Lynn Gray-Meltzer (a.k.a. Dr. Lynn), Doctor of Physical Therapy, founder of KnowledgeABLE Body Wellness Institute, PLLC, specializes in physical therapy (PT) for the pelvic floor—the muscles, ligaments and fascia that support the bladder, bowel and reproductive organs. Some of the most commonly known pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Constipation, increased urinary urgency and frequency, low back pain, abdominal pain and painful intercourse can also be associated with dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic PT addresses these issues, while also improving breathing, thoracic and lumbar spine mobility, abdominal and hip flexor muscle function, pelvic alignment and overall posture.

Everyone has a pelvic floor. Constituting a group of muscles organized into layers at the base of the pelvis, it acts as a supportive hammock for the pelvic organs and as gatekeepers for bowel, bladder and sexual functions. Studies show that 32 percent of women and 16 percent of men will have at least one PFD at one time in their life. Gray-Meltzer works with patients of all genders and ages, treating all pelvic health and orthopedic conditions from head to toe.

She believes every patient has a unique story that needs to be carefully listened to and understood. Her approach is gentle and calming and prioritizes patient education, as she supports them throughout their wellness journey. She supplements her manual therapy skills, such as myofascial release and visceral manipulation, with modalities such as cupping and dry needling with electrical stimulation for neuromodulation.

Gray-Meltzer earned her doctorate from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2014. She went on to do an orthopedic PT residency, then became a Board-Certified Specialist in Orthopedics and Women’s/Pelvic Health. She has also completed certificates of achievement in pelvic and obstetrics PT through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, has 200 hours of Therapeutic Yoga Teacher training and is getting advanced perinatal training in birth healing. Additionally, she is working on an Integrative Lifestyle Medicine Certificate through Ginger Garner’s Living Well Institute, so she can integrate nutrition, sleep, mindset and stress counseling into her work.

The function of the pelvic floor is deeply interconnected to mental health, digestive health and whole-body mobility, strength and postural alignment. “This is why I take a whole body-whole person approach to physical therapy,” says Gray-Meltzer, who recently combined her practice with Weeks Wellness, a premier collaborative care clinic with locations in Arlington and Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as in Florida. Through this collaboration, her patients now have access to a team of registered dietitians that are experienced with natural therapies for hormone imbalances, fertility issues, digestive problems, chronic fatigue and a host of other conditions she sees in her PT practice.

“My goal,” states Gray-Meltzer, “was always to work toward a multi-disciplinary integrative health center, because so many of my patients are struggling with multiple issues, including stress and mental health.” She highlights her community outreach work with Black and Brown women, because they are more likely to have severe incontinence and less likely to have the information they need about pelvic health, nutrition and dietary needs.

“While one in three women, and by some estimates over half, suffer at some point from a pelvic floor problem,” says Gray-Meltzer, “many suffer in silence, feeling embarrassed to talk about their problem, and this stops them from getting the help they need. Basic education can go a long way to prevent and decrease symptoms and stop problems from progressing.” Pelvic PTs talk with people every day about pee, poop, pain, aging and sexual health problems.

She has recognized the need to improve equity and access to pelvic health and oncology physical therapy for people from historically marginalized and underserved communities. She offers Pelvic Health Inclusive Virtual Education (Project5PT) classes for free. “Pelvic health should not be a privilege,” says Gray-Meltzer. “That’s why I’m working to bring the education that pelvic PTs provide in one-to-one in-person visits into the community and online in group classes, as well as individual coaching sessions to spread the knowledge.”

Gray-Meltzer is the president of the APTA MA Pelvic Health Special Interest Group, and she enjoys working on various research projects such as Strength After Breast Cancer. KnowledgeABLE Body’s whole-body approach to health care, education and self-care is to empower people to reclaim hope, healing, improved pelvic health and overall well-being for a better quality of life.

The next free virtual Get to Know Your Pelvic Floor educational classes will take place from 1:15 to 2 p.m. on October 8 and 22, 2024. Virtual yoga classes targeting abdominal and pelvic health occur from 7:30 to 8:25 a.m. on Thursdays, for $30. Registration is required.

Weeks Wellness Collaborative Care locations: KnowledgeABLE Body, The Professional Building, 94 Pleasant St., Ste. 102, Arlington, MA. Health Women, Health Men, 675 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA. For more information including class schedules or to make an appointment, call 850-270-7506, email [email protected] or visit KnowledgeABLEpt.com or WeeksWellness.com/Arlington.

Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.