Celebrate Muliebrity with Michelle Lyons

Hello & welcome to this episode of the podcast, where I'm joined by Dr Megan James who has had a great year so far in terms of research output! Not only does Megan have a great chapter in Grainne Donnelly's book Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor, but she's published TWO other great papers on postpartum pelvic loading and return to exercise!
Megan discussed her academic journey from studying sport and exercise science to completing a PhD focused on pelvic injuries and running, particularly postpartum return to running. She explained her recent work developing a graded loading pathway using external pelvic acceleration variables, which aimed to create evidence-based return-to-run protocols for postpartum athletes by measuring pelvic acceleration rather than just ground reaction force.
We discussed the forces on the pelvic floor during different activities, particularly running. Megan explained that while vertical forces are significant, the direction and absorption of forces vary depending on movement patterns and landing techniques. We explored the concept of grounded running as a potential way to reduce pelvic acceleration by increasing duty factor, which is the ratio of ground contact time to stride time. Megan noted that grounded running naturally maintains a duty factor over 50%, which could help in reducing pelvic stress.
We also discussed Megan's research paper on postpartum return to running, focusing on the Double Diamond co-design framework used in the study. Megan explained that the framework was chosen to incorporate end users' perspectives throughout the research process, covering four stages: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. I think this discussion highlights the importance of considering both barriers and enablers to postpartum exercise, so we can (hopefully!) see more research aiming to bridge the gaps between evidence-based studies and practical clinical applications
We also chatted about an online return-to-running resource that Megan and her team developed, which provides a flexible 150-minute weekly exercise plan tailored for women. Megan's PhD research focused on developing a postpartum exercise guide, which provides individualized exercise recommendations for new mothers based on their specific needs and symptoms. Megan explained that the guide offers a "buffet of choices" allowing mothers to select appropriate exercises, with POGP involvement adding credibility and trustworthiness to the resource. 
We talked about potential future research directions, including testing the guide's effectiveness through controlled studies and validating the relationship between movement variables and pelvic floor dysfunction mechanisms. I really love this work's practical impact on improving maternal health and well-being and I think it gives such a strong foundation for future research in this field.
Here's a link the resource we talked about:
Guide for return to running: https://doi.org/10.25401/cardiffmet.26403592
want to learn more about supporting the postpartum woman on the road back to exercise and health? My online course, Perinatal Pelvic Rehab, covers the evidence and how to apply it, from pre-conception to pregnancy and postpartum (with a little bit of perimenopause as well!) All of the info on my online courses, from menstrual health to menopause, from female pelvic pain to back pain, bowel health to hysterectomy, breast cancer to pelvic oncology rehab, can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.com
Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & welcome to today's episode where I'm doing a solo episode on doing a better subjective symptoms assessment for your clients with Bladder Pain Syndrome (formerly known as IC)
This is often an intimidating diagnosis for both clinicians and the women we serve - I want to expand our understanding of phenotypes, how to identify them and how we can direct our treatment strategies, local, regional and global, for better outcomes
I'm updating the relevant research in the modules of my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course - endometriosis and vulvodynia have already had their glow ups - and now its the turn of bladder pain syndrome
In this episode of the podcast, I want to start to explore the questions that might lead us to figuring out how best to help women with BPS - before we go near someone's pelvis.
We know that bladder pain is complex and often involves multiple contributing factors beyond just the bladder,
I also introduce the concept of a "capacity compass" to help clinicians understand what is contributing to a patient's sensitivity and where we can help to create more capacity for healing.
I want to highlight the importance of asking better questions during the subjective interview to identify the specific phenotype and direct treatment strategies effectively. 
Some of the possible confounders and contributors include endometriosis, GSM, bowel issues, the nervous system, sleep, stress, someone's surgical AND psychosocial history and of course, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
I cannot overstate the importance of understanding both physical and nervous system explanations when addressing bladder pain syndrome, the need to consider how these systems interact and building our therapeutic alliance and TRUST between clinician and client.
For a deeper dive into all of this - it's covered in the updated section on bladder pain syndrome in my online course, Female Pelvic Pain Rehab. If you're already enrolled - you'll have automatic access - and if you'd like to join us - all of the course details are available at CelebrateMuliebrity.com
Until next time, Onwards & Upwards Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome! I'm so excited to share this discussion with a leader in the field of sports medicine, who brings her personal experience as a high performance athlete, her vast clinical experience and her research insights to today's conversation. I'm talking about Dr Fiona Wilson,who as well as all of the above is also a Deputy Editor of the BJSM; the highest ranking sports and exercise medicine journal globally. She is also a professor of physiotherapy in Trinity College Dublin, as well as Deputy Editor of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, leading their Injury Prevention subsection, and she is on the editorial board of the Journal of Sport Sciences and the German Journal of Sports Medicine.
Her research focus is the role of sport and exercise on low back pain (LBP) and on brain health, and she's published many clinical practice papers that are changing how we manage back pain in athletes, as well as a growing interest in menstrual pain in athletes (she was a coauthor on the Harrison 2026 paper that I discussed in a recent episode on menstrual pain, as well as a co-author on Dr Ciara Everard's paper on menstrual health (check out episode 113 where I chatted with Ciara about that paper)
In today's episode, Fiona shared her personal journey from becoming an elite rower to transitioning into sports medicine research, including her experience with a career-ending back injury that motivated her to study athlete-specific approaches to back pain management.
