individuals in both of these camps and we're trying to figure out which hypothesis is correct. And so they took, they did a one rep max or a perceived or rate of perceived exertion that was very high in the squat and the deadlift on one day. And then they got them to come back the next day. So after that one rep max test, they kind of flushed out, let the body recover, came back in. Half the group started with a rest window. So took pelvic floor muscle strength measures at the beginning pre, then half of them rested and did a post and then half of them did a four by four strength training session between 75 and 85% of their one rep max on the squat and the deadlift with reps in reserve between one and three and then did a post assessment and then they flipped, they flipped them. So what they saw was that there was no big differences, no statistically significant differences between the rest pre post, but then also the resistance training pre post. And I think that's really interesting because one of the things that we kind of explain around our, our thoughts around heaviness or prolapse are things like that it's a fatigue issue or so maybe it isn't fatigue or maybe it is, but doing a supine assessment, which is our traditional way of conceptualizing pelvic floor muscle strengthening, isn't sufficient to look at this type of, of fatigue, like to really evaluate this type of fatigue in individuals who are experiencing these symptoms. So that was really interesting. The other thing was that, you know, they did see some individuals who complained of urinary incontinence in this sample around 28%, I believe. And so those individuals, the study wasn't powered enough to be able to subgroup those that experienced incontinence versus those that didn't, but there, what it was not just on individuals who were symptom free. I think that's a pro to this study because we can say, well, of course there isn't any fatigue or any downstream effects of individuals who've never experienced pelvic floor dysfunction, but that's not the case in this study. There was a significant cohort of these individuals who did experience leaking with lifting and the study just wasn't powered enough to subgroup this out. So the first step was to kind of take a full circle approach and say, was there any differences? And then the next step is going to say, is there any differences for individuals who do experience pelvic floor dysfunction versus those that don't? And then the next step is those that are multiparous or multiparous, like multiparous, we kind of, tomato, tomato, those who have had vaginal deliveries before or have given birth before vaginally versus those that haven't. And so this is kind of setting up this conversation around the way that we message things. So another study was done in 2016 and I just found it because it was in the discussion section of this paper around vaginal descent. So Carrie said the Bowe study was looking at pelvic floor muscle strengthening, pelvic floor muscle strength and assessment. 09:23 VAGINAL DESCENT AND EXERCISE The next question is around vaginal descent and are you more likely to experience symptoms of prolapse or heaviness post resistance training? And so this study was done in 2016, I believe it was published out of Janet Shaw and Ingrid lab that was looking at CrossFit athletes, those who experience, sorry, those who participate in strenuous exercise. So they got CrossFitters and they got them to do pre-post on the pop cue versus those that participate in non-strenuous exercise. So let's kind of break this study down too, because I think it's important. So in this second, this, I guess it was the first study, what the group from Nygaard and Shaw's lab did was they took individuals who were CrossFitters, got to check their pelvic floor muscle strength and the pop cues. The pop cue is an objective assessment of prolapse that has good reliability that looks at the different segments of the different walls of the vagina. And then as they do a strain maneuver, they see what the range of motion or the amount of each segment of each component of the wall are, and then create a grade based on the most amount of movement in whichever section of the vaginal wall that may be. So they took individuals who were CrossFitters and then they took individuals who participated in non-strenuous, non-high impact exercise and got them to come into the lab. And then the strenuous group was, they did a pelvic floor muscle strength exam and then the pop cue and then in the non-strenuous group, they did the same thing. And then they got the CrossFit group, the strenuous group to do a 20 minute AMRAP of sit-ups, heavy deadlifts. There was an impact movement in there and kind of went for 20 minutes. And then they got the non-strenuous group to do 20 minutes of an exercise of their choice at a self-selected pace. And then they did the pop cue again. Here's something that's really interesting. So the strenuous group was participating in CrossFit for over two years. They had an extensive history of strenuous exercise versus the non-strenuous group. And they kind of conceptualized this based on looking at what they did for exercise and the amount of loading in their bones to try and get some sort of measure of impact, which I thought was kind of brilliant. And they compared them. Strenuous group had done a lot more loading of their bones and musculature and therefore loading of their pelvic floor compared to the other group. And what they saw was that before their pre-exercise, descent in pelvic floor muscle strength was not different. Was not different. So this created preliminary research that the strength, individuals who are participating in strength training for several years, so it was like on average 22 months plus or minus, and they had to have at least, I think, a year of doing CrossFit regularly, three to four times per week to be able to get into the study in the first place, that there was no difference in vaginal descent. They had, there was no differences between the two. So that kind of goes against this argument that resistance training is going to cause a prolapse, resistance training in general for individuals who haven't had a vaginal birth yet. So I think that's interesting. And then post-partum, or post-exercise rather, they did see differences in descent in both groups. So both groups saw a difference in descent immediately post-exercise, which again, I think is really interesting because this does not support that resistance training and high impact is going to lead to prolapse down the line. Now again, we have a lot of work to do within this space. This was one study. I'm not going to just start shouting from the rooftops that all of a sudden, you know, we know all of the things that we need to know. I'm not saying that, but the fear focused language that is coming into this space around resistance training and avoiding Valsalva and all these types of things isn't founded objectively. So the other interesting thing was that there was only one individual, even though there was a change in descent, right? There was some changes pre-post-exercise and they didn't re, they didn't kind of follow them further and further forward. I would have loved to see them do multiple time points to see how long it took before that changed or kind of returned to baseline. There wasn't anything that, that was looking at what, what that change of symptoms were. 12:57 RESISTANCE TRAINING & PROLAPSE And there was only one person with subjective symptoms of prolapse. So again, we're, we're seeing this disconnect between objective signs and subjective experiences, which I think again is really interesting because we are focusing a lot on the grade, like what grade do you have? What grade do you have? And the evidence isn't really supporting that we, that should be our focus. If you are thinking surgical routes, if it is coming past the level of the Hymen, absolutely, because then we're going to say, is this impacting your quality of life? Is there sufficient imaging data to see that a surgery, for example, would be warranted? For individuals in the conservative space, again, we're, we're, we're questioning, does the objective signs matter? And, you know, we can't answer that question, but it is an interesting thought experiment and we're starting to have more evidence accumulate that, you know, there is a big disconnect. And yes, our body is going to change and show signs of fatigue with things like impact, but what's the cost benefit? What is the risk of telling people that they shouldn't be getting strong for their 60-year-old self, for their 70-year-old self, for their 85-year-old self, when we know that strength is such a huge, huge component of independence in later life? So it is so exciting, kind of going through Carrie Bowes where she didn't see any change in pelvic floor muscle strength to some of the research coming out of the Nygaard and Shaw lab that are talking about changes in pelvic organ support with heavy lifting and long-term heavy lifting. I think we're starting to get more and more data that the fear-focused messages aren't warranted, that we're going to start treating the symptoms and that we can expect changes to the pelvic floor when the pelvic floor gets a workout. Again, I don't think for anybody in the ice fitness forward community that that is necessarily a surprising finding, but it is definitely pushing some of the narratives in pelvic health and I think pushing them in a really necessary direction to try and change this narrative around the fear-focused language of resistance training in the pelvic floor. If you are interested in those studies, I'll post their DOIs below in the comment section. I am so excited to be talking about this research. Again, if you are a research nerd like me and you want to see the new studies that are coming out in this space, which these two studies are going to be in our newsletter this next week, I encourage you to go to ptonice.com slash resources to look for the pelvic newsletter. I am really excited to see some of the changes happening within our course and I just can't wait to continue connecting with you all about research in the pelvic health space. All right. Have a great day, everyone, and I will talk to you soon.  16:40 OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning into the PT on Ice Daily Show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ICE content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ICE online mentorship program at ptonice.com. While you're there, sign up for our hump day hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Dr. Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, Modern Management of the Older Adult Division Leader Christina Prevett discusses the need for falls prevention initiatives to shift their focus towards early identification of individuals at risk for falls. By doing so, healthcare professionals can implement targeted interventions and reduce the occurrence of falls before they happen. Christina emphasizes that outcome measures should be used to guide interventions. She mentions the Mini-BEST as a specific outcome measure that assesses various aspects of balance and mobility. By administering this measure at the beginning of a session, the clinician can immediately identify areas of deficit and tailor their intervention accordingly. For example, if the person shows deficits in dynamic gait and reactive posture control, the clinician can focus on exercises and strategies to improve these specific areas. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of outcome measures in falls prevention and emphasizes that they should not be conducted for the sake of it. Instead, outcome measures should provide meaningful and actionable information that guides clinical reasoning and informs interventions. