The Pelvic Floor Project

Melissa Dessaulles from Mommy Berries

This podcast is for anyone with a pelvic floor. Pssst….. everyone has a pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles responsible for controlling our bodily functions. I refer to myself as a physiotherapist for embarrassing issues. I routinely help clients address symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, diastasis, pelvic pain, intimacy issues and the list goes on. A theme that stands out to me is how little we learn about our private parts and the muscles surrounding. This podcast is for you if you are interested in learning more about your body. Focused on the female, I cover topics pertinent to puberty, athletics, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, menopause, surgery and so much more.I promise to share evidence based information through discussion with other health care experts in their field with the goal to showcase a holistic and empowering approach to taking care of the only body you will ever have. I hope you enjoy! 

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    126. Pelvic floor internal exam: Do I have to? What happens?

    In this solo episode, I talk about: What may happen in a pelvic floor appointment (specific to internal assessment)The importance of finding a therapist that feels right to you (we don’t all practice the same)My clinical practice process and how each patient influences thisWhat happens when you have your period THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    32 min

  2. 6 APR

    125. Bowel and bladder considerations for people with Parkinsons, Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis with physiotherapist Dr. Carina Siracusa

    In this episode, I discuss with fellow physiotherapist Carina Siracusa Explanation of our body’s bowel and bladder function At what level Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke affect these systemsMedication considerations and side effectsHow is the pelvic floor related and how it is NOTHow we can help as physiotherapists How patients can advocate for themselvesDr. Carina Siracusa has been a practicing physical therapist since she graduated from Ohio University with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2005. She has practiced in the areas of pediatric, neurologic, oncologic, and pelvic floor physical therapy in her tenure as a physical therapist. She currently works in the neurologic rehab department at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio, seeing patients of all ages and abilities with pelvic floor dysfunction. She also serves as the oncology rehabilitation coordinator and the wheelchair clinic coordinator in this hospital system. She has been teaching for the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy since 2010 in the pelvic health series. She has also taught as adjunct clinical faculty at several universities. She has given multiple presentations all over the world on the topics of neurologic and pediatric pelvic health. She also teaches several two-day courses on the subjects of pediatric and neurologic pelvic health. Instagram: @carinadpt Mentoring available through Carina: @SynapsePTMentoring THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    54 min

  3. 23 MAR

    124. How purity culture (religion, upbringing, beliefs) influences the pelvic floor with Psychologist Dr. Kristy Money

    In this episode, I discuss with psychologist Kristy Money: Her experience growing up in a mormon community surrounded by purity culture and the difficulties of making the “switch” to sexuality and pleasureSexual shame Mind/body connection Ideas for where you can start if you sense you could use some guidance Kristy Money, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, feminist advocate, and expert in women’s sexual health. She has written widely on trauma, consent, and purity culture in outlets like the Salt Lake Tribune and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and has been featured in The New York Times, HuffPost, and The Guardian. Her podcast work—Healthy Mormon Journeys and Mormon Transitions—each garnered over 500,000 downloads in their first year, and her guest episodes on Mormon Stories remain among its most listened-to. Drawing on her academic training and personal experience with anorgasmia, Kristy offers compassionate, research-backed tools to help women reconnect with their erotic selves. Her voice resonates deeply with women navigating post-religious identity, sexual healing, and embodied self-discovery. She's the founder of Hill Country Neuropsychology and lives in Texas with her husband and five children. HOW TO CONTACT KRISTY Website: www.kristymoney.com THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    54 min

  4. 9 MAR

    123. Menopause hormone therapy is now covered in British Columbia (March 1, 2026) with Shirley Weir

    In this episode, I discuss with founder of Menopause Chicks, Shirley Weir: Certain brands of Menopause hormone therapy are now covered in BC as of March 1st as part of the new National PharmaCare programWhat we know about benefits to using menopause therapyThe surge in information and physician educationAND most importantly, how you can feel empowered to talk to your provider and pharmacist to ensure you are doing what is right for youShirley Weir introduces herself as a "menopause chick" and is here to remind all of us: we deserve to feel amazing! This is a significant pivot from how most of the world thinks about perimenopause, menopause & postmenopause, and Shirley is leading this important paradigm shift. She is 59 years old, reached menopause at 49, and for the last 12 years has been educating, advocating, and answering thousands of women's health questions via MenopauseChicks.com and its popular private online community, with over 60,000 members. Shirley's vision is for everyone to have access to evidence-based health information in order to navigate perimenopause-to-postmenopause with confidence and ease! And her goal today is for you to walk away from this session thinking, "Hmm... I never thought about menopause that way before!” LINKS MENTIONED www.menopausechicks.com Facebook  THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    37 min

