Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall, DPT, CPT, CNC

Sarah is a physical therapist and founder of Core Exercise Solutions. Her online programs have helped thousands of women recover from pelvic floor issues, diastasis recti, SI Joint dysfunction and more. She shares her knowledge with other health and fitness professionals through continuing education courses and certifications. The Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Specialist Certification is taking the women's health industry by storm with graduates from 56 countries around the world.

There are 2 main types of tightness that I see in hip flexors. #1. The muscles are short and tight. #2. The muscles are actually long but feel tight. (Especially when you stand up.) Both types are trying to tell you that something needs to change in your body and both types feel like tight …

How do you know if your hip flexors are tight? Read More »

#1 Knowledge is Power The more women know about their pelvic floor, the less symptoms they experience. Knowledge is power. Simply getting in touch with this part of your body can make all the difference. Build awareness and you gain control. #2 Correct Function is Not Forced Being able to relax the pelvic floor and …

7 Laws of the Pelvic Floor Read More »

To bind or not bind. What does your belly have to say? Are you considering getting a binder to help your core postpartum? Maybe you have a diastasis (abdominal separation) and heard it helps. Here are a few things I want you to consider first. The goal postpartum (or anytime, really) is to promote optimal …

Belly Binding. Is it a good thing? Read More »

A better question is should I run with a diastasis, and that answer is probably not in the beginning if it’s a fairly severe diastasis, and maybe if it’s mild — BUT before you get upset with my advice, let me explain the why and help you figure out how to run safely. In a …

Can I run with a diastasis? Read More »

Thinking about hernia or diastasis surgery? Frustrated that your abdominal separation won’t close? I’d like for you to consider this first. Is your body using its muscles correctly? Weird sentence, right? Most of the patients I see with a Diastasis Rectus (abdominal separation) and/or a hernia, do not use their muscles correctly. We are going …

Should You Go for the Diastasis or Hernia Repair Read More »

Breathing is everything. Rather, correct breathing is everything. It can be the difference between a super strong pain free body and one that’s under constant cortisol distress, locked down by tight paraspinals and full of instability. Sure, you heard shallow breathing is bad, so you started letting your belly expand with every breath. Well, not …

Three Steps to Better Belly Breathing Read More »

Running. One of those great activities that burns a ton of calories quickly, helps you get in shape fast, and does a great job at maintaining sanity. The unfortunate part is women often head out the door to run too soon post -baby, and when you couple that with poor running form, the risk of …

5 Steps for Better Running Read More »

Did you know your shoulder connects to your core? This vital connection helps align your neck with your trunk and is one of the best kept secrets for perfect posture. Not only does it help banish neck pain for good but it also helps your obliques fire more efficiently, along with creating massive “core” strength. …

The Serratus Anterior: A Secret Weapon for Great Posture Read More »

You’re a mom, so the thought of having enough private time to pee and then blow your nose after you’re done probably doesn’t happen too often. Plus, since you’re a master at multi-tasking, I bet you opt to blow your nose while peeing–saves on time and you only have to wash your hands once–I get …

Why multitasking hurts your pelvic floor Read More »