From a young age I knew that I wanted to be in the medical field and that I wanted to be able to spend time with my patients and really make a difference in their lives. After seeing my father recover from a herniated disc without surgery in my teenage years, Physical Therapy became the chosen path. This led me down the the coast from Columbia, SC to Charleston. I attended the College of Charleston and then went on to the Medical University of SC for graduate school. Charleston has changed a lot in the 23 years that I have lived here but it is still my favorite place to be. I now consider Charleston my home.
My 18 year career as a PT has led me to various settings giving me experience in orthopedics, home health and acute neurological rehabilitation. Working in these different settings has given me a broader medical knowledge base that helps me see the big picture and how all systems of the body are interconnected.
My own health issues have also helped me to understand chronic illness and its impact on your life. Being diagnosed with endometriosis 10 years ago, I went through the standard process of surgery for diagnosis and treatment. I quickly found that the type of surgery I had was a temporary fix and I continued to struggle with symptoms. The 2 options offered to me were a drug to put me into temporary menopause or more surgery. To date, I have had 3 surgeries for endometriosis, the latest one not being successful. This propelled me to dig into the research to find different ways to treat my diagnosis, and I soon found out there was so much more out there!
I also started looking for a more holistic approach. I learned how much diet and lifestyle impact the symptoms and can be used as a treatment for chronic disease. It’s these new areas that has forced me to expand my knowledge base bending traditional physical with a integrated holistic approach to not only help manage my issues but to now use that same knowledge base to help others! This led me to becoming certified as a health coach with a focus on anti-inflammatory diets and food sensitivity research. I began taking courses to specialize in women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction including becoming one of 2 physical therapists in the state of SC to be certified in hypopressive therapy called Low Pressure Fitness. Pelvic Health and women’s health is now my passion. Using a integrated lifestyle, nutritional, and hands on approach, my goal is for every women who walk in my door to leave empowered, knowledgeable, and well equipped to take on any challenges that lay ahead.
Elevated Physical Therapy was created to bring a more integrated and holistic approach to treat women’s health issues. I want you to know that your symptoms may be common but are not necessarily normal. I want you to know that you don’t have to “just live with it”.
