Meet Lauren Marshall, SPT

Most people have asked a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most kids have dreams of being a princess, astronaut, president, etc. If you asked me this question at a young age I would have enthusiastically shouted “A physical therapist!” This all stemmed from my own personal experience with a physical therapist (PT) that I absolutely adored who had treated me as a child.

Once I was in PT school, I quickly became overwhelmed and soon had the terrifying thought of “Did I make the right choice? Can I do this?” and this shocked me to my core. For so long I had been so sure that this was my passion and who I was going to be and now I was questioning if I had what it took to succeed. This is when I chose to dig deeper into the reasons why I could do it but more importantly, who would benefit from me being a PT. 

My drive for physical therapy may have started as an aspiration arising from having a personal experience with PT and a fascination with the how the human body works, but I quickly realized why this profession was rooted so deeply inside myself. What I hold onto so tightly is being a physical therapist gives me the opportunity to be someone’s advocate! We have the privilege of spending more time with patients, forming bonds, and having the privilege to stand by them through their journey. This advocacy for those who needed me became my reason why. 

It was also around this time that I learned of pelvic health physical therapy (PHPT), and I immediately felt I needed to do more research into what this specialty was all about. In my research, I was intrigued with all things pelvic floor and what my role is as a PT in treating them. What stuck out to me the most was how common these dysfunctions are, but still how little anyone was talking about them. This confirmed to me that pelvic health physical therapy is where my true passion lies. I am able to work in an area that ignites my professional interests, while also allowing me to be an ally for those struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction. 

The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APHPT) has done wonders for my education in pelvic health. Through this organization I have been able to do research into the field, join the SSIG group, gain loads of knowledge, attend meetings with guest speakers, and connect and learn with others who share this passion. I could not be more grateful for every opportunity that I have gained through the APTA Pelvic Health. This community is truly special, and I am extremely blessed to be a part of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy!

Written by Meet Lauren Marshall, SPT