  5. 23 FEB

    122. Potty training and the pelvic floor with Dr. Quira Smith

    In this episode, Occupational Therapist Dr. Quiara Smith and I discuss: Potty learning vs potty trainingWhat do we need to see in our kids to know they are ready to potty train?Ideal age?How does the pelvic floor relate to potty training?What is required for night time continence?TipsHow childhood habits can translate to adult symptomsShould we reward?Constipation Dr. Quiara Smith, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEIM has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for over 15 years in both California and Hawaii working in various settings including hospitals, schools, an equine center providing hippotherapy as a treatment tool, and outpatient clinics. Her pediatric experience encompasses serving neonates through adolescents with various medical conditions and diagnoses. Dr. Smith began working with pediatric pelvic health patients in a Children’s Hospital in the SF Bay Area in 2015 and found her passion in OT in this area of practice. Realizing the social, emotional, and psychological challenges that pelvic floor dysfunction places on children and families, Dr. Smith decided to create the very first boutique private pediatric pelvic health occupational therapy clinic of its kind in the US in 2020. Her private practice, Aloha Integrative Therapy , exclusively treats children and adolescents with pelvic floor dysfunction and toileting challenges. Dr. Smith utilizes a holistic and integrative approach to pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction. She partners with her canine assistant, Nelly, a Labrador/golden retriever cross, in guiding children toward continence with confidence. Dr. Smith currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Hawaii Pacific University.  LINKS MENTIONED Course: A Holistic and Integrative Approach to Pediatric Pelvic health Instagram @alohaintegrativetherapy Tinyhood Courses: Potty Training Prep: Setting Your Toddler up for Success Potty Training: The Stress-Free Guide to Success THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    52 min

  6. 9 FEB

    121. Diastasis; Social media is more damaging than crunches with Gráinne Donnelly

    In this episode, I discuss with fellow physiotherapist and researcher, Gráinne Donnelly, the effect that social media has on diastasis rectus abdominis: The recent study published that evaluated Instagram content related to DRA, exercise, and sports, and explored its perceived impact on the behaviours of women with DRA.The majority of diastasis related content on Instagram is not evidence basedFear based vs empowering based information Gráinne Donnelly is an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in pelvic health with over 15 years of experience spread across the public health, private practice and clinical research. She is on the Board of Trustees for the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) professional network and charitable body where she is the Editor for the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy. She is currently completing her PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University and her recently edited book “Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice” was released by Elsevier in November 2025 and will be officially published in April 2026. HOW TO CONTACT GRÁINNE Instagram Website LINKS MENTIONED #diastasisrecti: a mixed-methods analysis of Instagram posts and their influence on women's exercise and sports participation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40618057/ Lead researcher: @silviagiagio.physio THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout! https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    56 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    120. "Something is coming out of my vagina” with Kirsten Mark

    In this episode I discuss with a Kristen Mark, a client of mine who wants other new moms to know they aren’t alone when they panic about their postpartum body ABOUT KIRSTEN I’m Kirsten Mark. A mama. A wifey. A business owner.  I had my first baby girl at 16 and second baby girl ar 35 years old. My two daughters have taught me more about life, than any book ever could. Married to Brian Mark, who insists I’m coocoo for Cocoa Puffs (he’s not wrong), but loves and supports me endlessly. I’m loud, energetic, slightly moody (we’re working on it), and a full-blown lover of life. I am a proud business owner and CEO of The Winner’s Circle App, where I help transform bodies and minds, and guide over 2,000 women to rewrite their stories. I’m here to show you that you don’t need perfect timing, a perfect past, or a certain personality to succeed. You simply need the guts to go after what you want  THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    34 min

  8. 24/11/2025

    119. Top 5 messages I repeat as a pelvic health physiotherapist

    In this solo episode, I discuss: Just because you have a pelvic floor symptom, doesn’t mean your pelvic floor is “damaged” or “broken” The majority of people have no idea how their bowel, bladder and sexual systems workYou are not supposed to actively hold your core or pelvic floor “engaged” during the dayYou do not need to wait 6 weeks to work with a physio after birth, hysterectomy, prostate surgery etc etc We all have a pelvic floor and their are benefits to talking about it. THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/ mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Support the show

    27 min
See All (132)

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This podcast is for anyone with a pelvic floor. Pssst….. everyone has a pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles responsible for controlling our bodily functions. I refer to myself as a physiotherapist for embarrassing issues. I routinely help clients address symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, diastasis, pelvic pain, intimacy issues and the list goes on. A theme that stands out to me is how little we learn about our private parts and the muscles surrounding. This podcast is for you if you are interested in learning more about your body. Focused on the female, I cover topics pertinent to puberty, athletics, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, menopause, surgery and so much more.I promise to share evidence based information through discussion with other health care experts in their field with the goal to showcase a holistic and empowering approach to taking care of the only body you will ever have. I hope you enjoy! 

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Dessaulles from Mommy Berries
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pelvic Floor Project
  • Show Website
    The Pelvic Floor Project

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