Molly Lechtenberg does work every day that she can identify with.

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

Lechtenberg said she and Traush, who jointly earned doctorates in physical therapy from Des Moines University, saw a need for physical therapy services specifically for women, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth.

“We had both worked for a few years and had children. One night we texted each other and decided that we should do this,” Lechtenberg recalls.

“This is a huge need, especially in Iowa. I have two daughters and the birth of my first daughter 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 people don’t talk about it.”

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

North Freedom

Lechtenberg and Traush opened their clinic in West Des Moines about eight years ago, where they noticed women traveling from eastern Iowa to seek their services.

“Before we opened, there wasn’t really one place to go for all women’s health issues,” Lechtenberg said. “You could go to that person if you had a pelvic problem, but if you also had a back injury or were worried about other things, you had to go somewhere else.”

“We’re really proud to have a one-stop shop for help with anything that’s stopping you from living your life to the fullest.”

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

Lechtenberg said the North Liberty company employs two physical therapists who talk to each other by phone weekly.

“A positive place”

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

“We offer one-on-one appointments,” she said. “You get a physical therapist for the full 40 minutes and it’s all in a private room so you can talk about anything you need help with. It’s very personalized.”

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

“Some people wait months for an appointment, so we try to see you sooner and then get you back in quicker to make sure you’re continuing to make progress and so we can fine-tune any exercises you’re working on or help you with anything else you need help with,” she said.

“Another important factor that sets us apart from other physical therapy clinics, and especially women’s health clinics, is that when you come in, you don’t feel like you’re going to a doctor’s appointment,” she said.

“Our environment was designed to be welcoming because many people seeking physical therapy for pelvic health have a medical history of trauma. It is important to us that everyone who walks through our doors feels safe. It is a great, happy and positive place.”

Collaboration with doctors

Lechtenberg said her team works with women of all ages, including teenage athletes with pelvic pain to women during pregnancy and postpartum who pee their pants or experience pain during intercourse. They also perform dry needling to help women with headaches and migraines.

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

Although many patients are referred by their doctors, Lechtenberg is aware that her clinic is not sufficiently busy.

She and her team are working to reach out to other doctors in the area to explain how they can help.

“We just want to let them know we’re here,” she said, noting that much of her business relies on word of mouth from current or former patients.

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

What happens next?

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

“If someone can’t come into the clinic for whatever reason, we can do so much with a telehealth appointment,” she said. “People wonder how we can help when we’re not in the same room, but there’s so much education and exercise we can provide that we can offer via telehealth.”

And ultimately, she and her team want to have fun every day.

“I really love what I get to do,” she said. “Every day is different and you never know if today will be a big or small day of success for the people we see.”

“Someone may have slept through the night and 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 being able to live their life.”

“We have a ‘victory board’ in both hospitals where people can come in and write down their victory and you never know what you’re going to see on it. So for me, every day is about the big and small victories.”

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