Alicia Ferriere
New York Guide
Pronouns
she/her
Location
Manhattan, NYC
Education/Certification
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Fellow of Applied Functional Science
Postural Restoration Certified
Pelvic Floor Prenatal/ Postpartum Specialist
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Postural Restoration
Words you live by
Listen to, learn about, and love your body.
Specific Expertise
Prenatal physical therapy care, postpartum physical therapy care, orthopedics (low back, hip, shoulder, knee and ankle dysfunction), return to sport and running postpartum, pelvic floor dysfunction for females and males.
Tell us how you became interested in pelvic health and how you became inspired to use this therapy as a way to help women stay active in pregnancy/return to safely exercise postpartum.
Before starting my own practice, I worked at a running/athlete focused clinic. I found myself treating many patients in the fertility, pregnancy and postpartum journey, and discovered that many patients felt inadequately educated on how the process affected their bodies. This inspired me to educate myself on all things pelvic floor, pregnancy, and postpartum related. Exercise (in any form) is so important for physical and mental health. I really enjoy helping women at any point in their lives stay healthy, active, and achieve their goals.
You are also certified by the Postural Restoration Institute. Can you share more about what this is, and how you integrate it into your work with clients?
The Postural Restoration Institute takes a different approach to physical medicine. They approach the body with an eye for its natural asymmetries, and how muscular patterns affect movement. They also incorporate education about breathing patterns, the nervous system, and how all bodily systems work together to allow you to be you! This education has allowed me to treat the body as a whole, and to take into account many more factors than just the physical injury. In relation to women’s health, it gave me a really strong understanding of pelvic biomechanics, and how movement can be affected by changes to position and breathing mechanics.
What is your philosophy around postnatal exercise? How do you work with your clients who wish to return to exercise safely?
The pregnancy and birth process is so different for everyone, so everyone’s healing journey should be different! The postpartum period is filled with factors that complicate healing - ie lack of sleep, change in stress, potential change in nutrition if breastfeeding, etc. I don’t believe anyone’s postpartum journey should look the same. When working with someone to return to exercise safely, we take into account previous exercise regimes, exercise during pregnancy, their labor and delivery experience, and their current postpartum recovery status. We work together to create a plan to safely achieve each individual’s specific goals.
What inspires your work?
To keep it simple: I love helping people feel their best. I find joy in educating patients about their bodies, so they feel empowered to handle any adversity that may come their way.
What do you do for self care?
My self care depends on what my body is telling me it needs at that moment. Sometimes it’s a hard workout, sometimes it’s cooking dinner and spending time with my family. No matter what, I try to do one thing “for myself” that brings me joy each day.
What are you reading/watching/listening to right now?
I am loving The Halloween Baking Championship. I’m listening to the new Lil Naz X Album and I’m reading The New Rules of Pregnancy written by my friend Dr. Jaqueline Worth.
