Vatinelle Physiotherapy, Moka Village (2026)

18/03/2025

Why I Recommend the TENS Machine for Labor

When labor started, I wasn’t even sure at first—it felt like mild discomfort, almost like a bowel movement. But as the sensations built up, I knew it was time.

Right away, I turned to my TENS machine, and that made all the difference. Instead of tensing up from the pain, which is a natural reflex, the gentle pulses helped me stay relaxed, focused, and active. I could move freely, breathe deeply, and stay in my rhythm.

With the pain managed, I was able to stay upright, use my fitness ball, and move on my yoga mat—helping my labor progress naturally. It felt empowering, fully present, and working with my body instead of against it.

For any mom preparing for a physiological birth, I highly recommend using a TENS machine. It’s an incredible tool to manage early labor discomfort and stay active, making the experience smoother and more positive.

💡 If you’d like to rent a TENS machine for your own birth, let’s chat (WhatsApp message only 593 60073)! It’s a small investment for a huge difference.

11/07/2024

Actually, I misspoke. Folate is a form of Vitamin B9, not B12 or B6. Folate (B9) works closely with vitamins B12 and B6 in many bodily processes, but it is distinct from them. My apologies for the error.

Here’s the corrected version:

# # # The Fabulously Funny Folate Facts

Hey there, future parents and curious folks! Let’s chat about folate, our tiny but mighty friend in the world of nutrition. Picture this: you need your folate levels to be above 30 nmol/L. If they’re lower, it’s like your body’s way of saying, “Hey, where’s my folate snack?”

Folate is crucial for every single cell division. We’re talking red blood cells, white blood cells, brain cells, s***m, and ova. So, if you’re thinking about making a mini-you, start munching on folate a month before you even begin trying. Low folate levels can mess with fertility, making it harder for couples to conceive by reducing the production of healthy eggs and s***m. Yep, both moms and dads should get their folate game on one month prior conception!

Here’s the kicker: taking folate before conception can reduce the risk of spina bifida by a whopping 75%. So, it’s super important to keep up with folate during the first three months of pregnancy, and still pretty crucial for the rest of the journey.

Now, let’s talk about getting your folate fix. You can find folate naturally in foods like liver, beans, sunflower seeds, seafood, eggs, and whole grains like millet, amaranth, and quinoa. But if food isn’t enough, there’s folic acid, the synthetic form found in supplements.

Here’s a pro tip: look for methylated folate or activated folate in supplements. It’s the natural and active form, which means better absorption—up to 92% better than folic acid! One sneaky cause of infertility can be under-methylation or under-activation of folate.

A little note: obesity can affect folate distribution, so if you’re carrying a bit more love around the middle, you might need extra folate.

So, eat up those leafy greens, beans, and folate-rich foods or grab a supplement with the good stuff. Your future kids (and your body) will thank you!

20/09/2023

It is the huff and puff season. 🌬️

This bubble technique can help to remove phlegm/mucus out and open up the airway by creating a Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP).

For example, people with asthma like symptoms have less air flowing in and out of their lungs as the air is trapped in (alveoli). 🍇

The bubble possitive expiratory pressure made by blowing the air out in the bottle helps to keep the alveoli open. 💪🏻

This way, the lung capacity improves as well as the oxygenation of the body.

The two pictures at the bottom are for me to test his lung capacity. E.g, a kid of 6yo can blow out in one go ~ 2L of air.

In a nutshell, by doing the bubble exercise (PEP) seen in the top pictures, the lung capacity should improve over time (bottom pictures).

This technique can be used for people with COPD (asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, etc).

Material needed: plastic bottle, silicone tube

Check it up for more details:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483817/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445999/
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (great explanatory pdf on how to do it)

07/09/2022

Soaking lentils (~8hours) are known to enhance the rate of mineral absorption in the body.

So if you are trying to get more iron in you, try to pair your lentils with Vitamin C rich foods (peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, , citrus fruits, or pineapples) in the same meal.

23/06/2022

🌸 Jaw pain and issue with your pelvic floor are related sometimes!!! 🌸
We are okay to digest that if your foot alignement is not optimal it can impact on your spine. So, why not your pelvic floor and jaw?

Everything is interconnected!

🌸 Who is concerned?
Any women who describe things like:

* Jaw pain
* Headaches
* Neck or shoulder pain
* Earache or tooth pain
* Difficulty opening your mouth wide
* Sore or a tired feeling in your face
* Difficulty chewing
* Ringing in your ears
* clicking or pain with opening and closing their mouth

If you see yourself in this list you probably have what we call TMJ disorder (the name of the joint located in your jaw).

In recent studies, they found that people who have TMJ disorders often present with a posture of hyperlordosis or too much arch in their back, and their neck in a forward head posture. Coincidentally, these types of spine positions are commonly seen in individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction especially postpartum women.

🌸 Alright but this does not explain why they are connected!

It all starts when we were a like cluster of cells in our mother’s belly. In other words during the gastrulation phase of the embryo. During this phase two depressions form next to each other. One will form the opening for the mouth and the other will form the openings of the pelvic floor.

