Catherine Leavett Clinical Therapies

23/10/2025

23/10/2025

22/10/2025

Diastasis Recti leads to weakness in the core, which can cause a range of issues until the gap is closed and function improves.
Symptoms and related issues can include:

☀️Back pain and discomfort.
☀️Reduced support for the spine and pelvis
☀️Weak pelvic floor
☀️Increased susceptibility to hernias
☀️Greater risk of pelvic organ prolapse.

These symptoms can often be linked together, and addressing one may help alleviate others.
Does any of this sound familiar to what you’re experiencing?
Here’s a few ways to help:
❤️ Strengthen pelvic floor & core connection
❤️ Improved posture
❤️ Reduce belly breathing
❤️ Core rehabilitation & pelvic stability
❤️ Reduced abdominal pressure.
Healing Diastasis Recti is not just about closing the abdominal gap — it’s a whole-body approach.
Holistic Core Restore programmes go far beyond basic core exercises. They begin with a comprehensive postnatal assessment to understand your unique needs, then focus on the key pillars of recovery:

🌸 Nutrition for tissue healing.
🌸 Breathing techniques that restore core function.
🌸 Postural alignment to support everyday movement.
🌸 And finally, progressive, safe exercises that rebuild strength from the inside out.
Find out more using link in my bio or DM to chat about how we can help you.

21/10/2025

OASI birth injuries are in the headlines today 😓

An article in The Guardian has uncovered evidence that number of mothers sustaining a third- or fourth-degree perineal tear while delivering their baby has risen from 25 in 1,000 in June 2020 to 29 in 1,000 in June this year – a 16% increase.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/17/pregnant-women-in-england-at-growing-risk-of-serious-injury-in-childbirth #:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20in%20England%20are,year%20%E2%80%93%20a%2016%25%20increase.

The figures mean that almost 3% of all women who gave birth in England suffered a serious tear.

“Behind these figures are heartbreaking stories of women suffering unimaginable trauma at a moment that should be full of joy,” said Helen Morgan MP, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, who obtained the NHS England figures from the House of Commons library.

Chloe Oliver, The MASIC Foundation chief executive, said:

“OASI injuries are life-changing and can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Symptoms can include: pelvic pain; difficulty controlling urine, faeces and wind; problems with bonding and establishing breastfeeding; psychosexual dysfunction; relationship or career breakdown; and mental health problems, including postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD and secondary tokophobia, a fear of another pregnancy and birth.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“Childbirth can be an incredible moment in a woman’s life, but suffering from injuries, including perineal tears, can leave mothers deeply traumatised."

21/10/2025

Pelvic rehab isn’t just about doing our kegels!

11/10/2025

Really interesting new research about the effects of scarring in women who who had a csection at an advanced stage of labour and the impact this can have on subsequent pregnancies.

“New research from University College London (UCL), published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Maternal-Fetal Medicine), found women and birthing people who’ve had a c-section at an advanced stage of labour were about 8 times more likely to have an internal scar from the operation within or near the cervix (the neck of the womb) compared to c-sections at an earlier stage of labour."

https://www.tommys.org/about-us/news-views/new-research-reveals-clues-about-link-between-some-c-section-scars-and-preterm?fbclid=IwY2xjawNWDENleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFyWDZ4SnUyOW12Y0dhODRZAR7yD3mvzGIHu_sfA0uEnFjxAsjNHaL6PWSjfLUOJ-w1ifzXasTJKDhNURznHA_aem_89UCJWbiSfjN6Iu5PHHAog

28/09/2025

Research Study – How Clinical Massage Supports C-Section Scar Healing and Reduces Lumbo-Pelvic Pain

As some of you are aware last year I had the privilege of conducting a research study into how clinical massage can have an impact on c-section scars (old and new) and lumbo pelvic pain. I am really pleased to say that I had very positive results with all participants experiencing a 49% reduction in pain. 😀👏

To find out more about the study you can read a summary (and have access to the whole study) on my website, via link in my bio.

If you have csection scar which is causing pain or perhaps you need advice please get in touch and we can schedule an assessment.

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28/09/2025

I’m delighted to share that I am now a certified Holistic Core Restore® Coach! 💕

I’ll be offering personalised Pelvic Health and Core 1:1 programmes at my clinic in Dial Post, West Sussex, to help you reconnect, strengthen, and restore your core and pelvic health.

Rooted in the latest research in pelvic health, this programme is designed to support every aspect of a woman’s wellbeing. With a strong focus on pelvic floor rehabilitation, core strength, and holistic health, it empowers women to take control of their bodies and achieve lasting results.

Who can benefit from this programmes:
🌿Women experiencing urinary leakage during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, or running.
🌿Women recovering from abdominal surgeries such as hysterectomy, C-section, or laparoscopy.
🌿Women with abdominal muscle separation after pregnancy (Diastasis Recti) or those who feel their core is weak postpartum.
🌿Women living with prolapse.
🌿Women who are experiencing lower back issues, and you’ve been told its due to a ‘weak’ core.

Think this programme could be right for you? 💖

Send me a DM or book a Discovery Call via the link in my bio—I’d love to hear from you and see how I can support your journey.

19/09/2025

After 4 years I’ve finally completed my BTEC Level 6 in Clinical and Sports Massage. It hasn’t been easy but it was definitely worth it. 😊