From Athlete to Advocate: My Pelvic Floor Therapy Journey

I never thought pelvic floor therapy would change my life. But after years of unexplained hip pain, postpartum struggles, and a long road to recovery, it did more than ease my symptoms—it empowered me to retake control of my health.

I spent years as an athlete, training hard, staying active, and rarely getting injured. I knew my body well and felt confident in what it could handle. But after settling into a 9-to-5 desk job, things started to shift. A few aches turned into chronic pain. I relied on quick Google searches and tried to tough it out. I ignored the warning signs and didn’t recognize what my body was trying to tell me.

Eventually, my hips gave out. I was diagnosed with osteitis pubis and hip dysplasia and sent home by my hip specialist with prescription-strength ibuprofen. That was it. No physical therapy. No next steps. Just pain so severe for 6 months, I could barely walk, at 35.

When Pregnancy Brought My Pain Back

During my first pregnancy, the pain came back with a vengeance in my second trimester. I chalked it up to “lightning crotch,” something I’d seen in pregnancy forums. No one mentioned that my pre-existing condition was flaring up.

I ended up needing a C-section due to an abnormal pelvic inlet—further proof that something deeper was going on with my pelvis. Still, I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t know what to ask.

After giving birth, I laughed with my sister—and peed myself. Not just a few drops. I soaked through my clothes. And even then, I brushed it off. I figured this was just what happened after having a baby. I had no idea there was help available.

The Turning Point: My Second Pregnancy

It wasn’t until my second pregnancy that I finally heard the words “pelvic floor therapy.” A few of my former soccer teammates—now physical therapists—urged me to get evaluated. This time, my provider revisited the notes from my first delivery and sent me a referral.

That referral changed everything.

I was told pelvic floor therapy could feel intimate and even a little uncomfortable. But I was also told it could give me my life back—and it did. We started with breathing and posture work. Then my therapist used manual techniques to release tight muscles around my hips and pelvis. After just a few sessions, I could walk better. The pain eased. I stayed active through the pregnancy without flaring up.

Postpartum Recovery That Felt Like Recovery

After my second C-section, I kept going with therapy. The results were powerful: I could run again. I didn’t leak. I wasn’t afraid to sneeze in public.

Pelvic floor therapy taught me the difference between muscle strength and muscle tension. Like athletes carry tension in their shoulders or legs, I had unknowingly held years of tension in my pelvic muscles, thinking it made me strong. Instead, it was holding me back.

What Every Woman Deserves to Know

I’m sharing this because I wish someone had told me sooner.

Too many women accept pelvic pain, leaking, and discomfort as “just part of it.” But it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're navigating postpartum recovery, persistent hip or pelvic pain, or unexplained symptoms—you have options.

At Your Health, we believe in whole-body wellness. That includes your pelvic floor. Our team is here to help you explore therapy options, ask questions, and get the care you deserve.

If you’re experiencing pelvic discomfort, don’t wait. Speak up. Seek help. You’re not alone—and real recovery is possible. Make an appointment today.