Dr. Jenn Parker, PT, DPT

Dr. Jenn Parker, PT, DPT Embody Wellness Physical Therapy specializes in pelvic health & orthopedics. Located upstairs in the

Today I dropped my kids at daycare even though I wasn’t working… and it was exactly what we all needed.I have the day of...
10/16/2025

Today I dropped my kids at daycare even though I wasn’t working… and it was exactly what we all needed.

I have the day off today (technically because I’m working this weekend 😅), and when I told my son’s daycare I wasn’t working, my husband said he wouldn’t have mentioned that part.

But here’s the thing, I have zero regrets dropping my kids off and spending the day recharging solo.

Because motherhood takes energy. A lot of it. My kids fill my heart, but they also drain my battery (easily 75% of it on any given day) and that means I have to be intentional about charging back up.

Filling my own cup doesn’t mean I love them less. It’s how I love them better.

After a year postpartum with my second, I finally feel like I’m getting my spark back. I’m reading for fun again, enjoying cooking, hopping on my bike because I want to move, not because I “should.” I’m scrolling less, noticing what triggers me, and actually missing my kids during the day.

To some, this might look selfish. “If you’re not working, why aren’t you with your kids?”
But I see it differently. This is what it looks like to mother myself, too.

Do I still get those twinges of guilt? Of course. Last night while watching Love Is Blind, someone said, “I’d never let someone else raise my kid,” and I felt that pang… that “should I have stayed home?” moment.

But here’s the truth I’ve landed on: Motherhood is hard no matter your situation. Whether you’re home full-time or working full-time, we all question if we’re doing it “right.”

I choose to fill myself up when I can - to ride my bike, breathe, move, and remember who I am outside of “mom.” Because that joy doesn’t just stay with me… it ripples out to my kids.

They feel it.
I feel it.
And that’s how I know - this is good for all of us. 🫶

Trigger Warning: Birth PhotosIn less than a week, my Ari girl turns one.In less than a week, it will be one year since I...
08/09/2025

Trigger Warning: Birth Photos

In less than a week, my Ari girl turns one.
In less than a week, it will be one year since I trusted my body, my team, and my baby to bring her into this world fully connected to my body; one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

After my first birth, I was left dysregulated, confused, and, maybe worst of all, disconnected from my own body and mind. Caring for a newborn while navigating those emotions is something we don’t talk about enough, especially in Western culture. Even as a pelvic floor therapist who supports women through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, that experience was uncharted territory for me.

That’s why Ariya’s birth was so meaningful. I came home to my body. I trusted myself again. I was able to be fully present in those early postpartum days, euphoric and on a birth high.

I wish birth could be spoken about more openly, seen for what it can be: magical, sacred, and deeply personal. At the same time, I know that everyone’s journey is unique. For some, birth is empowering and healing. For others, it’s traumatic, complicated, or life-threatening. Every experience is valid, and every birthing person deserves to be heard, believed, and supported.

I also recognize that my birth story came with privilege. I could choose a hospital and a dream midwife/OB team. I had the means to invest in a doula. I had access to high-quality insurance. My mother-in-law was nearby to watch Callen so I could focus on Ariya. My husband had paid time off and a flexible schedule to be present. Just even because of my skin color, my pain symptoms are taken more seriously.

These resources made a difference, and I dream of a world where every birthing person has the same level of care, support, and respect, no matter their circumstances. Supporting and believing women through this transformative and sometimes dangerous event is my life’s work.

Scroll to see the photos of my birth vision. If you want guidance in creating your own vision, this is not “woo-woo”—it’s about feeling informed, supported, and empowered. I’m here for you. 💜💙🩵✨

Tonight I got to do my hair, get a little dressed up, connect with fellow Pelvic Floor therapist & birthworkers all to m...
07/11/2025

Tonight I got to do my hair, get a little dressed up, connect with fellow Pelvic Floor therapist & birthworkers all to meet .vagina.whisperer while she’s on her book tour for her new book FLOORED. I felt inspired by her talk today and so much joy being around like minded women that are changing the pelvic health world. If you have a pelvic floor, you should definitely get this book.

Thank you for hosting!

When workouts become a way to check out, it might be time to check back in.Movement is often used for stress relief — an...
06/17/2025

When workouts become a way to check out, it might be time to check back in.

Movement is often used for stress relief — and that can be a beautiful thing. It creates space to breathe, process, and reset.

