Elaine Miller

Last updated
Elaine Miller
EducationGlasgow Caledonian University
Occupation(s)Physiotherapist, comedian and women's health campaigner

Elaine Miller aka Gussie Grippers is a Scottish physiotherapist, women's health campaigner and gender-critical activist. [1] [2] [3] Miller performs comedy shows around the subject of women's health, highlighting issues related to urinary incontinence, [4] and her shows have won awards at Fringe World, Australia and at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. [5] [6] [7] She came to mainstream media attention for flashing a pubic wig in the Scottish Parliament during a debate on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. [1] [2]

Contents

Career

Miller is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. [8] Both her physiotherapy and her comedy feature a specialism in pelvic floor dysfunction. While working as a physiotherapist in Scotland Miller developed a comedy show designed to engage audiences in understanding how physiotherapy can be used to tackle and prevent urinary incontinence. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] She began her career in the field of sports physiotherapy, but after her own experience of becoming incontinent after having delivered three children, she began to focus on exercises for the pelvic floor. [15] She has been invited as a contributing expert on women's health topics in UK media, including Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. [13] [9] [16]

Her show won 'Weirdest Show at the Fringe' at the Edinburgh festivals in 2013 [5] [6] and the Australian Fringe World Comedy Award in 2020. [7] Attendance at her 2016 show counted towards continuing professional development (CPD) for a range of health professionals including GPs, midwives, nurses, urologists, gynaecologists, health visitors and fitness professionals, accredited by Scottish Care. [17] Her public engagement activities aim to use laughter as an essential health promotion tool, and are in the tradition of 'clown care'. [18] [19] [20] [21] Her comedy highlights the fact that laughing is one of the things which causes many women bladder leakage and the impact (and novelty) of her work is reflected in a range of health and comedy-related media coverage. [6] [22]

She works to highlight a gap in women's health support [4] and get government funding for the provision of physiotherapy to improve women’s health. [6] She performs under the stage name Gussie Grippers. [23] [24] [25] Her act often includes eyecatching costumes such as dressing up as a vulva and songs such as "does your cervix hang low?". [26] [27]

Activism

Miller works to highlight issues in women's health. Stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are experienced by many women. [14] [28] Estimates suggest one in three women experience urinary incontinence, and that it is more prevalent in older women and women who have had babies. [29] [30] Invasive operations to tackle incontinence involve the insertion of synthetic mesh. [14] Urinary incontinence can be embarrassing and may affect daily, family and social life. [15] [30] [31] Miller believes the barriers which deter women from seeking help need to be explored [19] [9] and that raising awareness of the simple, repetitive, non-invasive pelvic floor exercises [32] [33] which can improve the condition, can have a significant effect on the day to day lives of many. [16] [15] [5]

In 2022 she attracted mainstream media coverage when she wore, and flashed a merkin in the Scottish Parliament during debate on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, to express opposition to the bill. After an initial police investigation she was found not to have committed any crime. [34] [35] [36]

Politics

In 2023 she became an independent candidate for election in Edinburgh Corstorphine and Murrayfield and used her campaign in part to highlight issues of women's health provision in Edinburgh. [34] [37] [4]

Performances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urinary system</span> Anatomical system consisting of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and the urethra

The human urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra. The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH. The urinary tract is the body's drainage system for the eventual removal of urine. The kidneys have an extensive blood supply via the renal arteries which leave the kidneys via the renal vein. Each kidney consists of functional units called nephrons. Following filtration of blood and further processing, wastes exit the kidney via the ureters, tubes made of smooth muscle fibres that propel urine towards the urinary bladder, where it is stored and subsequently expelled through the urethra during urination. The female and male urinary system are very similar, differing only in the length of the urethra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urinary incontinence</span> Uncontrolled leakage of urine

Urinary incontinence (UI), also known as involuntary urination, is any uncontrolled leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a large impact on quality of life. It has been identified as an important issue in geriatric health care. The term enuresis is often used to refer to urinary incontinence primarily in children, such as nocturnal enuresis. UI is an example of a stigmatized medical condition, which creates barriers to successful management and makes the problem worse. People may be too embarrassed to seek medical help, and attempt to self-manage the symptom in secrecy from others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fecal incontinence</span> Inability to refrain from defecation

Fecal incontinence (FI), or in some forms, encopresis, is a lack of control over defecation, leading to involuntary loss of bowel contents — including flatus (gas), liquid stool elements and mucus, or solid feces. FI is a sign or a symptom, not a diagnosis. Incontinence can result from different causes and might occur with either constipation or diarrhea. Continence is maintained by several interrelated factors, including the anal sampling mechanism, and incontinence usually results from a deficiency of multiple mechanisms. The most common causes are thought to be immediate or delayed damage from childbirth, complications from prior anorectal surgery, altered bowel habits. An estimated 2.2% of community-dwelling adults are affected. However, reported prevalence figures vary. A prevalence of 8.39% among non-institutionalized U.S adults between 2005 and 2010 has been reported, and among institutionalized elders figures come close to 50%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levator ani</span> Broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis

The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis.