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 INTRO What's up everybody? Welcome back to the PT on ICE Daily Show. Before we jump into today's episode, let's chat about Jane, our show sponsor. Jane makes the Daily Show possible and is the practice management software that so many folks here at ICE utilize. The team at Jane knows how important it is for your patients to get the care they need. And with this in mind, they've made it really easy and convenient for patients to book online. One tip that has worked well for a lot of practices is to make the booking button on your website prominent so patients can't miss it. Once clicked, they get redirected to a beautifully branded online booking site. And from there, the entire booking process only takes around two minutes. After booking an appointment, patients get access to a secure portal where they can conveniently manage their appointments and payment details, add themselves to a waitlist, opt in to text and email reminders, and fill out their intake form. If you all are curious to learn more about online booking with Jane, head over to jane.app slash physical therapy. Book their one-on-one demo with a member of their team. And if you're ready to get started, make sure to use the code ICEPT1MO. When you sign up, that gives you a one-month grace period that gets applied to your new account. Thanks, everybody. Enjoy today's show. 01:33 CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello, everybody, and welcome to the PT on ICE Daily show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty within our modern management of the older adult division, part of our geriatrics team. Everyone, we are flying high this week because we got everybody from our MMOA division to descend on Lexington, Kentucky at Jeff and Dustin's Stronger Life facility, which was beautiful. And we got to show the world some of what we have been working on, which is some revamped material. So we got to really focus on dialing in live to be about lab. We were moving all weekend. It was so fun and so amazing. If you were thinking about joining MMOA live, we have a couple of opportunities coming up in the remainder of this month. So this weekend, Dustin and Jeff are going to be in Bedford, Texas, and Julie and Ellen are going to be in, oh my gosh, I'm blanking on where they are. They're in Minnesota. And then there I was like, I know this. And then the next weekend, Alex is going to be in California. And so if you are looking for where MMOA is going to be, we have a ton of courses into the end of 2023. We are not adding any more locations for MMOA live in 2023. So if you're kind of waiting for one to come closer to you for the end of this year, that isn't going to happen if it's not there now because we're kind of locked in. We have lots of offerings that's going to come up for 2024. So if you're looking to see that live material, that is where to go. 03:29 A FRAMEWORK FOR BALANCE INTERVENTION OK, so today I wanted to talk a little bit about a framework for balance intervention. When it comes to balance, I think it's a bit tougher for us to put this marker of effort or intensity on, maybe more so than other styles of fitness. What I mean by that is when we think about aerobic training, it's easy for us to conceptualize effort because we're seeing that perspiration, we're seeing that heart rate response. And that's correlating to our rates of perceived exertion. When it comes to resistance training, right, the amount of effort is either going to fatigue kind of in those higher rep ranges or our personal preference is getting to fatigue and effort through higher load. And again, it corresponds to changes in rates of perceived exertion. When we're trying to conceptualize intensity and then we're really trying to dial in our balance interventions, it's a bit tougher, right? We don't really have the same magnitude or the same outcome measures with respect to gauging intensity well. And so within MMOA, we really try and create this framework for individuals to help guide them through this kind of thought process and then create a kind of stepwise framework within our mind for how we implement this in clinical practice. The way that we do this is by first looking at the mechanism at which individuals are falling or where they are having near falls. This is important, right? 05:00 FALLS PREVENTION INITIATIVES Our falls prevention initiatives are only preventative if we are identifying individuals early rather than waiting for them to get hurt and then working in secondary tertiary prevention. We want to be able to identify those who are at risk for falls before that fall has happened, which unfortunately is not as common in our health care system as it stands right now. So we want to figure out the mechanism. We want to identify risk factors that are intrinsic to the individual and extrinsic around their environment. And then in order for us to put objective data on those things, we need to take that information from our subjective and use the appropriate outcome measure in order for us to have a good data point or multiple data points in order to guide our interventions. And then we want to make sure that those outcome measures that we are selecting are giving us tangible information, right? We don't want to be doing outcome measures for the sake of doing outcome measures. We want to do our outcome measures so that they can guide our clinical reasoning. And so let's kind of go through this very briefly and speak to the different aspects of this framework. So the first thing is mechanism, right? When we are asking about our person subjective, many times they're kind of cursory with their storytelling. A lot of individuals are when they're speaking about falls. Oh, well, I stubbed my toe and I fell over. What were you doing when you stepped your toe? What was your frame of mind? Were you really rushing to get from point A to point B? Were you really tired because it was late at night? Were you holding something in your hand when you tripped and that created an other barrier or other cognitive load in your mind that created more of a predisposition to not be able to keep your center of mass over your base of support and respond to that perturbation? Was it that there is a visual issue going on and you were having trouble with depth perception? We need to kind of dig really deep into some of these stories because that's really going to triage this risk factor profile in our brain. But you're probably thinking, well, Christina, a lot of my clients just can't do that or they don't remember or they are not able to give us some of that really tangible information. And I hear you. And so when we don't have that information, the next step is for us to go to the literature and look at what are common scenarios that lead to falls in different settings. Right. And how much do those mechanisms and that group of individuals that are being conceptualized in this research study relate to the people that are in front of you? An example is if you're an outpatient orthopedic therapist looking at some of the acute care mechanisms of falls may be relevant, but probably is less relevant to you. So you're going to be wanting to know, well, what is happening for our community dwelling older adults? What is their profile look like? What age group are individuals looking at in this study? And then how does this relate to my current caseload or people that I have that I am seeing right now? And so there is a recent study that came out in 2023 that was doing a prospective. So following older adults forward in Boston that was looking, for example, at mechanisms of falls in community dwelling older adults. So what they did was every month they sent older adults in this study. So they consented to this study. They were in their 70s or older. They sent a postcard to them and asked some questions. Did you have a fall in the last month? If yes, what was the mechanism? What were you doing at the time of the fall? And what was the cause of that fall with what you were doing? And I think this is interesting because they are two different things, right? 09:26 SLIP & TRIP TRAINING So the cause of the fall in our community dwelling older adults over 70, for example, more than half was a slip or a trip. The activity when they were having that slip or trip was walking forward. That gives us a lot of information in terms of where we start with our older adults. We're not going to start standing on one leg. We're going to start with slip and trip training. We're going to look at reactive stepping, volitional step training. Maybe we'll do that in standing first to see where a person's control is, but we want to see what happens when they start having perturbations. And so if that slip or trip is happening going forward, it also tells us that that perturbation is often backwards or lateral. People aren't falling forwards, right? It's that they're slipping and coming to the side or they're slipping and coming back. And that's a really important piece of information for us. And then it's going to guide where we go. So the next thing is now we're going to look at a person's risk factors, right? So extrinsic risk factors when individuals are having slips and trips was, was this in the wintertime and they're slipping on ice? Was this a step? Was this a rug that we know we're never going to get rid of, but we may ask about trying to tape down? These are things that we may be considering when we are looking at these mechanisms or are asking these questions. And so that's extrinsic. So we're taking this mechanism. We're looking at some extrinsic factors. And then the intrinsic people are going to be telling us in their narrative that they may feel like their balance isn't really great, or they're having trouble holding on to objects and navigating around their home or navigating outside. Or they recognize that the pain in their knee is making them not feel as strong or confident in their gait. And it's going to create them to have a hesitation to react when a perturbation happens because they've had times where their leg has given out. Or they they don't feel like they're strong enough to move their feet, right? They're they're telling us these things in their subjective. And so when we take that information, now it's going to guide us into our outcome measures. So if individuals are saying that they're having falls because of a strength deficit or a weakness issue in their lower extremity, we may want to make sure that we have a general mobility or a strength focused measure in our assessment to get a good idea of where our triage list is going to be. So we may use a five times it to stand or a 30 seconds to stand test, or we may go a bit more general and go to the short physical performance battery because the mechanism of their fall is showing us that potentially that being that capacity to move their feet is coming from a weakness issue. 11:54 REACTIVE POSTURAL CONTROL We are also going to want to in this example, look at their reactive postural control. We heavily leverage the mini best because there is a subsection of the mini best that looks at reactive postural control in each direction. So we're going to look at a person's capacity to react to a forward perturbation, backward perturbation and lateral perturbation. Right. If a person is having pain in the lower extremity, they're worried about it and we do a lateral perturbation, they may not move their feet out. They may want to cross because they're worried that that painful knee on that left hand side is not going to support their weight. So their reaction may be a step out to the right and a crossover to the right because of that painful knee. So now we've learned two things, right? We know that their pain is a contributing factor to their falls mechanism. It's an intrinsic risk factor that's creating troubles with clearance. It's impacting their gait, whether it's causing deviations in their gait or it's making them not lift their foot enough and now slips and trips are more common. And we recognize that their lateral posturing, the way that they are moving to the side is impaired. So now we've really dialed in our assessment, right? We've gotten a good idea about what's going on and we've picked the outcome measures that are going to give us that information. Because if we just focused, for example, on a burg. Because that is our go to balance assessment, not only are community dwelling older adults more likely to sealing that out, but it's not really getting to the two really big issues that they spoke to in their subjective assessment, right? They are probably going to be able to stand up once and do a pivot transfer. But that five time or 30 seconds to stand that's requiring a repeated chair stand is going to hit into maybe their pain thresholds that they're going to start having some compensatory mechanisms. And they're talking about having perturbations in a forward movement pattern. So the burg is in capturing backwards and lateral perturbations. So we have to be using those mechanisms and risk factors that they're discussing with us in their subjective and then leveraging the outcome measures that have strong reliability, validity, responsiveness, interpretability in order for us to have a good idea of what the next step is. But we're not going to do outcome measures for the sake of doing outcome measures. The next step is that we need to use those and leverage them in our interventions. One of the reasons why we also love the mini best is that oftentimes the way that we implement this is not day one. It's a little bit more of a longer intervention or sorry, it's a longer outcome measure. But we use it at the beginning of a session because it drives us into our intervention immediately. So if we have, for example, there's the anticipatory sub scales, sensory orientation, dynamic gate and reactive posture control. If we think that dynamic gate and reactive posture control are the two areas that based on a person's objective, they may struggle with more. We may use those, see where they're starting to have these deficits. It may be obstacle navigation, for example, with that