Outline:
1. Intro
- Why women’s pelvic and abdominal health ideally lends to a holistic and naturopathic model (because multiple root causes, requires a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporates both mind and body interconnections and treatments. the gut-brain connection, the microbiome connection to mood, etc.)
- Why addressing pelvic and abdominal health almost always liberates and reveals women’s complete and ultimate health on many other levels
- Often there are links between pelvic or abdominal health conditions and a history of sexual abuse or assault and healing through reclaiming one’s body and one’s self-love and redefining intimacy
- Exemplifies a movement toward defining and offering women a more women centred form of health care
2. My Story and Reason for Expertise in this field within natural medicine
3. Review of the anatomical and physiological inter-connections in the pelvic and abdominal region
4. Guiding Principles in Treating Pelvic and Abdominal Health
- Sensitivity to history of sexual issues, vulnerabilities often felt by these patients
- Importance of getting them in their bodies with hands-on therapies
- Boundary and safety issues
- Moms or moms-to-be who are adjusting to changes in body
- Making sure to see whole picture of health
- Knowing when to refer
5. Benefits of Abdominal and Pelvic Massage
- Including defining and understanding Arvigo techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT)
6. Review of Clinical Applications for all possible overlapping conditions in pelvic and abdominal health cases.
Conditions to discuss and including treatment strategies:
- Digestive – IBS, Constipation
- Gynecological – Dysmenorrhea and other menstrual health disorders, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction – including uterine or bladder prolapse
- Urology – Recurring UTI’s, Interstitial cystitis, Incontinence
- Fertility – difficulty conceiving either naturally or with conventional fertility treatments
- Post-partum recovery – pelvic floor weakness, vaginal healing, core strength
- Menopausal symptoms
- Vulvar/ Vaginal concerns – vulodynia, dyspareunia
7. Overarching Clinical Pearls for best outcomes in treating Pelvic and Abdominal Health Issues
8. Conclusions and Final Thoughts
9. Q & A
As presented at our Live 2018 ND Conference: Women’s Health
Presented by Dr Christine Matheson ND