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Cheryl’s Clients
Sabrina
I am a mom of 3. This is my story of surgery and Core & Pelvic Floor.
“I was shopping with my children, they were 1, 3, and 5 at the time and I was reaching for yet another package of poise pads. Childbirth had taken its toll on my body leaving me with a third degree prolapse and incontinence. A while back my midwives had recommended Cheryl Leia to me, to help with the prolapse. I wasn’t sure just how effective physio would be. I thought there were only two options: surgery or to just accept my problems. I was so fed up with my current state, I began carving out a little bit of “me time” to meet with Cheryl. Right away, she said the best thing for my condition was to join the classes she teaches in her home studio. She also established that my hips were very weak and that I needed to build up some muscle around my hip joints again.
The home studio was lovely, and the best bit, she has childcare in the room next to the studio. Her exercise routine was a blend of a few types of exercises: hypopressives, nerve glides; pelvic floor specific exercises, postural and hip strengthening. After two weeks of learning the exercises in class and practicing what I learned at home with her detailed exercise information, I no longer peed myself!! I could run without worrying!! It was such a great feeling! I have now been doing Cheryl’s exercises for 10 months. I have lost inches off my waist, my prolapse has reduced significantly, I have full range of motion my hips again and do not feel pain in the hip joints. Sex is even better! I realized that I often felt quite achy in my back pre Cheryl’s exercises and I only feel it now if I haven’t done my exercises for a week straight.
I am sure you are thinking, ‘I have no time for exercises.’ I said that too. It takes 20 minutes, and you don’t have to do them every day. AND it doesn’t have to be in one sitting. Divide it up. I have done them while cooking before! I haven’t felt this good since before I had kids. The introductory course package is even covered by most extended medical. I was wrong in thinking that becoming a mom meant that I needed to settle with my dysfunctional body. All I needed was a tune up! I now go to Cheryl’s drop in classes which are very reasonable to keep myself on track and see Cheryl and some of the other moms I have met. I hope that in sharing my rather personal story, I will help someone that may be experiencing similar issues.”
Natalie Martin
After a traumatic birth I really needed and appreciated Cheryl’s warm empathetic and comforting manner.
“I had an emergency c-section and a traumatic recovery period that left me with a lot of residual pain. I met with Cheryl and connected with her immediately. Not only is she extremely good at what she does (my nerve pain was gone after two sessions) she was incredibly warm, empathetic, and comforting, which was exactly what I needed at the time. Cheryl’s knowledge of the human body is vast, yet she’s able to distill it down to valuable tidbits that enabled me to understand how my body is supposed to be functioning. I now have the tools not only to address nagging problems in my own body, but to prevent them from happening in the first place.”
Sharon Norris
After 4 years of pain and trying every therapy, I finally found a therapist and a program that works for me.
“I have suffered hip and lower back pain for over 4 years. I had explored every option in the therapy world but until I met Cheryl I did not feel anyone really understood what the problem was or had any solutions. I had pain and stiffness relief after the first session with Cheryl and have continued to improve. I also enrolled in her Core & Pelvic Floor course and marvelled at how much I learned about my own body. So much of what I had been taught over the past 30 years of trying to “Keep in Shape” I realize now was actually was slowly contributing to an every mounting list of muscle and joint issues. Cheryl is an amazing teacher and practitioner and I only wish I had met her sooner in my journey. I feel very thankful I am now under her ‘umbrella of care’.”
Leanne Sommers
My husband was very happy with my “vagina class” as he called Core & Pelvic Floor. I was too– my post baby problems as well as my back and hip pain all went away.
“I did a prenatal yoga class and the instructor said the biggest gift a women could herself is a visit to a pelvic floor physiotherapist. After two kids very close together and a traumatic vaginal delivery I remembered her advice. Cheryl Leia was that lady, that pelvic floor therapist! I first saw her at Canopy Integrated Health, she recommended the Core & Pelvic Floor class. Not only did the class help fix my original issue I went to her for it helped improve my lower back pain and hip pain that I had. My husband was also appreciative of my “vagina class” as he called it as it taught me some new tricks!! ;)”
Negar Namiranian, Registered Nurse
I’m stronger, have better posture, decreased back pain and overall increased confidence. I’m extremely grateful to have been introduced to Cheryl and her Core & Pelvic Floor class.
“I struggled with some incontinence post partum and was referred to Cheryl by a neighbour. Cheryl is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about women’s health and the pelvic floor. Within a few sessions my incontinence was under control and we worked on other issues I was dealing with post partum, such as vaginal pain during intercourse. She is extremely easy to talk with and compassionate. Her sense of humour also got me through some of my rougher days. I’ve always struggled with hip, lower back pain and had poor posture. She introduced me to the Hypopressive techniques in her office. I was immediately intrigued and signed up for her Core & Pelvic Floor course. I’m so thankful I did. I’ve noticed being stronger, having better posture, decreased back pain and overall increased confidence. I’m extremely grateful to have been introduced to Cheryl and would highly recommend her to others.”
Tara Akuna, Registered Acupuncturist
If you’ve had a baby, you will want to take this class! The exercises are easy and meditative, and you will crave doing them.
“If you’re sitting on the fence, just do it, you will love it. Cheryl is a wonderful teacher and being in her presence is very grounding and healing. I experienced the known benefits of hypopressives, but what really wowed me were the unexpected benefits: feeling more relaxed and calm in my everyday life, no more waking up to pee in the middle of the night (I only woke up 1-2 times a night), and a renewed desire and enjoyment in my intimate relationship. The exercises are easy and meditative, you will crave doing them.”
Beth
Cheryl is a professional who completely and immediately puts her clients at ease.
I had seen other Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists in the past, and had reasonable experiences, but I never felt totally comfortable or trusting of the process. Then a midwife colleague recommended Cheryl to me and I was shocked at how different and lovely the experience was. Cheryl is down-to-earth, present, compassionate, and unfussed. She is a professional who completely and immediately puts her clients at ease. She is very knowledgeable; she has seen everything! Seeing Cheryl is a reassuring and empowering process – I recommend her to everyone!
Kate Blassnitz
Cheryl is truly a physiotherapist extraordinaire.
She works hard, and she truly believes in and supports her patients’ to work hard and heal. She has a unique blend of compassion, an understanding for our physical ailments and fears, and a knowledgeable, direct, and astute ability to assess and treat problems. It works really well.
Other Health Professionals
Caroline van de Poll, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Cheryl is a leader in her field of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
I had been a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist for 8 years before meeting Cheryl, and yet she became my mentor. She worked very hard at becoming an excellent Pelvic Floor Therapist by attending many great evidence based courses and conferences across Canada and the USA.
Cheryl is always willing to share her knowledge and skills with me, other colleagues, and especially new physiotherapists. She is always eager to learn more and in the courses we attended together, Cheryl challenged the instructors on new and old ideas and to have science prove these ideas. She is an active participant in conferences, courses, and meetings held locally by our Pelvic Floor Interest Group. As a result, she has become a leader in her field of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and has helped many people in the Lower Mainland with pelvic floor problems.
