Empowering Vermont Moms Through Specialized Physical Therapy
A Smarter Approach to Motherhood and Recovery
Motherhood is one of the most physically transformative experiences a woman can go through. From pregnancy to postpartum recovery and beyond, the body undergoes significant changes that impact strength, mobility, and overall function. While many women are told that pain, incontinence, and core weakness are “just part of having kids”, these symptoms are not something you have to live with forever.
At VT Moms Physical Therapy and Performance in Vergennes, Vermont, we believe that mothers deserve better care, more answers, and expert guidance in navigating their changing bodies. Our approach to pelvic floor and postpartum physical therapy is about helping moms restore strength, regain confidence, and move without pain or dysfunction. Whether you're preparing for birth, recovering postpartum, or years beyond childbirth, our one-on-one, specialized treatment is designed to empower you to feel strong and capable in your body again.
Unlike traditional physical therapy clinics that provide generalized rehab exercises, we focus on individualized, whole-body recovery strategies. Our sessions include hands-on manual therapy, functional movement training, and strength-based rehabilitation to help moms return to lifting, running, or simply moving without discomfort. Our goal is to help every mom feel confident, supported, and strong throughout her motherhood journey—because you deserve expert care, not just “wait and see” advice.
The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health: More Than Just Kegels
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels, playing a crucial role in core stability, continence, and sexual health. These muscles work in coordination with the deep core, diaphragm, and hip stabilizers, ensuring that the body functions efficiently and pain-free. However, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery can cause dysfunction in these muscles, leading to issues such as:
Urinary incontinence (leaking when sneezing, coughing, or exercising)
Pelvic organ prolapse (a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis)
Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
Chronic lower back, hip, or pelvic pain
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation affecting core strength and posture)
One of the most common misconceptions about pelvic floor health is that Kegel exercises are the solution for every woman. While some moms may need pelvic floor strengthening, others may have tight, overactive pelvic muscles that require relaxation and retraining. This is why a customized approach to pelvic floor therapy is essential—because every woman’s needs are different.
At VT Moms PT, we take the time to assess each individual’s movement patterns, muscle tone, and nervous system function, ensuring that your treatment targets the true root cause of your symptoms. Instead of masking discomfort or avoiding activities, we restore pelvic function so you can move confidently and without pain.
Comprehensive Pelvic Floor & Postpartum Recovery Services
At VT Moms Physical Therapy and Performance, we offer a wide range of services tailored specifically to the needs of mothers and active women. Whether you are expecting, newly postpartum, or years beyond childbirth, our evidence-based, individualized treatments are designed to restore movement, function, and strength so that you can feel your best in daily life.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Strength, Stability, and Confidence
Many women believe that pelvic floor issues are an inevitable part of motherhood, but in reality, they are highly treatable with expert guidance. Our one-on-one pelvic therapy sessions address:
Leaking and urgency (urinary incontinence & overactive bladder issues)
Pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, and perineal discomfort
Painful intercourse and postpartum discomfort (dyspareunia, vaginismus)
Scar tissue management (C-section scars, perineal tearing, episiotomy recovery)
Using a combination of manual therapy, movement training, breathing mechanics, and neuromuscular retraining, we restore pelvic floor strength and function so moms can return to daily life, fitness, and intimacy with confidence.
Postpartum Exercise & Return-to-Fitness Programs
For many moms, getting back into exercise after pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Some struggle with core weakness and instability, while others experience pain or pressure when running, lifting, or engaging in high-impact activities. Our return-to-fitness programs help moms safely transition back to:
Running and endurance training without pain or leaking
Weightlifting and strength training with proper core and pelvic floor engagement
High-impact activities like CrossFit, HIIT, and plyometrics without injury
Yoga, Pilates, and mobility work for flexibility and balance
Rather than simply providing generic postpartum workouts, we assess your unique movement patterns, breath control, and muscle imbalances, ensuring that you build a strong, stable foundation before progressing to advanced exercises.
With our expert guidance, moms return to exercise feeling strong, empowered, and injury-free.
