Home Podcasts Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous Sys
Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous Sys

Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous Sys

Dr. Desiree Cassell | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Women’s Health Specialist, Strong and Fit Momma 203 Episodes Jul 1, 2026

This podcast is hosted by Dr. Desiree Cassell, a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in women's health and pelvic floor therapy. It provides guidance for pregnant and postpartum women on safe exercise, core rehabilitation, birth preparation, and recovery. The show aims to help mothers feel strong and healthy without overwhelming lifestyle changes, addressing common issues like diastasis recti, prolapse, and incontinence.

Episodes

199- Returning to Running Postpartum // When Is It Safe & How Do You Know You're Ready? Jul 1, 2026 1455 One of the most common questions new moms ask is: "When can I start running again after having a baby?" The answer isn't always as simple as being cleared at your six-week postpartum appointment. Running places significant demands on your pelvic floor, core, hips, and entire body. While many women are eager to return to the activities they love, returning too quickly—or without a plan—can contribu
198- Summer Exercise Snacks // How to Stay Strong Without Spending Hours Working Out Jun 24, 2026 1655 Summer schedules can be chaotic. Between kids being home, camps, vacations, sports, travel, and all the fun that comes with this season, finding time for a full workout can feel impossible. The good news? You don't need an hour-long gym session to support your health. In this episode, Dr. Des introduces the concept of "exercise snacks" — short bursts of intentional movement sprinkled throughout yo
197- What Your Rib Cage Has to Do With Leaking, Diastasis & Core Weakness Jun 17, 2026 1271 Most women think of their core as their abs—but your core is so much more than that. Your rib cage, diaphragm, pelvic floor, and abdominal wall all work together as a pressure management system. When one piece isn't functioning well, the entire system can struggle. In this episode, Dr. Des dives into one of the most overlooked components of core and pelvic floor health: the rib cage. We discuss ho
196- Not All Breathing Is the Same // The Difference Between Breathwork and Breathing for Core Strength Jun 12, 2026 1679 If you've ever been told to "just breathe" for your pelvic floor, core, stress, or recovery... you may have wondered: What kind of breathing are we actually talking about? Because not all breathing serves the same purpose. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down the important difference between breathwork for nervous system regulation and relaxation versus breathing within a brace for core strength,
195- Hormones, Emotional Eating, Gut Health & Body Freedom with Amber Romaniuk Jun 3, 2026 2277 Have you ever felt like you know what to do when it comes to your health… but something keeps pulling you back into the same patterns? Maybe it's emotional eating. Maybe it's chronic stress. Maybe it's gut issues, hormone imbalances, sugar cravings, or feeling disconnected from your body despite your best efforts. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Des sits down with Amber Romaniuk, Emotional Eati
194- Thriving in the Chaos of Motherhood (Without Losing Yourself) May 29, 2026 1870 Motherhood can feel beautiful, overwhelming, exhausting, fulfilling, and chaotic — often all at once. So many moms are carrying the mental load of everyone around them while quietly feeling disconnected from themselves, their bodies, and their own needs. In this episode, Dr. Des opens up about the reality of modern motherhood, the nervous system overload so many women are living in, and what it ac
193- Summer Pelvic Floor Survival Guide: Travel, Swimsuits, Constipation, Leaking & Staying Active May 27, 2026 1699 Summer can bring sunshine, vacations, pool days, travel, and more time outside — but for many women, it can also bring increased pelvic floor symptoms, disrupted routines, bloating, constipation, leaking, body image struggles, and stress on the body. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down how summer habits and activities can impact your core and pelvic floor, why symptoms may flare during busy seaso
192- Have Low Back or Pelvic Pain? // All About SIJ Dysfunction (And What to Do About It) May 20, 2026 1940 Pain on one side of your low back? Sharp discomfort when rolling in bed, climbing stairs, getting out of the car, or carrying your baby? It might not be “just back pain.” In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down sacroiliac (SI) joint pain — a common but often misunderstood source of low back, buttock, hip, and pelvic pain, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. You’ll learn what the SI joint does
191- Diastasis Recti (DRA) Rehab Beyond Core Strengthening // 3 Things You Need Besides Exercise to Actually Heal Your Core May 14, 2026 1614 If you’ve been doing all the “right” core exercises for your diastasis recti… but your core still feels weak, domes, bulges, or disconnected — you may be missing some major pieces of the puzzle. Because healing diastasis recti is about so much more than just strengthening your abs. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down three often-overlooked areas that can make a huge difference in core healing: fa
190- Hysterectomy Recovery // What No One Tells You About Healing Your Core & Pelvic Floor After Surgery May 7, 2026 1689 A hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries women undergo — yet so many women are sent home with very little guidance on how to actually heal, rebuild strength, and reconnect with their body afterward. If you’ve ever felt weak, disconnected, tight, unstable, or unsure how to safely return to movement after a hysterectomy… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Dr. Des breaks down wh
189- Why You Might Feel Worse Before You Feel Better in Rehab May 4, 2026 1198 Have you ever started doing the “right” exercises… only to feel more sore, more aware of symptoms, or more discouraged? It can be easy to assume something is wrong or that your program isn’t working — but that’s not always the case.   In this episode, Dr. Des explains why some women temporarily feel worse before they feel better when beginning rehab or rebuilding strength. We discuss how healing o
188- Round Ligament Pain & Lightning Crotch During Pregnancy // What’s Normal, What Helps & When to Get Support Apr 28, 2026 1554 Sharp pain when rolling in bed? Sudden zaps in your pelvis? Pain standing up, walking, or changing positions during pregnancy? You’re not alone — and while these symptoms are common, they can still be confusing and frustrating. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down two very common pregnancy discomforts: round ligament pain and lightning crotch. We cover what these symptoms actually are, why they ha

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