Meet Michelle
Licensed Physical Therapist and Pelvic Health Specialist
Hi, I’m Michelle! I am a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in Pelvic Health and Orthopedics. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how pelvic floor issues can impact not just the body, but also a person’s confidence, comfort, and overall quality of life.
Whether you're a new mom, mom-to-be, post-menopausal, or somewhere in between, I’m passionate about supporting women at every stage of their pelvic health journey. My mission is to empower you with the education, exercises, and real-life strategies you need to take charge of your wellness with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me enjoying time with my family and exploring the outdoors with my dog... beach days and hikes are our favorite!
Let's talk about Pelvic Health!
Understanding Pelvic Health
Pregnancy &
Preparation for Childbirth
Pregnancy and preparation for birth bring unique changes and challenges to the pelvic region as the body adapts to support a growing baby and prepare for delivery. Pelvic health issues during this time can include pelvic pain, back pain, discomfort with movement, and urinary or bowel changes. These issues are often due to the increased pressure on the pelvic floor and hormonal shifts affecting muscles and ligaments. Preparing for birth also involves understanding how to optimize pelvic floor function for labor and delivery, including learning techniques for relaxation, breathing, and pushing. Addressing these concerns with targeted education and exercises can help reduce discomfort during pregnancy, ease the birthing process, and promote a smoother postpartum recovery.
Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery issues can arise as the body heals and adjusts after pregnancy and childbirth. Common concerns include pelvic pain, urinary or bowel incontinence, diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), perineal discomfort, or prolapse symptoms such as pressure or heaviness in the pelvis. These issues may result from changes in the pelvic floor muscles, core strength, and connective tissues following delivery. Emotional challenges, such as anxiety or feeling disconnected from the body, can also accompany physical changes. Postpartum pelvic health care focuses on empowering new parents with education, gentle exercises, and strategies to restore strength, improve function, and support overall well-being during this life-changing time.
Bladder & Bowel Health
Bladder and bowel pelvic health issues include a variety of conditions that affect the proper functioning of the urinary and digestive systems. Common bladder issues include urinary incontinence, urgency, frequency, and difficulty emptying the bladder. These may result from weak or overly tight pelvic floor muscles or lifestyle factors. Bowel issues can include constipation, fecal incontinence, and rectal pain, often stemming from similar underlying causes. These conditions can significantly impact daily life, leading to physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced confidence. Addressing these issues often involves education, behavioral strategies, pelvic floor exercises, and lifestyle adjustments to restore function and improve quality of life.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain issues involve discomfort or pain in the pelvic region that can affect daily activities, physical function, and emotional well-being. This pain may be chronic or episodic and can arise from various causes, including muscle tension, nerve irritation, or post-surgical scarring. It may also present as pain during sitting, standing, exercise, or intimate activities. Pelvic pain often involves the pelvic floor muscles, which can become tight, weak, or uncoordinated, contributing to the discomfort. Addressing pelvic pain involves a comprehensive approach, including education, exercises, and strategies to reduce tension, improve muscle function, and enhance overall quality of life.
Sexual Health
Pelvic health issues can encompass challenges related to discomfort, pain, or dysfunction during sexual activity, which can affect intimacy, confidence, and overall well-being. These issues may include pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or changes in sexual function due to pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal shifts, childbirth, surgery, or trauma. Tight, weak, or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles often play a significant role in these concerns. Addressing sexual health issues involves understanding the underlying causes and empowering individuals with education, exercises, tools, and techniques to enhance pelvic floor function, improve comfort, and support a fulfilling and enjoyable sexual experience.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, shift downward due to weakened or stretched pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues. This can lead to symptoms such as a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis, a visible or palpable bulge, difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels, and discomfort during physical activity or intimacy. Prolapse often develops due to pregnancy, childbirth, aging, or repetitive strain on the pelvic floor. Managing pelvic organ prolapse involves education on lifestyle modifications, intra-abdominal pressure management, exercises to strengthen and support the pelvic floor, and strategies to reduce symptoms, empowering individuals to regain confidence and improve their quality of life.
Core & Pelvic Floor Weakness
Core and pelvic floor muscle weakness can contribute to a range of pelvic health issues, affecting stability, bladder and bowel control, and overall function. The core muscles, including the pelvic floor, abdominals, back, and diaphragm, work together to support posture, movement, and internal organs. When these muscles are weak or uncoordinated, individuals may experience symptoms such as urinary or bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, back pain, or difficulty with physical activities. Addressing muscle weakness involves targeted exercises, education, and strategies to strengthen the core and pelvic floor, improving stability, function, and quality of life.
