
Episode 6 - Why am I Constipated?
05/15/23 • 49 min
This week we delve into the root causes of constipation with Dr. Michelle Weeks a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Physical Therapist, and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. As a board-certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the topic.
We talked about the common reasons why constipation occurs, the steps you need to take to avoid constipation and the reason behind these, and more!
Let’s get to it:
- 00:36 – Introduction to the topic and of the guest
- 3:31 – Some common reasons why constipation occurs
- 5:21 – The importance of slowing down and chewing for digestion
- 6:36 – Diet in relation to constipation
- 9:25 – Hydration in relation to constipation
- 15:26 – Upper Abdominal Dysfunction
- 22:02 – How exercising and diaphragmatic breathing helps with pooping
- 24:47 – Hormonal issues that cause constipation
- 26:50 – The motion of pushing
- 28:17 – Providing options to patients so they can decide what route to take
- 31:17 – How can Physical Therapy help with constipation
- 39:01 – Being constipated when traveling
- 45:13 – Conclusion
If you want to reach out to Dr. Michelle, you can message her on Instagram via the handle @weekswellness. She also owns three clinics, one is in Massachusetts, and the two are in Florida namely Panama City and Tallahassee.
Workshop:
The “Woo Woo” Explained: How Energetics, Fascia, Lymph, and the Nervous System Impact Movement for Rehab Professionals
Dont worry, it will be recorded and sent to you if you can't make it live.
📅 May 6th, 2025
⏰ 6PM CST/ 4PM PST / 7PM EST
📍On zoom (will be recorded)
You can learn more and sign up here. I hope you can join us!
If you are a health or movement professional and want to stay in touch with future episodes, webinars, courses, events and more. Subscribe to my email list below:
drmarygrimberg.com
I’ll see you in a week!
This week we delve into the root causes of constipation with Dr. Michelle Weeks a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Physical Therapist, and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. As a board-certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the topic.
We talked about the common reasons why constipation occurs, the steps you need to take to avoid constipation and the reason behind these, and more!
Let’s get to it:
- 00:36 – Introduction to the topic and of the guest
- 3:31 – Some common reasons why constipation occurs
- 5:21 – The importance of slowing down and chewing for digestion
- 6:36 – Diet in relation to constipation
- 9:25 – Hydration in relation to constipation
- 15:26 – Upper Abdominal Dysfunction
- 22:02 – How exercising and diaphragmatic breathing helps with pooping
- 24:47 – Hormonal issues that cause constipation
- 26:50 – The motion of pushing
- 28:17 – Providing options to patients so they can decide what route to take
- 31:17 – How can Physical Therapy help with constipation
- 39:01 – Being constipated when traveling
- 45:13 – Conclusion
If you want to reach out to Dr. Michelle, you can message her on Instagram via the handle @weekswellness. She also owns three clinics, one is in Massachusetts, and the two are in Florida namely Panama City and Tallahassee.
Workshop:
The “Woo Woo” Explained: How Energetics, Fascia, Lymph, and the Nervous System Impact Movement for Rehab Professionals
Dont worry, it will be recorded and sent to you if you can't make it live.
📅 May 6th, 2025
⏰ 6PM CST/ 4PM PST / 7PM EST
📍On zoom (will be recorded)
You can learn more and sign up here. I hope you can join us!
If you are a health or movement professional and want to stay in touch with future episodes, webinars, courses, events and more. Subscribe to my email list below:
drmarygrimberg.com
I’ll see you in a week!
Previous Episode

Episode 5 - Why Am I Leaking with Exercise?
For this episode, we have Dr. Jessica Warnecke, an orthopedic and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and the owner of Pace Physical Therapy. She works with active women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
I received a question from Cindy, a 50-year-old mom. She said she keeps trying to run but leaks every time she tries. She had her last child 15 years ago, but nothing has changed regarding leaking. She thought of getting surgery or having medications so she is asking us what else can be done to help her.