still going with this example of having slips and trips because of a painful knee and seeing gate deviations where they're not clearing obstacles as readily as they used to when pain was a bit more managed. And they may have issues with reactive postural control backward and laterally. And we're going to see that it's coming to the left because it's their left knee that's painful. So now we have a lot of good information. We have a lot of good data. We use those outcome measures and we're directly going into intervention, right? Like I may use a clock yourself app and block out the forward stepping and I'm going to be focusing on reacting backwards. Or I may take out the right hand side of the clock and I want them to react to the left. And that is going to do at different cadences and then see, you know, what does the threshold look like? What does the step length look like? Does pain start to increase? What is that pain threshold like? How long does that pain take to come back down? And we're also intervening. We can also take, you know, some of these obstacle courses and put them into our interventions that day. Throw all of them together and put them into a round for time or an AMRAP where they're going back and forth between reactive stepping and obstacle courses. And now you're working on some strength because they're doing bigger clearances. We may put a step up in that obstacle course and then we're working on reactive control to the side that they're experiencing difficulties. So when we kind of take a step back, when we slot in what we see into this framework, it can be really helpful. So to bring this full circle, we want to think about balance intensity just like anything else. It's just like aerobic training. It's just like resistance training, but we cannot get good outcomes with bad data. So how do we do this? Our subjective, we need to dial in on mechanisms and risk factors. We need to be asking questions. If we do not have the answers to those questions, we're going to rely on the evidence of where older adults in different settings tend to fall. Then we're going to use outcome measures and we're going to select the outcome measures, if we can, based on our setting, that are going to give us the information we need to see where those thresholds are. From there, we're going to drive ourselves right into intervention based on where those deficits lie. And we're going to get to an intensity where individuals are either weary, we're pushing into potentially some low-grade pain, or they are self-reporting high amounts of fatigue or nervousness. 17:31 PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD & FEAR So we may be doing some graded exposure into fear. And that is a form of progressive overload, especially in the geriatric space where fear of falling is a big risk vector for future falls. So kind of bringing this full circle, here is the framework for you when you have a person coming in who is having falls or is worried about their balance. And it'll allow you to really dial in your interventions. Let me know if you have any other questions. What are your thoughts on this? I would love to have a dialogue. If you are interested in learning more about some of this research, we just put that 2023 paper into MMOA Digest. So every two weeks there is a research email that we send out that allows you to stay up to date with the evidence. We put all of our new courses on there, so definitely go to ptnice.com slash resources and sign up for Digest. If you are not on Hump Day Hustling, please make sure you do that too. That is all different types of research from all of our divisions. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Bye everyone. 18:34 OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning in to the PT on ICE Daily Show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review. And be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you are interested in getting plugged into more ICE content on a weekly basis while earning CU's from home, check out our virtual ICE Online Mentorship Program at ptonice.com. While you are there, sign up for our Hump Day Hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top 5 research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to ptonice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Christina Prevett // #GeriOnICE // www.ptonice.com  In today's episode of the PT on ICE Daily Show, Modern Management of the Older Adult lead faculty Christina Prevett discusses the significance of research in the field of physical therapy is along with the importance of translating that research into evidence-informed practice. She acknowledges the substantial nature of their research and highlights the necessity for clinicians on the front line to have access to this valuable information. Staying up to date with available evidence and combining it with clinical expertise and patients' experiences and desires is emphasized as crucial for clinicians. The episode also addresses several gaps in research that need attention, including the need for rehab research for individuals in sitting positions, outcome measures for wheelchair users, and managing conditions in neurological populations. The host expresses frustration at the lack of clinically relevant outcome measures for wheelchair users and emphasizes the need for research to support the role of rehab in enhancing quality of life and managing various conditions. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of research in informing and improving physical therapy practice. Take a listen to learn how to better serve this population of patients & athletes. If you're looking to learn more about live courses designed to better serve older adults in physical therapy or our online physical therapy courses, check our entire list of continuing education courses for physical therapy including our physical therapy certifications by checking out our website. Don't forget about all of our FREE eBooks, prebuilt workshops, free CEUs, and other physical therapy continuing education on our Resources tab. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION 00:00 INTRO What's up everybody, welcome back to the PT omn ICE Daily Show. Before we jump into today's episode, let's chat about Jane, our show sponsor. Jane makes the Daily Show possible and is the practice management software that so many folks here at ICE utilize. The team at Jane knows how important it is for your patients to get the care they need and with this in mind, they've made it really easy and convenient for patients to book online. One tip that has worked well for a lot of practices is to make the booking button on your website prominent so patients can't miss it. Once clicked, they get redirected to a beautifully branded online booking site and from there, the entire booking process only takes around two minutes. After booking an appointment, patients get access to a secure portal where they can conveniently manage their appointments and payment details, add themselves to a waitlist, opt in to text and email reminders and fill out their intake form. If you all are curious to learn more about online booking with Jane, head over to jane.app slash physical therapy, book their one-on-one demo with a member of their team and if you're sure to use the code ICEPT1MO when you sign up, that gives you a one-month grace period that gets applied to your new account. Thanks everybody.Enjoy today's show. 01:33 CHRISTINA PREVETT Hello everyone and welcome to the PT on ICE Daily Show. My name is Christina Prevett. I am one of the lead faculty in our geriatrics curriculum. So in our geriatrics curriculum, we have three courses in CertMMOA. We have our online eight-week essential foundations course, our online eight-week advanced concepts course and then we have our live course. We are on the road in the summer and into the end of 2023. So our books are closed for 2023. So we have all of the courses that are going to be on the 2023 calendar on the calendar. And so if you are looking to get into one of our courses, know that there isn't going to be an option for something closer until we're kind of booking for 2024. So this weekend, Julie is going to be in Watertown, Connecticut. And then the next weekend, 29th, I guess it will be two weekends, 29th, 30th, I'm in Watkinsville, Georgia. There's still some room in those courses. And so if you guys are interested, just let us know and come hang out with us for all of our geriatric research and all of our geriatric course material. Okay. In today's content, on Monday, I talked about gaps in pelvic health research. So I'm on our pelvic faculty as well. And so today I'm going to take the exact same approach and talk about gaps we see in the geriatric research. I am obviously in full blown research prep mode. I am defending my PhD on resistance training in older adults, at risk older adults at the end of July. So you're going to see me full blown in the research space. And so hence the topic of these podcast episodes. When we are comparing different areas of literature, and we're talking about geriatric rehab in particular, one of the things that I want to start out with is that the state of our research in geriatrics is actually pretty good. You know, we are pretty far ahead when it comes to comparing to other areas. Like when I compare to pelvic health research, there is no comparison. I can off the top of my head bring out 10 studies that have never actually even been done before in our pelvic health research, but I cannot say the same thing in geriatrics. I had to really, pardon me, I had to really think about where I thought our gaps were. And obviously I'm thinking about this around my contribution to the literature with respect to my PhD. So the first thing that I wanted to talk about is the fact that our research is pretty good. You know, we have a lot more in this space and now we're kind of going into the nuance of our rehab and how to translate the research that we do have so that clinicians who are on the front line have access to that research and can really truly embrace evidence informed practice where they are up to date with the evidence that is available. They're taking their clinical expertise, they're taking their patients experience and desires and kind of combining them together. So that's the first thing. So I'm going to be talking about four, three or four different gaps in the research that we have so far and what this means when we are making recommendations or we are thinking about them with respect to our plan of care for our older adults. So the first thing, and I'm on, this is my bias because this is where my PhD was, was we have very few studies that have looked at high load, low repetition weight schemas for resistance training with older adults. We have one that I can think of maybe two studies and the second study is kind of an ish because it had a descending rep scheme where they use less than five repetitions and higher loads. My PhD tried to change that. I did two pilot studies that looked at the safety and feasibility of a three sets of three to five repetition schema at an intensity of seven to eight out of 10. So that high vigorous intensity, high load, low repetition resistance training. And so it's important for us to know this, right? We don't have this research. And when it comes to the way that we work in geriatric literature is that we see what works in our younger or middle aged individuals. Then we push into our healthy older adults and then we push into pathology. Right. This is the story that we saw with high intensity interval training, for example. Right. We saw that it worked in athletic populations. We started pushing the intensity into HIIT training in middle age, healthy older adults. And now the state of the literature, we cannot even deny it because we have evidence for HIIT training in a variety of different pathologies, multimorbidity, obesity, different age groups, et cetera, which is great. We don't have that yet when it comes to geriatric literature in this high load schema. What we see from a muscle physiology perspective is that the magnitude of strength increase tends to bias heavily towards heavier weights. See the one that I did there versus lower weights, higher repetitions. When it comes to individuals who are doing nothing and they start doing something, of course, we're going to see improvements in strength at any set reps. But the magnitude of those differences tends to bias when our loads are heavier. Because we don't have anything in the under five repetition schema, we see this reflected in our exercise guidelines. Right. Why are our exercise guidelines the way they are? Right. Two to three sets, eight to twelve repetitions, 60. Now we're kind of pushing into that 70 to 79 percent of a person's one repetition maximum is the standard exercise prescription that we're seeing out of the American College of Sports Medicine. We saw it in the International Conference for Frality and Sarcopenia