Mom Squad with Angelique Montano-Bresolin (Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist)
Welcome to my new interview series - Mom Squad! This series aims to showcase women within the Toronto community who are helping to improve the lives of moms and moms-to-be!
This month I'm introducing you to Angelique Montano-Bresolin who is a pelvic floor physiotherapist and owner of the Proactive Pelvic Health Centre (where I am currently based out of). Angelique graduated from the University of Toronto Physical therapy program and has been practicing as a physiotherapist for over 15 years! Over the last few years, she has focused her practice on pelvic health physiotherapy which includes pre and postnatal care, labour and delivery preparation, prolapse, sexual pain, urinary incontinence and complex pelvic pain. She is truly a superstar, and a health practitioner that should definitely be part of your squad!
Grab a tea and learn more about Angelique and the excellent work that she does to help women:
WHAT PROBLEM ARE YOU SOLVING?
Proactive Pelvic Health Centre and our multidisciplinary staff is here to assist women with pelvic health issues. 1 in 3 women will experience bladder leakage in their lifetime and although it is extremely common, it is NOT normal. We are here to provide pelvic floor physiotherapy and other holistic options to help women manage and/or resolve a variety of pelvic health problems.
WHEN SHOULD A WOMAN ACCESS YOUR SERVICES?
The age range of women that develop pelvic floor dysfunction is quite broad. We see women from adolescence to the elderly. The main indicators for someone to access pelvic floor physiotherapy include: abdominal and pelvic pain, sexual pain, urinary or bowel leakage or pelvic pressure and heaviness. Having said this, pregnancy itself (regardless of the mode of delivery) puts a woman at higher risk of developing pelvic floor issues. If it was up to me, all woman should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist at 6-8 weeks post-partum.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOUR WORKSPACE?
A workspace can be aesthetically pleasing and functional which is all fantastic; but my favourite thing about my workspace is the people I work with day in and day out. A workspace is really about having a cohesive team that speaks the same language and are as passionate as I am about pelvic health.
WHAT UNEXPECTED LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
As a health professional and business owner, I initially thought that reaching out to doctors was the best (and only) way to reach clients that needed help with their pelvic health. Although this is an important avenue, I quickly learned that women are the best advocates for other women.
It is only recently that maternal and women’s health issues have started to take a stronger stance in the media. We have the ability and power to share our experiences and spread the word about women’s pelvic health via a variety of social media platforms to a simple face to face conversation with a friend, mother, sister etc. There should be no shame or stigma in speaking about these issues and every woman deserves to be empowered with options for their health.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SELF-CARE PRACTICE?
At the end of a busy day, I find it very helpful to listen to some guided imagery. It helps me relax my body and settle my mind prior to bed (hint: everyone should do it!).
HOW CAN MOMS CONNECT WITH YOU?
Website: www.proactiveph.com
Twitter: @ProactivePHC
Facebook: Proactive Pelvic Health Centre
ON YOUR WAY OUT
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Other #MomSquad members: Olivia Scobie (Coach, Counsellor, Doula)