But when movement becomes a way to purely get out of your head and disconnect, especially over time, it may start to work against the goals of healing, strength, and longevity.

This often shows up in subtle ways:
➤ Following group classes to a tee, without checking in on how the body feels or modifying to your needs
➤ Skipping warm-ups or cool-downs to just “get it done”
➤ Finishing a session feeling more distant from the body, not more grounded in it

In seasons like postpartum, or when rehabbing an injury, movement becomes even more about intention. It’s not just physical — it’s a brain game. Slowing down, rebuilding trust, and re-learning how to move with purpose is a big part of the work.

The same goes for strength training. It isn’t about burning more calories or pushing harder — it’s about progressively overloading the body with mindfulness. Not a hamster on a wheel, instead progressively building something resilient, rep by rep.

And in injury rehab, it’s not only the tissues that are healing — it’s the beliefs about the body that shift too. That takes presence. The brain is very much in the game.

So how do we “check back in”?

Through sensory stacking:
➤ Intentional breath
➤ Barefoot grounding
➤ Visual or tactile cues
➤ Music that evokes emotion
➤ Anchoring to a clear intention for each session

✨ Movement is medicine — but intention is the dosage. ✨

Before the next workout, try pausing to set a quick intention — maybe it’s to feel the feet on the ground, to move with curiosity, or even to release stress. If the intention is mostly to check out, consider layering in one of these techniques to gently come back home to the body.

Shared this morning with the Rebuild Program participants about Navigating a Pain Flare…The week was a doozy with my son...
06/10/2025

Shared this morning with the Rebuild Program participants about Navigating a Pain Flare…

The week was a doozy with my son—he wasn’t listening, there was hitting, bedtime felt impossible… everything came to a head Friday morning when he hit me, hard, and I lost it.

I was angry. I wanted nothing to do with him—heck, the whole weekend. I was so triggered I called my husband mid-run and asked him to take Callen to school because I was DONE.

I went for a walk by the ocean and cried the whole time. I spiraled—replaying everything I’d done wrong, wondering if this meant he’d always be aggressive. I thought of all my friends and convinced myself none of them were dealing with this—and if they were, they probably handled it perfectly.

I beat myself up for not remembering what I’ve learned from Good Inside. I felt like I should know what to do. But I was completely overwhelmed.

Then I remembered to text my person. Not a “that sucks” friend—a me too friend.

She gently reminded me she’s going through the same thing. One thing she said stuck:
“Try not to take it so personally.”

And something clicked. That hit felt so heavy because of the meaning I attached to it. If a door had hit me in the same spot, I wouldn’t still be thinking about it. But because it came from my son, it felt like it meant something about me, about him, about us.

That’s when it hit me—
this is what so many of you feel during a pain flare.

When symptoms show up, they aren’t just sensations. They come with meaning.
Fear. Shame. Catastrophizing. We question everything. We forget what we know.

But here’s the truth:
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You’re not supposed to do this alone.
What helps isn’t perfection—it’s support.

Setbacks don’t mean you’re broken. They’re part of the process.

Sometimes the meaning we attach to pain is heavier than the pain itself. That doesn’t mean it’s not real. It means you’re human.

And what you need most in those moments isn’t a fix—it’s a hand to hold. A voice to say:
You’re not alone.
You’re doing great.
You’re going to be okay.

You’re rebuilding more than your body.
You’re rebuilding trust in yourself.

That takes grace, time, and support. 💕✨

To the postpartum runner, the athlete, the woman who finds freedom on the pavement,I see you. You use running not just a...
05/31/2025

To the postpartum runner, the athlete, the woman who finds freedom on the pavement,

I see you. You use running not just as a workout, but as your therapy. Your breath, your heartbeat, the steady rhythm of your feet… it’s part of who you are. It’s how you process, how you recharge, how you feel like you again.

And right now, that part of you is on pause.

You’re committed to running for the long haul so you’ve done your research, and you know that waiting at least 12 weeks to return to impact is the recommended path.

As a pelvic floor PT, I support that guidance—not to hold you back, but to help your body heal fully, so you can return stronger, more resilient, and with fewer setbacks down the road.

But I also know that 12 weeks can feel impossibly long when you’re craving the trail, the road, your people. When your running group has become your chosen family—the ones who share your stories, your sweat, your heart. When you feel that pull in your chest and think, “Maybe my body’s ready… I’m a runner. My body knows this.”

