OUR TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY

Rachael Gossett, PT, DPT, SEP, PCES generally integrates her expertise as a Doctor of Physical Therapy with Somatic Experiencing® bodywork in order to address the autonomic nervous system's role in movement patterns and chronic symptoms. Although Rachael emphasizes a holistic approach to healing -- considering the body, mind, and spirit, she also knows that each client is different and will benefit from a variety of treatment approaches. See the below services provided to see which approach and service might align with your current needs and desired approach to rehab. Many clients utilize a blend of these approaches and services throughout their course of rehabilitation. 

Our Services

  • With Rachael Gossett, PT, DPT, SEP, PCES

    Your 90-minute initial consultation includes a thorough review of your history, a physical exam, and the start of treatment. You’ll receive a personalized home exercise program (HEP), updated at each follow-up to support progress between sessions. Follow-up sessions are 50 minutes and may include functional dry needling if appropriate and desired.

    With advanced training in both orthopedic and pelvic floor therapy, Rachael takes a whole-body approach—recognizing how different areas influence one another. For example, treatment may explore how ankle stability, neck tension, or visceral mobility relate to your pelvic or back symptoms. The physical evaluation covers strength, joint mobility, neurodynamics, visceral function, and assessment of motor control. Generally, an internal pelvic floor exam is deferred to a follow up session but can be done on evaluation day depending on your comfort and clinical indications. 

    Treatment combines hands-on manual therapy with movement-based strategies like strengthening, stretching, breathing, postural re-education, and pain neuroscience education.

    This approach is especially effective for: new or acute symptoms (<3 months), Pregnancy and early postpartum support, Those new to physical therapy or pelvic floor PT, Individuals who prefer not to incorporate Somatic Experiencing® at this time.

  • With Rachael Gossett, PT, DPT, SEP, PCES

    Rachael offers a body-based, trauma-informed approach to healing through Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) and co-regulating touch. This gentle, “bottom-up” method supports clients whose chronic symptoms haven’t fully resolved through traditional physical therapy or “top-down” approaches.

    SE™ focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in movement patterns and perception of sensation. Rather than telling our bodies what to do and forcing change, this work honors the body’s wisdom—helping you explore the deeper roots of physical symptoms through subtle hands-on techniques and intuitive movement. It focuses on allowing one's body to move through held protective bracing or tensioning patterns. This listening to the body and allowing for expression can bring more ease and safety in the body, bring increased control over movement and breathing, as well as bring freedom from trauma being held in one's physiology. 

    Initial sessions are 90 minutes and include a comprehensive intake, nervous system assessment, and individualized treatment. Follow-up sessions are 50 minutes and may include home practices for continued progress. Throughout doing this work, it is often necessary to incorporate traditional PT practices to stabilize and integrate the changes that have been made. 

    Curious to learn more about SE™ and the ANS? Check out this blog post.

    Rachael is also a teaching assistant for the Somatic Experiencing® Institute and is pursuing further training in co-regulating touch with Kathy Kain, deepening her work with clients navigating developmental trauma.

  • With Rachael Gossett, PT, DPT, SEP, PCES

    Functional Dry Needling (FDN) is a hands-on technique used by trained physical therapists to support neuromuscular re-education and optimal movement. By inserting a very thin needle into specific muscles or regions, FDN helps reset dysfunctional communication between the nervous system and the muscles—improving coordination, mobility, and control. This tool is used to restore proper motor firing patterns, reduce protective muscle guarding or overactivity as well as to improve proprioceptive input (your body's awareness of movement and position). FDN is applied with the goal to re-establish efficient, pain-free movement and can be a powerful catalyst for change, especially when paired with movement retraining, breathing work, and other therapeutic exercises.

    Rachael has her Level 2 Functional Dry Needling certificate through Kinetacore. Dry needling services are included in the initial consultation and follow up visits.  

    Rachael also offers 20 minute “FDN Tune Up” services: If you are a current client, have already done FDN with Rachael, and consistently complete your home exercise program, you can schedule a FDN only visit. This is a 20 minute session for dry needling only. It does not include any consultation on movement interventions or manual therapy technique. This approach tends to work best for people who generally have their symptoms managed but occasionally have an exacerbation. For people who are highly motivated to do their home exercises outside of the clinic and are looking for a helpful reset. For those who already know your body responds great to FDN.

  • With Rachael Gossett, PT, DPT, SEP, PCES

    As a Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise Corrective Specialist (PCES), Rachael supports individuals through safe and effective movement during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. 

    Labor Mechanics Training: 50 minute birth preparation session: learn exercises that you can do to prepare for labor as well as positions to perform during both stage 1 and stage 2 of labor. Get confirmation that your pelvic floor is able to relax sufficiently as well as optimize your pushing mechanics for reducing risk of perineal tearing and difficult deliveries. 

    Postpartum Physical Therapy: Rachael has a particular passion in helping women who have experienced difficult or traumatic deliveries to reconnect with and find trust in their bodies again. To strengthen and get back to activities that they love and what brings them joy. When working with Rachael, women have the opportunity to find greater regulation in their nervous system, which can enhance their capacity to bond with their babies. Most women benefit from traditional pelvic floor physical therapy and SE™ bodywork during this time period (see above). 

CONDTIONS

TREATED

    • Acute and Chronic Pain

    • Pain along the pelvic girdle, groin, vulva, or vagina

    • Coccydynia (tailbone pain); rectal spasms or pain

    • Lower back pain (with or without sciatica)

    • Hip girdle discomfort

    • Interstitial cystitis (bladder pain)

    • Dyspareunia (painful sexual activity); vaginismus

    • Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

    • Neck Pain and Headaches

    • Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Pain

    • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

    • Autonomic dysregulation following a traumatic or stressful event 

    • Prolonged recovery after difficult and/or traumatic childbirth 

    • Aftereffects of medical procedures and/or surgeries 

    • Chronic pain following motor vehicle collisions, falls, or injuries

    • Difficulty regulating nervous system during pregnancy 

    • Difficulty with body awareness (interoception, neuroception, or proprioception) 

    • Bracing and guarding patterns due to chronic stress or unresolved trauma

    • Breath-holding or dysfunctional breathing associated with anxiety, trauma, or chronic pain

    • Hyperarousal or freeze responses that interfere with sexual activity or pleasure

    • Stress incontinence (leakage with coughing, sneezing, etc.)

    • Urinary leakage with recreational activity or sports

    • Urge urinary incontinence; nocturia

    • Fecal incontinence; smearing

    • Constipation; IBS; painful or difficult voiding

    • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, etc.)

    • Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA)

    • Generalized lumbopelvic weakness

    • Post-op recovery (Cesarean or abdominal surgery)

    • Endometriosis; Chronic Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea

    • Fibromyalgia

    • Central Sensitization

    • Chronic Constipation; IBS

    • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

    • Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms; Whiplash-Associated Disorder

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