We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Julie Wallace. Check out our conversation below.
Julie, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to wake up slowly around 5am and then sit in front of my SAD light and meditate for about 10 minutes. I reflect on my previous day and think about my goals and objective for the current day. Then I drink a full glass of water and begin about an hour worth of a workout either at my house or at the recreation center. I then get myself ready for work and then wake up my kids to get them ready for school.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Dr. Julie Wallace. A doctor of physical therapy and I specialize in treating pelvic floor dysfunctions. I own the only dedicated pelvic floor physical therapy clinic with multiple practitioners in Northern Colorado. My clinic is called Insight Pelvic Health and it is located in Loveland. We have 4 doctors of physical therapy who all have over 10 year of pelvic floor experience. We help people with the 4 P’s: Peeing, Pooping, Penetration, and Pain.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my husband after we had our first child really changed the way I see myself. I had to have an emergency c-section with my son. I also had had something called PUPPS during my pregnancy with him. PUPPS causes a rash all of your body. About 24 hours after I delivered our son, I went to take a shower and I saw my reflection in the mirror. I had just had major abdominal surgery so my stomach and butt were stretched and sagging at the same time while also being blotchy from a rash all over. I commented how I looked like an 80 year old lady and he immediately replied with tears in his eyes saying that he has never seen me look so beautiful after creating and giving birth to our son. He asked that I never speak about my body like that again. That moment completely changed how I look at myself. It helped me look at my body in wonder and amazement that it just created a life. That moment helped shape how I look at other people’s bodies and help them see their full potential and be proud of what their body can do.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I want to give up almost on a weekly basis. With the stress of owning a business, being a mom to 2 rambunctious kiddos, and having a husband with a chronic illness, sometimes I just want to throw in the towel. But then I think about my incredible team of physical therapists, my supportive family, and all the people we get to help in our community because of my business and it gets me excited again.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That pelvic floor therapy does not have to consist of internal work. There are many great physical therapists out there who do great work on strengthening the hips and core, however if they are not doing internal work I really wish that they would not call themselves pelvic floor physical therapists. I am a very firm believer that if we are addressing symptoms of the pelvic floor, then we need to fully assess and treat the pelvic floor muscles. This does NOT consist of just doing Kegels. We need to check the pelvic floor muscles for too much tightness or decreased coordination. It is not just about strengthening them. It is about strengthening where they need to be strengthened and lengthened where they need to be lengthened. There is so much more that goes into pelvic floor physical therapy than just Kegels. If you have a “pelvic floor therapist” who just has you doing strengthening exercises but has never actually assessed your pelvic floor muscles with an internal assessment, I highly recommend you seek a second opinion if you want your symptoms to go away.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
The impact of just listening. At Insight Pelvic Health we understand the importance of listening and providing space for someone to share their story. I once had a patient who spent the whole evaluation telling me her story. I gave her a home exercise of breathing, but I didn’t touch her that first visit. She came back the next week saying how much better she felt. All I really did was listen to her and validate her feelings. Listening goes a long way and I really wish more people would do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://insightpelvichealthc.om
- Instagram: insightpelvichealth
- Facebook: insightpelvichealth
- Youtube: insightpelvichealth
Image Credits
Mark Wallace
