046 | Decoding Pelvic Pain and Hypermobility in Women

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Jaime Singleton, a women’s health specialist and therapist with over 15 years of experience in the field. Jamie shares her expertise and insights on the often-misunderstood topic of pelvic floor health and explains why the commonly used cue “draw your belly button in towards your spine” is incorrect and can cause more harm than good.

Listen in as Jaime shares her understanding of pelvic pain and discusses how conditions like endometriosis, pelvic girdle instability, and irritable bowel syndrome can all contribute to pelvic pain. We explore the complexities of pelvic pain and the importance of understanding the root cause in order to provide appropriate treatment. Jaime also helps us understand the impact of hypermobility on the body and how it can affect various aspects of women’s health and fitness.

Finally, we discuss the value of mentorship and collaboration within the women’s health and fitness industry and how professionals can work together to ensure clients receive the best possible care. Jamie and I also talk about the importance of finding a qualified women’s health or pelvic health physio to work with and how to create effective client-therapist relationships. Don’t miss this enlightening and informative conversation with Jaime Singleton!

(0:00:01) – Pelvic Floor Health and Belly Button (10 Minutes)

Jaime, a women’s health specialist and therapist, explains why the commonly used cue “draw your belly button in towards your spine” is incorrect and can cause damage to the pelvic floor, abdominal pressure, back pain, and other issues. We discuss the anatomy of the abdominal canister and how a lack of breath mechanics and body awareness can cause people to use this cue incorrectly.

(0:09:48) – Women’s Health Physio and Fitness (13 Minutes)

She shares her expertise in women’s health and explains why the “draw your belly button in towards your spine” cue is incorrect. We discuss the importance of a holistic approach to rehab and how to manage client expectations from the start of the fitness journey. We also explore how to create an effective client-therapist relationship and how humour can be used to make clients feel comfortable sharing their stories.

(0:22:19) – Pelvic Pain Causes and Understanding (7 Minutes)

Jaime shares her understanding of pelvic pain, discussing how endometriosis, pelvic girdle instability, pelvic crosstalk, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspareunia, vaginismus, postmenopausal issues, and skin disorders can all contribute to pelvic pain. We explore the complexities of pelvic pain and the underlying causes. We also look at the potential of endometriosis being an autoimmune issue and how understanding the root cause of pain is key in providing appropriate treatment.

(0:28:53) – Hypermobility’s Body Impact (6 Minutes)

We explore the complexities of connective tissue dysfunction and hypermobility as it relates to women’s health and fitness. We discuss how hypermobility can affect the circulatory system, leading to lower blood pressure, postural hypotension, and sweating, and how it can affect the digestive system, leading to constipation. We look at the Baiting Scale as a tool to assess hypermobility and how to ask questions to get an accurate assessment. Finally, we emphasize the importance of an effective assessment process for fitness professionals to provide quality care to their clients.

(0:34:36) – Working With Women’s Health and Pain (12 Minutes)

We explore the importance of mentorship and collaboration in women’s health and fitness, discussing how professionals within the industry can work together to ensure that clients receive the best possible care. We also look at the trainer’s role in helping clients progress in their training despite any pain they may be experiencing, emphasizing the importance of language, understanding the difference between good and bad pain, and offering an environment of success. Finally, we examine the psychosocial model of pain and strategies for guiding clients through discomfort while still maintaining safety.

(0:46:08) – Women’s Health Physios in Australia (1 Minute)

We discuss the importance of finding a women’s health or pelvic health physio to work with and how professionals can collaborate to support one another. We also explore the availability of online training for those who may be more remote and how mentorship and collaboration can help foster better understanding and knowledge within the community. We have a great conversation about the value of connecting with professionals in the industry and the importance of mentorship and collaboration.

Connect With Jaime:

Website: https://www.jaimesingletonphysiotherapy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.singleton_pelvicphysio/