Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness

08/22/2025

🌿 What is Holistic Physical Therapy?

At - it means we treat more than just your pain. We care for your whole self.🧘🏼‍♀️

✔️ One-on-one time with your PT (no busy gym floor)
✔️ Trauma-informed & empathetic care
✔️ Hands-on techniques + personalized exercise plans
✔️ A restorative, spa-like environment that supports healing

Holistic PT is about listening to your story, addressing the root cause, and helping you return to life feeling strong, confident, and vibrant. ✨

Ready to experience the Breathe. difference?🩷 We can’t wait to meet you!

08/21/2025

😍😍😍

Meet the mentors!

Molly envisions a reality where every time she walks into a room, "High Hopes" by Panic! At the Disco plays in the background to pump her up. She has known since she was in eighth grade that she would be a physical therapist and after graduating from Des Moines University in 2008 she knew she wanted to make Des Moines her forever home. Her interest and focus in women’s health is the product of her personal experience with years of infertility and the traumatic birth of her first daughter. She utilizes myofascial trigger point dry needling to ease pain quickly. She also has training in Medical Therapeutic Yoga, Soma Yoga and uses that to restore strength & flexibility after the muscle restrictions are released. Author of Planned C-Section Guide: How to Prepare and Recover Fearlessly, she wants all women to know that cesarean birth doesn’t have to be scary. She loves playing golf with her husband, and has two beautiful daughters and an irrational fear of penguins.

Visit https://wdmchamber.org/mentoring-for-women to learn more.

08/20/2025

Dr. Lily here! 👋🏼 Ever wonder what your PT is doing outside of the clinic?! Allow me to introduce my latest obsession...

My sourdough and its creations! 🍞

I know I’m a little late to the sourdough party, but it is SO fun.

So far, I have made 2 loaves as pictured above, and have also enjoyed making cookies and challah bread.😍

My next project will be sourdough banana bread.🍌 Wish me luck!

Any tips/favorite recipes? Share in the comments!🤍

08/11/2025

✨JOIN OUR TEAM✨

We’re looking for a Client Experience Representative who’s all about smiles, service, and making people feel at home.

If you’re friendly, organized, and love making a change, we’d love to meet you! 🌸

Apply today! Link in bio

08/11/2025

Did you know that the shoes you wear can affect how your hips and low back feel?🤯

You may have heard your PT say “everything is connected” many, many times.

Until recently, I (Lily) was wearing flimsy tennis shoes because I liked their flexibility and felt like I tolerated them well. Stores stopped carrying the shoes I used to love, and I made the switch to Hokas because I had heard good things.

Even though I promote the importance of good footwear regularly, I have been shocked by the difference I feel with supportive shoes. (sidenote - not all Hokas are created equally and some are more supportive than others by design/for various preferences.)

I personally notice less foot pain (which I would get after long walks), and less hip pain (also after long walks).

In North Liberty and Cedar Rapids, I love the experience that Fitness Sports provides for personalized shoe fittings. In the Des Moines area, there is Fitness Sports as well as Fleet Feet. Stores like this can make recommendations specific to your foot/walking pattern/activity level and it’s helpful to try the shoes on before committing/ordering online.

Do you have a similar Hokas love story? I would love to hear about it! 👟

This post is not medical advice. Please consult with your medical provider for information specific to your needs.

08/09/2025

As a pelvic health physical therapists, your safety during pregnancy is always our priority! That includes keeping an eye on conditions like preeclampsia.

🩺 What is preeclampsia?

A potentially serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure, typically after 20 weeks gestation. It can affect your organs and your baby’s health if left untreated.

🔍 Common signs to watch for:

➡️ High blood pressure
➡️ Persistent headache
➡️ Swelling in the hands, face, or eyes
➡️ Changes in vision (blurriness, flashing lights)
➡️ Right upper belly pain
➡️ Sudden weight gain
➡️ Nausea or vomiting (after mid-pregnancy)

As your PT, we can take your blood pressure during your session if you’re having any concerns, talk through any symptoms you may be experiencing, and help refer you back to your OB if anything feels off. Early detection matters, and you’re never overreacting by speaking up!