Research consensus statement. And this is because that is where the vast majority of the literature goes. And this is where this momentum can build around two to three sets of 10. Right. Because we've always done it this way. There's a good chunk of literature that's there and we don't have anything on the flanks. Right. We don't have anything in under five. We don't have a ton in the 20 plus. And when we get into the higher repetition ranges, now we have this interference that can happen between cardiovascular fitness and neuromuscular fatigue. And which one is the one that's breaking down first or is the limiting factor? All of this to say. When we don't have those discrepancies, we have to be mindful, one, about the strength of our recommendations, but number two, we have to be pushing towards trying to get studies that evaluate this type of loading schema so that we can take a big picture view and then really start to look at dose response data. So that's number one is that we don't really have a ton of studies that look at repetitions less than five and kind of my one B is that this influences things like our exercise guidelines and not in a good or bad way, just a we have to use what's available. And that's why things are the way that they are. The second one is going to kind of be a blend of pelvic health because we in advanced concepts, we go through in week five urinary incontinence and pelvic health issues and geriatrics. And I've talked about this a bunch on the podcast before. But we have very little evidence that's looking at conservative management of pelvic floor dysfunction for individuals over the age of 65. And we have almost nothing when we look at individuals over 75 or 80. Urinary incontinence is one of the leading causes of institutionalization. So where individuals need a higher level of care, end up in assisted living, end up in institutionalized setting is because of issues with urinary incontinence. That should be justification enough that that we need studies in this area and kind of this one B or two B to C type of step down is we don't really have a ton on pelvic floor muscle training in older adults. We have some. It's not a ton. Oftentimes, our older adults are giving are given medications that influence their urine flow rate, whether that's directly with medications being given to work towards helping with kidney function or things that are given as a consequence of having urinary incontinence that change urinary flow and urinary output. A big example that has nothing to do with either of those things, but is actually a side effect because this is the second classification is individuals are given a medication for one issue and side effects relate to urinary incontinence or other pelvic floor dysfunctions is Lasix or diuretics. Individuals who are on diuretics can have horrible, horrible problems with urinary urgency and urinary incontinence or both. And it has a huge impact on their quality of life. And right now, the only research we have is that it negatively impacts their quality of life. And the next step is to try and figure out what to do about it or what can we do about it conservatively? Can we change medication timing? Can we work on different things? Can we work on urge suppression techniques? Is that going to be relevant because urine outflow is higher because of the water pill? There are so many questions, but we have nothing like we have zero studies that have looked at how to help our clients with urinary urgency or urinary incontinence as a consequence of their medication regimens. This is important because the thing that happens is that people stop taking their meds because they literally cannot go out of their house or cannot be too far from a bathroom without not taking their pill. Because if they're on their pill, they're going to the bathroom all of the time for the five to six hours post taking their medication. And so this can essentially make a person homebound. That is important, right? In PT, that's a super big thing. In OT, it's a super big thing. In rehab in general, we are trying to discharge homebound status. And this is a big influence of that. Kind of in this urinary incontinence vein for the elderly, for our older adults, you know, we have conservative management in general. We have men management in combination with conservative management when there is a medical side effect because of the medication a person is on. And then the third one is some of the issues that we see post catheterization. So individuals who are placed with an indwelling catheter and then are removed from that get into this situation where they are in bed, they go to the bathroom whenever they need to because the catheter is there. And then once the catheter has been removed, sometimes there can be a disruption of pelvic floor musculature. There can potentially be damage to the urethral structures. And then you also have to try and work on those urge suppression techniques so that now you're not just going to the bathroom whenever you get the slightest urge to go to the bathroom, but you're holding it in order to go to the bathroom when it's convenient for your schedule or when you have the block of time within your day that you can go to the bathroom. We are now also seeing different types of catheters like periwicks, which are external catheters. And what do those do? All of these things that we're seeing hugely in acute care, we're seeing it in, you know, individuals going into home health. This kind of goes into neurological populations who may be doing self catheterization. All of these things and the role of rehab in managing these conditions to improve a person's function and quality of life really has been understudied and a big low hanging fruit that we could potentially be having huge impacts and potentially preventing transitions to institutionalized care is by being able to tackle some of these problems. But we need the research to back us up first. So that's number two and two A and two B. And then the third one that we're going to talk about, and I think this one is a frustration point for a lot of our clinicians, is clinically relevant outcome measures for our wheelchair users. So we have a ton of outcome measures in the geriatric space. One of the things that I think is actually really cool is that in our rehab space, our geriatric outcome measures are very strong. We have we have several options. We have good cutoff scores. We have reliability and validity data. We have minimally clinically important differences. All of these things. We have standardized protocols. We have different MCIDs, different reliability and validity data across different settings, which makes sense because our older adult population is extremely heterogeneous. All of that is good. You know, that is great. We touch on that a lot in MMOA about how we want to be leveraging our outcome measures and not just for the sake of doing outcome measures, but in order to guide our clinical reasoning and create risk stratification, which is what they're intended for. The problem becomes when we have a client who spends a good portion of their day in sitting. When it comes to our outcome measures, we have this Goldilocks type of scenario that we need to be mindful of. We are going to have a cohort of individuals who are going to experience a floor effect and a person who is a wheelchair user on a 30 second sit to stand test is a very good example of that. They are going to get zero and they are probably always going to get zero. And therefore using a 30 second sit to stand test for a person who spends the majority of their day in a wheelchair is not helpful. We also see that we're going to have some older adults who are going to have this ceiling effect where they are going to knock it out of the park and we're not getting any information. When I was working predominantly in outpatient, one of the first things that I would ask my older adults who walked in independently into my clinic was can you stand on one leg? I was not going to be wasting 15 minutes of my time doing a Berg on those individuals because it's a waste of their time. It's a waste of my time and it doesn't tell me anything. And so we have to kind of figure out we want this composite, we want these tools in our toolbox that we can pull and leverage based on our clinical impression after a person's subjective. But when we have individuals who are sitting, we have very, very few outcome measures. We have the function in sitting test, we have stuff like the FIM. We can maybe start using the Berg and look at some of their transfers, but our pool to try and fit this Goldilocks scenario is quite limited. And so we really do need to think about clinically relevant outcome measures for things like transfers or bed mobility or things that are relevant for them. And these things are starting to come out. We have some pilot research on different outcome measures. But what we try and leverage now with an MMOA is trying to get objective data for things like transfers. And what that can look like is instead of giving MinMondax assist, which is important, we're going to do that based on our clinical judgment, but also put a timer on it. And so if we can put a timer on it, then we can see the first time we did this sitting at the edge of the bed transfer, it took us five minutes from start to finish. And now it's taking you 30 seconds. Like that's a huge improvement or it's taking three minutes. That changes the flow of a person's day. It helps the caregiver a ton. It makes individuals feel more capable who are trying to help their caregivers with their care. And so we also need the research to back us up with that. And we need help to try and figure out how we can justify our rehab for individuals in sitting. If we can't use the outcome measures that are so commonly prescribed in different settings to try and see improvements over time. And we can make huge improvements in a person's function and a person's capacity who may not have the potential to get into standing and do more standing tasks, but still has an infinite amount of potential to improve their quality of life and the things that they're doing throughout their day. So those are kind of my big three areas in geriatric practice that I think we need to be focusing on that rep dose response data in resistance training, where we're looking at load under five repetitions and seeing, does that have any improvements or the magnitude of that improvement in strength with, with a direct influence on a person's physical function? When it comes to pelvic floor in the older adult space, we have a lot of work to do when it comes to just conservative management in general in our individuals over 75, anything with response to medication management, symptoms, side effect profiles of medications and their influence on the pelvic floor. And then post catheterization work, whether that's indwelling or external catheterization and what that does to things like urgent continents. And then our third is helping our individuals who are spending most of their day in sitting. How do we help our wheelchair users so that we can justify our care, have normative data and reliability and validity data of outcome measures to be able to speak to our insurance providers who are, you know, a lot of times we're trying to justify our treatment interventions and then make sure that we know when we're making clinically relevant changes in their quality of life, when the goal of getting them in standing is not the one that we're looking at. All right. I hope you found that helpful. If you have any other questions, just let me know. I'm going to be in the research space a lot in the next couple of weeks. I might be sick of it by the time I get to the end of the month with my defense. But let me know what your thoughts are. If you have any other questions, if you are not signed up for MMOA digest, that is our every two week newsletter where we bring all of that research to your inbox. So if we see any studies that are coming out that are filling in some of the gaps that we were talking about, you're going to know about it first. If you're signed up for MMOA digest, just head to ptnice.com slash resources. If you're looking for research in general, make sure you are following hump day hustling. All right. Have a great day everyone. And we'll talk soon. 20:07 OUTRO Hey, thanks for tuning into the PT on ice daily show. If you enjoyed this content, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at the Institute of Clinical Excellence. If you're interested in getting plugged into more ice content on a weekly basis while earning CUs from home, check out our virtual ice online mentorship program at pt on ice.com. While you're there, sign up for our hump day hustling newsletter for a free email every Wednesday morning with our top five research articles and social media posts that we think are worth reading. Head over to pt on ice.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.

