OPTimize Physical Therapy and Wellness

01/30/2026

✨ Your symptoms tell a story — and I want to hear it.

That “weird” feeling you’ve been brushing off? The air trapping at the gym, the UTIs that keep coming back, the deep hip pain that never fully releases, the “sitting on a golf ball” sensation, or the breathing that always feels rushed.

These aren’t random. Your body is trying to communicate how it’s managing pressure, tension, and support — and your pelvic floor is often right in the middle of that conversation.

This is a judgment-free space. You don’t have to filter, minimize, or “make it sound normal.” Tell me the whole story. The little details are usually the big clues.

If this post feels a little too familiar, I’d love to meet you where you are and help you start connecting the dots. 💚

01/25/2026

If your pelvic floor symptoms get worse in the cold, you’re not imagining it.

Most of us naturally clench a little more when it’s cold — shoulders, jaw, breath, even our hips.
And for someone who already tends to hold tension, that extra clenching can be the nudge that amplifies what’s already there.

Cold can increase baseline muscle tone, so instead of fully cycling between tightening and letting go, the pelvic floor may stay slightly “on” throughout the day.

That can intensify existing symptoms like urgency, discomfort with sitting or movement, pain with intimacy, or deep tension through the hips, tailbone, or low back that never quite stretches away.

This kind of response can heighten symptoms that are already present — and for many people, it’s a sign that it might be time to check in with a pelvic floor therapist who can assess what’s really driving the pattern.

If this sounds like you, I would genuinely love to see you — even when it gets warmer — so we can work on not just getting through winter, but helping your body feel better year-round.

01/08/2026

Pelvic floor myths are still keeping people from getting the care they deserve.
You don’t need a vaginal birth to benefit from pelvic floor therapy.�Kegels don’t fix everything.�You don’t need kids to have pelvic floor symptoms.�And pelvic floors aren’t limited by gender.
If you’re leaking, in pain, feeling pressure, or disconnected from your core — your body isn’t failing you. It’s communicating.
Better education leads to better outcomes.�And all bodies deserve informed care.
Save this post. Share it with someone who needs it.�And know that support exists. 💚

01/02/2026

Pelvic PT ≠ a gyno exam.
No stirrups. No cold speculum.
And not everyone needs an internal exam.
You’re always in control of what happens in a session.
Pelvic PT is about education, movement, and helping your body feel better — not pushing past your comfort.

12/31/2025

Thank you all for your patience while Optimize gets a website rehaul! If you need help booking your appointment, call or text me at 314-308-8100. Booking link https://optimize-pt-stl.janeapp.com/ still works!

12/14/2025

Grateful for another year of growth, healing, and showing up for the people who trust me with their care—thanks for being part of my 2025 soundtrack. 💚

12/09/2025

Not all lymphatic cups work the same — and the cup you choose determines how your tissue responds. Here’s a simple, general breakdown of which cup and why you might chose it!

1. Flat Silicone Puck (blue)
This is the gentlest option. It creates a soft, shallow lift and is amazing for anyone who is sensitive, inflamed, or early in their lymphatic journey.
Pros: very forgiving, low risk of irritation, great for tender or reactive areas.
Cons: does not glide well and does not maintain deeper suction.
Best for: acute swelling, early post-op, neck/face work, “wake up” techniques.

2. Bulb Suction / Vacuum Cup (pink ball)
This cup creates the strongest lift of the three. Because you manually pump the bulb, you can generate deeper decompression and target specific areas with precision.
Pros: predictable suction, deeper decompression, helpful for stubborn congestion and dense tissue.
Cons: too intense for inflamed or reactive tissue, not ideal early post-op.
Best for: chronic congestion, fascial restriction, stubborn areas needing more lift.

3. Tall Silicone Glide Cup (pink cone)
This is the middle-ground cup. It is flexible for comfort but designed to glide, allowing you to move fluid directionally along lymphatic pathways.
Pros: smooth glide, consistent mild-to-moderate suction, good for routine home use.
Cons: can collapse if squeezed too firmly, less control than hard plastic.
Best for: abdominal routines, thighs and hips, general lymphatic drainage at home.

The takeaway:
There is no “best” lymphatic cup — only the best one for your tissue, your symptoms, and your sensitivity level. The right tool can support drainage, reduce swelling, improve mobility, and calm a reactive system. The wrong one can create irritation or increased swelling.

This is why in pelvic floor and lymphatic sessions, I match the tool to your tissue presentation!
Unsure what you need? Schedule a session!