Our conversation focused on how athletes' back pain differs from general population back pain due to the unique nature of using their bodies as tools for performance, and the importance of keeping athletes' voices centered in research rather than relying solely on average population data.
We discussed the specific challenges female athletes face with menstrual pain and pelvic health issues, highlighting gaps in knowledge and the need for better support systems. Fiona emphasised the importance of precision rehabilitation approaches that consider multiple factors including biomechanics, systemic inflammation, and the athlete's individual circumstances rather than using generic interventions like static exercises (planks - we are talking to you!)
Our conversation also covered the stigma surrounding menstrual health in sports and the need for athletes to lead conversations about normalising these issues, with Fiona noting that better support could help retain female athletes who might otherwise drop out of sports during their periods.
Some of Fiona's publications that we talked about today include:
Whittaker JL, Schulz JM, Galarneau JM, Moore IS, Ackerman KE, Butler M, Dane K, Dubé MO, Ferraz Pazzinatto M, Gomez CD, Hayden KA, Marmura H, Mizuta R, Mosler AB, Schneider G, Schneider KJ, Sharma S, Trease L, Wilson F, Thornton JS, Crossley KM, Emery CA., Prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for spine, chest, abdominal and/or pelvic injury and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) consensus., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025
"The pain isn't the hardest challenge...it’s the frustration at how much it affects my day-to-day life, my mental health and my ability to train”: a qualitative thematic analysis of elite athletes’ lived experiences of persisting low back pain'' Trease et al 2026
'“I'm breaking my back for this sport and they're not supporting me” Trease et al 2024
Fiona is an absolute legend in the world of sports medicine - for good reason, I'm sure you'll agree after listening to this episode!
Want to learn more about supporting female athletes? When you join the online course 'The Menstrual Detective'. you'll get access to the bonus course 'Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete' for free! All the details are at CelebrateMuliebrity.com
Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome to today's episode, where I'm delighted to welcome my friend & colleague Hannah Poulton back to the podcast, to continue our discussion about all things scar assessment and treatment
This was a very comprehensive discussion about scar assessment and management, and we discussed the effects that scars can have on both physical and mental health.
Hannah, who owns HLP Therapy in Leicester and is pursuing a part-time PhD at Loughborough University examining C-section scarring, detailed the key components of effective scar assessment including asking the right questions, identifying the patient's primary problem (P1), using validated outcome measures like POSAS and SCAR-Q, and taking proper photographs.
We discussed the high C-section rates (40-45% in some areas reaching up to 70%) and how women are often not adequately informed about post-surgical care and scar management.
Hannah shared her approach to prehabilitation for C-section patients, including hydration, nutrition, and preparation strategies, while emphasizing the importance of proper assessment rather than routine compression garment use.
The conversation covered Hannah's upcoming international work, including free webinars and a course at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, as well as the launch of her Scar Therapy Network platform and upcoming appearances at the Therapy Show and SCAR Symposium.
Hannah's links:
Three Free Webinars and Johns Hopkins Course: https://www.hlp-therapy.co.uk/usacoursesScar Therapy Network (free patient platform and private membership for scar professionals):www.scartherapynetwork.comScar Symposium (March 12th 2027):https://www.hlp-therapy.co.uk/scar-symposium-2027
Want to learn more about a bio psychosocialand lifestyle approach to women's health, with an evidence based clinical toolbox to translate the research into practice? I have a suite of online courses, from The Menstrual Detective (with FREE access to Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete, Perinatal Pelvic Rehab, (pre-conception, pregnancy & postpartum recovery), The Menopausal Toolbox, Hysterectomy Prehab to Rehab, Women's Health & Bowel Health, Women & Back Pain, Female Pelvic Pain Rehab, Female Pelvic Oncology Rehab & Breast Cancer Rehab - all of the details are at CelebrateMuliebrity.com and you can follow my continuing adventures in women's health on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrity
Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and welcome to today's solo episode!
I recently came across two 2026 articles that really got me thinking about how menstrual pain may be the missing link in phase based training...and so I thought a podcast episode would be a good idea!
In this episode, I discuss the overlooked impact of menstrual pain on female athletic performance, arguing that pain may be a more significant performance variable than hormonal cycle phases that currently receive much attention in sports science.
My goal was to highlight that primary dysmenorrhea affects approximately 60% of female athletes, with 50-100% reporting performance limitations due to period pain, yet this issue is often addressed through medication rather than comprehensive treatment approaches.
I wanted to emphasise that pelvic rehabilitation should be incorporated into discussions about menstrual cycle management, as pain affects brain processing, movement, breathing, and decision-making in ways that can substantially impact sporting performance.
I propose a "menstrual audit" consisting of seven simple questions to better assess and address menstrual pain symptoms rather than focusing solely on cycle phases, and of course if you want to learn more...this is exactly why I created my online course "The Menstrual Detective" for clinicians and coaches working with female athletes - to improve menstrual literacy, to understand how to have the MC health conversation and how to identify and manage menstrual dysfunction - when it hurts, when it's too much and when it disappears.
All the info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.com - or if you have questions about the course, you can find me on instagram at @michellelyons_muliebrity
Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity