After living with pelvic floor concerns for a long time, Laurie hoped a hysterectomy would mark the beginning of feeling better. Instead, the procedure left her facing a new challenge: a profound sense of weakness and instability through her core. Everyday movement felt different, and the exercises she had done before surgery no longer felt like enough. That is when she began working with physical therapist Ashley Williams at KCP Physical Therapy.

Starting Over After Surgery

Laurie describes the difficult early weeks in vivid terms: “I first came to physical therapy because I’d been dealing with pelvic floor issues for a long time, and then I had a hysterectomy that left me feeling like my entire core had been taken out from under me.” Although she had exercised before, recovery made familiar movements feel unfamiliar. “I remember telling Ashley I felt like a turtle stuck on its back, weak, unstable, and unable to get myself moving again,” she says. “I had done exercises before, but after surgery it felt like starting completely over.”

For Laurie, the answer was not simply to work harder. She needed a plan that met her where she was and helped her reconnect with her core safely and intentionally. Ashley focused on small exercises, careful form, and steady progress—an approach that helped Laurie begin rebuilding both strength and confidence.

Care That Felt Comfortable and Doable

Pelvic floor physical therapy can feel unfamiliar, and some patients may arrive with understandable uncertainty. Laurie says Ashley created an environment where she could focus on healing without feeling self-conscious. “Working with Ashley at KCP made all the difference,” Laurie says. “Through small, intentional exercises and constant encouragement, she never made me feel embarrassed or ashamed. Instead, she made everything feel normal and doable.”

The program extended beyond Laurie’s visits to KCP. Ashley gave her exercises to practice at home, then used each appointment to check her technique and make thoughtful adjustments. Laurie noticed change quickly: “Within the first ten days, I could already feel improvement.” That early progress helped her stay engaged while Ashley’s close attention made the exercises more effective. “She gave me exercises to do at home, and when I came in each week, she made sure I was doing them correctly—adjusting my form, reminding me to engage my transverse abdominis,” Laurie explains. “She helped me understand how much proper technique matters.”

Progress That Showed Up in Everyday Life

As Laurie’s core strength returned, the results became noticeable in the moments that mattered most. Routine tasks required less effort, and she began moving with greater confidence. “Over time, I started to feel my core come back, and I felt stable again,” she says. “I could get out of a chair easier, move with confidence, and pick up my grandchildren without worrying that my body would give out on me.”

Laurie is candid that recovery is still a process, but the distance she has traveled is meaningful. “I’m not all the way there yet, but I’m miles ahead of where I started,” she says. Her experience reflects an important part of rehabilitation: progress does not have to happen all at once to change daily life. With a personalized program, consistent practice, and guidance from a physical therapist, small gains can build into greater stability and function over time.

Laurie’s Advice: Take the First Step

For anyone who may be nervous about seeking care, Laurie offers straightforward encouragement: “If someone is scared, embarrassed, or unsure about pelvic floor PT, my advice is that you just have to do it. You can’t fix this on your own.” Her words speak to the relief that can come from having a knowledgeable professional listen, explain what is happening, and provide practical steps forward.

She also credits the people at KCP with making the experience positive from beginning to end. “Ashley and the whole team at KCP are wonderful people who truly care,” Laurie says. “They support you, encourage you, and make you feel comfortable every step of the way. It’s been a great place to heal, and I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made.”

If pelvic floor symptoms, post-surgical weakness, or changes in core stability are limiting the way you move, individualized physical therapy may help you better understand your body and work toward the activities that matter to you. KCP Physical Therapy emphasizes one-on-one care, attentive listening, and treatment plans shaped around each person’s needs and goals. Laurie’s story is a reminder that asking for help can be the first step toward feeling stronger, steadier, and more like yourself again.