C-section recovery · Edmonds, WA
Your scar is part of your core. Let's heal it.
Whether you're healing from a recent C-section or you're 2, 5, or 10 years postpartum and never got your core strength back, we can help. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy treat the scar, the core, and the pelvic floor together, and help you prepare if you're hoping for a VBAC.
1 in 3
U.S. births are by cesarean (CDC)
60 to 80%
Of women who attempt a VBAC succeed (ACOG)
Free
Discovery visit before you commit
Years later
It's never too late to treat a scar
Why it matters
Healing is more than a closed incision.
A cesarean cuts through skin, fat, fascia, and the uterus, and separates the abdominal muscles. The skin closes in a few weeks, but deeper layers keep remodeling for months, and scar tissue can bind those layers together. Many women are cleared at six weeks without anyone ever assessing the scar or the core underneath it.
A tight or tethered scar sits right where your deep core and pelvic floor need to work together. We often see it linked to a lower belly shelf, weak or disconnected abs, low back and hip pain, sciatica, bladder urgency or leaking, and pain with sex, sometimes years after surgery. And because pregnancy itself loads the pelvic floor for nine months, C-section moms need pelvic floor care too.
Our C-section program, developed by Dr. Allison Feldt, PT, DPT, combines hands-on scar and abdominal release, our Body Motion Wave shockwave protocol for stubborn scar tissue, and progressive core and pelvic floor rebuilding, so your scar moves freely and your core works as one unit again.
Watch: is your C-section scar really healed?
Sound familiar?
Scar tissue doesn't just affect how your belly looks. If any of these feel familiar, your scar and core are worth a closer look.
What you might notice around your scar:
A scar that feels tight, numb, itchy, or tender
A shelf or overhang above the incision
Pulling when you stand tall, stretch, or reach
Trouble engaging your lower abs
Ab separation (diastasis recti)
A core that still feels weak years later
What your scar may be contributing to:
Low back pain or sciatica
Hip or groin pain
Bladder urgency or leaking
Pain with sex
Bloating or digestive discomfort
Worry about your next birth or a VBAC
What's included
Release the scar, rebuild the core, restore the pelvic floor.
Hands-on techniques to mobilize the scar and the layers beneath it so tissue glides and muscles can contract.
Our Body Motion Wave protocol softens stubborn, tethered scar tissue and improves blood flow.
Gentle work to restore mobility around the abdominal organs and fascia affected by surgery.
Reconnect and strengthen the transverse abdominis, obliques, glutes, and back as a team.
Assess and treat the pelvic floor after nine months of pregnancy, whatever way your baby arrived.
Prepare your scar, core, and pelvic floor for your next birth, including a vaginal birth after cesarean.
Any stage
Scar tissue keeps changing long after surgery, which means it can be treated long after surgery too.
Gentle guidance for breathing, moving in and out of bed, coughing, and lifting your baby while your incision heals.
Once your incision is closed and you're cleared, we begin scar mobilization and core retraining.
Old scars can still be treated. Many women finally feel their core switch back on years after surgery.
Prepare for your next pregnancy and birth, whether you're planning a VBAC or a repeat cesarean.
Your journey with us
1
A complimentary visit with a pelvic floor expert. Share your concerns and goals, and decide together whether our care is the right fit for you.
2
A thorough assessment of your breathing, posture, core, hips, and pelvic floor to find the root cause and design your individual plan of care. Any internal exam is explained first and always your choice.
3
Hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and education, scheduled to match your plan of care and your goals.
4
Once you have your plan, choose a 12, 16, or 24 visit package for your C-section recovery.
Patient stories
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
★★★★★
I'm a mom of two young children, both of which were born via C-Section. I started seeing Allison from Body Motion PT when my second was 6 weeks old, as I was starting to have back pain from nursing and issues with my core. I have a fairly severe diastasis recti, meaning my abs have separated. Allison used massage and cupping to loosen the scar tissue and bring flexibility back to my muscles. Also having been provided with detailed instructions on how to alleviate my back pain, I found it went away within just one week. After that, I thought I was ready to get back to the gym with my previously successful core workout, but Allison taught me that the same workout from pre-pregnancy could actually do more damage than good now that I had a diastasis. She spent time providing me the appropriate routine to strengthen my core, before doing anything else. The professional and personal care provided by Allison at Body Motion PT is leaps and bounds above any 15 minute PT session you will receive at a walk-in clinic. The fact that she can come to your home, when you’re a busy, working mom, and provide you care with your kids playing right there, is amazing. Thank you, Body Motion PT!
