Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

My journey to becoming a pelvic floor therapist began somewhat differently than most. Initially, I entered physical therapy school with the intention of pursuing outpatient orthopedics or possibly pediatrics. However, everything changed during my second year of physical therapy school when I took a “Women’s Health Course.” This class introduced me to pelvic health and opened my eyes to an entirely new world.

Having grown up babysitting and working as a nanny throughout college and graduate school, I had the opportunity to build close relationships with many of the mothers I worked for. One particular moment stands out: a mother rushed in from the garage, quickly making her way to the bathroom while saying, “After three kids, you’ll understand.” I recall another mom who dealt with prolapse and pelvic floor heaviness, to the point where by afternoon she could barely finish teaching her dance classes without needing to sit. There was also the mom who wondered if she could even continue growing her family due to the debilitating effects of a rectocele and constipation following her first child. These women’s stories, along with the knowledge that pelvic floor therapy could make a real difference in their lives, inspired me to pursue a career in pelvic health from the very start.

What began with treating mothers for issues like incontinence, prolapse, and diastasis soon expanded to include pelvic pain, menstrual health, and bowel dysfunction. As clients began to inquire about treatments for their husbands and children, I found herself learning more about how to treat people of all ages and genders, including those trying to conceive.

When I initially chose physical therapy as a career, one of the aspects that drew me to the field over other healthcare professions was the time it allowed for building personal relationships with patients. Little did I know just how deeply personal those connections would become. This ability to connect with patients and ensure they feel both heard and understood is something I strive for with every client at Pelvic Health & Wellness (PHW).

In 2020, I opened Pelvic Health & Wellness to continue providing the individualized, compassionate care that every patient deserves. In the midst of a time filled with fear and uncertainty, I was able to offer a sense of safety and reassurance while delivering essential, life-changing pelvic floor care. Since then, my vision expanded to building a team of pelvic health specialists who share the same commitment to care, with the goal of helping even more people understand that they are not alone and can overcome their pelvic floor concerns to live the life they’ve always dreamed of.

Today, Pelvic Health & Wellness stands as the Milwaukee area’s only pelvic floor practice dedicated exclusively to treating individuals with pelvic health concerns. The team of pelvic floor specialists at PHW is here to support clients through pregnancy and postpartum, as they try to conceive, improve bladder and bowel health, and address a variety of other pelvic health issues.

Throughout school I was always most interested in science classes, especially anatomy and biology. The most exciting anatomy classes in high school and college were dissection days where we got an up-close look at how the body (muscles, organs, tissues) is connected. I rock climbed in early high school, which was another fun perspective for learning how the body moves. While rock climbing in college, I got a foot injury and needed physical therapy for a few months to recover. During this physical therapy rehab experience, I realized I really liked going to my appointments, and physical therapy encompassed all the things I was already interested in, how the body moves and is connected as a system. This led me to pursue a physical therapy graduate program so I could learn even more about this.

Then I moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee to earn my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. I first experienced pelvic health during a clinical rotation in physical therapy school. My instructor during that rotation treated orthopedic conditions as well as the pelvic floor. I noticed the majority of people seeking help for pelvic floor conditions had been previously told their symptoms, from urinary incontinence to pelvic pain, was their “new normal” and there wasn't anything that could be done to help them. Or they had seen multiple healthcare providers and didn't experience any improvement, leaving them feeling discouraged. It was frustrating to hear these clients had been turned away or let down by previous providers, especially because I was learning about the wide variety of beneficial treatments we can do as pelvic floor physical therapists. It became clear that there was a big gap to fill in healthcare to help people who weren't receiving the care they needed. 

Now at Pelvic Health & Wellness, I get to provide this quality care to our clients. I’ve learned that I most enjoy working with clients during their pregnancy to navigate their changing bodies, set them up with strategies for successful labor/delivery, and support them with postpartum recovery. I also enjoy helping clients as they experience perimenopause and menopause because there are still big hormonal changes happening that affect the pelvic floor. Throughout my years treating pelvic health conditions, I love teaching my clients more about their bodies while giving them encouragement and hope that their health can improve. It’s my goal for you to feel safe, supported, and empowered about the work we’re doing together during our sessions so you can feel confident in your daily life.