Maybe you’re already past the 12-week mark and holding off longer because you’re still not quite ready—or maybe you just miss it so much. Either way, I’m proud of you.

Proud of you for honoring everything your body has just been through. For putting your love of running on the back-burner. Even when every part of you is itching to lace up your shoes and go.

And if you’re still deep in the thick of those early weeks, reading this and thinking, “How did she know? I just want to run again.”—I see you. I was you.

It’s not forever. Just for now.

You’re still an athlete—just returning back wiser, stronger, and more grounded in your purpose.

—Dr. Jenn 💕✨
Pelvic Floor PT | Fellow Runner | Your #1 Hype Woman

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about compression pants + pelvic floor health, especially in the running world… so let...
05/28/2025

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about compression pants + pelvic floor health, especially in the running world… so let’s break it down 👖🏃‍♀️⁠

Lately, the fear-mongering on social media has been LOUD—especially when it comes to high-waisted compression. The concern is that tight compression at the abdomen can create downward pressure onto the pelvic floor, potentially contributing to pelvic heaviness, leaking, or tension.⁠

I’m really glad pelvic health is becoming a more mainstream convo, especially for active women. But let’s take a breath and look at the evidence 👇⁠

📚 Yasuda et al., 2019: Supportive underwear improved stress incontinence symptoms (almost as well as pelvic floor training) with no major negative effects⁠
📚 Pires et al., 2023: Running itself increases pelvic floor stress, especially for those with existing symptoms⁠
📚 Marqués-Jiménez et al., 2019: Compression reduced muscle vibration + fatigue, but didn’t assess pelvic floor symptoms⁠

So what does this mean for YOU?⁠
✨ Compression is a tool—not good or bad.⁠
✨ If it helps you feel supported—great.⁠
✨ If it causes bloating, discomfort, or leaking—it might not be the right fit (literally).⁠

Personally, I love running in compression. I feel more supported and stable. BUT—there’s one pair that always leaves me sore in my abdomen after a run. So now I know… don’t wear that pair when I run.

💡Self-check:⁠
✅Can you take a full, diaphragmatic breath?⁠
✅Are you bracing or “sucking in” to make them fit?⁠
✅Do they feel good/supportive?

Compression isn’t something to fear—but it is something to assess.⁠

What’s your experience with compression pants? Supportive? Uncomfortable? Help or hinder your symptoms? I’d love to hear 👇⁠

Just like our babies, we hit milestones in motherhood too.We track their first smiles, first steps, and first words.We e...
05/27/2025

Just like our babies, we hit milestones in motherhood too.

We track their first smiles, first steps, and first words.
We expect regressions — in sleep, in behavior, in routines — because we know growth isn’t linear.

But we forget that we go through the same thing.

✨ The first time you manage school drop-off with both kids and feel like a superhero.
✨ The first time you load everyone into the car without someone melting down (maybe including you).
✨ The first solo bath time, bedtime, or overnight.
✨ The first jog, workout, or yoga class where you feel connected to your body again.

And just like with babies, sometimes there’s a regression before the next leap.

You were getting into a rhythm… and then your toddler started waking again.
You felt strong in your run last week… but this week your core feels like Jell-O.
You finally got both kids to nap at the same time… but now one is dropping it altogether.

Even if it’s your second, third, or fourth baby — this version of motherhood is brand new.
You’re not “starting over.” You’re stepping into a new level.

So give yourself the grace you’d give your child.
You wouldn’t rush their learning. You wouldn’t shame them for needing support.
You’d cheer them on and remind them: “You’re doing something new. It takes time.”

Let’s give that same energy to ourselves.

Growth is not a straight line. For them. Or for us.

Swipe to see Ariya stopping for a quick pose as she climbs onto the couch - she just started this yesterday! And swipe again to see me completing 5 (not so beautiful) double unders with sis cheering me on 🥰.

‼️TushBaby discount code at the bottom of the caption‼️My secret weapon for travel, walks, and spontaneous piggy-back ri...
05/23/2025

‼️TushBaby discount code at the bottom of the caption‼️

My secret weapon for travel, walks, and spontaneous piggy-back rides — meet my MVP: the TushBaby.

