Athena Wellness and Physical Therapy

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Alexandria, VA
Athena Wellness and Physical Therapy

Breast Cancer and Pelvic Floor Rehab in Northern Virginia
Empowering women to advocate for themselves & improving quality of life

05/13/2026

As our community continues to grow, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce one of the amazing pelvic health physical therapists on our team at Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy 💛

When I asked Stephanie why she does what she does, this was her answer:

“Becoming a parent first sparked my interest in pelvic floor physical therapy. After experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction during my second pregnancy and not receiving specialized care, I knew I wanted to learn more and help others navigate similar challenges.

As I pursued training in pelvic health, I found traditional outpatient settings limiting—I wasn’t able to provide the level of individualized, patient-centered care I value.

That’s what led me to Athena Wellness, where I work alongside like-minded clinicians who are passionate about elevating women’s health physical therapy. Here, I have the time to truly get to know you—your story, your goals, and what matters most to you.

Pelvic floor symptoms can feel confusing and overwhelming, but your care doesn’t have to be. I enjoy treating a variety of patients including pregnant and postpartum people, those experiencing pelvic pain, incontinence, as well as hip and low back pain.

My goal is to help you feel like yourself again—moving confidently, restoring function, and returning to what you love, pain-free.” ✨

We are so grateful to have providers on our team who are deeply passionate about changing the standard of care for women.

💛 Come meet Stephanie this Sunday, May 17th on the expert panel following the screening of Lady Parts at Patagonia in Old Town from 6-8:30 pm!

05/07/2026

So incredibly honored to be a part of this year’s 40 under 40.

04/29/2026

Did you know postpartum support in physical therapy is not always just about the pelvic floor and core?

Physical therapists trained in lymphatic massage can also help with breastfeeding challenges such as engorgement.

When your milk is coming in—or when the breasts become overly full—they can feel:
• Swollen
• Firm
• Tender
• Painful

This swelling can make latching more difficult and feeding more uncomfortable for both mom and baby.

Using light, skin-stretching pressure (not deep tissue pressure), we can encourage fluid movement away from congested areas, decrease swelling, and improve comfort. Often, this can also help soften the tissue enough to make latch and milk flow easier.

A few reminders:
• Gentle pressure works best—more pressure is not better
• Focus on moving fluid toward the armpit and collarbone areas
• Use before feeds or pumping if swelling is limiting latch
• Pair with frequent feeding, position changes, and guidance from your provider

You do not have to “push through” painful engorgement.

At Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy, we support women through pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding challenges, and recovery with whole-person care.

💛 If you’re struggling with engorgement, discomfort, or breast swelling, reach out. Support is available.

04/27/2026

✨ We have a lot of new faces here, so I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce who we are. ✨

Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy was born out of years of burnout and frustration I experienced while treating breast cancer patients in a fast-paced outpatient orthopedic clinic. A cancer diagnosis is traumatic enough—but rushed appointments in a crowded gym, while patients were navigating multiple physical impairments and processing a life-changing diagnosis, never felt like quality care.

My original plan was to open a clinic within a local breast surgeon’s office. After two years of meetings and negotiations, what I once thought was my dream opportunity fell through while I was on maternity leave with my second child.

Without a formal backup plan, I knew one thing: I could not continue feeling depleted at work while raising two young children at home.

So, I took a leap of faith and opened my own clinic—originally focused on oncology care.

But as I started down that path, I realized I wanted to do more.

My own experiences with pregnancy and childbirth left me wanting better care for women. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I asked for a pelvic floor physical therapy referral (back when one was still required in Virginia) and was told it was typically only given if someone was in significant pain or had experienced a traumatic birth.

That conversation stayed with me.

Pelvic floor physical therapy should not be reserved for when women are at their worst. It can be transformative for prevention, labor preparation, postpartum recovery, and long-term function.

The more I reflected, the more I knew: if I was going to build something, it needed to be comprehensive.

At Athena, our mission is to support women across the lifespan—through oncology, pregnancy and postpartum, pelvic health, and beyond—with specialists who truly understand each stage.

Today, my goal is simple: to give women a place where they feel heard, supported, and empowered. A place where they can set goals they may not have thought possible—and move through life feeling strong, confident, and cared for. 💛

04/23/2026

Come join us Saturday, May 2nd at the Fit4Mom Southwest NOVA Celebration of Moms 💛

Enjoy a stroller-based workout filled with strength, connection, and community—we can’t think of a better way to celebrate all that moms do.

