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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Flávia Ignácio Antônio, PhD, a physiotherapist and clinical research associate at the University of Ottawa. With over 15 years of experience spanning women's and pelvic health, cardiac rehab, and geriatrics, Dr. Antônio brings a deep understanding of complex pelvic conditions. Her current research focuses on advanced physiotherapeutic assessments and interventions for chronic pelvic pain.

We explore the nuance behind pelvic floor health, how hormones like estrogen and relaxin play a role, and why strengthening alone isn't always the answer. If you’re a clinician or someone curious about the science behind pelvic health, this conversation is packed with insight.

We talk about:

-The Knack maneuver and how it works

-Estrogen versus relaxin and their effects on pelvic tissue

-Why urinary incontinence is not just about weakness

-How to approach high-tone pelvic floor muscles

-Chronic pelvic pain and central sensitization

-How current research is shaping future treatment

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

2:52 areas of research

8:06 relaxin explained

14:30 activating pelvic floor muscles

20:58 research at the University of Ottawa

26:16 problem solving outside of strength

33:06 chronic pelvic pain

40:47 choosing the next line of research

46:03 central sensitization

51:37 plans for the future

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH FLAVIA

Website: https://mfmlab.ca/

Research: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/nau.25196

https://academic.oup.com/jsm/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae170/7916734

https://academic.oup.com/jsm/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae171/7916735

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388957513_Photobiomodulation_therapy_for_the_treatment_of_vulvar_pain_among_those_with_provoked_vestibulodynia_a_randomized_controlled_trial

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