★★★★★
I’ve been seeing Dr Riley and Dr Allison. They are both AMAZING! They have helped me so much on my healing journey from my 3rd c-section. I came to them with a lot of postpartum issues in my pelvic floor and lower back. I feel like they have given me the tools to help my body be strong and heal from 3 pregnancies. In the past, I have always avoided chores that required bending over which is unrealistic. Now I am sitting on the floor, playing with my kids and they are helping me navigate my posture and things to help me be pain free. I’ve also went in with painful intimacy and now it has improved greatly and almost back to normal. I couldn’t ask for more. They are super friendly and personable as well. What I appreciate most is that they go over and beyond to give me the help that I need. Not only is it therapy for my body, but also for my soul because that’s how much they care.
★★★★★
I was suffering greatly when I found Body Motion PT. I’d had two c-sections from 16 & 11 years back. Was suffering frequent UTIs and a kidney infection that had resolved momentarily, but I was still suffering UTI pain that was destroying my life. I was at the lowest point in my life and I found Allison and Body Motion. I’ll try I told myself. Nothing to lose. I drove the 2 1/2 hours from my home with hope in my heart. And wow. Within just a few sessions my pain started to dissipate and after many more it’s held strong. I’ve cut back on the amount of time I go and I’ve got my life back. Amazing. When Dr. Riley came on board I started working with her and they’re both phenomenal. I can’t say enough. I wished I had with this with the two births of my children. Could’ve saved myself years of struggle, but glad to have them now. I can live a pain free life and live my best life at 51. Recently started seeing Dr. Marielle, who is new to the area and she is great. Always great staff and love the waiting room area. So warm and inviting
★★★★★
I would highly recommend Body Motion to any woman who wants to improve her physical health, even if they have not had children! Dr. Allison and her team are amazing. I didn’t know what I was looking for when I visited them for the first time after 2 children (c-sections) and being a lifelong athlete that now lives with aches and pain. Having regular pelvic floor manual therapy taught me which muscles in my body were causing me grief in addition to relieving some of my pain. The therapists spend the whole session helping clients to improve their body. It has been the most beneficial PT I’ve ever experienced. Shockwave has helped me to loosen/soften my scar tissue with my abdominal scar and I felt results immediately with EMTT. Visiting Body Motion was an investment in my health and I look forward to treating myself to more sessions/self-care in the future. If you’re on the fence about coming in for a visit/consult, definitely give them a shot!
★★★★★
My name is Jenn, I have two kids (1st emergency episiotomy & 2nd c-section), and work full time. I came across Body Motion on a Facebook mom page. A mom was asking for pelvic floor therapy and many women attested Allison’s expertise. I had been battling foot and back pain, my stomach muscles were weak, and I felt like I couldn’t even start working out again without injuring myself. My youngest was a year and half, I decided I needed to focus on me again and what could it hurt to be evaluated. After my video eval to vocalize my issues, I came in for my in person eval. I can’t even describe the feeling of my eval and narrowing down where I had atrophy and my hips being unstable causing my foot pain. I was happy for the answers because I had tried everything on my own to alleviate my foot pain. I wanted to start working out again, but I felt too weak and in pain, and I wanted to be able to keep up with my kids for the long term without further injurying myself. I began my journey with Dr. Riley, seeing her weekly for 3 1/2 months. Each session was fine tuned for me and followed up with emails with pictures on all exercises covered. The hour spent with me would fly by and I would leave feeling better each and every time. I can’t even tell you how much of a turnaround I have had with my body. My feet pain is gone completely. I feel stronger with my core. I started working out again and I don’t have a fear of injuring myself more. I have improved my overall mentality by addressing these areas. I can’t speak enough about the whole office. They have become friends and I don’t ever want to stop! I went back for “tune ups” but mostly to say hey. It is worth every last dollar. Everyone is so sweet and I never stopped laughing. I have told all my friends about this place and I can’t say enough how great they are. I really wish pelvic floor therapy was introduced earlier on for women but especially postpartum. The symptoms we put up with or deem as normal could be alleviated by just going and being seen. These ladies are worth their salt and are informative, truly can not go wrong by going here. For yourself and the better of you, just go and take the first step and have that discovery conversation with the team.