In medicine, prolapse is a condition in which organs fall down or slip out of place. It is used for organs protruding through the vagina, rectum, or for the misalignment of the valves of the heart. A spinal disc herniation is also sometimes called "disc prolapse". Prolapse means "to fall out of place", from the Latin prolabi meaning "to fall out".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kegel exercise</span> Pelvic floor exercise

Kegel exercise, also known as pelvic floor exercise, involves repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor, now sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Kegel muscles". The exercise can be performed many times a day, for several minutes at a time but takes one to three months to begin to have an effect.

Arnold Henry Kegel was an American gynecologist who invented the Kegel perineometer and Kegel exercises as non-surgical treatment of urinary incontinence from perineal muscle weakness and/or laxity. Pelvic floor exercises are considered first-line treatment for urinary stress incontinence and any type of female incontinence and female genital prolapse, with evidence supporting its use from systematic reviews of randomized trials in the Cochrane Library amongst others. Kegel first published his ideas in 1948. He was Assistant Professor of Gynecology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelvic floor</span> Anatomical structure

The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is an anatomical location in the human body, which has an important role in urinary and anal continence, sexual function and support of the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor includes muscles, both skeletal and smooth, ligaments and fascia. and separates between the pelvic cavity from above, and the perineum from below. It is formed by the levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelvic floor dysfunction</span> Medical condition

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a term used for a variety of disorders that occur when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments are impaired. The condition affects up to 50 percent of women who have given birth. Although this condition predominantly affects women, up to 16 percent of men are affected as well. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, pressure, pain during sex, urinary incontinence (UI), overactive bladder, bowel incontinence, incomplete emptying of feces, constipation, myofascial pelvic pain and pelvic organ prolapse. When pelvic organ prolapse occurs, there may be visible organ protrusion or a lump felt in the vagina or anus. Research carried out in the UK has shown that symptoms can restrict everyday life for women. However, many people found it difficult to talk about it and to seek care, as they experienced embarrassment and stigma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cystocele</span> Protrusion of the bladder into the vagina

The cystocele, also known as a prolapsed bladder, is a medical condition in which a woman's bladder bulges into her vagina. Some may have no symptoms. Others may have trouble starting urination, urinary incontinence, or frequent urination. Complications may include recurrent urinary tract infections and urinary retention. Cystocele and a prolapsed urethra often occur together and is called a cystourethrocele. Cystocele can negatively affect quality of life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelvic organ prolapse</span> Descent of the pelvic organs from their normal positions

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is characterized by descent of pelvic organs from their normal positions into the vagina. In women, the condition usually occurs when the pelvic floor collapses after gynecological cancer treatment, childbirth or heavy lifting. Injury incurred to fascia membranes and other connective structures can result in cystocele, rectocele or both. Treatment can involve dietary and lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or surgery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stress incontinence</span> Form of urinary incontinence from an inadequate closure of the bladder

Stress incontinence, also known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or effort incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence. It is due to inadequate closure of the bladder outlet by the urethral sphincter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overactive bladder</span> Condition where a person has a frequent need to urinate

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition where there is a frequent feeling of needing to urinate to a degree that it negatively affects a person's life. The frequent need to urinate may occur during the day, at night, or both. Loss of bladder control may occur with this condition. This condition is also sometimes characterized by a sudden and involuntary contraction of the bladder muscles, in response to excitement or anticipation. This in turn leads to a frequent and urgent need to urinate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Continence Society</span>

The International Continence Society (ICS) is a registered UK charity with a global health focus on the development in the field of incontinence.

National Association for Continence (NAFC) is a national, private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and related pelvic floor disorders.

Athletic incontinence is the specific form of urinary incontinence that results from engaging in high-impact or strenuous activities. Unlike stress incontinence, which is defined as the loss of small amounts of urine associated with sneezing, laughing or exercising, athletic incontinence occurs exclusively during exercise. Athletic incontinence is generally thought to be the result of decreased structural support of the pelvic floor due to increased abdominal pressure during high-impact exercise. As such exercises that build and develop the pelvic floor may be an important step to counteracting athletic incontinence. In addition to high-impact exercise, this weakening can also stem from childbirth and age.

Urethral hypermobility is a condition of excessive movement of the female urethra due to a weakened urogenital diaphragm. It describes the instability of the urethra in relation to the pelvic floor muscles. A weakened pelvic floor muscle fails to adequately close the urethra and hence can cause stress urinary incontinence. This condition may be diagnosed by primary care providers or urologists. Treatment may include pelvic floor muscle exercises, surgery, or minimally invasive procedures.

The Paula Method is a proposed alternative to Kegel exercises. The idea is that by strengthening one's sphincter muscles, the contractions would also strengthen the sphincter muscles in the pelvic floor. Evidence to support its use is lacking.

