#53. Lydia Durkin George. Pelvic Floor Health Across Your Lifetime

Notes

Lydia Durkin George is a physiotherapist, researcher and former international kickboxer. She represented Great Britain for more than a decade and has since worked across the NHS, private practice and elite sport. She is also the founder of Form.at.Physio, an online physiotherapy practice supporting people across the UK.

We wanted to have this conversation because pelvic health comes up regularly among women taking part in Strong for Life. People often assume that leaking, prolapse or other pelvic-floor symptoms mean strength training, running and higher-impact movement are no longer available to them.

It is also personal for Gill. After having children, she stopped running partly because of leaking and gradually accepted that this was simply how things were now. Years later, working with a pelvic-health physiotherapist showed her that change was possible. The process - finding a starting point, gradually building capacity and working towards something meaningful - had much more in common with ordinary strength and movement training than she had realised.

Gill and Lydia discuss what the pelvic floor is and what it does; symptoms that aren’t always recognised as pelvic-health issues; the difference between a weak and a non-relaxing pelvic floor; and what effective rehabilitation can involve. They also talk about the effect these symptoms can have on confidence, independence and everyday life, and how people can work towards returning to running, lifting and the activities that matter to them.

This conversation provides general information and is not a substitute for an individual assessment or medical advice. If you are concerned about pelvic-health symptoms, speak to your GP or a suitably qualified pelvic-health physiotherapist.

Links

Lydia Durkin George and Form.at.Physio

About Lydia

Book an online physiotherapy appointment

Find a pelvic-health physiotherapist

POGP physiotherapist directory

Pelvic-floor muscle exercise support

Squeezy app

Music by Me for Queen

Key Takeaways

Lydia Durkin George is a physiotherapist, researcher, and former international kickboxer for Great Britain who founded Form.at.Physio, an online physiotherapy practice in the UK.

Pelvic-floor symptoms like leaking or prolapse do not necessarily mean strength training, running, and higher-impact movement must be permanently stopped.

The pelvic floor can be either weak or non-relaxing, requiring different rehabilitation approaches, and effective treatment involves finding a starting point and gradually building capacity.

Pelvic-health symptoms can significantly affect confidence, independence, and everyday life, but working with a qualified pelvic-health physiotherapist can enable people to return to meaningful activities like running and lifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lydia Durkin George?

She is a physiotherapist, researcher, and former international kickboxer who represented Great Britain for more than a decade. She has worked across the NHS, private practice, and elite sport, and founded Form.at.Physio, an online physiotherapy practice supporting people across the UK.

What is the difference between a weak and a non-relaxing pelvic floor?

The episode discusses that the pelvic floor can be either weak or non-relaxing, and these conditions require different rehabilitation approaches.

Can people return to running and lifting after pelvic-floor symptoms?

Yes, according to the episode, effective rehabilitation involving finding a starting point and gradually building capacity can enable people to return to running, lifting, and other meaningful activities.

What should someone do if concerned about pelvic-health symptoms?

The episode advises speaking to a GP or a suitably qualified pelvic-health physiotherapist for an individual assessment or medical advice.