Empowering Mothers

Pelvic Health During and After Pregnancy

May 2025 Newsletter

There’s no way around it: pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on the body. Sometimes, these demands become so intense that it can be hard to focus on what matters — like your new baby!

While complaints like morning sickness or food cravings are common, many women are unaware of how much pregnancy can impact their musculoskeletal system, especially their pelvic floor. 

This sling of muscles is located at the base of your core and supports the bladder, uterus, rectum, and spine. Unfortunately, pelvic floor concerns tend to cause difficult-to-discuss symptoms, including incontinence or sexual dysfunction. As a result, many women don’t get the treatment they need.

At Empower Physical Therapy, we want to change that! Our pelvic floor physical therapy services offer an effective, all-natural approach to managing pelvic health before and after childbirth — so you can focus on being a mom. 

How Physical Therapy Supports Pelvic Health During and After Pregnancy

Pelvic floor physical therapy at Empower Physical Therapy offers women the tools and guidance they need to manage pregnancy- and postpartum-related discomfort. This specialized form of physical therapy focuses specifically on the unique challenges of the pelvic floor, which can be difficult to treat as it’s an entirely internal muscle group.

Fortunately, our team has the training and expertise necessary to help you find lasting relief. Your session will begin with a comprehensive assessment to help us understand your needs. This assessment generally includes a full health history, a review of your symptoms, and a detailed evaluation of your pelvic muscle function and posture.

Next, we’ll create a customized treatment program that pulls from various specialized techniques. We’ll blend these techniques to ensure we address your specific concerns.

Treatment Strategies and Techniques

• Pelvic Floor Muscle Training — Targeted exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, helping to address weakness that can cause symptoms.
  
• Biofeedback — Uses real-time imaging technology to help you see how your pelvic floor muscles work, especially when performing prescribed exercises.
  
• Manual Therapy — Hands-on techniques to release tight muscles and improve mobility. We utilize both internal and external manual therapy techniques.
  
• Postural Training — Corrects alignment issues that can strain the back and pelvis.
  
• Breathing Techniques — Improves diaphragm and core coordination to reduce intra-abdominal pressure.
  
• Movement Retraining — Help you safely return to daily activities, exercise, and lifting.

What to Expect During Treatment 

Sessions are private, respectful, and directed by you! Our team strives to ensure patients are comfortable and supported throughout their care. We’ll always explain each step and tailor treatment to your comfort levels and personal goals.

The number of sessions varies based on symptoms and healing. Many women see progress within a few weeks. Ongoing guidance may continue during later postpartum phases or future pregnancies.

Some Fun Things We’ve Sponsored Lately

And Cool Things Coming Up

Alaska Walk for Down Syndrome June 14th @ 11:00am

Starting in 1995, the Alaska Down Syndrome network has relied on this walk as their sole fundraiser for the year. What they raise on this day helps them provide scholarships, hold social and educational events for our community, and provide educational materials to local clinics and therapy offices. You can register and learn more here:
https://www.akdownsyndrome.org/alaska-walk

Anchorage to Seward Relay Race June 27 & 28, 2025

A few of our providers are racing in this relay again! Northwest Relays puts this race on annually. Teams of 12 people will run 200 miles from Mirror Lake in Chugiak all the way to the shores of Resurrection Bay!

Government Peak Enduro & Chain Breaker Race July 19, 2025

In its 4th year, Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers is putting on another awesome race. Get ready to pedal or cheer on these racers! Keep your eyes peeled for details soon on their Facebook page: @ValMtnBikersHikers.

Employee Spotlight:

Rebecca Fisher

PT, DPT, CLT-LANA

Rebecca  is the new Assistant Clinical Director at the Wasilla Clinic! With over seven years of experience in outpatient rehab, Rebecca brings an impressive breadth of expertise — from oncology rehab and lymphedema management to pelvic health and return-to-sport care. She holds advanced certifications, including CLT-LANA, and is trained in the McKenzie Method for spinal pain. 

Originally from Laramie, Wyoming, Rebecca earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. She joined Empower in 2024 and quickly became a guiding force — both in leadership and in the treatment room. Her favorite part of the job? Building real connections and empowering her patients to take control of their healing journey. 

In 2023, Rebecca and her family took a leap and moved to Alaska for travel PT—and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the lifestyle, the people, and the wild beauty of the state. Today, she’s made Empower Wasilla her home base, where you can find her jumping around the clinic with her larger-than-life personality, contagious energy, and unwavering commitment to her patients. 

Outside the clinic, Rebecca thrives in the outdoors — hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and camping with her husband, daughter, and their dog. She’s also a roller derby enthusiast and an avid baker, always on the move whether she’s in the mountains or the kitchen. Her clinical passions include oncology rehab, spinal care, lymphedema, pre/postpartum therapy, and helping people return to the activities that bring them joy. 

Chandler & Dusty Offered Free Injury Screenings in March

In March our physical therapists Chandler Posey & Dusty Hibon offered free injury screening over at Alaska Rock Gym. It was a great time meeting new faces & helping point people in the right direction to address their pain!