Birth Preparation: Strengthening for Labor & Delivery
Childbirth is one of the most physically demanding events a woman’s body can experience. Yet, many women enter labor without understanding how to properly engage, relax, or coordinate their pelvic floor muscles. Preparing the body before delivery can significantly improve birth outcomes, reduce complications, and support a smoother postpartum recovery.
At VT Moms PT, we help expecting mothers build the strength, mobility, and confidence they need for a more efficient labor and delivery experience. Our birth preparation sessions focus on:
Pelvic Mobility & Optimal Positioning for Labor
Many expecting moms struggle with tight hip flexors, lower back pain, and pelvic misalignment—all of which can affect fetal positioning, ease of delivery, and postpartum recovery. Through targeted movement exercises, we help:
Improve hip and pelvic mobility for a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery.
Encourage optimal fetal positioning to reduce labor complications.
Reduce tension and pain in the lower back, hips, and sacrum.
By ensuring that the pelvis moves freely, labor can progress more smoothly, reducing the risk of prolonged pushing and unnecessary interventions.
Perineal Massage & Soft Tissue Release
One of the biggest concerns for pregnant women is perineal tearing during childbirth. While some degree of stretching is natural, excessive tearing can lead to longer recovery times, painful scar tissue, and pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum.
Perineal massage helps:
Increase flexibility in the perineum, making it more resilient for childbirth.
Reduce the likelihood of severe tearing and the need for episiotomies.
Promote postpartum healing by improving circulation and elasticity.
We provide step-by-step guidance on perineal massage techniques, helping moms feel more confident and prepared for delivery.
Breathing & Pushing Strategies for an Easier Birth
Many women instinctively hold their breath and push incorrectly during labor, which can:
Increase intra-abdominal pressure and stress on the pelvic floor.
Lead to exhaustion, longer pushing times, and unnecessary interventions.
Increase postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction.
Through breath training and proper core engagement, we help moms learn:
The best breathing patterns to support effective contractions and pushing.
How to properly coordinate pelvic floor relaxation and activation.
Techniques to minimize fatigue and reduce the risk of complications.
By educating and preparing moms ahead of time, we set them up for a smoother birth experience and an easier recovery postpartum.
Orthopedic Physical Therapy for Pain Relief & Full-Body Recovery
Pregnancy and postpartum recovery affect more than just the pelvic floor—they impact the entire musculoskeletal system. Many moms experience persistent aches, joint instability, and movement restrictions, which can limit daily function and quality of life.
At VT Moms PT, we provide full-body orthopedic physical therapy to address pain, dysfunction, and movement limitations that arise before, during, and after pregnancy.
Common Pain Conditions We Treat
Low Back & Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain – Caused by postural changes, core instability, and ligament laxity during pregnancy.
Neck, Shoulder, & Upper Back Pain – Often due to breastfeeding, carrying a baby, and poor posture.
Hip, Knee, & Ankle Pain – A result of muscle imbalances, altered gait, and postpartum weakness.
Many moms assume that these aches and pains are just part of motherhood, but early intervention can prevent long-term discomfort and dysfunction.
Restoring Strength & Mobility Postpartum
Recovering from pregnancy requires more than just waiting for time to pass. Our strength-based rehab approach helps moms:
Rebuild core and pelvic stability to prevent chronic pain.
Improve posture and alignment for better movement efficiency.
Increase flexibility and mobility to support everyday tasks like lifting, carrying, and bending.
By treating the whole body, not just isolated symptoms, we help moms move better, feel stronger, and enjoy an active lifestyle postpartum.
Return-to-Exercise Programs for Active Moms: Rebuilding Strength with Confidence
For many moms, returning to exercise, running, lifting, or high-intensity training after pregnancy is a huge milestone—but without the right rehabilitation and strength progression, it can lead to setbacks, injuries, and frustration. At VT Moms PT, we understand that postpartum recovery is not just about bouncing back—it’s about building a stronger, more resilient body that can support long-term movement and performance.
Many women try to return to their pre-pregnancy workouts only to find that their core feels weak, they experience leaking, or they struggle with aches and pains they never had before. Instead of pushing through discomfort or stopping activity altogether, our return-to-exercise programs provide a guided, structured approach to getting stronger without setbacks.