Your pelvic health sessions are about so much more than your muscles. They’re a chance to look at the whole picture of your wellness.🩷

This post is not medical advice and meant to spread awareness. If you have any concerns, please directly contact your provider!

08/05/2025

💧How much water are you drinking during the day?

When it comes to bladder health, how you hydrate matters just as much as how much.

The gold standard recommendation is to SIP 4-6oz of water per hour during the day, or ~75 oz for 12 hours. But depending on your activity level, sweating, or environment, you may need a little more!

🚫 Too little (100 oz) fluid can both contribute to bladder symptoms like urgency, frequency, or even urinary incontinence.

✨ Pelvic PT Tip: Sip consistently throughout the day rather than chugging large amounts all at once. Chugging can overload the bladder and trigger urgency (especially if your pelvic floor isn’t coordinating well with your bladder).

☕ And yes caffeine does count as fluid, but it shouldn’t count as the recommended water intake listed above. Caffeine is actually a known bladder irritant, often worsening urgency, frequency, and leakage!

Your bladder thrives on balance and consistency. Support it with smart sipping, mindful movement, and strong pelvic floor habits. 💦

How much water are you drinking each day? Hope this helps!

08/01/2025

We’re beyond honored!🥹🩷

Thanks to YOU, our amazing clients, friends, family, and community, we’re celebrating THREE wins in the 2025 Des Moines’ People’s Choice Awards:

🏆 Gold – Best Physical Therapy Clinic
🥈 Silver – Best Pilates Studio
🥈 Silver – Best Women’s Clinic

We’re so grateful not only for the nominations, but for every single person who took the time to vote for us. As a small, women-owned business, this kind of recognition fuels our passion and helps us continue to serve even more women (and men!) on their journey to living vibrant, active lives.💪🏼

Your support means the world!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.💗

07/31/2025

🌟SERVICE HIGHLIGHT!🌟

Dealing with a clogged milk duct?🍼

All of our PTs at provide therapeutic Ultrasound treatment that can help reduce inflammation, break up the blockage, and get things flowing again…fast!

Don’t wait! Reach out to us first to schedule a treatment and get relief.🙌🏼

📍West Des Moines, IA
📍North Liberty, IA

07/28/2025

RIB PAIN DURING PREGNANCY? PT can help!⬇️

Rib pain during pregnancy can happen at any point, but most commonly in the clinic, we’ll see it in the 3rd trimester!🤰🏻

When the body is growing a baby, the ribs get shoved up and pushed out of the way! We have muscles in between the ribs (intercostal muscles) and as well as larger postural muscles that lay over the ribs (e.g. the lats and serratus anterior).

If your ribs aren’t used to this movement/expansion, you may experience pain! And more than likely, PT can help (we’ll explain more below)⤵️

Signs your rib pain is musculoskeletal and treatable with PT:
🦴 pain with certain movements (such as rolling or reaching)
🦴 tenderness to touch around the ribs or upper back
🦴 relief with ice/heat, rest, gentle stretching, or change in position
🦴 worsens as the day goes on or with prolonged sitting

➡️ If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, PT can help! No referral needed in 📍Iowa - come see how PT can help alleviate your pregnancy aches + pains!🙌🏼

🚩 Disclaimer: This is not medical advice - Always reach out to your provider if you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pressure, fever, unexplained swelling or severe pain!

02/21/2025

Need to bring your child(ren) to your appointment? Please do!👧🏻🧒🏻👦🏻👶🏻

We take pride in our clinics being family-friendly with:

☀️ a shoeless facility to allow for clean floors
☀️ toys available for all ages
☀️ diaper changing stations
☀️ private room for nursing/feeding
☀️ professional baby holders (aka our amazing front office staff🥰)

We want to make this self-care time accessible and easy for YOU. Your kiddos are always welcome here!🐣