10/31/2025

You open the door… the lights are low… and there’s a pelvis under the covers.
Spooky? Maybe.
But what’s scarier is how many women live with pelvic symptoms that no one ever explained.

If your well-woman exams have ever been uncomfortable —
that can be your body’s way of saying something deeper is going on.

➡️ Pain with exams
➡️ Pain with pe*******on or tampons
➡️ Leaking when you run, laugh, sneeze, or jump
➡️ Pressure, heaviness, or pain in your pelvis or tailbone
➡️ Avoiding intimacy because you’re afraid of the discomfort

None of these are “just normal.”
They’re common, but not normal — and all are signs your pelvic floor may be tight, weak, or uncoordinated.

A pelvic floor physical therapist helps you:
✨ Understand what’s happening in your body
✨ Release tension and retrain your muscles
✨ Rebuild confidence and connection

Because caring for your pelvic health shouldn’t be scary.
Your body deserves safety, understanding, and support — not fear.

So if the thought of your wellness exam makes you tense up more than a haunted house…
it might be time to see a pelvic PT 👻

09/18/2025

09/06/2025

✨ Free Community Seminar: Learn Your Lymph Drainage ✨

I’m so excited to be teaming up with Zoe Kerwin and iSwell Care to bring this free, hands-on seminar to our community. If you’ve ever wondered what your lymphatic system actually does or how to support it at home, this is for you.

We’ll be covering:
🌿 What the lymphatic system is and why it’s such an important part of your overall health
🌿 The pathways of lymph drainage and how they move fluid through your body
🌿 Live demonstrations of simple, at-home techniques you can start using right away to support your own drainage
🌿 Practical self-care strategies you can use if you’re living with lipedema, lymphedema, venous issues, or just dealing with swelling and heaviness

This event is totally open to everyone, whether you’re living with one of these conditions, supporting a loved one, or just curious about lymphatic health. And because I want you to leave empowered, we’ll not only teach you the “why” behind your lymphatic system, but also give you the “how” you can apply daily.

📍 Winghaven Library – 7435 Village Center Dr, O’Fallon, MO
🗓 Thursday, Oct 23rd | ⏰ 4:30–6:30 PM
🎟 Free to attend (and yes, we’ll have a raffle for prizes!)

Come learn, ask questions, and see how much control you actually have when it comes to supporting your own health. Can’t wait to see you there!

Hosted by: Optimize Physical Therapy & Wellness + iSwell Care

08/20/2025

✨ This is ONE session ✨

This C-section scar was treated with shockwave therapy (available at and the difference after just a single session is striking. The tissue softened, the scar line lifted, and mobility through the abdominal wall improved immediately.

But the biggest impact isn’t what you see on the surface — it’s what’s happening underneath. A C-section scar passes through multiple layers of tissue. When it heals tightly, it can:
• Restrict abdominal wall mobility
• Interfere with lymphatic drainage, leading to puffiness and bloating
• Pull on fascia, creating tension in the pelvis, hips, or back
• Limit deep core activation and stability

As a pelvic floor therapist, I see how scars affect the whole system. When we free up scar tissue and restore mobility, people often notice improved core connection, less pelvic heaviness, and even changes in posture or breathing.

Scar therapy is never just cosmetic — it’s functional care that helps restore flow, balance, and body confidence. And the fact that this kind of change can happen in just one session shows how powerful scar treatment can be.

👉 If you’ve had a C-section and are dealing with bloating, pelvic heaviness, painful intimacy, back or hip pain, or trouble reconnecting to your core, pelvic floor therapy can help. Scar work should be part of your recovery.

08/17/2025

So much of what I treat in pelvic floor and lymphatic health comes back to hormonal regulation. 🌸 It’s impossible to fully address one without talking about the other—which is why this event means so much.

Samantha Chilson Pelvic Physical Therapy and I will start by sharing how hormonal shifts impact the pelvic floor and lymphatic system, and then we’re honored to welcome women’s hormone specialist Michelle Wallweber, MSN, FNP-C Westplex Integrative Healthcare .She’ll dive into what really happens during perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms you might notice, and what you can do to support your body through it all.

✨ This free event is open to everyone—whether you’re approaching, experiencing, or just curious about these changes.
☕ Coffee, tea, and snacks provided. If the weather’s nice, we’ll be outside, so bring a lawn chair!

📍 400 Lake Saint Louis Blvd
📅 Sept. 11th | 6PM