New Beginnings

New Name

The new name, Embrace Pelvic Health–formerly Embrace Physical Therapy & Wellness–

marks an affirmation of our emphasis for this practice. As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, I still see people who need a cancer specialist, but my passion is helping people through their struggles with pelvic pain, prolapse, pain with intimacy, leaking urine and constipation. As a board-certified pelvic floor specialist, this is my calling.

Embrace’s name change is also an expansion. When I was trained, physical therapists (PT) were the only pelvic health rehabilitation providers I met in training. PTs were the licensed musculoskeletal experts to help with the pelvic floor muscles, posture, breathing, etc. Over the past few years, occupational therapists (OTs) have joined PTs in this speciality at an increasing rate. This is a welcome change for two reasons. First, there are so many people who need this expertise and OTs add to the pool of those able to help. Second, occupational therapists have a different lens in their training. Occupational therapy school starts with how to help people with the everyday tasks they want to perform by helping modify their actions, environments, and tools to help achieve their goals (AOTA). This is very much the approach I take as a PT. However, much of the training for PTs starts with a focus on helping you optimize movement, fitness, and providing pain relief (Chose PT). The points of view are overlapping yet can provide a different perspective when meeting your pelvic health needs.

Welcome Mirah Sand: Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist

Please join me in welcoming Mirah Sand OTR/L (they/she) to Embrace Pelvic Health. Mirah has advanced training in pelvic health from Herman & Wallace including Pelvic Health Levels 1, 2a, and 2b and an advanced course in manual therapy for the abdominal wall. I’m excited to work with someone who was trained at the other premier school for advanced pelvic health training than where I took pelvic health courses–I took my advanced training though the APTA’s Academy of Pelvic Health. Their perspective will add a broader knowledge base to Embrace Pelvic Health. Mirah is also a trained Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist which gives them a great background to help pregnant and postpartum people with the changes in their bodies as well as how to get back to exercise and life without leaking, prolapse, or a diastasis rectus abdominus. Mirah also has advanced training in myofascial work and visceral mobilization to help with scar tissue, organ pain, and allowing your uterus, bladder, and bowels to move and work optimally. Trauma work is another area where Mirah has specialized training which is helpful when working as a pelvic floor OT: many people experience sexual trauma and trauma during birth. Mirah provides trauma-informed, queer and trans inclusive care in keeping with Embrace’s mission. Schedule an initial appointment or free discovery visit with Mirah.