Our Services & Our Team
Conditions We Treat:
Stress urinary incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence
Urinary urgency and frequency
Bladder pain
Persistent pelvic pain
Painful intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Vulvar pain
Pelvic organ prolapse
Diastasis recti abdominus (DRA)
Prenatal and Post-partum care
Low back, hip, and SI joint pain
Post-op abdominal and pelvic surgery rehabilitation
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
Post-prostatectomy rehabilitation
Testicular and penile pain
Constipation
Fecal incontinence
Rectal pain
Tailbone pain (Coccydynia)
Pudendal nerve irritability
Often these symptoms can have a profound impact on your quality of life, personal relationships, and self-efficacy. It’s not surprising that a large amount of research has been done surrounding these issues, and the level of evidence to support physiotherapy for this course of treatment is strong.
An Evidence Informed Approach
- Written or verbal cueing does not constitute adequate pelvic floor training1
- Clinical guidelines for correct pelvic floor muscle training recommend confirmation using internal digital palpation or biofeedback2
- PF muscle training should be a first line of defense for stress urinary incontinence and mixed incontinence3
- Research in prolapse treatment finds pelvic floor muscle training as an effective and inexpensive first line therapy4
- Pelvic floor dysfunction and respiratory dysfunction are found to have a stronger association with low back pain than obesity and physical activity in a study of 38,050 women5 In a study of 200 women with low back pain, 78% had urinary incontinence6
- There is a link between emotional state (perceived threat) and the pelvic floor musculature7
- Bump, R., Hurt, W.G., Fantl, J. A. & Wyman, J. F. (1991). Assessment of kegel exercise performance after brief verbal instruction. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 165:322-329.
- Magali, R. & Ross, S. Conservative management of urinary incontinence. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. No. 186, December 2006.
- Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J. (2010). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 1:CD005654.
- Hagen, S.et al. (2011). A multicenter RCT of a pelvic floor muscle training intervention for women with pelvic organ prolapse. Lancet 2014; 383:796-806.
- Smith, M.D., Russell, A. & Hodges, P.W. (n.d.). Disorders of breathing and continence have a stronger association with back pain than obesity and physical activity. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 52: 11-16.
- Eliasson, K., Elfing, B., Nordgen, B. & Mattson, E. (2008). Urinary incontinence in women with low back pain. Manual Therapy 13: 206-212.
- van der Velde, J., Lann, E. & Everaerd, W. (2001). Vaginismus, a component of a general defensive reaction. An investigation of pelvic floor muscle activity during exposure to emotion-inducing film excerpts in women with and without vaginismus. Int Urogynecol J, 12:328-331.
Our Team
Anne Dorey
Anne’s experience as a physiotherapist has included work in hospitals, private practice and various research roles. As part of teams working in intensive care, cardiac surgery, neurology and complex medical care, Anne developed her clinical skills at some of the foremost research hospitals in Canada. She went on to be a strong advocate for geriatric clients in acute care, and has developed and implemented rehabilitation programs at hospitals in both Ontario and BC.
Anne began working exclusively with Pelvic Health clients in 2007 as a practitioner with the PSI Women’s Health Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Since returning to Oakville in 2011, Anne has continued to advance her specialized training and clinical expertise in Pelvic Health, as the lead therapist at a thriving Pelvic Health practice.
Anne is deeply invested in improving quality of life for those suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, and is dedicated to helping restore optimal health and balance through lasting change.
Kaitlin Cianfarani
She began treating pelvic health in 2012 and has really found her passion. Her interest in pelvic health began after the birth of her first child, when told that her pelvic symptoms would resolve with time and there was nothing to be done. As a result of researching pelvic health and consulting with her colleagues she discovered how important it was to treat pelvic health conditions. This experience propelled Kaitlin into the world of pelvic health, and she has not looked back.
Kaitlin’s continuing practice and educational journey in pelvic health has included treating incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, pre and post partum care and oncology. She attended the International Pelvic Pain Society conference in 2017, to learn from some of the leaders of the pain neuroscience community and looks forward to attending conferences and courses to learn more and to further benefit her clients and her community. Kaitlin is married and a mother to two beautiful children. She is an avid camper, gardener and lover of the outdoors. She also enjoys trying her hand at various crafting and sewing projects. Kaitlin believes in using a wholistic approach to treating each individual client, guiding them towards function and helping them to rediscover joy in their lives. She looks forward to meeting you soon and helping you achieve a successful and long lasting resolution to your pelvic health concerns.
Kristi Konduros
Priyanka Gulati
Priyanka believes in providing a safe and confidential space to truly listen and understand her client’s needs and concerns. She is passionate about guiding people to connect back to their bodies using a tailored approach.
Priyanka enjoys teaching Lamaze Childbirth education classes over the weekend. She is also a DONA certified Birth Doula and has been fortunate to attend over 100 births. In her spare time, she enjoys calligraphy, DIY home projects and keeping up with her two active kids!
Anne Dorey
Anne’s experience as a physiotherapist has included work in hospitals, private practice and various research roles. As part of teams working in intensive care, cardiac surgery, neurology and complex medical care, Anne developed her clinical skills at some of the foremost research hospitals in Canada. She went on to be a strong advocate for geriatric clients in acute care, and has developed and implemented rehabilitation programs at hospitals in both Ontario and BC.
Anne began working exclusively with Pelvic Health clients in 2007 as a practitioner with the PSI Women’s Health Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Since returning to Oakville in 2011, Anne has continued to advance her specialized training and clinical expertise in Pelvic Health, as the lead therapist at a thriving Pelvic Health practice.
Anne is deeply invested in improving quality of life for those suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, and is dedicated to helping restore optimal health and balance through lasting change.
Kaitlin Cianfarani
She began treating pelvic health in 2012 and has really found her passion. Her interest in pelvic health began after the birth of her first child, when told that her pelvic symptoms would resolve with time and there was nothing to be done. As a result of researching pelvic health and consulting with her colleagues she discovered how important it was to treat pelvic health conditions. This experience propelled Kaitlin into the world of pelvic health, and she has not looked back.
Kaitlin’s continuing practice and educational journey in pelvic health has included treating incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, pre and post partum care and oncology. She attended the International Pelvic Pain Society conference in 2017, to learn from some of the leaders of the pain neuroscience community and looks forward to attending conferences and courses to learn more and to further benefit her clients and her community. Kaitlin is married and a mother to two beautiful children. She is an avid camper, gardener and lover of the outdoors. She also enjoys trying her hand at various crafting and sewing projects. Kaitlin believes in using a wholistic approach to treating each individual client, guiding them towards function and helping them to rediscover joy in their lives. She looks forward to meeting you soon and helping you achieve a successful and long lasting resolution to your pelvic health concerns.
Priyanka
Priyanka believes in providing a safe and confidential space to truly listen and understand her client’s needs and concerns. She is passionate about guiding people to connect back to their bodies using a tailored approach.
Priyanka enjoys teaching Lamaze Childbirth education classes over the weekend. She is also a DONA certified Birth Doula and has been fortunate to attend over 100 births. In her spare time, she enjoys calligraphy, DIY home projects and keeping up with her two active kids!