Let’s talk about:
00:35 – Introduction for the guest and what she does
1:04 - A quick history of how Jess and I met and what we currently do
2:02 - Introduction to the topic
2:18 - Initial take on the topic
2:57- How pelvic floor therapy is not talked about as much as it’s supposed to be talked about
3:35 – Pelvic floor therapy associated immediately with postpartum
4:30 – Why pelvic floor therapy should be talked about more
6:11- The difference between working with a pelvic floor therapist and having just an annual gynecology exam
6:50 – Pelvic floor therapists examine a lot, both internally and externally, to see the possible contributing factors concerning leaking
7:47- The pelvic floor muscles are just like any other muscle in the body
9:10 – Examining the full body of someone struggling with leaking and what are the exams physical therapists do
11:05- Breaking down the core muscles of the pelvic floor
12:41 – Pelvic floor muscles need to lengthen and shorten, like any other muscle in the body
13:24 – Determining one’s responses to certain movements to be able to start retraining and building the foundation of the body
14:03 – Breathing exercises can help people feel connected with their pelvic floor and help with deeper pelvic muscle functions
18:18 – Why strengthening is not enough and needs to be accompanied by the right breathing techniques
20:53 – Type A people have more tensor pelvic floor
22:09 – The focused type of breathing and the instant result you’ll get
22:47 – Importance of assessing someone’s stress system, response, and life activities when dealing with pelvic floor limitations
23:55 – Stress management and correct breath work help in pelvic floor limitation and issues
24:54 – Chronic pelvic floor dysfunction associated with higher impact activity while pelvic floor dysfunction associated with stress or traumas can differ in the rehab recovery plan
25:25 – What you need to look into when looking for a care provider
34:50 – Leaking when breastfeeding, when you are in menopause, perimenopause, and prolapse, and what you can do to address the problem
36:29 – The importance of sleep
37:49 – The importance of diet and eating good food
38:25 – What you can do for your pelvic floor muscle after undergoing vaginal birth
39:08 - Conclusion
If you want to know more about the work that Jessica does, check out her website.
Workshop:
The “Woo Woo” Explained: How Energetics, Fascia, Lymph, and the Nervous System Impact Movement for Rehab Professionals
Dont worry, it will be recorded and sent to you if you can't make it live.
📅 May 6th, 2025
⏰ 6PM CST/ 4PM PST / 7PM EST
📍On zoom (will be recorded)
You can learn more and sign up here. I hope you can join us!
If you are a health or movement professional and want to stay in touch with future episodes, webinars, courses, events and more. Subscribe to my email list below:
drmarygrimberg.com
I’ll see you in a week!
Next Episode

Episode 7 - Why Do I Have Pain With Sex?
This week we will be talking about pain with penetrative sex. We had a 32-year-old female named Jen. She is from Omaha, Nebraska and she said that she has been having pain with penetrative sex so she asked for some recommendations on what she can do about it.
We aren’t just going to talk about what you can do about this type of pain. We will be looking into the many reasons why there is pain with penetrative sex occurs, pain with initial penetration, pain with deep penetration, what I do to guide patients with this problem, and so much more!
Know that you are not alone and penetrative sex is not the end all, be all!
Let’s get to it:
3:16 - Introduction to the topic
4:44 - Getting the right healthcare practitioner for you
5:16 – The different types of pain when having sex
6:38 – Pain with initial penetration
7:11 – Pain with initial penetration can be due to scarring
8:20 – Pain with initial penetration can be due to estrogen deficiency
11:40 – Pain with initial penetration can be due to the hymen
13:30 – Pain with initial penetration can be due to change in vaginal PH
16:48 – Stress and tension in the pelvic floor affecting our sex experience when going into deep penetration
18:47 – Pain with deep penetration can be due to chronic hip pain, low back pain, SI joint pain
22:00 - Pain with deep penetration can be due to prolapse
25:19 – Pain with sex can be due to not enough clitoral stimulation prior to intercourse
28:15 – Pain with sex can be due to being tense and not feeling comfortable in your own body
30:15 – Pain with sex can be due to sexual trauma and what would be the best step forward to address the issue
31:20 – Pain with sex can be due to vaginismus, what is it, and why it happens
35:07 – Conclusion
Workshop:
The “Woo Woo” Explained: How Energetics, Fascia, Lymph, and the Nervous System Impact Movement for Rehab Professionals
Dont worry, it will be recorded and sent to you if you can't make it live.
📅 May 6th, 2025
⏰ 6PM CST/ 4PM PST / 7PM EST
📍On zoom (will be recorded)
You can learn more and sign up here. I hope you can join us!
If you are a health or movement professional and want to stay in touch with future episodes, webinars, courses, events and more. Subscribe to my email list below:
drmarygrimberg.com
I’ll see you in a week!
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