January 2022 Newsletter
Mom Brain
New moms may often feel plagued by “mom brain,” feeling forgetful due to too little sleep or changes in schedule. However, a group of researchers conducted MRI scans on 25 first time mothers before they got pregnant and again a few weeks after giving birth. Imaging showed a reduction in gray matter volume. The gray matter is responsible for muscle control and execution of high level tasks such as seeing, hearing, processing memories/emotions, and decision making. The reduction in grey matter is suggested to occur by a process called “synaptic pruning.” Synaptic pruning is when the brain eliminates certain brain cell connections to encourage development of new connections. This process is believed to help people focus on certain tasks or activities, in this case, taking care of an infant. Thus, this pruning process may be the culprit for “mommy brain,” especially since the MRI images showed most reduction in gray matter in the hippocampus, an area responsible for regulating memory. Instead of remembering the movie you watched last night or what you need to buy at the grocery store, reallocation of resources may go towards figuring out what baby wants or needs.
Despite these adaptations, supporting memory and cognition is important, and you can start with what you eat. Four pillars of dietary consumption are important to consider, firstly including consumption of antioxidant rich foods. Our brain is sensitive to oxidative stress which produces free radicals in our body. Antioxidants help reduce free radicals, and are found in foods such as berries, citrus, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Secondly, consume beneficial fats, as our brain is made up of ⅓ of DHA, an essential fatty acid. Try replacing oils like soybean, sunflower and vegetable oils instead with ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, or consuming wild caught fatty fish, salmon roe, avocados or nuts. Our brain and gut are tightly connected, and supporting our gut microbiome is critical. Try eating probiotic rich foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Non-digestible carbohydrates also help nourish beneficial bacteria, including garlic, onions, artichokes, beans, lentils and bananas. Lastly, reduce alcohol consumption, as alcohol has a direct negative effect on our microbiome.
Despite these adaptations, supporting memory and cognition is important, and you can start with what you eat. Four pillars of dietary consumption are important to consider, firstly including consumption of antioxidant rich foods. Our brain is sensitive to oxidative stress which produces free radicals in our body. Antioxidants help reduce free radicals, and are found in foods such as berries, citrus, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Secondly, consume beneficial fats, as our brain is made up of ⅓ of DHA, an essential fatty acid. Try replacing oils like soybean, sunflower and vegetable oils instead with ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, or consuming wild caught fatty fish, salmon roe, avocados or nuts. Our brain and gut are tightly connected, and supporting our gut microbiome is critical. Try eating probiotic rich foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Non-digestible carbohydrates also help nourish beneficial bacteria, including garlic, onions, artichokes, beans, lentils and bananas. Lastly, reduce alcohol consumption, as alcohol has a direct negative effect on our microbiome.
SPT Spotlight
Beverly Lopez
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Beverly Lopez, DPT, PT Beverly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine.
Beverly gained interest in pelvic health while in graduate school after observing at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She continued her passion with a clinical rotation at Sullivan and has been aspiring to gain more knowledge in the field. Beverly strives to empower her patients with the knowledge to understand their diagnosis and symptoms to reach their goals.
Beverly is originally from Northern California and has lived in Austin for 8 years. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, hiking and playing with her Great Dane puppy.
Beverly gained interest in pelvic health while in graduate school after observing at Sullivan Physical Therapy. She continued her passion with a clinical rotation at Sullivan and has been aspiring to gain more knowledge in the field. Beverly strives to empower her patients with the knowledge to understand their diagnosis and symptoms to reach their goals.
Beverly is originally from Northern California and has lived in Austin for 8 years. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, hiking and playing with her Great Dane puppy.
Changes to your Health Insurance
If you have had a change to your insurance, please provide the details to the front office staff prior to your appointment. If possible to email the card in advance, please send it to sheka@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
If we do not have all of the information necessary to verify the new plan, we will collect self pay at the time of service. To verify we will need the following:
If we do not have all of the information necessary to verify the new plan, we will collect self pay at the time of service. To verify we will need the following:
- Name of the Plan
- Member ID
- Group Number
- Subscriber's Name
- Subscriber's Birthdate
For more information, please contact our office at 512-335-9300 or sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
Research Roundup
Design of Exercise Nursing Program for Pelvic Floor Muscle Function Recovery at 42 Days Postpartum.
