AprilBolding.Com

April is now taking physical therapy clients at Highline Physical Therapy in West Seattle. She welcomes all clients. 

Women's Health Physical Therapy
Because of her background and special PT training in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, as well as the pelvic floor, her goal is to provide physical therapy to as many pregnant and post-birth mothers as possible.   This population is under-referred and under-served as a whole.  In other developed countries, it is a given that a woman be seen by a physiotherapist during this time.  Women undergo tremendous change on all levels within the childbearing year and their bodies need specialized attention to prepare for and rehabilitate from the Olympic event of pregnancy and childbirth.   Read more below for a list of pregnancy and postpartum complaints that can be relieved with physical therapy.

In terms of pelvic floor issues, clients tend to wait to get treatment until symptoms become unbearable.  Don't let this be you or those you know!  The incidence of urinary incontinence experienced by women is 10-30% in this country.  This is a common issue that frequently worsens and impacts what activities women feel they can do.  Urinary leakage with sneezing or vigorous activity is called stress incontinence and can be eliminated with education and treatment.

"Post-partum, I played the waiting game. Six weeks, six months, sixteen months. I regained significant (bladder) control but sneezing was an issue and running wasn't an option. Finally I saw a urologist who recommended surgery. It scared me enough to finally try physical therapy. I was fortunate to find April. Working with her reduced my anxiety and gave me hope and confidence. I feel physically different after a few short weeks. When I do her prescribed exercises, I can sneeze and run with confidence and continence! Thank you April."  
~PT client and Mother of 1 1/2 year old twins, Fall 2011

April teaches a variety of childbirth preparation classes:

• Private childbirth preparation classes for first-time parents
• Private refresher classes for experienced mothers/couples
• A 7-week birth preparation series for women/couples planning to birth in the home or at a free-standing birth center
• A 7-week birth preparation series for women/couples planning to birth in a hospital or birth center
  

  April was our guide into parenthood.  We met her as our childbirth instructor and asked her to be our doula.  We were drawn to her deep level of expertise, her wit and humor, and the evident significance of love, acceptance, and intuition in her life and in her work.  From building our birth plan, to sharing clues that labor was on its way, to the actual childbirth and delivery, she was a confident advocate that birth is a celebration and that we would be ready to be parents.
  --Jeanne & David, expectant parents in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class and doula clients, Spring 2009
  

  

   

Parents, children and family members have a special connection to each other.  Sometimes, we have experiences that show us in extraordinary ways just how connected we are.  We all have intuition, also called our sixth sense, and we can be very receptive with our loved ones.  Whether we are a birth or adoptive parent, we can start tuning in to our children in new ways.  We can perceive profound things that seem uncanny to some or to others just normal.  I have heard parents say things like "I haven't told anyone because people might think I've lost it" or "It was so subtle, I hardly know if it was real."  Sacred Parenthood provides a Rainbow Circle for the sharing of our intuitive experiences with our loved ones. Read them here...