Outside of work you can find me traveling with my fiancé, trying new restaurants in Milwaukee, or enjoying a book outside.

My interest in physical therapy started when I was growing up in a small farming town in southwestern Wisconsin. My dad is a farmer and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was young. This sparked my interest in the human body and how movement occurs because of how my dad's body was affected after this diagnosis. Throughout high school and the beginning of college, I was convinced I would specialize in Neurological Physical Therapy because I would be able to help people, like my dad, living with movement issues resulting from injury or disease in the nervous system. 

During my second year of my Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Carroll University, I started learning about pelvic floor health. We were learning about different physical therapy specialties, and I felt pulled to pelvic health. I remembered my mom and aunt's talking about stress incontinence and leaking. They told me that I would "just have to deal with it" if I ever had kids, and I didn't think I should have to accept peeing my pants as normal if I became a mom. I know women joke about peeing their pants because it's common, but it's not normal. I learned that's where pelvic floor physical therapy can make a difference for these women. When I had my final clinical rotation with a pelvic floor specialist, I confirmed that becoming a pelvic floor physical therapist was my passion because I was amazed at how many symptoms and conditions pelvic floor specialists can treat! 

I now enjoy helping women and men overcome bowel, urinary, and sexual dysfunctions. I get to support prenatal moms preparing for healthy pregnancies and deliveries, as well as guiding postpartum moms through recovery so they don't have to live with incontinence forever. I have expanded my knowledge and skills through mentorship from amazing coworkers, hands-on clinical experience, and pelvic health classes focused on urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions. I earned dry needling certification, which has been a great adjunct to my treatment plans and helps my clients find relief. I am dedicated to helping my clients meet their pelvic health goals and am thrilled to be part of the Pelvic Health & Wellness team! 

When I am not at work, I love traveling to new places, relaxing at the beach in the summer, camping, and trying new restaurants and events in Milwaukee with my friends.

My journey to becoming a physical therapist began much like many others—I was an active middle and high school athlete who faced a series of sports-related injuries. These injuries led  to multiple rounds of physical therapy, where I was first introduced to the field. What stood out to me was not just the physical recovery, but the meaningful connections therapists build with their patients. I saw firsthand how impactful this profession could be, both physically and emotionally, and knew I wanted to be part of it.

When I began my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Concordia University–Wisconsin, my initial goal was to become a pediatric physical therapist. However, during my coursework—and through my experience teaching group fitness classes—I was introduced to the world of pelvic health physical therapy. I quickly became fascinated by the far-reaching impact pelvic floor therapy can have across all ages and genders.

After graduating, I started my career in an outpatient pediatric clinic, treating a wide range of pediatric pelvic health conditions. It was during this time that I often heard a familiar refrain from parents—especially moms—who would joke that they should be doing the pelvic floor exercises alongside their children. That’s when it clicked: I wanted to support not just children, but the whole family. 

Today, I’m proud to provide comprehensive pelvic health care to both pediatric patients and adults, helping individuals of all ages feel empowered and supported on their healing journey.  My pediatric practice focuses on creating a safe, fun, and compassionate environment for children and adolescents experiencing pelvic floor challenges such as bedwetting, constipation, and encopresis. I also work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure a family-centered approach that supports long-term healing and wellness. For women, I provide individualized care throughout all life stages—from prenatal and postpartum rehabilitation to support during menopause and beyond. I am passionate about empowering women to understand their bodies, regain confidence, and improve their quality of life through movement, education, and hands-on therapy. My goal is to provide compassionate, inclusive, and personalized care that honors the unique needs of each patient and I am thrilled to be able to continue my practice at Pelvic Health and Wellness! 

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy supporting local businesses (especially coffee shops!), hiking in Wisconsin State Parks, staying active with local CrossFit gyms, and spending time with family!