Christina Prevett joins the show to discuss her research around strength training in aging for both men and women as well as strength training during and after pregnancy. Christina is a pelvic floor physiotherapist who has a passion for helping women with different life transitions, including postpartum care and menopause. Like, share and follow Kettlebells & Cocktails on all your favorite podcast apps and YouTube.

Christina Prevett joins the show to discuss her research around strength training in aging for both men and women as well as strength training during and after pregnancy. Christina is a pelvic floor physiotherapist who has a passion for helping women with different life transitions, including postpartum care and menopause. Like, share and follow Kettlebells & Cocktails on all your favorite podcast apps and YouTube.

In this episode, I sit down with fellow physiotherapist, Brittany Klingmann to discuss: Various messages that people hear regarding weight lifting and the pelvic floor:“Weightlifting causes too much pressure on the pelvic floor”“Weightlifting causes prolapse”“Valsalva should be avoided and you should always exhale when you lift”“Weight lifting is too hard on the pelvic floor and that is why you leak”Brittany's personal journey with CrossFit and weightliftingThe use of weightlifting beltsTips for people who want to progress to liftingA recent study published by Christina Prevett et al ‘Impact of Heavy Resistance Training on Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Outcomes' Brittany is an Orthopaedic and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist who has now been practicing for 12 years.  She currently lives in Halifax, NS and works at Young Kempt Physiotherapy. Although her caseload remains very diverse, a growing percentage is dedicated to Pelvic Health and an athletic population participating in CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting.   As a mother of 2 beautiful babies who came into the world by c-sections she has experienced her unique journey and challenges with regards to returning to fitness and heavy lifting postpartum, and with that lived experience a passion for helping individuals navigating  their desire to participated in the sports or activities they love evolved. Brittany has the wonderful opportunity to blend the worlds of orthopedics and pelvic health by working with clients through our satellite clinic at Ironstone Strength and Conditioning. Outside of the clinic, I love to spend time with my husband and two children. We are always up for an outdoor adventure. She also has developed a love and passion for Olympic Weightlifting and in the fall of 2022 she met the qualifying standard for the World Masters Weightlifting Championships. She plans to make her international competition debut this Summer in Krakow, Poland, representing Canada at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships. Links to contact Brittany: Website: www.youngkemptphysiotherapy.com Instagram Mentioned in the episode: Prevett et al: Impact of Heavy Resistance Training On Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Outcomes - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36331580/13. CrossFit and weightlifting during pregnancy and postpartum with Brittany Klingmann Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  mommyberries.comSupport the show

