Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
pelvic health physiotherapy can help people with many different types of pelvic floor conditions and concerns. we are proud to provide trauma-informed care, and LGBTQIA2+ informed care.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Urinary incontinence and bladder control (stress, urge, and mixed incontinence)
Pre-natal and postpartum care
Preparation for labour and delivery
Diastasis rectus abdominis (abdominal separation)
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
Pubic symphysis pain
Coccyx pain
Painful intercourse
Perineal and C-section scar tissue management
Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, uterus, or rectum)
Pessary fitting
Pelvic pain conditions
Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia
Perineal scar tissue and adhesion management including lichens sclerosis
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Dysmennorhea (painful periods)
Endometriosis
Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Bladder pain syndromes including interstitial cystitis and frequent bladder infections
Sexual dysfunction
Painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, perineal scar tissue mobilization
Bowel Dysfunction
Constipation management
Fecal incontinence
Rectal prolapse
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Dyssynergic defecation
Ano-rectal pain
Anal fissures
OASIS (obstetric anal sphincter injuries)
Abdominal Wall concerns
Abdominal hernias (men and women)
Parastomal hernias
Abdominal adhesions
Diastasis rectus abdominis
Men’s Health, including:
Post-prostatectomy incontinence and rehabilitation
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Premature ejaculation
Peyronie’s Disease
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
Pediatric Pelvic Health
Constipation
Encopresis (stool leakage)
Enuresis (urinary incontinence - day/night)
MEET THE PELVIC HEALTH TEAM
SHANNON LAwrence, bscpt clt-lana
Shannon Lawrence is a very experienced and highly specialized physiotherapist who has extensive training to help patients with a myriad of pelvic health concerns. She has chosen this specialty because she finds it both challenging and rewarding, and she is committed to helping her patients feel hope, rediscover function, enjoy life, get stronger and more active, and experience less pain.
Shannon has a wealth of pelvic health-specific experience, and is committed to ongoing learning in order to stay up-to-date with the latest research, educational tools, and evidence-based treatment options for her patients. She has established a very collaborative relationship with other local, provincial, and national pelvic health physiotherapists, as well as midwives, nurse continence advisors, general practitioners, naturopaths, and specialists such as urologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, general surgeons, and gastro-intestinal specialists.
Shannon has completed the following courses through Pelvic Health Solutions:
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Incontinence/Pelvic Organ Prolapse (Level 1)
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Those Experiencing Pelvic Pain (Level 2)
Physiotherapy Management of Central Sensitization (Level 3)
Perinatal and Pelvic Girdle Pain Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (Level 4)
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Ano-rectal Disorders (Level 5)
Developing a Toolkit for Persistent Pain and Pelvic Neurodynamics (Level 6)
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Neurological Conditions
Pessary Fitting for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Additional pelvic health physiotherapy training:
Hypopressives Level 1
Rost Therapy for Pelvic Girdle Pain
Gynaecological Visceral Manipulation (3 courses)
Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (the new course by Diane Lee)
Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness Coaching Certification through Girls Gone Strong
Bulletproof your Core for the Female Athlete
Nuts and Bolts of Male Pelvic Health - Penile Rehabilitation, Peyronie’s Disease and Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation
Special Topics in Male Pelvic Genital Rehabilitation: Post vasectomy, Circumcision, Hernia Repair and Penile Rehabilitation
Paediatric Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Let’s Talk about Sex Course for Pelvic Health Physiotherapists
Evaluation of Female Sexual Function
Piston Science Level 1 and 2 with Julie Wiebe
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Pelvic Cancer and Genital Lymphedema
Numerous other courses, cultural competency training, conferences, symposia, and lectures by respected experts in the field
Shannon is a member of a number of national and international pelvic health organizations including:
Pelvic Health Solutions
Women’s Health Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Women’s Health Special Interest Group of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association)
ICS (International Continence Society)
IUGA (International Urogynecological Association)
Lymphology Association of North America
CSPM (Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine)
NVA (National Vulvodynia Association)
Jacqui Perkins, MPT
Jacqui has a special interest in helping other moms in their pelvic health journey. She first became interested in pelvic health while pregnant with her son in 2021, and especially during her journey postpartum. While she had a relatively uneventful pregnancy and delivery, she still suffered from some pelvic floor pain and wanted to make sure that she could provide other people the ability to understand and manage their pelvic health concerns.
Jacqui works with her patients to ensure an in-depth subjective assessment is followed by a thorough physical assessment to properly understand the root of client's issues and how their pelvic health issues may be affecting other conditions they are suffering from.
Collaboratively with her patients, Jacqui works to ensure:
Patients have a proper understanding of their particular pelvic health concerns
The development of a targeted exercise program for each patient’s specific needs
Treatment and assessment is tailored to each patient’s comfort level
Regular re-evaluations to monitor patient progress and amend treatment plans
Pelvic Health Training:
Level 1: Introduction to Pelvic Health (Parts 1 & 2) - University of Alberta
JODI williams, bscpt
Jodi began her pelvic health training in 2016 after observing the gap between how common pelvic health concerns were and the lack of services available in her community. She enjoys spending time educating her clients about their bodies in order to reassure them that what they are experiencing is common and that change is often possible.
Jodi’s goal is to always validate her patient’s concerns, empower them to understand their symptoms, and with tangible action items move them toward hope, confidence, improved function, and a better quality of life again.
Pelvic Health Training:
Level 1: The Physical Therapy Approach to Anyone Experiencing Urinary Incontinence
Bulletproof Your Body - Pelvic Floor and Care
The Female Athlete
Level 2: The Role of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Anyone Experiencing Pelvic Pain Through a Trauma-Informed Lens (in progress)
Level 3: Biopsychosocial Reframed (in progress)
What to expect when you attend our clinic for a pelvic health visit
Your first visit:
Please ensure you have fully completed the intake forms prior to your visit. If you chose to receive paper forms, please bring them along, fully completed, to your appointment. The information you provide in these forms will provide your physiotherapist with the information she needs to best help you that first day.
During the first part of your appointment, your pelvic health physiotherapist will take a thorough history of your pelvic floor condition. She may give you additional questionnaires to fill out if she feels it is appropriate. Your physiotherapist will explain the process of the assessment and give you a chance to ask questions and to give your approval before proceeding with the physical assessment. The physiotherapist will usually start with some education and an external assessment. An internal pelvic floor assessment (vaginal and/or rectal) may then be performed (with your consent) to provide invaluable information on the condition of the pelvic floor - including muscle strength, tightness, endurance, symmetry, or presence of prolapse or adhesions.
Treatment options are discussed and initiated as time allows.
Your follow up visits:
Your pelvic health physiotherapist has an extensive toolkit of treatment options that she can provide, and will work with you to choose the most appropriate treatment plan for you based on her ongoing assessment, re-evaluation and discussion with you regarding your pelvic health concerns as your treatment progresses.
Treatment options that may be included in your session:
Education
Lifestyle management (diet, sleep, exercise, stress)
Self-treatment techniques
Pain education
Mindfulness practice and meditation
Specific exercises
Manual therapy, myofascial release, visceral manipulation
Muscle re-education - internal palpation and biofeedback
Pessary fitting
Electrical muscle stimulation/Biofeedback