📍 Location: Laurel Hill Park – Central Green, Lorton
⏰ Registration opens at 9 AM

We’ll also be raffling off an Athena Mom Reset Package, including:
• Complimentary evaluation
• Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat
• Weighted eye mask
• A Copy of the Book Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself

Be sure to stop by our table after the workout to:
✨ Ask your questions
✨ Learn more about how we support moms
✨ Enjoy some fun activities for the littles

We can’t wait to see you there! 💛

04/07/2026

This week is Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week 💛

Cancer in teens and young adults often looks different—and so do their needs. These patients are navigating school, careers, relationships, fertility concerns, and identity, all while facing a life-changing diagnosis.

As a physical therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to support not just survival, but quality of life. From managing fatigue and restoring strength, to addressing pelvic health, lymphedema, and long-term side effects of treatment—these patients deserve care that meets them where they are.

Early support matters. Education matters. Being heard matters.

Let’s continue to advocate for better resources, more awareness, and whole-person care for this unique and resilient population. We have to do better. 💛

03/20/2026

We’re so excited to be part of the expert panel following the screening of Lady Parts at Patagonia in Old Town!

📅 Be sure to mark your calendars and purchase tickets ahead of time.

Join Us in Alexandria for a Special Screening of Lady Parts

We’re excited to invite you to an upcoming stop on the Lady Parts Road Show — a powerful, hilarious, and deeply human film that’s sparking important conversations in medical and patient communities alike.

Lady Parts follows a young woman whose s*x life becomes a family affair when she undergoes a vulvar vestibulectomy. As she navigates recovery with the help of her loving (and overbearing) parents, the film explores patient vulnerability, communication gaps, s*xual pain, and the journey toward self-advocacy within the healthcare system.

While a comedy at heart, the film has resonated strongly with medical audiences for its honest, patient-centered portrayal of vulvar pain, s*xual health, and the emotional realities of gynecologic care. It’s become a meaningful springboard for discussions around empathy, language, consent, and truly listening to patients’ lived experiences.

We’re also proud to share that 25% of ticket sales will be donated to Tight Lipped, a grassroots nonprofit by and for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain.

🗓️ Sunday May 17, 2026 at 6:00pm
📍 Patagonia Theatre, Alexandria, VA
🎟️ Tickets: https://bit.ly/3L2rsh5 *xualhealth

03/18/2026

In 1849, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree — after being rejected by multiple schools simply because she was a woman.

Her determination helped open doors for generations of women in medicine and changed the future of healthcare.

This Women’s History Month, we honor the women who helped shape the medical field we rely on today.

At Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy, we celebrate the women who continue to transform healthcare through innovation, advocacy, and compassionate care.

03/13/2026

Endometriosis is not rare.
It is not “just cramps.”
And it is not something women should have to endure in silence.

1 in 10 women are living with this condition. Many wait 7–10 years for answers. Many are told their pain is normal. Many are dismissed.

Chronic pain changes the body. It changes the nervous system. It changes the pelvic floor.

If you’re experiencing painful in*******se, constipation, persistent pelvic pain, or symptoms that don’t make sense — you are not overreacting. And you are not alone.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is not a cure for endometriosis. But it can be a powerful part of your care team — helping address muscle guarding, tension, scar mobility, breathing mechanics, and nervous system regulation.

At Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy, we believe women deserve:
✔ To be listened to
✔ To be taken seriously
✔ To receive individualized, evidence-based care

This month, we advocate for earlier diagnosis, better education, and whole-person support.

If you’re navigating endometriosis and ready to feel more supported in your body — we’re here 💛

💛 🎗

03/09/2026

This Women’s History Month, we’re honoring the women who helped shape modern healthcare.

The pioneers who pushed past barriers.
The clinicians who advocated for their patients.
The researchers who changed the way we understand and treat the body.

Because the care women receive today didn’t happen by accident—it happened because women in healthcare challenged norms, advanced science, and insisted that patients deserved better.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the women whose work continues to influence the way we practice, treat, and support patients today.

💛 At Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy, we’re grateful to carry their work forward as we support women across the lifespan.

03/08/2026

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and complexity of women—past, present, and future.

At Athena Wellness & Physical Therapy, we believe women deserve healthcare that listens, educates, and treats the whole person. Not dismissal. Not minimization. Not one-size-fits-all advice.

From pelvic health to pregnancy and postpartum care, oncology rehabilitation, and beyond, we are honored to support women through every phase of life.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who advocate for their health, ask questions, seek answers, and demand better care—for themselves and for future generations.

💛 Strong women deserve strong support.

Address

2414 Londonderry Road
Alexandria, VA
22308

Telephone

+17575329804

Website

http://athenawellnesspt.com/

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