Emmi Aguillard
New York Guide
Pronouns
she/her
Location
New York City (Chelsea)
Education/Certification
Doctor of Physical Therapy
B.S. Public Health
Prenatal and postpartum pelvic floor therapy
Words you live by
"Attitude is everything!”
Specific Expertise
Orthopedics, pelvic health, prenatal and postpartum physical therapy, return to running/sport postpartum, running-specific physical therapy
How did you decide to become a pelvic floor physical therapist? How has your interest in this area evolved?
I was first exposed to pelvic floor physical therapy during my clinical rotations with the US Navy. I was shocked to hear women (and men!) talk about the impact pelvic floor dysfunction had on their ability to do simple tasks every day that most of us take for granted. At times, they would be nervous to even leave their homes out of fear of incontinence - not to mention the impact on their relationships. Having dealt with my own pelvic floor issues as a collegiate distance runner, I could relate to how these patients were feeling. I saw how dramatically pelvic floor PT improved their lives, and was driven to pursue continuing education in pelvic health.
The more involved in women’s health I’ve become, the more I see the astounding lack of awareness of common, workable pelvic health issues that women face day in and day out. I absolutely love working with runners and athletes, but really enjoy being able to focus on the broad role that pelvic floor therapy plays in restoring both physical and mental wholeness. It’s become a powerful tool in my practice!
You love helping new moms get back to running. Can you explain what that journey could look like?
After delivery, women have a 6-week checkup with their OB and at that point are typically cleared to return to exercise, but with little guidance on what that return looks like. There is no doubt in my mind that we can provide better support for our moms postpartum. There are gentle—yet extremely effective—activation and mobility exercises that can often times be implemented very early on to help speed up recovery. It's important to keep in mind that there are several critical benchmarks that women need to check off before returning to running and high intensity activity. If they don’t, this can have long term impacts on pelvic health. Every mom’s journey is different, and a proper postpartum evaluation and monitored rehab process is crucial for pelvic health down the road!
What inspires your work?
Easy! My patients. It’s incredible to see the progress the body is capable of making, and amazing to witness the dedication of the individuals that I work with. I love being able to be a part of their journey. In PT school I learned that a therapist’s job is to “harness the healing process.” It isn’t me who heals a patient; my job is to get the right tools into their hands so the body can do the healing. I’m still a huge advocate for in-person physical therapy, but one aspect of virtual PT that I’ve come to really value is seeing how teaching my patients the skills to treat themselves is so empowering. As a therapist I strive to teach you how to understand—and heal—your own body.
What do you do for self care?
For me, running is an important meditative and restorative part of my day. While I am often training for races and competing, I also love leaving my phone and everything behind and not worrying about time, pace, or anything else. I just simply disconnect. And while I don’t find the time to do it nearly as often as I would like, I also love to read. Losing myself in a good book is one of the best feelings in the world.
What are you watching/listening to/reading right now?
Football season just started, so that would definitely be the New Orleans Saints! That’s one of the rare instances where you’ll find me turning on the TV. I just finished reading Why We Sleep, which I’d highly recommend, and am halfway through Unorthodox. As for music, I have to admit I’m a big Swifty, but right now I’m listening to Trombone Shorty (I just saw him in Prospect Park!)
Anything else we should know about you?
I am an avid lover of living life to its fullest, and I truly enjoy whatever part that I can play in helping my patients to achieve health and wellness to live their best lives.