Pelvic floor physiotherapist, National level weightlifter, and PhD candidate, Christina Prevett, is here to discuss her recently published journal article titled "Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes", authored by Christina Prevet, Miranda L. Kimber, Lori Forner, Marlize de Vivo, and Margie H. Davenport. LINK TO READ PAPER HERE: https://rdcu.be/cY0e2 This episode she dives into the paper, heavy weightlifting during pregnancy, what is and should be a "valsalva" for weightlifting, and much more.  Join us for a great conversation on a much needed topic. For more on Christina: https://thebarbellmamas.com/ https://www.staveoff.ca/about/ https://twitter.com/c_prevett?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/christina_prevett/?hl=en      

Show NotesOn this episode of the podcast, I chat with Christina Prevett about her work as a physiotherapist in the geriatric and pre and postnatal exercise space as a high level athlete herself. Her recent study, the impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes, and what we can do as people who are wanting better outcomes for pregnancy and postpartum and what we can do as clinicians as well, who are working with these athletes.You're listening to the Resource Doula Podcast, a place where we provide information to help you make informed healthcare decisions for yourself and your family.Christina's #1 Tip:“Your body is strong and your body is resilient. And if pelvic issues come up, we know how to handle them. But that does not mean that your body is not strong and that your body is not resilient. It's just rehab.”Connect with Christina:Institute of Clinical ExcellenceBarbell MamasChristina's InstagramRead her open-access article: Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum outcomesPlease remember that that what you hear on this podcast is not medical advice. but remember to always do your own research and talk to a trusted provider before making important decisions about your healthcare. If you found this podcast helpful, please consider leaving a 5-star review in your favorite podcast app, it helps other people find the show. Thanks so much for listening!Come say hey on social media:Instagram: @trainernataliehFacebook: @trainernataliehTwitter: @trainernataliehYouTube: @trainernatalieThe Resource Doula Podcast YoutubeSign up email newsletter: https://trainat.li/emailsSnag your free download here: The Mindful Mama's Guide to Moving better: 5 exercises you can seamlessly integrate into your busy day: https://trainat.li/field-guideSupport the show

