My Biz: Breathe specializes in physical therapy for women

Molly Lechtenberg is doing work every day that she can relate to.

She created and owns Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness with her business partner, Libby Trausch. They, along with their team of about 14 women, provide women’s health care in a physical therapy setting.

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Lechtenberg said she and Traush, who earned doctorates in physical therapy together at Des Moines University, saw a need for physical therapy services specific to women, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum.

“We had both been working for a few years and had children. One night we were texting, and we decided that we should do this,” Lechtenberg recalled.

“There’s such a need for this, especially in Iowa. I have two daughters and my first daughter’s birth was very traumatic,” she said. “I had a pelvic floor injury and even I, as a physical therapist, didn’t know what to do with my body because it’s not something people talk about.

“It can be ignored and, like many women, I thought I just had to deal with the pain and that it would heal eventually. If I as a physical therapist didn’t know how to deal with my body after a pregnancy, how is anybody else supposed to?”

North Liberty

Lechtenberg and Traush started their clinic about eight years ago in West Des Moines, where they noticed women were traveling from Eastern Iowa for their services.

“There wasn’t really a place that you could go for all women’s health issues before we opened,” Lechtenberg said. “You could go to this person if you had a pelvic issue, but then if you also hurt your back or worried about other things, then you had to go somewhere else.

“We really pride ourselves in having this be a one-stop place for help with whatever is going on that is inhibiting you from living your best life.”

When they saw the opportunity to open a clinic in North Liberty four years ago, they jumped at the chance.

Lechtenberg said the North Liberty business has two physical therapists, and they connect with each other on weekly phone calls.

‘A positive place’

Patients will notice a difference at Breathe, said Lechtenberg, 42.

“We have one-on-one appointments,” she said. “You get a physical therapist for the full 40-minute appointment, and it’s done in a private room so you can talk about whatever you need to have help with. It’s very individualized.”

Lechtenberg said finding care for pelvic physical therapy in a timely manner can be challenging. Breathe hopes to make this care more accessible.

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“Some people are waiting months to get in, so we work to see you sooner and then get you back in faster to make sure you're still making progress and so we can tweak any exercises that we have you working on or help you with whatever else you need help with,” she said.

“Another huge factor that separates us from the rest of physical therapy clinics and especially women's health clinics is that when you walk in, it doesn't feel like you're walking into a doctor's appointment,” she said.

“Our environment was created to be welcoming, as many people seeking out pelvic health physical therapy have a history of medical-based trauma. It is important to us that everyone that walks through our doors feels safe. It’s a great, happy, positive place.”

Working with doctors

Lechtenberg said her staff works with women of all ages, including teenage athletes with pelvic pain to women during pregnancy and postpartum who may pee their pants or have pain during intercourse. They also do dry needling to help those dealing with headaches and migraines.

“We really try to meet women where they are at,” she said. “Maybe you just had a baby, and you want to be able to carry your baby in the car seat and be able to get out and do things. Or maybe you want to get back to running marathons without peeing your pants. Whatever your goals are, we are here to help.”

While many patients are being referred by their physicians, Lechtenberg said she knows their clinic is being underutilized.

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She and her team are working to connect with more physicians in the area to help them understand the ways they can help.

“We just want to let them know we are here,” she said, noting that much of their business comes from word-of-mouth through current or former patients.

“People don't really understand what all physical therapy can help you with,” she added. “This is not just about exercise. It's literally your whole life. We truly believe in the integrative health model.”

What’s next?

Lechtenberg said she hopes to see Breathe continue to expand and serve even more patients in the months and years ahead.

“If there’s a reason someone can’t come into the clinic, there’s so much we can do over a telehealth appointment,” she said. “People wonder how we can help if we aren’t in the same room, but there's so much education that we can give and exercises that we can offer via telehealth.”

And at the end of the day, she and her team aim to have fun every day.

“I truly love what I get to do,” she said. “Every day is different, and you never know if today is going to be a big win day for the people that we're seeing or a little win day.

“It might be that someone slept through the night, and they feel like a new person because we helped them with their hip. ... It’s not just about getting rid of the pain, it's about them living their life.

“We have a ‘victory board’ in both of our clinics, where people can come in and write what their win is, and you never know what you're going to see on that. So, for me it’s the big and small wins every single day.”

Know a business that should be considered for a “My Biz” feature? Let us know by emailing mary.sharp@thegazette.com.