Dr. Veronica Thierry Mallett, M.D., MMM, is a women's health physician in the United States known for her work in urogynecology, specifically with respect to genital organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, and for her efforts in reducing health disparities.

Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a specialty area within physical therapy focusing on the rehabilitation of muscles in the pelvic floor after injury or dysfunction. It can be used to address issues such as muscle weakness or tightness post childbirth, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, constipation, fecal or urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Licensed physical therapists with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy training address dysfunction in individuals across the gender and sex spectra, though PFPT is often associated with women's health for its heavy focus on addressing issues of pelvic trauma after childbirth.

References

  1. 1 2 "'Gender critical' protester flashes pubic wig in Scottish parliament after trans rights bill passed". PinkNews . Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Holyrood 'flasher' poses with Tory Russell Findlay holding pubic wig". The National. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Adult Human Female screening in Edinburgh cancelled for second time". The National. Retrieved 20 August 2023. prominent gender critical campaigner Elaine Miller
  4. 1 2 3 "Kevin McKenna meets the woman whose Holyrood protest went viral". HeraldScotland. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Elaine (2017-08-10). "Why I wrote a comedy show about incontinence". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Elaine Miller - Combining Comedy with Incontinence". Bladder & Bowel Community. 2017-11-20. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  7. 1 2 3 "Viva Your Vulva - Audacious Women Festival". Data Thistle. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  8. ↑ "Elaine Miller". The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  9. 1 2 3 "Better orgasms and no leaks: Tips for a strong pelvic floor". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  10. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Pelvic floor exercises; Disabled parents; Craft prize; Women's football; Wedding dresses". BBC. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  11. 1 2 "Menopause Festival - Gusset Grippers". perththeatreandconcerthall.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  12. 1 2 Healey, Natalie (2019-08-13). "Gusset Grippers: The comedy show tackling incontinence". patient.info. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  13. 1 2 "BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Here's why you should be exercising your pelvic floor and exactly how to do it". BBC. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  14. 1 2 3 "ISD Scotland | Terms and Conditions| What's New | Information Services Division". www.isdscotland.org. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  15. 1 2 3 Taylor, Rosie (2022-08-14). "'You see yourself as dirty and a bit broken': The 'secret' issue we're finally talking about". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  16. 1 2 "The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show: Incontinence, menopause and pregnancy with Elaine Miller (aka Gusset Grippers) on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  17. ↑ "Gusset Grippers' – Edinburgh Fringe show about the mysteries of continence and the pelvic floor". Scottish Care. 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  18. ↑ "Elaine Miller | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  19. 1 2 "PhysioUpdate News | Pelvic health - Sep 22, 2021". www.physioupdate.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  20. ↑ Miller, Elaine; Bergmeier, Heidi J.; Blewitt, Claire; O'Connor, Amanda; Skouteris, Helen (December 2021). "A systematic review of humour-based strategies for addressing public health priorities". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 45 (6): 568–577. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13142 . ISSN   1753-6405. PMID   34411385.
  21. ↑ "Burst the taboo: Elaine Miller combines physiotherapy with stand-up comedy". The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  22. ↑ Rachel (2018-06-10). "The Incontinence Comedian - Elaine Miller Of Gusset Grippers". For Your Magnificent Midlife And Beyond. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  23. ↑ "Elaine Miller: Gusset Grippers". Fair Pley. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  24. 1 2 "Viva Your Vulva: The Hole Story: 5 star review by Richard Beck". broadwaybaby.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  25. ↑ "Gusset Grippers/pelvic floor/Elaine Miller/comedy/ physiotherapy". Gussetgrippers. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  26. ↑ Middleton, Lucy (2020-01-07). "'I dress up as a vulva to teach women about incontinence'". Metro. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  27. ↑ Women's Health: Talking about the pelvic floor - BBC Stories, 2 June 2018, retrieved 2023-03-05
  28. ↑ "Urinary Incontinence in Women". www.hopkinsmedicine.org. 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  29. ↑ "One in Three Women". Continence Foundation of Australia. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  30. 1 2 Grover, Natalie (2022-04-07). "'You feel so sexless and dirty': the women living with incontinence after childbirth". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  31. ↑ "Urinary incontinence in women | Health Information | Bupa UK". www.bupa.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  32. ↑ "What are pelvic floor exercises?". nhs.uk. 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  33. ↑ "PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES". Gussetgrippers. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  34. 1 2 "Gender recognition 'flasher' protester standing for election in Edinburgh". HeraldScotland. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  35. ↑ Meikle, David. "Gender Recognition Reform Bill: police drop investigation into Scottish parliament flasher". The Times. ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  36. ↑ "Police investigating ex-Fife health worker who exposed herself in Holyrood over gender reforms vote". The Courier. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  37. ↑ Lloyd, Karen. "Corstorphine/Murrayfield by-election candidates announced". The City of Edinburgh Council. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  38. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "Viva Your Vulva: The Hole Story". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
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