Learn about menopause and pelvic floor health from Naturopath Doctor, Dr. Doneisha Dodd and Physiotherapist Andrea Picket

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Menopause is much more than hot flashes and night sweats. 

For many, the journey leading up to, and the experience of menopause itself, can be life changing – physically and mentally. 

Since Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre opened its new location last September, many clients requested an information session on menopause and pelvic floor health.  We listened.

Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre will host a free information session on Menopause and Pelvic Floor Health with Naturopathic Doctor (ND) Dr. Doneisha Dodd and physiotherapist Andrea Picket, Andrea Picket Physiotherapy & Associates, Perth, to help demystify this transitional period on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

The information session will foster sharing of experiences and provide expert insight into management strategies and treatment options. 

“Menopause is a transitional journey in every woman’s life that may have profound impacts on their physical and mental well-being,” said Dr. Gian Kaillon, chiropractor, and owner of Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre. “As a chiropractor I understand the vital role health care professionals can play in empowering women to face this phase of life with knowledge, care, and support.  We are so excited to have two esteemed members of the health-care community Dr. Doneisha Dodd, ND and Andrea Picket, PT join us for an incredible evening of knowledge sharing, caring and support.”

The Sharbot Lake Chiropractic and Wellness Centre continues to remain true to its mandate to bring knowledge to our community through information sessions, seminars, and workshops.   “Our goal is to bring a harmonious blend of services with the goal of achieving optimal health,” said Dr. Kaillon. “This specific seminar speaks to a stated interest by our community. All our information sessions, workshops, seminars are open to the community, not just our current client base.”

Dr. Dodd practices naturopathic medicine virtually and in-person at the Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre.  Her inspiration came from her grandma who died when she was only 10 years old. This loss was tragic for Dr. Dodd.  So, she decided to turn this pain into a commitment to help others by making health care accessible and affordable. Dr. Dodd has created the Health Collective, a database providing information on natural remedies.  She continues to focus on women’s health and works to support women with PMS, menstrual pain, PCOS, endometriosis and menopause.  She also sees patients with metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.  As a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Dodd’s goal is to support and encourage her patients to experience their best health possible.

“When most people think about menopause they think about hot flashes and night sweats, but the menopausal transition is much more than that.” said Dr. Dodd.

Dr. Dodd explains the transition into menopause includes perimenopause, the stage just before menopause, menopause (12 consecutive months with no menstrual bleed) and postmenopause, the stage after menopause. 

“This transition period affects the entire life, and this is why it’s important for women to be able to identify the signs and symptoms so that they can be empowered to seek help from their health care provider,” she said. Naturopathic medicine can benefit someone going through this transition.  

“Naturopathic Medicine is poised to help women who are struggling with menopausal symptoms. As a naturopath, I get to spend time with my patients listening to their concerns and providing them with the solutions that they need,” said Dr. Dodd. “Since the signs and symptoms are so varied, the approach to menopause care must be multifactorial addressing physical, mental and emotional symptoms, reducing risk factors associated with menopause and helping women feel great in their bodies as they get older.”

Dr. Dodd said many people don’t recognize the impact that the menopausal transition has on their pelvic organs.

“I’m so glad that Andrea Picket is here to educate our patients on what they can do and how to advocate for themselves to get the best assessment and treatment,” she said.

Picket is a registered physiotherapist.  In 2003, she earned a BSc in Physiotherapy at Queens University and, prior to that she earned a HBSc in Kinesiology at Ottawa University.  

Picket began her physio career in Burlington, Ontario, where she gained experience in all areas of hospital medicine and rehabilitation care. She returned to the Ottawa area to join a private orthopedic practice in 2010.  Since 2014, she has received extensive post-graduate training and clinical experience in pelvic health dysfunctions, both for men and women.  

Picket is also a pelvic floor health educator including local community educational workshops (menopause & birth-talks), as well as in clinic shadowing and mentorships with other health professionals (medical residents, nurses, and physiotherapists). She is co-founder of the CORE + floor rehabilitation, a supervised physio program for postpartum moms and all women. Since 2020, Picket joined the Pelvic Health Solutions team as a teaching lab assistant. She was thrilled to present a pelvic health educational and interactive workshop for female physicians at the 2020 CPMG / CWIM fitness challenge and retreat in Canmore, Alberta.  

Andrea is currently the owner and practising physio in a private pelvic health clinic in Perth, Ontario.

 “It’s important for women to recognize that perimenopause and menopause can create changes to our general pelvic floor health; this can lead to symptoms of vaginal irritation, pelvic pressure, and worsening bladder control,” she said. “Pelvic health physiotherapy can help address bladder/bowel dysfunctions (leakage, urgency, frequency), pelvic pain (pain with intercourse) and prolapse management.  As a physio, I’m always referring to other health professionals, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Dodd and share knowledge regarding menopause management and pelvic health dysfunctions.”

To register for the seminar, call the Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre at 613-279-5555 or email info@sharbotlakechiropractic.ca.