★★★★★
I have been wanting to write a review & still don’t know how or where to start to put my experience into words. Allison, Sabrina, Alexis and the entire team are just a dream to work with. I have struggled with severe endometriosis for 20+ years, multiple IVF treatments, 3 c sections (1 emergency) and multiple operations between. I cannot begin to tell you the difference my body felt just after even 1 session. Adding in the shock wave therapy has been a game changer and for the first time in over 20 years I had a painLESS period followed now by 3 full months of pain free debilitating periods. This really can and will change your life. I cannot recommend enough!!!
C-section recovery FAQs
We can guide breathing and movement right away. Hands-on scar work usually begins once your incision is fully closed and your provider has cleared you, often around six weeks. We'll show you what's safe at each stage.
No. Scar tissue can be treated at any time. Many of our clients come to us 2, 5, or 10 years after surgery and notice real changes in their scar, core strength, and back or hip pain.
Yes. Your pelvic floor supported nine months of pregnancy, and the scar sits where your deep core and pelvic floor coordinate. Leaking, urgency, pressure, and pain with sex are common after cesarean births.
Nerves in the skin are cut during surgery and can take a long time to recover, and scar tissue can tether the skin to deeper layers, creating a shelf or overhang. Scar mobilization and core work can often improve both.
Yes. Our Body Motion Wave shockwave protocol uses acoustic pressure waves to soften dense, restricted scar tissue and improve blood flow. We combine it with hands-on therapy and core training for the best results.
Yes. ACOG considers trial of labor after cesarean a reasonable option for many women, and most who attempt it succeed. We prepare your scar, core, and pelvic floor, and teach pushing and positions, to help you feel ready.
No. An internal assessment is the most direct way to check your pelvic floor, and we'll explain how it can help, but it is always your choice. Much of our scar and core work is external.
It depends on your scar, your symptoms, and your goals. After your evaluation we'll recommend a plan of care and a 12, 16, or 24 visit package that fits it.
Yes, once you're cleared. We'll teach you safe self-massage techniques and progress them as your scar heals, alongside the hands-on work we do in the clinic.
Watch & learn
Straight answers from our founder on C-section recovery.
How a scar can affect your core, back, hips, and pelvic floor.
Gentle techniques to start mobilizing your scar at home.
How to prepare your body for your next birth, including a VBAC.
On Instagram
C-section recovery tips and stories from @bodymotionpt.
From the blog
Go deeper with articles on C-section healing.
C-section recovery happens in stages. What full healing really involves, beyond the skin.
How shockwave therapy helps restore mobility and reduce pain in C-section scars.
Essential insights for preparing your body and pelvic floor for a VBAC.
A message from our founder
Years ago, I was frustrated in my own postpartum body. Since then I've seen too many women in their 40s and 50s dealing with hip, back, and joint pain, and leaking too, who go on to need joint replacements and, later, live with incontinence. That cycle is why I started Body Motion. Most women wait months or even years before getting help, and the one thing I can promise is that doing nothing won't make pelvic floor issues better. The next step is to take action. — Dr. Allison Feldt, PT, DPT
Meet our teamDr. Allison Feldt is a pelvic floor physical therapist and the founder and owner of Body Motion Physical Therapy in Edmonds, WA. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Midwestern University in 2012.
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University (2012)
Pelvic floor physical therapist and clinic founder
Leads a team of Doctors of Physical Therapy focused on women's pelvic health
A mom who has been through pregnancy and postpartum recovery herself
Take action today
Reconnect your core.
Whether your C-section was six weeks or ten years ago, it's not too late. Book a free discovery visit to talk with a pelvic floor expert about your recovery.
Prefer to talk first? Call us at (425) 582-0727
