A Summer of Celebrations for the Clancy-Dyck Family
Jess is a pelvic physiotherapist at our SOS Northfield location and our SOS pelvic physiotherapy lead. She will be taking her maternity leave starting September 12, 2025, and plans to return to patient care in January 2027.
I have always been a summer girl through and through. I love the heat, the beach, the summer produce, the sunshine, the holidays and all of the special memories that are made in the summertime. Lately, summer has been filled with so many reasons to celebrate.
My birthday falls on July 17th, and on my birthday two years ago, my son Ezra was born. Now, July is an extra special time for celebrating, as we get to celebrate both of our birthdays! This year, we celebrated our 31st and 2nd birthdays respectively, and we spent it on the beach with our friends and family. Ezra is a brilliant, adventurous, sweet, fun little boy that loves being outside, trucks, trains, and Mario. He is so easy to love and brings endless joy to our lives. The last two years have flown by faster than I ever could have imagined, and now Tim and I are starting to prepare our hearts to fall deeply in love all over again.
I’m so excited to share our newest reason to celebrate—that our little family is growing! We are expecting a baby girl this coming fall, and Ezra is so excited about the “girl baby” in his Mommy’s tummy. He is going to be a wonderful big brother and we are so grateful to be growing our family again. Our daughter is due to join us on October 1st, and we are looking forward to a cozy fall together, settling into a new life as a four-some.
Tim and I are looking forward to celebrating this pregnancy with a little “babymoon” getaway to Cape Breton this August. We’ll enjoy the beautiful East Coast as a couple while Ezra enjoys a special week with his Nana and Grandpa. We are excited for this intentional time together before re-entering the joys, challenges and adventures of the newborn stage, especially with a busy toddler already on the scene.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my amazing community of patients who have rooted for and celebrated with me in this exciting season of life. I’m grateful for your genuine enthusiasm for each milestone in my life. I am so thankful for the chances I’ve had to walk with so many of you through similar milestones and journeys, and I am so grateful for the work I get to do as your physiotherapist. Getting to be a part of your care is truly my privilege, and I’ll miss being part of your day to day lives during my upcoming maternity leave.
The wonderful Alison Shaw, who many of our Northfield patients will remember from her years as a volunteer, patient experience coordinator and physio student, will be starting at SOS Northfield in September and will be taking on both pelvic physiotherapy and physiotherapy clients. You will be in excellent, competent and caring hands with Ali.
I’m looking forward to all the excitement this next chapter holds. Next stop, Dyck family of four!
Managing Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy:
Tips and Advice
Pregnancy brings many changes, both exciting and challenging. For many women, one of the most uncomfortable and disruptive changes is pelvic pain due to pregnancy. This type of pain can make simple daily activities difficult and reduce overall comfort. However, there are effective ways to manage it, and physiotherapy offers safe, specialized treatments to help ease the discomfort. At SOS Physiotherapy, we provide tailored physiotherapy and pelvic health programs designed to help women relieve pelvic pain during pregnancy and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
Why Pelvic Pain Happens During Pregnancy
Pelvic pain is a common issue during pregnancy, and it typically results from several factors related to the body’s changes. Some of the main reasons for pelvic pain due to pregnancy include:
Hormonal changes:
As pregnancy progresses, the hormone relaxin increases in preparation for childbirth. While this helps with delivery, it can contribute to pelvic floor weakness and sensations of instability during pregnancy. It is incredibly important to know that there is NO correlation between increased relaxin and ligament laxity. The pelvis is and remains the most stable joint in the body both during and after pregnancy.
Increased weight:
The added weight of the baby puts more pressure on the pelvis, hips, and lower back, causing strain on the muscles and joints. Our pelvic floor is literally a “floor” that has to support the increasing weight of our abdominal contents, and weakness of these muscles can contribute to pregnancy-related heaviness and pelvic discomfort.
Shifting posture:
As the center of gravity shifts to accommodate the growing baby, the spine and pelvis will adapt to carry this new weight, leading to discomfort in the pelvic area due to altered force distribution from the ribcage down into the pelvis.
