Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcela
Hi Marcela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story of my career starts when I was still in high school. I was fortunate to have parents who were in the medical field (mom nurse and dad doctor) and because of them I knew that I was interested in healthcare but just wasn’t sure which branch of it. My mom had suggested that I become a volunteer at the local hospital and I was able to observe many floors, but truly fell in love with physical therapy in the childcare’s hospital, both inpatient and outpatient. From there, I applied to 6 year Doctorate programs throughout New England and ended up at Northeastern University. Being in Boston during my college years was great fun; I met the most amazing of friends, joined a sorority, and lived a big city life. While I was enjoying my time, I was also working hard in classes and internships. By the time clinical year came around, our last year of school, I really wanted to work with kids (pediatrics) so I made sure my last clinical was with children. Then, when applying for jobs, a place I did an internship at was hiring and this place, Franciscan Children’s, was my absolute dream job. It had built in variety in that the campus held a school, inpatient, outpatient and aquatic services. While there, I had amazing mentors who truly shaped the clinician I am today. By being there, I learned the importance of collaboration across disciplines, how to be a compassionate clinician and leader, and how to meet the kids where they were at and be their biggest support, motivator and shoulder to lean on. However, while this place was a dream, my heart was calling for Rhode Island, my home state, so I packed up, took a little detour for a month to Colombia where I was born and then settled back in. I worked in an outpatient setting which really helped with my manual therapy skills. I was also able to take so many continuing education courses which I still use to this day including dry needling, Functional Movement Assessment and Postural Respiration techniques. I was there through the pandemic and by the end, I knew that I needed to leave the traditional clinic, insurance based model. I decided to work with kids again in school districts in Rhode Island, which I did love and had great co-workers, but again, I truly felt there was something more for me. I packed up again and decided to go to St. Thomas Virgin Islands and take a spin on travel therapy. I loved this and loved experiencing an island life. My boyfriend and I said goodbye to the island at the end of the contract and moved back to Rhode Island for a short summer break before then moving to Austin. It was here that I was able to really ground in and find what and where I wanted to take my career. I was worked for a home health agency for kids but then my passion for working with women grew. I dove head first into continuing education courses to help women in the physical therapy world.
It started because I knew that in the next few years I wanted to become pregnant so I wanted to prepare my body in the best way possible for the big changes that come with pregnancy. I realized that as women we are not taught basic things about our anatomy or hormones or changes through the lifespan. I realized that with my background as a physical therapist I could truly make a huge difference. This brings me to today where I started Empowered Movement Therapy and I am getting ready to fully launch into education for women on their menstrual cycles, hormones, movement, and anything they could possibly want to know across the lifespan from teen to menopause and beyond.
I was fortunate to be surrounded by so many truly powerful women from a young age, starting with my family (mom, sister, aunt, cousin) and just continued to extend that circle to today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not always been a smooth road.
I think the biggest struggle I have faced is getting in my own way with doubts or insecurities. I had and continue to have great support around me, but I needed to learn to trust myself in the process. It’s not common to jump around as much as I have within the physical therapy world. It’s not common to go a complete switch of populations, unless you’re in travel therapy world. It has felt like I’m constantly going against the grain or rebuilding from ground 0 every few years and I know I have done that to myself, but I also wouldn’t change it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Empowered Movement Therapy ?
What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
At Empowered Movement Therapy, I specialize in holistic pelvic health physical therapy for women and children. I focus on addressing the root cause of symptoms rather than just treating surface-level issues. Whether you’re navigating painful periods, preparing for pregnancy, healing postpartum, or supporting your child’s development, I’m here to help you feel strong, supported, and empowered in your body.
I’m especially known for blending evidence-based physical therapy with intuitive, whole-body approaches—like breathwork, nervous system regulation, dry needling and cycle syncing—to help people reconnect with their bodies and move without fear.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is my personalized, whole-person care. I don’t just hand you a cookie-cutter exercise sheet and send you on your way. I promise to listen deeply, treat the root causes, and tailor each plan to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.
I also offer virtual coaching options to make high-quality pelvic health support more accessible—whether you’re a traveling entrepreneur, a busy mom, an athlete with irregular cycles, or a parent wanting to understand your child’s development.
Plus, I’m proud to integrate holistic healing with modern science—bridging gaps between Eastern medicine, functional movement, and pelvic rehab in a way that feels nurturing and powerful.
What are you most proud of brand-wise?
I’m most proud that my brand makes pelvic health feel approachable, empowering, and even exciting. We help people feel seen and supported, not shamed or overwhelmed. Empowered Movement Therapy is more than a clinic—it’s a movement rooted in body literacy, education, and long-term transformation.
I’m also expanding our offerings to include self-paced digital programs, parent webinars, and collaborative courses with incredible guest experts—making pelvic health support more accessible for all stages of life.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I offer 1:1 in-person and virtual pelvic health physical therapy, personalized exercise programming, holistic healing strategies, and educational resources for women and children. My services include:
Pelvic floor therapy (pregnancy, postpartum, cycle-related pain, leaking, prolapse, etc.)
Pediatric pelvic floor therapy (constipation, bedwetting)
Dry needling, breath and core rehab, nervous system regulation
Online programs and digital courses
Collaborations with hormone specialists, mental health providers, and more
I’m here to change the way people think about pelvic health—making it proactive, empowering, and deeply connected to whole-body wellness.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Women’s health physical therapy is experiencing a major shift—from reactive care to proactive, whole-person healing. The field is evolving beyond just postpartum rehab or treating leaking with Kegels. We’re seeing a beautiful trend toward nervous system regulation, root-cause assessment, and functional movement-based approaches, rather than isolated symptom management.
In the next 5-10 years, I believe we’ll see even more growth in these key areas:
Pelvic health across the lifespan: The idea that pelvic floor care is only for postpartum is fading fast. We’re seeing more awareness around pelvic health in athletes, pre-conception support, perimenopause/menopause, and even pediatric care. This will only continue to grow as education improves.
Virtual and hybrid care models: Accessibility is everything. More people are seeking support from home, especially busy moms, those in rural areas, or people who just don’t want to wait months for in-person care. Hybrid models (in-person + coaching/digital support) will become the norm.
Multidisciplinary, collaborative care: The future of women’s health PT is collaborative—not siloed. I see more integration with hormone specialists, nutritionists, mental health therapists, and holistic practitioners like breathwork facilitators or craniosacral therapists. It’s about treating the whole person, not just the pelvis.
Shift away from the “just do Kegels” narrative: We’re finally debunking outdated methods and teaching people how to connect to their core, breath, and movement patterns in a much more integrated, sustainable way.
At Empowered Movement Therapy, we’re already living that future—offering personalized care, digital programs, and whole-body healing that meets people where they are. It’s not just about rehab anymore—it’s about reclaiming strength, embodiment, and confidence through every season of life.
Pricing:
- 1:1 Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (In-Person or Virtual): Eval 75 min $225, Follow Up 60 min %175
- 1:1 Coaching & Hybrid Packages for Menstrual Cycle Health or Pelvic Health $350-500
- Core Connection Package (3 Sessions) (Foundational) $495
- Restore & Rebuild Package (6 Sessions) $1000
- The Empowered Body Package (10 Sessions) $1400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.empoweredmovementtherapy.org
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/empoweredmovementtherapy
Image Credits
Mark Rose
