Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rawlins.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a physical therapy student, I knew I wanted to work with patients, and through exercise, education, and self-empowerment be able to improve someone’s ability to function in their life. My first experience with pelvic health as a specialty was during my first clinical rotation in graduate school. I worked with a physical therapist who specialized in treating female runners with urinary incontinence. It felt like such an important thing for her to treat these athletes, and help them work through something that was very much impacting their ability to run, and emotionally difficult for them to deal with on a daily basis. The more I learned about this area of physical therapy, the more I loved it, and the more I realized that pelvic health is important to women in all walks of life, not just athletes. I have always been an advocate for women’s health, and this seemed like such a wonderful way for me to be able to do more.
Before opening my own practice, I worked for several years in pelvic health physical therapy, as part of a larger healthcare organization. I loved being able to help this population, but it wasn’t until I had my own frustrating experience with my healthcare that I knew I could do better. After having my first baby, my own health care experience was quite eye-opening. I had a traumatic and long labor and ended up needing a cesarean section. My postpartum recovery was rough and my postpartum care was brief. At my postpartum checkup, it took 10 minutes to get through the checklist, and mostly this was because I had several questions that weren’t initially covered.
After having just had major abdominal surgery, no one checked in on me for six weeks, which is pretty standard, but also not enough. My six-week postpartum visit with my OB consisted of a quick look at my scar, discussion on birth control, and an “all clear” to return to sex and exercise without restriction. My pelvic health concerns were swept under the rug, and even as a physical therapist who specializes in the care of women in the postpartum, this was scary, vague, and eye-opening. I knew that I could do better for the women of our community. I knew that I had the skills and knowledge to improve this experience for others and get them the care they needed when they needed it. My goal was to never again have to hear from my patients, “Man I wish I knew about you years ago!”
Inspire Pelvic Health, LLC was created after I saw this huge need to better serve the women in our community. Women’s health care, and particularly their postpartum care, in the United States, is often quite lacking. As a physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of patients with abdominal and pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions, there was a lot that I knew I was able to provide the women of our community, to improve their quality of life and the care that they deserved. I have always worked in pelvic health, but I knew I wanted to have a practice that could provide this care in a more compassionate way. I wanted to be able to take time and listen to everyone’s story, find a care plan that was individualized to their unique needs, and inspire women to feel like themselves again.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to creating this dream has been a little up and down. I would say that for the most part, starting a business, whose primary purpose is to improve the quality of life for women in our community, has been very well received. People are very grateful to be able to get the care they have been looking for, and deserve. If they suffer from bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction, they know just how much this specialized care can improve their quality of life and sense of self. Unfortunately, although this specialized care is available, it is still a bit unknown to the general public and healthcare community itself. This means it may take longer to find physical therapy as an option for care, and many may have a harder time getting their healthcare providers on board to refer them.
In order to get extended physical therapy care in Texas, patients need a prescription from an appropriate healthcare provider. Appropriate referral sources for physical therapy care include physicians, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, and advanced nurse practitioners. Fortunately, I have seen a big shift in women advocating for themselves and their health. We are all looking for answers, talking to our friends, and not just accepting things the way they’ve always been. Pelvic physical therapy is an answer for many of those suffering from bowel, bladder and/or sexual dysfunction. It’s an answer that doesn’t require medications or surgery, and it can be a wonderful thing.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
At Inspire Pelvic Health, LLC, we bring compassionate, specialized physical therapy care to the women of our community. We work with all women to help them manage their pelvic pain, or bowel and bladder dysfunction in the way they need and deserve. We treat a wide range of abdominal and pelvic health conditions, which can significantly impact quality of life and ability to participate in daily activities.
Whether one has never been pregnant, is currently pregnant, or had a baby day to years ago, and has been dealing with embarrassing bladder symptoms, bowel symptoms, or pelvic pain without knowing where to turn, Inspire Pelvic Health, LLC can help.
Women may be experiencing urinary leakage, frequency, or urgency that is painful and hard to control; they may be uncomfortable with constipation, or fearful of social obligations because of the possibility of fecal or gas leakage occurring while they are out; they may have vaginal or pelvic pain that is limiting partner intimacy or the ability to have a speculum examination, making underwear and clothes impossible to wear; or they may feel socially isolated because the pain is making it difficult to carry on with normal activities or exercise routines. We are here to help.
Often times I hear my patients say they have been told that what they are experiencing is just “normal” because they have had a baby, or it is “all in their head”. They have been told to “just do kegels”, “just have more sex”, “find a new partner” or to “have a glass of wine”, by friends, family, or even their health care providers. They have been told that the pain they are having during pregnancy is “just because you are pregnant” and that they just have to have the baby in order for their pain to go away. These recommendations couldn’t be more misleading. They make me sad, and inspire me to do what we do at Inspire Pelvic Health.
What sets us apart at Inspire Pelvic Health, LLC is that we provide knowledgeable, compassionate, baby-friendly, patient-focused physical therapy care to women of our community. We have a lighthearted but professional approach to patient care, with a focus on empowering women with the education and tools they need to take care of their health. We advocate for women’s health, know that the healthcare community, in general, can do better, and refuse to accept anything less. My practice is unique, patient-focused, and care oriented. You will feel heard, understood, and cared for. Additionally, I am a doctor of physical therapy with advanced certification in pelvic and obstetric health. Pelvic and abdominal health has always been my area of focus, and I love it.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always very outgoing and people-oriented. I was full of energy, and always a people helper. Whenever a task was ahead of me, I quickly got to work, finished my task and moved on to help others finish theirs. I was never much of a procrastinator and always sought out feedback in order to improve my work. I needed outlets for my energy and loved competition, so I was heavily involved in sports. I have always loved being outdoors, so outdoor competition was my favorite – track and field, cross country, etc. My closest friendships were formed in the sports arena. I loved helping others and volunteered with various organizations to do so. One of my favorites was a summer sports camp for children with disabilities, where I formed close relationships with many of the campers. I think this is where my love for physical therapy first came from.
Pricing:
- Initial Evaluation- $179
- Follow up treatment – $149
- Pregnancy Wellness Package -$480 for 4 sessions
Contact Info:
- Address: 2248 Main St. Suite 100. Dallas, TX 75226
- Website: Inspirepelvichealth.com
- Phone: 5305212857
- Email: ashley@inspirepelvichealth.com
- Instagram: @womenshealthbyashley
Image Credit:
Meredith Joyce Photography
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