These changes can contribute to significant pain, making physiotherapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy care an essential part of managing symptoms and maintaining mobility throughout pregnancy.
Physiotherapy Solutions for Pelvic Pain
At SOS Physiotherapy, we specialize in treating pelvic pain due to pregnancy using a variety of techniques that are safe for both mother and baby. These treatments help relieve pain, restore strength, and promote overall comfort.
Pelvic Floor Strengthening and Relaxation Exercises
Pelvic floor muscles play a key role in supporting the uterus, bladder, and intestines. During pregnancy, these muscles can weaken, leading to pain and discomfort. Our therapists will guide you through gentle pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, which are designed to strengthen the pelvic muscles and provide better support for the growing baby. These exercises are vital for preventing pelvic pain and improving muscle control, especially as the body prepares for childbirth.
Though pelvic floor strengthening can be part of prenatal care, it is important to note Kegel exercises are not the catch-all answer for pelvic pain and dysfunction. It is essential to have a pelvic floor assessment to determine if strengthening is the right approach for you.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques that help release tight muscles, reduce tension, and support the pelvis. By addressing muscle imbalances and joint restrictions, manual therapy can relieve pressure on the pelvic area and improve overall mobility. This approach is particularly useful for women experiencing pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, or sacroiliac (SI) joint pain during pregnancy.
Posture and Body Mechanics Training
Proper posture and movement are crucial for managing pelvic pain during pregnancy. Our physiotherapists will work with you to improve your posture, teaching you how to sit, stand, and move in ways that reduce strain on your pelvis and lower back.
Get Relief from Pelvic Pain with Physiotherapy
Managing pelvic pain due to pregnancy is essential for maintaining your comfort and well-being during this exciting time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to a healthier, pain-free pregnancy!
Summer of Love!
Summer 2025 is an exciting summer for many of our SOS staff! We have not one, not two, but FOUR SOS staff getting married this wedding season! We’re so excited to highlight their love stories here, and we hope you’ll join us in wishing them every happiness, joy and a lifetime of love!
Kaelyn (Patient Experience Coordinator at SOS Northfield) and her husband Nathan got married on June 7, 2025 and it was a wonderful day full of love and laughter.
Courtney (Clinic Director, Physio & Pelvic Physio at SOS Belmont) and her fiance Drew met in physio school in 2018 and then settled in the KW area where they both continue to practice now. They are getting married on August 15th just outside of Bayfield.
Anna (Physio & Pelvic Physio at SOS Belmont & SOS Guelph) and her fiance Peter and I are high school sweethearts and have been together for 10 years! They will get married on September 6th of this year.
Evan (Physio at SOS Belmont) and his fiance Cassidy met in 2018 at physio school and got engaged last July in the mountains! They will be tying the knot this Sept 6th at one of their family cottages!
Introducing New Northfield Physiotherapist
Meet Jenn!
SOS Physiotherapy Northfield was so happy to welcome Jenn to our team! Jenn began accepting patients at our Northfield location in mid July, and her schedule is already filling fast with new, happy, healing patients! Get to know Jenn by checking out her bio:
Jennifer completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Wilfrid Laurier University, followed by a Bachelor of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island, reflecting her strong passion for lifelong learning. She then earned her physiotherapy degree from the University of Limerick in Ireland, where she gained valuable international clinical experience and a solid foundation in orthopedic rehabilitation.
Born in Quebec, she is fluently bilingual in French and English.
With a background in cheerleading and gymnastics, she has always had a passion for movement and staying active. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys gym-based strength training and outdoor running. This active lifestyle inspires her commitment to helping others achieve their rehabilitation goals and return to the activities they love.
She is excited to continue expanding her education and expertise in advanced manual therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, and by completing the McKenzie Method course. Her treatment approach combines therapeutic exercise, hands-on therapy, and patient education to provide personalized, evidence-based care.
