More Than Postpartum: What Pelvic PT Looks Like at Every Age
- Melissa Sundberg
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Pelvic Health Is for Everyone—Here’s the Proof
When most people think of pelvic floor therapy, they think of postpartum mom. And yes—we love supporting moms in their healing journeys! But pelvic floor dysfunction affects people of all ages, genders, and activity levels, and it can show up in ways that surprise you.
At AK Pelvic Health & Wellness, we’re proud to treat a wide range of patients—from athletes and college students to menopausal women and active dads & grandpas. Many of them come to us after seeing multiple providers, feeling confused or dismissed, and thinking, "Is this just something I have to live with?" The answer: absolutely not.
Pelvic floor therapy can address a huge variety of concerns—leaking, pressure, pain with intimacy, constipation, hip pain, urgency, erectile dysfunction, core instability, and more. And with a compassionate, individualized approach, we help you understand the root cause and build confidence in your body again.
✨ Here are just a few real-life stories from the patients we work with every day:
Amanda: The Postpartum Mom with Leaking and Pelvic Pressure
Amanda* came to us six weeks after delivering her second baby. She was cleared for activity—but still leaking when she lifted her toddler and sneezed. She also felt a constant heaviness in her pelvic area by the end of the day.
Despite doing her best with Kegels and exercises she found on Instagram, she felt overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
Working with Melissa, Amanda learned how to breathe more effectively, engage her core and pelvic floor correctly, and adjust how she moved through daily tasks. With time and support, she rebuilt her strength—and her confidence.
“I was told to just do Kegels and wait it out, but that wasn’t working. Melissa helped me understand my body again and made everything feel less scary. I finally feel strong, not broken—and now I can run, lift, and play with my kids without constantly worrying about leaks or pressure.”
Rachel: The Perimenopausal Woman with Painful Sex and Constipation
Rachel, in her early 50s, was quietly struggling with pelvic pain, painful intimacy, and new bowel issues she thought were simply “part of getting older.”
But when she came to AK Pelvic, she learned these symptoms were connected—and very treatable.
Nikki supported her through pelvic floor downtraining, gentle internal work, and breath and mobility strategies to calm her overactive system. She also created space to explore how hormonal shifts, emotions, and past trauma were all playing a role.
“I just thought this was part of getting older, and no one ever explained it differently. Nikki made me feel so heard and validated—and gave me tools that actually worked. I didn’t expect to feel this good in my body again, especially during intimacy. I wish I’d come in years ago.”
Lila: The College Athlete with Hip Pain and Constant Urgency
Lila*, a 21-year-old competitive runner, had been battling chronic hip tightness that just wouldn’t go away. She’d tried lots of stretching, foam rolling, and traditional PT exercises without relief. She also mentioned that she always had to pee before runs and felt anxious about bladder leaks.
Melissa uncovered that Lila’s pelvic floor was working overtime—compensating for poor core engagement and stress patterns. Together, they focused on pelvic coordination, bladder retraining, and reducing unnecessary muscle tension.
“No one had ever talked to me about my pelvic floor before. Melissa helped me realize it wasn’t just about tight hips—it was everything working together. I felt better within a few visits, and I left with tools I’ll use for the rest of my running career. Total game changer.”
Chris: The Active Dad with Erectile Dysfunction and Core Disconnect
Chris*, 44, is an avid mountain biker who came in after noticing changes in his workouts—and in the bedroom. He felt like his core wasn’t firing quite right, leaked sometimes after empyting his bladder, and had trouble with maintaining erections. He assumed it was stress or aging and was hesitant to talk about it.
Working with Nikki, Chris learned how pelvic floor tension, nerve pressure, and breathing patterns were all impacting his symptoms. With targeted strength work and tools he could use at home, he started seeing results within weeks.
“It was honestly a relief to talk to someone like Nikki who understood my symptoms—without making it weird or awkward. I felt supported every step of the way. My workouts are better, and so is my confidence in every part of life. I’m really glad I didn’t wait any longer.”
*names and identifying information has been changed.
What These Stories Have in Common
Each of these patients arrived feeling uncertain—wondering if their symptoms were just “part of life” or something they had to silently endure.
But with the right support, they left feeling empowered—with answers, a plan, and real tools to move forward.
If you're dealing with symptoms that affect your movement, intimacy, or confidence in your body—you don’t have to push through or figure it out alone.
We're here to help. 💜
