Finding My Voice Again: Elena Martin
"I'm a 4'9" professional vocalist, keyboardist, bandleader, IT professional, wife, and mom who spent nearly 15 years struggling with a voice that no longer felt like my own—something I now understand began quietly after pregnancy changed the mechanics of my body in ways no one recognized at the time. Thankfully, I trusted my instincts, even as I received misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis."
Elena Martin shares their experience navigating pelvic prolapse with rectocele and how pelvic health physical therapy became an important part of their healing journey. Elena's story highlights the impact of persistence, individualized care, and the many ways pelvic health rehabilitation can improve quality of life.
📍 Westminster, MD USA
My Story
"I'm a 4'9" professional vocalist, keyboardist, bandleader, IT professional, wife, and mom who spent nearly 15 years struggling with a voice that no longer felt like my own—something I now understand began quietly after pregnancy changed the mechanics of my body in ways no one recognized at the time. Thankfully, I trusted my instincts, even as I received misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis."
It turns out my last pregnancy was a catalyst for the breakdown of my entire pressure canister. Diastasis, organ displacement rendering my diaphragm basically useless, and eventually a diagnosis of severe pelvic prolapse with rectocele.
Pelvic floor physical therapy, osteopathic work to restore organ position and diaphragmatic access, and a deeper understanding of how the body actually supports the voice began to change everything.
Essentially, I am reprogramming my body—retraining the breath, the core, and the pressure system that supports my voice, while relearning how to use muscles I had no access to for years. Every session, every exercise, every mindful breath is part of learning to access what has been locked for so long. It’s challenging, sometimes slow, but profoundly transformative.
Before Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
I started feeling symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. It first came to light while I was seeking answers for gastrointestinal issues that no one realized were connected.
My voice felt strangled for years (I didn't realize it was related), there was constant abdominal pressure, and I experienced the bowel symptoms that come with a rectocele.
I kept telling voice specialists that my abdomen felt 'locked'—NOBODY ever suggested having my abdomen evaluated!
My Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Journey
I was referred to physical therapy specifically to address the rectocele. I put two and two together and realized this was also the underlying cause of my voice issue.
It turns out my last pregnancy was the catalyst for the breakdown of my entire pressure canister, resulting in diastasis, organ displacement that rendered my diaphragm essentially useless, and eventually a diagnosis of severe pelvic organ prolapse with a rectocele.
Where I Am Today
I am still in physical therapy as I rebuild my pressure canister from the bottom up. My rectocele symptoms have gotten better, and my voice is slowly coming back.A Final Reflection
I kept telling voice specialists my abdomen felt “locked” - NOBODY ever suggested having my abdomen checked!
I would like to point out that I never stopped singing through this.
