We were lucky to catch up with Rachael Cappuccino recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rachael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I decided to start Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the birth of my second child. I realized that there were very few resources, especially pelvic floor physical therapists in the Conejo Valley and I wanted to change that. The main steps that I had to take were setting up my business entity, finding a space, and getting all of the equipment necessary to treat pregnant and postpartum Mamas. I think my main challenge was wondering if this was going to make it and if I would be successful. The main advice I would give to young professionals is go for it! It’s scary but you have to take the jump if you want to grow.

Rachael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Cappuccino Physical Therapy is a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic that specializes in preparing mamas for labor and delivery, alleviating pregnancy related aches and pains and assisting in postpartum recovery. Too many women live with symptoms that are very common, but not normal after having a baby, and our goal is to change that. Returning mamas to exercise without symptoms after delivery is our top priority.

Rachael started Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the births of her two children because she believes that an active lifestyle does not end with motherhood. Having experienced both a vaginal delivery and a cesarean, Rachael understands the physical challenges that come with pregnancy and recovery from birth. Too many women accept these challenges as their new reality when she firmly believes that most can be treated with pelvic floor physical therapy.

Rachael has been practicing physical therapy since receiving her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2014. She has taken many courses specializing in pelvic health and the female athlete returning to sport postpartum. She is also a certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach and Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She believes that every postpartum woman should receive pelvic floor physical therapy in order to perform whatever activity they desire, even after having children.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

One of my favorite parts about being a business owner is getting to network with and support other local business owners, especially women owned businesses. I believe this is how my business grew so quickly. I started reaching out to anyone who worked with pregnant and postpartum women, from doulas, to midwives, to acupuncturists, to chiropractors and so on. One of the first doulas I met in the first month I was in business told me that I was going to blow up pretty quickly, and I did not believe her. Little did I know, she was right! She was the first one to start referring me clients and from there, the ball started rolling! I have found that it’s important to maintain relationships with the people I have networked with, especially in the birthing community because we are always referring clients to each other. There is so little support for pregnant and postpartum women but our community of birth workers is really trying to change that.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I actually wanted to be a professional soccer player from the time I was 6 years old. When I got to high school, that dream was squashed by some very unsupportive coaches (but to be honest I probably wasn’t good enough anyways). But if I could go back, it might be fun to be representing my country at the Olympics and Women’s World Cup!

Contact Info:

• Website: Cappuccinopt.com
• Instagram: @cappuccinopelvicpt
• Facebook: Cappuccino Pelvic PT