In keeping with the trend to give advice to our younger selves, I want to do the same for my vagina. Dear Pre-Natal Vagina, You are beautiful, magnificent, strong, resilient, and tough AF. You likely don’t realize your potential to do great things yet. Much like every other part of our youthful body, you work […]
“When can I start doing “x” after I’ve given birth?” Up until just recently this question was only answered at the 6-week postpartum check-up. After some quick questions and *possibly* a physical exam, new Mamas are cleared for activity or told to return when they feel ready using the common refrain, “listen to your body”. […]
Ladies, ladies, ladies….. Let’s be real for a minute. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a thing. You may know this thing as “I pee a little when I sneeze”, “I pee when I run”, “I pee when I skip rope” “I pee on the trampoline” “I pee when I quickly lift up my 48lbs child or […]
They say you teach what you need to know…whoever ‘they’ are. Myofascial release is rooted in the concept of letting go. I guess that’s why it resonated with me so deeply. Because letting go has never been my forte. My strength, my stubbornness—they have served me well at times. But they sometimes keep me holding […]
As a practitioner at IHI—in acknowledgement of the clinic’s tenth anniversary—I have been contemplating my understanding of our celebration slogan, ‘Live your ten’… Live your ten. Automatically I think ‘the perfect 10’. There is a story told in my family about me as a little girl, learning to tie my shoes, and crying when the […]
By Shannon Stoby, PT, MScPT Hi Mom. I know you read all of my blogs, so here’s one for you. I write this, not as a parent, but as a grown child. My mom sacrificed a lot of her life for us. She always cared for us and put the family first. As parents go, […]
By Shannon Stoby It makes me laugh when I hear people equate vulnerability with weakness. You can be sure that those who draw that line have never tried it. To show yourself for who you really are, to speak your truth even when it is terrifying, is among the bravest things anyone can ever […]
By Shannon Stoby There is a sense of vulnerability that comes with injury and illness. The sense of invincibility is gone and, as we put our recovery in the hands of health care professionals, it may feel like we’ve lost control of our lives. This can be the case in any health-related scenario, but there […]
By Shannon Stoby I don’t know if we are generally a distrustful species or if we have just taught each other to be that way. Certainly, there is a survival instinct that may promote distrust. Our long history of feuding on this planet in the name who knows what may also be a contributing factor. […]
By Shannon Stoby There can be a lot of fear associated with illness or injury. Fear of pain. Fear of the prognosis. Fear of the recovery process. Mostly a fear of the unknown. And when faced with a health issue it may feel like your own body has become the unknown. At this point we […]
