Art of Motion Physical Therapy

Art of Motion Physical Therapy Women’s focused orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy with an integrative lens

08/10/2026

After a C-section, your body goes through an incredible healing process. Collagen is laid down to repair the incision, and over time that tissue continues to remodel and mature.

When I work with someone after a C-section, my goal isn’t to “break anything apart.”

Instead, I’m assessing how well the different layers of tissue are moving relative to one another.

A healthy scar should be able to glide in multiple directions. When those tissues move well, everyday activities like standing up, reaching overhead, twisting, exercising, and picking up your child often feel more comfortable.

Scar mobility is just one piece of postpartum recovery—but it’s an important one that often gets overlooked.

And remember, every scar is different.

If your scar feels sensitive, restricted, numb, or you’re simply unsure where to begin, working with a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist can help you better understand what’s normal and what options are available.

✨ Your scar tells the story of how your body healed.

Helping it move comfortably is about supporting your body’s function—not trying to erase that story.

08/07/2026

There was a time when I felt like I had to justify taking care of myself.

Like I needed a reason to go for a walk.
A reason to go to bed early.
A reason to protect a quiet morning.
A reason to say no.
A reason to slow down.

Somewhere along the way, I realized those things aren’t signs that I’m doing less.

They’re the very things that allow me to keep showing up—for my family, my patients, my business, and myself.

I’ve stopped apologizing for protecting my peace.

I’ve stopped feeling guilty for creating space to breathe, move, read, journal, or simply sit with a cup of tea before the day begins.

These aren’t rewards for getting everything else done.

They’re the foundation that helps me live, work, and love well.

I’d love to know…what’s one thing you’ve stopped apologizing for in this season of life?

08/05/2026

One of my favorite parts of working in healthcare is learning from other healthcare professionals.

There are so many excellent tools available today, and no single treatment is the right answer for everyone.

When it comes to conditions like IBS and other disorders of gut-brain interaction, I love having evidence-informed resources that can complement the work we do in the clinic.

One of those resources is the Nerva app, which uses gut-directed hypnotherapy to help support the gut-brain connection.

It’s not a replacement for individualized care, and it certainly isn’t the right fit for everyone—but for some people, it can become a really valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

As physical therapists, one of our roles is helping people build a toolbox they can use beyond the walls of the clinic.

Because healing doesn’t only happen during your appointment.

It happens through the small, consistent things you do every day.

Have you ever used the Nerva app or another resource that made a difference in your recovery? I’d love to hear about it!

08/04/2026

People often see the finished product—a beautiful clinic, a growing business, or the work I get to do every day.

What they don’t always see are the people quietly making it possible behind the scenes.

My husband (and colleague’s husband) have spent more evenings than I can count helping me move furniture, assemble equipment, hang shelves, problem-solve projects, and somehow always saying, “We’ll figure it out.”

My kids have eaten dinners on the office floor and grown up watching their mom chase a dream that means so much to her.

As a business owner, there are seasons when the lines between work and home blur more than I’d like. And while I always strive to protect time with my family, I’m deeply aware that they make sacrifices too.

I hope they also see this:

That serving others is meaningful.
That building something you believe in takes hard work.
And that behind every dream worth pursuing is a family that helps carry it.

To my little team at home…thank you.

I hope you always know that I couldn’t do this without you, and I wouldn’t want to.❤️

For a long time, I thought kindness meant keeping the door open.That if I was truly compassionate, forgiving, or faithfu...
08/03/2026

For a long time, I thought kindness meant keeping the door open.
That if I was truly compassionate, forgiving, or faithful, I shouldn't need distance. That setting a boundary somehow meant I wasn't being loving enough.
I don't know if it's that now I'm in my 40s and things become clearer but...
Wisdom isn't becoming harder.
It's learning when to keep your heart open and when to protect what has been entrusted to you.
Boundaries are not a lack of love.
They are often an expression of wisdom, self-respect, and stewardship.
Protecting your peace doesn't make you selfish.
It doesn't mean you've become bitter.
Sometimes it simply means you've learned that not everyone is meant to have ongoing access to your heart, your energy, or what you've have spent years building.
You don't have to become hard to become wise.
You don't have to choose between kindness and boundaries.
You can be both.

🤍 If you know someone who needs this reminder, share it with them. 🤍
I'd love to know—which line resonated with you the most?

07/31/2026

💧 Have you ever tried the wet footprint test?

It’s a quick way to get a general idea of your arch height—but here’s the important part...

Your arch is only ONE piece of the puzzle.

Many people assume:
• Flat feet = stability shoes
• High arches = cushioned shoes

But choosing the right shoe isn’t that simple.