I’ve been using this thing since Callen was just a few months old — and now Ariya’s the one riding in style. Yesterday at the airport, she was living her best baby life, facing out with the Snug Attachment, waving and smiling at everyone. 😄

Right now she’s obsessed with standing, so the perch feature is a dream — I just strap her in facing out and let her stand like a proud little parade queen 👑. And when she’s ready to chill? We switch to sitting mode. No stroller needed.

Happy back, happy pelvic floor, and a very happy baby.

But it’s not just for babies…
I’ve even used it lately to support Callen for a quick piggy-back ride when his little legs give out (read: toddler meltdown incoming).

And one of my fave memories? Swipe ➡️ to see baby Callen “working out” with me on the TushBaby — and his first airport adventure at 5 months old.

Truly one of the best, most used baby items I own — worth every penny.

And since so many of you have asked: YES, I love it enough to reach out to them myself and ask to be an ambassador.

If you’ve got a clingy babe or just want your hands back without wrecking your body, this thing is a game changer. Use my code DRPARKER15 if you want to try it — I’ll get a tiny kickback… probably enough for a coffee, but not like a fancy coffee ☕😉

Let me paint you a picture of my weekend:- I’m just getting over the flu 🤧- My husband is recovering from surgery 🩹- My ...
05/12/2025

Let me paint you a picture of my weekend:
- I’m just getting over the flu 🤧
- My husband is recovering from surgery 🩹
- My daughter… well, she’s been pooping nonstop 💩
- My son is deep in a “what’s this? what’s that?” phase and asking 47 questions per minute 🤯
- And my house? Pure chaos. Toys literally everywhere, laundry piled high, and not a damn thing got done.

But this morning while on a walk with my daughter, I saw that lone domino on the ground. I picked it up and was given this deep, almost laughable reminder from the universe:

✨ Embrace the chaos ✨

This season isn’t about perfection—it’s about building our foundation.
Grace over grind.
Presence over productivity.
Recovery over rushing.

What if the chaos isn’t a sign you’re falling apart… but a sign you’re rebuilding?
This season doesn’t need more pressure.
It needs C.H.A.O.S. ✨Connection, Healing, Adaptation, Openness, Surrender.

Your body, your home, your mind—they don’t have to look “put together” right now. They’re in the process of becoming.

So if you’re deep in it too, just know: the mess is part of the rebuild. And you’re doing better than you think. ✨💕🌊

It Won’t Always Be Like ThisThere will come a time when pelvic pain isn’t shrugged off as “just part of being a woman.”W...
05/07/2025

It Won’t Always Be Like This

There will come a time when pelvic pain isn’t shrugged off as “just part of being a woman.”
When it won’t take months—or years—of appointments, referrals, misdiagnoses, and internalized shame just to find someone who says, “I believe you.”

There will come a time when support about postpartum recovery is seen as a standard, not a luxury.
When leaking, heaviness, painful s*x, or abdominal separation won’t be whispered in private or Googled at 2 a.m., but talked about freely—with friends, with partners, with healthcare providers who actually know what to do.

Signs like our menstrual cycle and bowel health will be just as monitored as our vital signs and asked about on every wellness visit, never brushed off as “women issues” or vague diagnoses like IBS.

A time when perimenopause isn’t a confusing, lonely spiral of symptoms dismissed with a shrug and a prescription, but a well-supported transition, with clear guidance, real conversations, and tailored care.

There will be a time when pelvic health is no longer considered a “specialty.”
It will be foundational.
Integrated into every discipline—medicine, fitness, mental health, education—because a woman’s pelvic health touches every part of her life.

Pain with s*x won’t be brushed off.
Birth trauma won’t be downplayed.
Hormonal shifts won’t be laughed off or labeled as weakness.
It will all be understood—not perfectly, but profoundly better than it is now.

And it won’t just be clinicians doing the work.
Friends will ask each other how their pelvic floor is healing.
Partners will know what prolapse is—and how to support someone through it.
Employers will understand that postpartum doesn’t end at 6 weeks.
We’ll talk about vaginas and vulvas with the same ease we talk about ankles and knees.

This is the world we are building.

Our daughters and sons will grow up knowing more.
They’ll hear these words early. See the signs. Know the options.
They won’t have to carry the same shame or confusion or silence that we did.

We are the in-between generation.
The bridge. The voice. The movement.

We’re doing this work now—not just for us, but for who comes next.

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Santa Monica, CA
90401–90411

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

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