The first step is to book a Pelvic Physiotherapy Assessment with our pessary fitter and physiotherapist Jennifer Alexander. During this appointment you will have an exam to determine if you are a good candidate for a pessary. It will involve a thorough medical history, vaginal examination (which includes a speculum exam, pelvic floor screen and a prolapse assessment where measurements of the prolapse will be taken). You will be provided with a form for your physician to complete, where he/she will screen for any medical contraindications and ensure that vaginal estrogen is not required prior to wearing your new pessary.

You will then be scheduled for a Physiotherapy Pessary Fitting Appointment. During this appointment, the physiotherapist will trial different shapes and sizes of pessaries to determine which provides an optimal fit. If we cannot determine which is the best fit during this appointment, an additional follow-up may be required. Once we find a pessary that provides an optimal fit and support, we will provide you with a referral form and information on where you can purchase the pessary.

After your pessary fitting appointment, you will need to come in for a Follow Up Pessary Fitting Appointment 4-6 weeks after wearing your pessary. We need to ensure your vaginal tissues are tolerating the pessary well.

For some patients, we can find the optimal pessary during the first fitting appointments, for others, it may take a few sessions to find the most appropriate size and shape.

New patients to our physiotherapy pilates program begin by booking an initial physiotherapy pilates session with our physiotherapists. Our physiotherapists will complete an in-depth physiotherapy assessment and will incorporate our pilates equipment to design an individualized treatment plan for yourself! Treatment plans are client specific and will incorporate the pilates equipment as a way to improve mobility, strength, flexibility and reduce pain. Equipment will include: the reformer, the tower, the pedal chair and the mat. Other modalities may be recommended during your treatment such as acupuncture, joint mobilization, home based strengthening and stretching program, pain education, breathing exercises, QiJong. This is perfect for anyone with back pain, hip pain, chronic pain, multiple areas of pain, balance concerns, pre and post-partum conditioning, diastases recti, recovering from surgery (csection), athletes (dancers, hockey players with injuries or who want to prevent injuries), or anyone who wants a full body assessment.

Physio pilates sessions are carried out by our physiotherapy assistant Martha. Your physiotherapist will create an individualized exercise program using the pilates equipment that will take into account your goals, any previous injuries, your medical conditions and your current physical abilities. Martha is uniquely qualified to work with our physiotherapists as she completed her physiotherapy degree from D'Youville University and has been trained on our equipment.

It is Karen's honour to walk alongside clients. She uses a strengths based approach, focusing on and building upon the inner strength and resiliency of each person. She honours each person's story and journey, while working collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their life goals, face life challenges, connect with supportive resources, and move forward in healing. Karen uses a variety of approaches to therapy including Reiki, Music Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness, as well as Strength Based, Solution Focused, and Empowerment approaches during each counselling session. The chosen combination of approaches matches each client’s unique goals, plans, and situations.

If you have social work benefits, Reiki can be incorporated as a treatment method into your treatment plan.

Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is an ancient Japanese practice which means ”universal” and “life energy.” It is used as a complimentary health therapy to restore balance of the mind, body, spirit and emotions. During a Reiki session, a healing universal life energy (Reiki) flows through the practitioner’s hands to the recipient to balance energy and promote overall well-being.