The best shoe for you depends on much more than your arch. We also consider:
✔️ How you walk or run
✔️ Your foot and ankle mobility
✔️ Your strength and balance
✔️ Your comfort
✔️ The activities you enjoy
✔️ Your injury history

I’ve seen people with very similar-looking feet thrive in completely different shoes because they move differently.

So before you spend money on the latest “must-have” shoe, start by understanding how your body moves, not just what your footprint looks like.

👣 Have you ever done the wet footprint test? What did it show?

07/30/2026

“I had NO idea physical therapists could help with my C-section scar.”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that in my clinic, I’d probably be retired. 😉

And honestly…I don’t blame my patients.

For many women, the conversation about their C-section scar ends once the incision has healed.

But healing and functioning aren’t always the same thing.

A C-section is a major abdominal surgery. As your body heals, every layer involved in the surgery has to recover and regain the ability to move well together. Sometimes that happens beautifully. Sometimes it doesn’t.

For some women, that may look like:
✨ Pain or tenderness around the scar
✨ Tightness or pulling with movement
✨ Sensitivity or numbness
✨ A feeling that “something just doesn’t feel right”

As physical therapists, we don’t just look at your scar—we look at how it’s affecting the way your body moves and functions.

I always tell my patients:

“I don’t treat scars because they look a certain way—I treat them because I care about how they’re affecting the way your body moves.”

If you’ve had a C-section and no one has ever evaluated your scar, know that it’s never too late. Whether you’re 6 weeks postpartum or 16 years postpartum, an evaluation may help determine whether your scar is contributing to the symptoms you’re experiencing.

❤️ Your scar tells the story of how your baby entered this world. It shouldn’t continue to write the story of how your body feels years later.

👇 I’d love to know…
Before today, did you know a physical therapist could evaluate and treat a C-section scar?

07/29/2026

I’m convinced our 40s are when our bodies stop whispering...and start speaking a little louder. 😄

The things I used to brush off now have a way of catching up with me.

For me, it’s:
☀️ Not getting outside
🥣 Waiting too long to eat
😴 Staying up past my bedtime
🍷 More alcohol than my body really wants
💺 Sitting for too long without moving

I’ve stopped looking at these as signs that my body is “getting old.”

Instead, I see them as reminders that my body has become better at telling me what it needs.

One of the biggest perspective shifts I hope women make is this:

Your body isn’t working against you.

It’s communicating with you.

✨ What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear what your body reminds you of these days.

07/27/2026

“When can I get back to my normal workouts?”

It’s one of the most common questions I hear from postpartum women.

The answer isn’t simply “six weeks.”

The truth is, your body doesn’t recover based on the calendar.

Your body doesn’t know you’re six weeks postpartum.

It only knows:
✨ The amount of sleep you’ve had.
✨ The stress you’re carrying.
✨ The recovery you’ve prioritized.
✨ The physical demands of caring for your baby.
✨ The capacity you’ve rebuilt over time.

Medical clearance is an important milestone—but it isn’t the same thing as being ready for high-impact exercise, running, or heavy lifting.

Recovery is more than tissue healing.

It’s rebuilding your body’s ability to tolerate movement, load, and the physical demands of motherhood.

There isn’t a prize for getting back the fastest.

The goal is to build a resilient body that will support you through motherhood for years to come.

💛 If you’re postpartum, give yourself permission to measure progress by how your body is adapting—not just by what week you’re on.

What surprised you most about your postpartum recovery? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.

Many people think diastasis recti is simply a “gap” in the abdominal muscles.In reality, it’s often a movement and coord...
07/16/2026

Many people think diastasis recti is simply a “gap” in the abdominal muscles.

In reality, it’s often a movement and coordination issue as much as it is a tissue issue.

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) allows us to see your deep core muscles in real time. Instead of guessing whether you’re activating the right muscles, we can actually watch them work on the screen. This gives immediate feedback so we can find the strategies that work best for your body.

RUSI can help us:
• Assess how your deep core muscles are functioning
• Improve coordination and timing of your core
• Provide real-time visual feedback during exercise
• Build confidence that you’re training effectively

Whether you’re postpartum, recovering from surgery, or simply noticing persistent core weakness, the goal isn’t just to “close the gap”—it’s to help your core become stronger, more coordinated, and better able to support everything you love to do.

If you’ve been told to “just do more core exercises” but you’re still struggling, it may be time for a more individualized assessment.

📍Art of Motion Physical Therapy
Purcellville, VA
Orthopedic & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Address

125 Hirst Road Suite 4A
Purcellville, VA
20132

Telephone

+15712068716

Website

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