Ep 93: Pelvic Floor Health with Dr. Vanessa Cornwell-Chiu, DPT

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Have you ever heard of pelvic floor health? 

There’s a lack of awareness of what pelvic floor health is and why it matters. It’s also often only associated with women’s health, but it affects men, too (as Elvis reminded the world: Men have their very own pelvis, too). 

This week physical therapist and pelvic floor expert Dr. Vanessa Cornwell-Chiu, DPT help Mike and Dr. Helena learn all about it. 

Content warning: We address sexual trauma and pregnancy loss. 

In this Episode: 

• Understanding pelvic floor anatomy and function
• How pelvic floor health affects all genders
• Common symptoms and when to seek help 
• What happens during a pelvic floor PT evaluation, from detailed medical history, external physical assessment, movement analysis, and potentially internal examination 
• Treatment approaches like "Up-training" and "Down-training" 
• Myth-busting the misconception that pelvic floor problems are always due to weakness – it’s possible to overdo, overtrain, and be hypertonic (overly tight) 
• The connection between the breath and the pelvic floor 
• How related issues may impact pelvic floor health and symptoms
• Who are good candidates for pelvic floor physical therapy and who may be contraindicated 
• The role of the significant other in relationships where one person suffers from pelvic floor dysregulation

ABOUT DR. VANESSA
A proud Bay Area native, Dr. Vanessa has been a dedicated Physical Therapist for over 13 years. Her passion for movement began early through dance, which later inspired her to pursue a career in rehabilitation.

Dr. Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Science from Sacramento State University in 2006 and went on to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. With a strong foundation in orthopedics, she is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.

Throughout her career, Dr. Vanessa has held leadership roles at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where she assisted in leading both the Dance Medicine and Concussion programs. She continues her advocacy as a board member for Concussion Box, a non-profit supporting concussion survivors and their families.

Following the birth of her first child in 2018, Dr. Vanessa developed a deep interest in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, expanding her expertise to better support women through all stages of life. In 2024, she took a leap of faith and opened her own practice—Imua (ee-MOO-ah) Physical Therapy in Vacaville, CA—where she offers services in her specialties of Dance Medicine and Pelvic Floor care.  

Website: imupat.com

Insta: @imuapt

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified medical professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and may not be those of the hosts or CoNut Media LLC; we are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. Listeners should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.