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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content on BirthGuide does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. The Complementary Care Directory is a paid membership directory. Members provide the information in their listings, which is not vetted by BirthGuide. The listing of an individual or entity in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BirthGuide. By using this directory you agree to be bound by the BirthGuide Terms & Conditions of Use. If you do not wish to be bound by these terms and conditions, please do not access the directory.
Chicago, Illinois 60631
Postpartum Pelvic PT
It’s never too early, or too late, to care for your body after birth.
The postpartum period, often called the fourth trimester, is a time of immense change – physically, emotionally, and hormonally. Whether you had a vaginal or cesarean delivery, your body has been quite the transition. At Envision Pelvic Health & Wellness, we provide one-on-one pelvic floor physical therapy to help you heal, reconnect with your body, and regain strength and comfort.
Pelvic health therapy supports your entire system, not just your pelvic floor. From scar tissue and ab separation to postural pain and bladder or bowel dysfunction, we tailor your care to your personal needs and goals.
And you don’t need to wait. While many providers recommend waiting until the 6-week checkup, gentle pelvic floor therapy can begin within days of delivery to support healing and mobility right away.
Conditions We Commonly Treat Postpartum:
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary leakage, urgency, or hesitancy
- Scar Tissue Sensitivity (from episiotomy, tearing, or surgery)
- C-section scar pain, tightness, or adhesions
- Diastasis rectus abdominis (ab separation)
- Core weakness or difficulty engaging the abdominal muscles
- Constipation or bowel straining
- Dyspareunia (Pain with intercourse)
- Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain from feeding and baby care
- “Mommy’s wrist” and “Mommy’s thumb”
- SI joint pain, hip pain, or tailbone pain
- Rib flare and upper abdominal pressure
Clogged Duct & Mastitis
Whether you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or exclusively pumping, the lactation journey can come with unexpected challenges. At Envision Pelvic Health & Wellness, we provide support for clogged ducts, breast pain, and mastitis, so you can continue feeding your baby in comfort. Our Clogged Duct & Mastitis Support Program blends our expertise in physical therapy with specialized training in lactation support. We take a holistic, hands-on approach to promote drainage, reduce inflammation, and ease pain, all while supporting your overall recovery in the postpartum period.
What We Help With:
- Clogged or plugged milk ducts
- Painful engorgement
- Mastitis (with clearance from your provider if on antibiotics)
- Breast or chest swelling
- General breast pain or tenderness
- Tension and postural strain from nursing or pumping
Most of our patients see improvement in one to three sessions!
Our Approach to Care:
Your care plan is customized and may include:
- Gentle lymphatic massage to promote drainage and reduce inflammation
- Therapeutic ultrasound to soften tissue and support milk flow
- Kinesiology taping for support and fluid movement
- Education on clothing, bras, and feeding positions
- Postural assessment and support for nursing, chestfeeding, or pumping
- Referrals to trusted lactation consultants if you are not already working with one
We believe in whole-body support that respects both your recovery and your feeding goals. Relief is possible—sooner than you think.
Dr. Erika Darbro, PT, DPT, PRPC (She/Her),
Founder, Physical Therapist
Dr. Alison Saum, PT, DPT, OCS (She/Her)
Physical Therapist
Dr. Erika Darbro, PT, DPT, PRPC (She/Her), Founder
Hi, I’m Dr. Erika, and my journey into pelvic health therapy began during my time as a student at Midwestern University, when I noticed that more people needed help with pelvic health, especially in terms of gender-specific needs. This inspired me to want to help by providing compassionate and inclusive support to anyone with pelvic health concerns.
I received Bachelor’s in Health Science Administration from Ashford University and my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Midwestern University in 2017. In 2020, I earned my Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) through Herman and Wallace Institute, which solidified my commitment to excellence in pelvic health care.
I opened my pelvic physical therapy practice because I believe in creating a safe space for people of all gender identities to address pelvic floor concerns. My goal is to provide a place where patients feel comfortable and supported on their journey to pelvic wellness. That’s why I’m passionate about educating patients and, as an adjunct faculty at Midwestern University, I work diligently to help the next generation of physical therapists learn and develop in their professional careers.
I consider myself a lifelong learner and am passionate about continuing education in pelvic health and adjunctive treatments that enhance my work. I have received training in dry needling through Myopain Seminars, visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute, and instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization through the Graston Technique.
My passion for fertility care is both professional and personal. After an emergency cesarean with my first child, I experienced secondary infertility myself and worked closely with my reproductive endocrinologist and care team. That experience showed me how powerful a collaborative, integrative approach to fertility can be. Through my own journey—and through years of clinical practice—I’ve seen how factors like scar tissue, visceral mobility restrictions, pelvic floor dysfunction, and nervous system regulation can play a meaningful role in fertility outcomes.
On a personal note, I am a mom to two wonderful children and the wife of a Chicago Firefighter. Outside the clinic, you’ll find me chasing my passion for travel, aiming to visit all National Parks, and staying active with sports like softball and volleyball.
Dr. Alison Saum, PT, DPT, OCS (S he/her)
Alison earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina before completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University. She further specialized through an orthopedic residency program to become a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and completed the full Pelvic Function Series with the Herman and Wallace Institute to treat patients of all genders.
Her journey into physical therapy began in the dance world, where she developed a deep appreciation for movement and the strength of the human body. While at Northwestern, Alison discovered her passion for pelvic health during an elective course and her clinical rotations. She fell in love with the holistic approach to treating pelvic health patients and witnessed the profound impact of providing a safe space for patients to address their symptoms. She values collaboration with her team, a vast network of pelvic health professionals, and, most importantly, her patients. Alison’s patient-centered approach ensures care is tailored to individual goals, blending evidence-based methods with personalized strategies to empower patients in managing their symptoms and reclaiming their lives.
Outside the clinic, Alison leads an active and adventurous lifestyle. You’ll often find her biking through the city, running along the 606, rock climbing, or lifting weights. A passionate traveler, she’s always planning her next trip to hike mountains or reconnect with friends around the country. She also enjoys reading, completing puzzles, and thrifting around the city.
At Envision Pelvic Health and Wellness, Alison is proud to serve the Chicago community with compassionate and evidence-based care. She looks forward to partnering with you to achieve the goals you ENVISION for a full and vibrant life.
I can’t recommend Dr. Erika and Envision Pelvic Health & Wellness enough! I originally sought pelvic floor therapy to help with my postpartum recovery, but Dr. Erika has also helped me address some other lifelong issues and discomfort that I had always thought I just had to “deal with”. I’m feeling so much better after receiving treatments from her and following a simple and personalized at-home exercise regimen that fits within my schedule as a busy new mom.
Such an awesome experience over the last few months. I came to Erika just about 3 months postpartum with intense pelvic pain. Now, 6 months postpartum I have relief as well as exercises to help me go forward on my own. Thank you so much for your care!
A PLUS, Erika is extremely personable and I loved chatting about our kiddos throughout our sessions.
I worked with Erika over a few months for postpartum care (regaining core strength and c-section scar mobilization) and addressing an old hip injury that I thought would never go away (spoiler alert, it did!). Erika is wonderful to work with. She listens really well, takes time and never made me feel rushed, and generated a thorough plan for how to work on my areas of need. We met once a week for the few weeks and then moved to every few weeks for the remaining. She gave me exercises to do at home to compliment her care and it all worked really well. I enjoyed my experience and would highly recommend Erika for anyone with pelvic floor therapy needs.