In this episode, Dillon sits down with Dr. Alexis Morgan and Dr. Christina Prevett to discuss strategies to return back to the gym postpartum. We look to answer questions: What is pelvic organ prolapse? Can you exercise with pelvic organ prolapse? How do you overcome the fear of lifting heavy after delivery? What should you do about leakage or urinary incontinence postpartum? All of this and more are answered in this episode. Hope you enjoy! -Team [P]Rehab The [P]rehab Membership: Trial 7-days for Free! Guest Bio: Dr. Christina Prevett MScPT, PhD (c)  teaches five courses at the Institute of Clinical Excellence, including Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete: Pregnancy and Postpartum. She speaks internationally on topics such as Lifting in Pregnancy and Postpartum and Pelvic Health for the Female Athlete. Christina is a national-level weightlifter, who competed in powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting meets within 6 months of giving birth to her daughter Mya. Dr. Alexis Morgan, PT, DPT is a women's health physical therapist, internally trained pelvic floor clinician, and CrossFit-L1 trainer located in Hendersonville, TN. She specializes in treating pregnant and postpartum athletes. This is the ultimate anti-barrier solution to keeping your body healthy. Access state-of-the-art physical therapy, fitness programs, and workouts online in the comforts of your own home or gym. Follow [P]rehab: Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Facebook TikTok [P]Rehabbers thank you for listening and let us know what to talk about next. We hope to help you take control of your health through education! Did you enjoy this? Please rate, review, share, and subscribe. Every bit of feedback, comments, subscriptions, and sharing helps others to discover this content and find available solutions! 

