WHY A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO YOUR PELVIC, GUT & BELLY HEALTH REALLY MATTERS
*Note: ‘Belly health’ is defined in this blog as encompassing the health within the entire pelvis, abdomen and gut including the reproductive organs, bladder and digestive system.
Have you ever had that experience when you learn something profound that changes the way you see things and you can never un-see or un-learn it again?
I have.
In fact, I have had several pivotal and repeated teaching moments in my years as a naturopathic doctor that have made it abundantly clear to me that ensuring optimal belly health is an essential strategy to ensuring a person’s ultimate vitality.
Meaning that for a woman-if her gut, pelvis, gynaecological organs or bladder are symptomatic this can actually derail her overall sense of wellbeing by impacting her immunity, mood, mobility, libido, fertility, proper digestive elimination, confidence conceiving, proper post-partum recovery, menopause experience and much more.
Furthermore in some cultures such as the Maya healing traditions from Belize, it is believed in fact that the health of the uterus is central to a woman's vitality.
“The uterus is the woman’s core, if it is out of balance, her whole life is out of balance-physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.”
-Don Elijio Panti, Maya Shaman of Belize (Central America) who trained Dr. Rosita Arvigo about the ancient Maya technique of abdominal massage
On a Happy Note
If your abdominal, pelvic and uterine health are excellent, this can have an extremely positive ripple effect on your complete health status leading to excellent immunity, mental clarity, a calm clean gut, easier periods, optimized gynaecological health, supercharged fertility, conceiving with ease, empowered pregnancy, strong post-baby recovery and a smooth menopause.
So now more than ever...
I believe in prioritizing women's belly health and respecting the interconnections between all of the abdominal and pelvic health organs/structures with a holistic approach which has become the focus and passion in my practice as a naturopathic doctor.
My Big 'Aha"
The biggest ‘aha’ moment that I want to share with you which really informed this idea came very early on in my career. From this point forward I couldn’t un-see that an integrative approach is the most valuable way to effectively address belly, pelvic and gut health concerns.
Here is what happened.
Many moons ago in 2001, as a new and eager naturopathic doctor I had the very unique and fortunate opportunity of sitting in a conference room at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto as part of the dynamic team of the ‘Women’s Pelvic Health Centre’.
As one of the first naturopathic doctors in Canada to work in a hospital, I was beyond excited to not only break new ground but to have the chance to join an innovative, multidisciplinary team that included a urologist, gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, psychiatrist, sexual therapist, pelvic floor physiotherapist and a nurse.
Shared Radical Belief
We collaborated consciously, based on a shared and radical belief at the time. We agreed that addressing women’s pelvic health with a more integrative approach that respected the interconnection between the elegant and complex systems within the belly would provide a greater chance of providing effective relief and results for women.
And I am so pleased to say we were right.
Waitlists Say Something
The clinic had a great response with long waiting lists of women requesting to come from all over the province of Ontario. They reported symptoms that affected multiple systems in their bellies and often explained that jumping from specialist to specialist was not getting them any closer to feeling better.
They were relieved to find holistic solutions that keenly recognized that their gut health was intricately linked to their gynaecological health, which was linked to their pelvic health, which was linked to their bladder health, which was linked to their mental state and sense of wellbeing. Plus they were thrilled to have a team of practitioners who were dedicated to developing a health protocol that was tailored just for them .
A holistic approach also offers the benefit of being a preventive approach because when root causes of symptoms are addressed, there is much less likelihood of recurrence.
Common Example Case
For instance, a woman who is constipated will often note how this negatively impacts her mood, causes headaches, increases PMS, creates difficulties with urination and leads to challenges in feeling intimate with her partner. A cohesive multi-disciplinary approach that individualizes and includes a blend of conventional care or medication, natural medicine, lifestyle medicine, physical therapies (such as pelvic floor physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, abdominal massage), yoga techniques and psychological support will provide more rapid and robust results in the majority of cases.
Can't Un-See these Interconnections Once You See Them
Starting from this initial and moving experience at Women’s College hospital, I will never forget the relief and gratitude in so many women's faces. I won't be able to un-see the deeply woven links and interconnections within the health of our bellies and why a holistic approach really matters.
Flash-forward to the present....
I am thrilled to be working at Vital Physiotherapy and Wellness where the skilled and dynamic team of pelvic floor physiotherapists and practitioners share this same principle- that addressing your pelvic and belly health with a holistic approach can be central to your overall wellbeing.
Now Your Turn
I truly hope that YOU can see and agree that your belly health is central to your vitality and will remember to take action steps to seek holistic support or preventive strategies in order to give your belly plenty of TLC.
Want Help with a Holistic Approach to your Pelvic, Gut or Belly Concerns?
If you want more resources or info, learn about about my signature and popular Belly Be Well Program that combines naturopathic care with the benefits of Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT)-read my blog all about the amazing benefits of Arvigo Massage
Book a Free Intro Call with Me and never hesitate to leave me a question at christine@christinemathesonND.com
Absolutely leave me a comment and let me know:
Have you ever benefitted from a holistic approach to any of your pelvic, gut or belly concerns? Was that positive for you?
Be a good friend- share or forward this blog to someone you care about who could really benefit from it :)
With Belly Love,
Dr. Christine Matheson, ND
christine@christinemathesonND.com
Hi, I’m Christine Matheson. I am a licensed naturopathic doctor (since 2001), an Arvigo ® Practitioner and a certified Kundalini yoga instructor. I have a special focus on natural and holistic solutions for women’s digestive, pelvic and fertility health with an emphasis on stress-relieving self-care strategies. My signature service is my 'Belly Be Well Program' which combines individualized naturopathic care with the benefits of Arvigo®Therapy (an external massage technique to align and decongest the abdominal and pelvic organs). I also offer naturopathic care for children and families. My goal is to help every patient shine in their lives through supporting their most vibrant health! www.ChristineMathesonND.com Follow me on Instagram Facebook
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DISCLAIMER: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. Any health related information that may be posted is not intended to be a substitute for individualized professional medical advice provided to you by Dr. Christine Matheson, ND or another qualified health care provider. Information is general in nature and may be helpful to some persons but not others, depending upon their personal medical needs. Do not utilize the information in this blog to diagnose or treat a health concern without first consulting with a qualified health care practitioner and reviewing your individual medical needs. For instance, when making any changes to your diet, exercise or health regiment, you should always consult with a qualified health care practitioner first. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
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