Simple Grilled Salmon & Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
- 2 red, orange and/or yellow bell peppers, trimmed, halved and seeded
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp salt, divided
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 1¼ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges
Directions:
Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush zucchini, peppers and onion with oil and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Sprinkle salmon with pepper and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Place the vegetables and the salmon pieces, skin-side down, on the grill. Cook the vegetables, turning once or twice, until just tender and grill marks appear, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Cook the salmon, without turning, until it flakes when tested with a fork, 8 to 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, roughly chop the vegetables and toss together in a large bowl. Remove the skin from the salmon fillets (if desired) and serve alongside the vegetables. Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon basil and serve with a lemon wedge.
Exercise Do’s and Dont’s During Pregnancy
There is SO much information out there about exercising during pregnancy, and unfortunately a lot of misinformation. According to the 2019 Guideline for Physical Activity During Pregnancy, ALL women without medical restrictions* should be active throughout pregnancy!
Physical activity is NOT associated with fetal complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm birth!
Here are my recommendations as a pelvic physiotherapist and 30-weeks pregnant Mama-to-almost 2:
DO
• Achieve 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week (this can include WALKING, swimming, cycling, resistance training, and more)
• DAILY mobility work (can be 5 minutes of gentle stretching and breathwork)
• Try to include resistance exercises (body weight strength or resistance training) TWICE a week
• Choose exercises that you LOVE and WANT to do!
• Keep up the exercise that you want to be doing post-partum
• If you want to run after you give birth, then you should keep running through your pregnancy—just recognize you may have to adjust your pace, duration or intensity!
• Pay attention to the signals your body sends you!
• Not every day will feel the same (fatigue, energy, motivation) —give yourself the grace to move your body how it feels right day by day!
DON’T
• Stop the activities you LOVE (the exercise you WANT to do is the exercise you WILL do!)
• Push through the signals your body is giving you
Signs that your Exercise is TOO MUCH at this time:
• spotting or bleeding
• vaginal or pelvic heaviness/pressure
• urinary or fecal leakage
• abdominal doming/coning or bulging
• prolonged/persistent exhaustion or pain
• Try out challenging exercises you aren’t used to
• If you are NOT a runner, this is probably not the time to start training for that marathon
• Limit yourself more than you need to! Exercise based on YOUR level of fitness and exercise participation pre-pregnancy!
• For example, core training like sit-ups and crunches, high-intensity interval training, higher load weight training, and non-contact sports like volleyball, are all safe to continue during pregnancy IF you are already strong, healthy and participating without dysfunction! (pay ATTENTION to your body and the signals it sends you!)
NOTE: Participation in high-risk activities is not recommended during pregnancy (contact sports, downhill skiing and extreme sports, horseback riding, etc). If you are a confident athlete with a high skill level, you as the pregnant Mama may choose to continue participation in these activities with some modifications.
Do you have more exercise questions?
When in doubt, have LESS fear! Have FUN and MOVE your body! It is safe for most women during pregnancy to lift heavy, jump and run!
Talk to your midwife, doctor or pelvic physiotherapist if you need further guidance making these decisions!
*women with restrictions such as pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, ruptured membrane, persistent vaginal bleeding, etc should consult obstetric care before participating.
SOS on Instagram!
Are you an Instagram user? SOS Physiotherapy is! We have been working hard to make our Instagram page an additional resource for our valued patients—our extended SOS family!
The SOS Physiotherapy Instagram page is a wealth of information! Check it out to see:
- Exercise tips & tricks, including FORM FRIDAYS
- Information on upcoming events, workshops & webinars; as well as quick-links to register
- Wellness tips to keep safe and healthy at home
- Posts to introduce you to the SOS Team
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Details on SOS Community Engagement
- And SO MUCH MORE!
We’re excited to use this platform to share our expertise (and our personalities) with the greater community. Feel free to engage with us, ask questions in the comments, and share posts you found helpful!
We can’t wait to connect with you online! Find us @sos_physiotherapy —let’s get digital!