A fascial line runs from the pelvic floor muscles to the muscles in the jaw.
But what’s fascia? Fascia is a connective tissue that provides internal support to hold our organs, muscles, nerves, bone and blood vessels in place.
So if you are humming or talking with a low tone the pelvic floor relaxes.
Inversely, if you are singing Queen in your car not only your voice is elevating but also your pelvic floor.

🌸 The aim is to re-established the normal glide and slide of the joint of your jaw as well as muscle activation and retraining. But obviously, this will involve treatment of your pelvic floor too.

17/03/2022

Do you know how to poo efficiently?
How to push during labor?
Strength is important but if you don’t know how to relax your pelvic floor you are only understanding part of the function of these muscles.
Stop thinking Kegel!!
When you poo you should relax your pelvic floor. Harder done than said.
Same goes with labor. The tough part is that you need mentally to relax while having pain. (Not every mums experience pain)
You can put in place strategies:
1. Release external bum muscles with a massage ball.
2. Breathing while letting go and relaxing. That’s a super tough one. Practice while being on the toilet. Don’t strain and push. Use your breathing.
3. Go to PF physio for deep trigger release and education.
4. Use a footstool at home. Instead of the conventional 90 degree sitting posture, you are aiming at a ~35 degree. You can be smart and eco friendly about it, just glue some old books or magazines together!!
5. Use a pelvic wand to release the deep muscles of your pelvic floor.
That are useful tips for everyone:
Those with constipations, haemorrhoids, pregnant, who suffer of incontinences, painful sexual in*******se, difficulty inserting tampons, some with lower back pain etc....
Book in for more info
www.vatinellephysio.mu
🇲🇺

01/12/2021

Common questions I get from mummas after giving birth:

-Is my scar normal? I am scared, it’s painful, is it normal?

Pain is common in the early days after your surgery. What’s not normal and need medical attention is when you see redness or swelling around the incision, if your pain gets worse, or oozing +\- fever.

-Is it normal that I don’t feel there when I touch my scar or around it?

Numbness around the incision is not a complication. For some it is a temporary lack of sensation; for others it is permanent.

-Is it going to stay as ugly? It’s so big and my tummy hang over it!!!

Depending on how your body heals, your scar may be flat or raised. If your body kicks into overdrive during the healing process, you may have a thicker scar, known as a hypertrophic scar. This type of scar stays in the exact spot your surgeon originally cut, unlike a keloid scar, which can be thicker and extend beyond the original incision.

22/09/2021

« How to avoid tearing and having an episiotomy? »
The perineometer as proven itself to help:
🎈 with birth preparation,
🎈 decreasing risk of tearing
🎈 and for postnatal rehab
Always ask the opinion of your obstetrician and pelvic health physio prior using this device.
🇲🇺

24/08/2021

💊iron supplements 💊
Please just don’t pop your pills because you have to.
Ask and be wise about your medications or supplements.
Always ask your specialist about them.

When? With what? Avoid what? Not in association with what food or meds? What can help its absorption?
Think long term, you won’t be popping pills your whole life?
So why are you having this deficiency? Food quality? Life-style? Etc....
Don’t assume everything can be solve with a simple check in and out at the chemist!
Ask yourself the right questions and educate yourself.

06/07/2021

Oxytocin vs Pitocin 💉
Yes indeed natural is best and with less side effects.
But in some cases Pitocin is required and that’s the role of your specialist (e.g obstetrician)to educate you on this mater.
You cannot give informed consent without all the information.
There are many instances your provider may suggest induction for your safety or your baby’s safety, including :
-preeclampsia
-fetal distress
-premature rupture of the membranes
-low rates of amniotic fluid
-maternal hypertension
-going beyond your due date
So if you want to be powerful, educate yourself.

29/06/2021

🥚 Spotting during ovulation 🥚

You just had your periods and bam... you are bleeding again.
Know that some of us can bleed during ovulation (mid-cycle).
Bleed types:

💧 Spotting- which is a very light bleeding or brown discharge.

💧 💧 light bleed-using a panty liner is enough.

💧 💧 💧 medium bleed- need to change pad or tampon every 4-5 hours (regular pads/tampons are enough).

💧 💧 💧 💧 heavy bleed- need to change pad or tampon every 2 hours (use heavy pad/tampons).
Ovulation bleeding is generally caused by changes in hormone levels, a fall in estrogen that happens right before ovulation and may cause the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, to shed.
🛑 don’t just rely on your period tracking apps to tell you when you are ovulating.
📈 There are ways to track your hormones.

03/05/2021

I often get asked if I am a « normal » physio.
I can re-assure some of you: yes I am a physiotherapist!
I have also a strong interest and studied particularly on the health of women in general.

Vatinelle Physiotherapy

18/03/2025

11/07/2024

20/09/2023

07/09/2022

23/06/2022

17/03/2022

01/12/2021

22/09/2021

24/08/2021

06/07/2021

29/06/2021

03/05/2021

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