Intravaginal electrical stimulation associated with pelvic floor muscle training for women with stress urinary incontinence: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation.
Effects of hypopressive exercises on post-partum abdominal diastasis, trunk circumference, and mechanical properties of abdominopelvic tissues: a case series.
The Combined Measurement of Pelvic Organ Mobility and Hiatus Area Improves the Sensitivity of Transperineal Ultrasound When Detecting Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
Physiotherapy in the management of gynecological cancer patient: A systematic review.
The effect of group or individualised pelvic floor exercises with or without ultrasonography guidance for urinary incontinence in elderly women - A pilot study.
Evaluation of Silodosin and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Overactive Bladder (Silodosing) Study Protocol (Spirit Compliant).
Yoga and Pilates compared to pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in elderly women: A randomised controlled pilot trial.
Home-based non-invasive pelvic floor muscle training device to assist women in performing Kegel exercise in the management of stress urinary incontinence.
The repeatability of measurements of male pelvic floor anatomy and function made from transperineal ultrasound images of healthy men and those before and after prostatectomy.
Real-World Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Women With Urinary Tract Symptoms and/or Prolapse.
Physical Performance During the Menopausal Transition and the Role of Physical Activity.
Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle and abdominal training in women with stress urinary incontinence.
Intravaginal electrical stimulation associated with pelvic floor muscle training for women with stress urinary incontinence: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation.
Effects of hypopressive exercises on post-partum abdominal diastasis, trunk circumference, and mechanical properties of abdominopelvic tissues: a case series.
The Combined Measurement of Pelvic Organ Mobility and Hiatus Area Improves the Sensitivity of Transperineal Ultrasound When Detecting Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
Physiotherapy in the management of gynecological cancer patient: A systematic review.
The effect of group or individualised pelvic floor exercises with or without ultrasonography guidance for urinary incontinence in elderly women - A pilot study.
Evaluation of Silodosin and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Overactive Bladder (Silodosing) Study Protocol (Spirit Compliant).
Yoga and Pilates compared to pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in elderly women: A randomised controlled pilot trial.
Home-based non-invasive pelvic floor muscle training device to assist women in performing Kegel exercise in the management of stress urinary incontinence.
The repeatability of measurements of male pelvic floor anatomy and function made from transperineal ultrasound images of healthy men and those before and after prostatectomy.
Real-World Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Women With Urinary Tract Symptoms and/or Prolapse.
Physical Performance During the Menopausal Transition and the Role of Physical Activity.
Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle and abdominal training in women with stress urinary incontinence.
Return to Running Program
The life of a parent with a newborn can make it challenging to find the time and money to come to appointments weekly. We wanted to create something that would be more cost-effective and time-efficient without impacting the quality of care. We are in the process of creating a self-paced tool for our postpartum population that wants to return to exercise/running safely. We would greatly appreciate you filling out a survey to understand better what could be beneficial for our postpartum population. Thank you for being a part of improving our project.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- On January 10, 2022, Sullivan Physical Therapy will welcome our 12th physical therapists. Makenzie Cochran, PT, DPT will be joining us in January and will start treating patients January 31, 2022.
- On January 13, The PT Team is excited to learn from Dr. Masi Khaja with Capitol Gastro. He will be providing an in-service on many of the gastrointestinal related diagnoses we see in the clinic.
- In February, Sullivan Physical Therapy will welcome back our student, Ashley Etherton. Ashley will be graduating from Elon University in North Carolina in December. The patients and the staff loved her so much that we asked her to come back and be a part of our team as a part time physical therapist. She will be our 13th physical therapists.
- Our schedules are open through June 3, 2022. If you would like to schedule please call or email us.
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