In this episode, Dillon sits down with Dr. Alexis Morgan and Dr. Christina Prevett to discuss exercise and pregnancy. We look to answer: How can women best Prehab their body to get ready for pregnancy physically? What is relative energy deficiency syndrome? How can women best take care of their mental health during pregnancy? Is it safe to exercise while pregnant? What modifications if any need to be changed? All of this and more are answered in this episode. Hope you enjoy! -Team [P]Rehab The [P]rehab Membership: Trial 7-days for Free! Guest Bio: Dr. Christina Prevett MScPT, PhD (c)  teaches five courses at the Institute of Clinical Excellence, including Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete: Pregnancy and Postpartum. She speaks internationally on topics such as Lifting in Pregnancy and Postpartum and Pelvic Health for the Female Athlete. Christina is a national-level weightlifter, who competed in powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting meets within 6 months of giving birth to her daughter Mya. Dr. Alexis Morgan, PT, DPT is a women's health physical therapist, internally trained pelvic floor clinician, and CrossFit-L1 trainer located in Hendersonville, TN. She specializes in treating pregnant and postpartum athletes. This is the ultimate anti-barrier solution to keeping your body healthy. Access state-of-the-art physical therapy, fitness programs, and workouts online in the comforts of your own home or gym. Follow [P]rehab: Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Facebook TikTok [P]Rehabbers thank you for listening and let us know what to talk about next. We hope to help you take control of your health through education! Did you enjoy this? Please rate, review, share, and subscribe. Every bit of feedback, comments, subscriptions, and sharing helps others to discover this content and find available solutions! 

Do you even lift?Yeah, & I can help you too!I had the pleasure of catching up with the dynamic duo of PT's @alexismorganpt & @christina_prevettBoth are physios who work with postpartum women & female athletes. Both women are barbell athletes themselves. Christina helps female athletes maximize fitness potential with online programming for pregnant & postpartum CrossFitters & weightlifters via @thebarbellmamas & Alexis practices within @onwardtnptThese postpartum education rockstars also teach other rehab pros to do the same via @icephysio courses. Christina & Alexis are leading the charge to teach and inform moms & pros alike, that women can come back to the barbell postpartum & be even stronger! We talk about using the research to inform our practice instead of letting the research limit what we do, and why the line is so fine. We dispel common myths and set the record straight on the what is really possible for female athletes postpartum!We talk about: 

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Christina Prevett . Christina is a physical therapist and Phd candidate practicing in North Carolina, USA, with a special interest in exercise for the older adult. During this episode Christina and I discussed frailty, accurately dosed exercise for older adults and whether high risk groups benefit from more intense resistance training. Lastly, we discussed some of the aging stereotypes that exist, which may prevent us for providing accurate guidance for older adults in both a community and clinical content. We'll see you in the next one! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/concast/message

This is not an easy topic and one that brings up a lot of emotions.  In this week's episode, Christina Prevett talks about medical assisted death for a person with severe chronic low back pain.  Want to make sure you stay on top of all things geriatrics? Go to http://PTonICE.com/resources to check out our Free eBooks, Lectures, & the MMOA Digest!

An upside of Jim making an embarrassing mistake is that we managed to get the wonderful Christina Prevett for a full podcast! She and Jack cover some amazing ground that centres around weight lifting movements, prolapses and safety but dont for a second think this isnt also related back to the none lifters too! Check out Christina on Instagram @christina_prevett and her website thebarbellmamas.com Make sure you are subscribed to the channel and check out YouTube where you can see our faces speaking the gold! Just search PhysioMatters :)

Listen to ICE faculty members Christina Prevett, Zac Morgan, Jeff Moore, Dustin Jones and Alan Fredendall discuss their thoughts on the CrossFit Open workouts for the 2020 CrossFit Open. 

Listen to ICE faculty members Christina Prevett, Zac Morgan, Jeff Moore, Dustin Jones and Alan Fredendall discuss their thoughts on the CrossFit Open workouts for the 2020 CrossFit Open. 

Listen to ICE faculty members Christina Prevett, Zac Morgan, Jeff Moore, Mitch Babcock, Dustin Jones and Alan Fredendall discuss their thoughts on the CrossFit Open workouts for the 2020 CrossFit Open. 

It's back! Listen to ICE faculty members Christina Prevett, Zac Morgan, Jeff Moore, and Alan Fredendall discuss their thoughts on the CrossFit Open workouts for the 2020 CrossFit Open. 

Is training and rehab for our Masters athletes really that much different? What are the common misconceptions and legitimate considerations when working with our older athletes? We welcome Christina Prevett, MScPT, PhD(c) onto the show to discuss these topics and more! Follow Christina on Instagram: @christina_prevett @staveoff @themastersathletecollective Learn more about the ClinicalAthlete Community: https://www.clinicalathlete.com