01/11/2023
Just listened to a podcast (while putting my daughter to sleep) and I found so much clarity.
I shared about pelvic internal assessment 内检 can be painfree or nearly painfree last week on one of my IG stories as this is what happened when I do pelvic floor internal assessment & treatment with my clients. A heavily pregnant friend texted to ask how to have a painfree internal assessment before delivery? My answer was cooperation between both parties (client and doctor) -- client to be relaxed and focused on her breathes and doctor to carry out the assessment slowly.
Now I understand there is more to just 'carry out the assessment slowly'.
The 3 main elements for safety discussed in the podcast were 'context', 'choices' and 'connection'. Pain often arises when you don't feel safe. The podcast was discussing about safety around birth & delivery but I realized it can actually be applied in many other fields. I have actually been doing all these without realizing it when I carry out pelvic floor internal assessment.
'Context' - Explain and address all the why, how, what, who questions
(Before carry out pelvic internal assessment for the 1st time, I will go through all the anatomial landmarks using the pelvic model with my client, I explain how I am going to insert my finger, which direction and location I will be examined etc)
'Choices' - Giving the client choices make them feel in control and safe
(I always always tell my client you can stop me anytime when you don't feel comfortable and we can stop immediately)
'Connection' - The relationship between both parties.
(I don't do pelvic internal assessment in the 1st or first few sessions. I feel more comfortable when I understand the client and the client's body more. Also we talk/ chat a lot before, during and after treatment hence both of us get comfortable with each other.)
The same goes for using dry needling (on any parts of the body) as a treatment too!
The longer I practise as a physio the more I realise how physiotheapy is as much an art as it is a science!
I recalled how horrible my first Pap Smear was (which I burst into tears afterwards) as all the 3'C's were bssically non-existent.
Now I am thinking about how to use these 3 'C's with my daughter when we meet up with unfamiliar persons/ at unfamiliar places/ have changes in routine etc...
