Stroud Times spoke to Amy Cooke, a Sports Movement Coach and Master Pilates Practitioner, who specialises in women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Amy aims to restore pelvic health to alleviate POP, back pain, incontinence, and other prolapse symptoms in 4 to 6 weeks.
According to Science Direct, approximately 50% of adults born with female reproductive organs will experience pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In addition, 70% of women will experience urinary incontinence.
POP is a condition where one or more of the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, bladder, and lower intestines) move out of place. Symptoms include bulging, back pain, urinary incontinence, constipation, and daily discomfort. It’s most likely to develop post-pregnancy and during the transition to menopause. The third most common demographic for pelvic health issues are current and former athletes.
Once POP is diagnosed, most practitioners will prescribe Kegel exercises, generic physical therapy, the long-term use of pessaries, and surgery. Although there are a variety of surgical options, there are other researched and proven non-surgical options that few women are aware of.
Amy has curated a prescriptive exercise system that combines a scientifically proven combination of movements as a proactive or reactive approach to POP. This includes Pilates, fascia training, and hypopressive breathing techniques. In just 4 to 6 weeks, most of her clients have resolved their symptoms.
Amy said: “Too often women are told that prolapse symptoms are just part of life. Something we must accept. That there is nothing that can be done apart from surgery. This is not true for most.” said Cooke, “this misinformation and lack of understanding leaves us feeling powerless and confused. I’m here to educate as many people as possible.”
Although POP diagnosis is common, it’s something many women feel shame discussing. The symptoms are embarrassing, and often negatively associated with ageing. Without a safe place to share, most go it alone, never learning their full range of treatment options. Or that they may be able to reverse their symptoms entirely.
“My prescriptive exercises are more than Kegels and Pilates,” added Amy. “Optimal pelvic floor function extends beyond pelvic floor strength. It requires synergy between the musculoskeletalsystem, fascial systems, and breath. My signature system takeshead-to-toe anatomy into consideration. As such, many of my clients also experience improvements in their hips, shoulders, back, and knees.”
Cooke offers one-to-one classes at Fromehall Mill, utilising the Pilates Reformer, Pilates chair, and other Pilates equipment. These classes are ideal for maintenance and proactive pelvic floor health. For those diagnosed with POP, rectus diastasis, or other pelvic conditions, Cooke offers live and online pelvic health consultations, group classes, and one-to-one sessions. She also offers a 12-hour online pelvic floor course. You can learn more at amycookemovement.com.
About
Amy Cooke is a Sports Movement Coach and Master Pilates Practitioner with over 12 years of experience. She specialises in women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction. Cooke offers her prescriptive exercise system to everyday women; and some of the UK’s top athletes.