Common Challenges When Returning to Exercise
Postpartum moms often experience:
Core instability & diastasis recti – Feeling weakness, doming, or bulging in the abdomen when exercising.
Pelvic floor dysfunction – Experiencing leakage, heaviness, or discomfort during high-impact activities.
Hip, knee, or low back pain – Due to muscle imbalances and improper movement patterns post-pregnancy.
Breathing & intra-abdominal pressure issues – Struggling with breath control during lifting, running, or core work.
Instead of pushing through pain or assuming these issues are just part of postpartum life, we help moms rebuild strength correctly so they can return to their favorite activities feeling strong and supported.
Our Approach to Postpartum Strength & Performance Training
We believe that postpartum recovery should be progressive, intentional, and personalized. Our return-to-exercise programs include:
Core & Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation – Strengthening deep core muscles, improving breath control, and retraining movement patterns for long-term stability.
Gradual Load Progression – Ensuring moms build strength safely before jumping back into running, weightlifting, CrossFit, or HIIT workouts.
Pelvic Stability & Impact Readiness Testing – Assessing balance, core endurance, and joint control before returning to high-impact movements.
Breathing & Pressure Control Training – Teaching diaphragm-pelvic floor coordination for better endurance, lifting, and core engagement.
By addressing these foundational areas, moms return to exercise with confidence, free from pain, and stronger than before.
The Benefits of Self-Pay Physical Therapy: Why It’s Worth the Investment
One of the biggest barriers to quality postpartum and pelvic floor care is the limitations set by insurance companies. Many women seeking specialized physical therapy find themselves restricted to a few covered sessions, denied effective treatments, or forced to wait for approvals before getting the care they need.
At VT Moms PT, we operate on a self-pay model to ensure moms receive the best, most individualized care without limitations.
Why Choose Self-Pay Physical Therapy?
More Time with Your Therapist
Insurance-based care often limits session times, forcing therapists to see multiple patients at once.
With self-pay, you receive a full hour of one-on-one treatment, allowing for more personalized care and faster results.
No Insurance Restrictions on Treatment
Many effective treatments (manual therapy, return-to-exercise training, scar tissue work, dry needling) aren’t covered by insurance.
Self-pay allows full access to the most effective recovery methods without restriction.
Faster Results, Fewer Sessions Needed
Insurance-based care often stretches treatment over months due to limited time and slow progress in rushed sessions.
With focused, one-on-one sessions, many moms see significant improvements faster and require fewer visits overall.
Immediate Access to Care (No Doctor Referrals Needed)
Many insurance plans require a physician’s referral or pre-approval, delaying treatment.
With self-pay, you can start immediately, preventing symptoms from worsening.
A Long-Term Investment in Your Health
Postpartum complications, pelvic pain, and injuries don’t just “go away” on their own—they often worsen without proper intervention.
Investing in specialized postpartum rehab now can prevent chronic pain, prolapse, and long-term movement dysfunction.
Choosing self-pay physical therapy allows moms to take control of their recovery, get the care they deserve, and build a strong foundation for lifelong movement.
Getting Started: Your First Visit at VT Moms PT
We understand that taking the first step toward pelvic health and postpartum recovery can feel overwhelming—that’s why we prioritize comfort, education, and a supportive environment from the moment you walk in.
During your initial evaluation, you can expect:
A one-on-one consultation where we discuss your concerns, goals, and medical history.
A full-body movement and pelvic floor assessment (external, unless internal is requested).
An explanation of your symptoms and the root cause of your discomfort.
A customized treatment plan, including hands-on therapy, movement retraining, and strength-building strategies.
Education on lifestyle adjustments, core engagement, and proper breathing mechanics.
We ensure that every mom leaves their first session feeling informed, confident, and empowered to take control of their postpartum journey.
Take Control of Your Postpartum & Pelvic Health Today
You don’t have to live with pain, incontinence, or weakness after pregnancy. Whether you’re recovering from childbirth, experiencing pelvic discomfort, or looking to get back into fitness safely, VT Moms Physical Therapy & Performance is here to help.
Our one-on-one, expert-guided care ensures that moms feel strong, confident, and capable in their bodies—because you deserve to feel your best at every stage of motherhood.