Finding My Path in Pelvic Health: Rural Communities, Travel PT, and Advocacy

Why I Chose Physical Therapy

When I first decided to pursue physical therapy, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. That realization came from a deeply personal experience when I spent time in the hospital with my father while he received physical therapy during his recovery. Watching physical therapists help him regain mobility, confidence, and independence showed me how much influence this profession can have during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life.

Physical therapy initially drew me in because of its ability to do more than just treat injuries or diagnoses; it also restores hope, dignity, function, and quality of life to patients and those closest to them.

Discovering Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

My journey into pelvic health physical therapy came later during physical therapy school. Like many students, I had very little exposure to pelvic health within my curriculum. Pelvic floor dysfunction was discussed in only one lecture throughout my entire three years of PT school, and even then, it was only a surface-level overview presented about six months before graduation. At the time, I did not fully understand the complexity of this specialty or the significant need within this patient population.

That changed after I had the opportunity to shadow a pelvic health physical therapist during my third clinical rotation in acute care. My clinical instructor arranged for me to spend time with the pelvic health physical therapist affiliated with the hospital system’s nearby outpatient clinic.

During that experience, I met patients who had lived with symptoms for years, including urinary leakage, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, bowel dysfunction, pregnancy-related pain, and postpartum concerns. Many had normalized their symptoms or had been told their concerns were “just part of life.” Seeing these conversations happen openly, often for the first time, completely shifted the direction I envisioned for my career.

I quickly realized how underserved this population truly is and how much stigma still surrounds pelvic health conditions. I also recognized how little awareness exists regarding pelvic floor physical therapy, both among the public and within healthcare itself. At that moment, I knew pelvic health was a specialty I wanted to pursue.

The Power of Being Heard

One aspect of pelvic health physical therapy that continues to stand out to me is how relieved patients are simply to feel heard and validated. For many patients, it is the first time someone has explained that their symptoms are treatable and that they do not have to simply “live with it.”

Many pelvic health patients come into the clinic feeling embarrassed, frustrated, or dismissed. Some have spent years searching for answers, while others have avoided activities they love because of pain or fear of symptoms. Being able to create a safe environment where patients feel comfortable discussing these concerns is one of the most rewarding parts of this specialty.

Pelvic health physical therapy also requires us to look at the whole person. Pelvic floor dysfunction rarely exists in isolation. Stress, breathing patterns, orthopedic impairments, nervous system regulation, strength, mobility, lifestyle factors, and emotional well-being can all play a role. That complexity is one of the reasons I find this specialty so meaningful.

Growing as a Pelvic Health Clinician

Since graduating four years ago, I have worked in a variety of outpatient orthopedic settings while continuing to develop my pelvic health knowledge and skills. I began my career in a mid-sized city in western New York before transitioning into travel physical therapy, which brought me to rural communities in central New York and central Pennsylvania.

I now practice in a smaller city in central Pennsylvania while also serving surrounding rural areas. Through these experiences, I became especially passionate about improving access to pelvic health care in rural communities, where specialized services can be extremely limited. Many patients travel long distances to receive care, while others go without treatment altogether because they do not know pelvic floor physical therapy exists or cannot realistically access it.

As someone who grew up in a rural community in the Southern Tier of New York, this issue feels deeply personal to me.

Looking Toward the Future

I hope to continue expanding access to evidence-based pelvic health care within rural communities while also helping normalize conversations surrounding pelvic floor dysfunction. I am particularly interested in continuing my education in obstetric physical therapy to better support pregnant and postpartum patients throughout all stages of their journey.

Pregnancy and postpartum recovery are areas where many individuals are often told to simply “push through” symptoms despite pain, dysfunction, or significant physical changes that impact daily life. Pelvic health physical therapists have the opportunity not only to treat patients, but also to educate communities, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and increase awareness about what pelvic floor physical therapy can offer.

Whether through patient education, interdisciplinary communication, mentorship, or community outreach, every conversation helps reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Receiving the scholarship from the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is an incredible honor and an important step in my professional journey. This opportunity allows me to continue pursuing advanced education through the CAPP-OB pathway while strengthening the care I can provide to my patients and community.

Pelvic health physical therapy has challenged me to become a better listener, a more thoughtful clinician, and a stronger advocate for patient-centered care. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and helping patients feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their healthcare journey.

Meet the Author

Aletha Jackson PT, DPT

2026 CAPP Webinar Scholarship Recipient

Dr. Aletha Jackson is a physical therapist practicing in central Pennsylvania with a focus on pelvic health and orthopedic rehabilitation. Originally from the Southern Tier of New York, she is passionate about improving access to pelvic health services in rural communities through patient-centered care, education, and advocacy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Alfred University before completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Nazareth University. She is currently pursuing continuing education through the CAPP-OB pathway to further support pregnant and postpartum patients.