We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Higgins . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Hi Andrea , thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
My defining moment was realizing as a 24 year old female, I had pelvic floor issues. I had never had kids, I had always been healthy and active, just graduated as a doctor from physical therapy and knew everything about anatomy and physiology (to my knowledge), yet STILL had pelvic floor dysfunction. When I realized I had issues that needed to be addressed and connected back to my period health, bladder/bowel/sexual health, I needed to learn more about pelvic floor and find a way to integrate it into orthopedics
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a pelvic floor physical therapist with a background in orthopedics. In short, I treat any musculoskeletal issue plus bowel/bladder/sexual health dysfunction as well. Main conditions I work with is low back pain, hip/sacral pain, pelvic pain, pain with sex, hemorrhoids, bladder leakage, core weakness postpartum (diastasis recti or umbilical hernias), and much more! I am a lot different from other pelvic floor therapists due to the fact that I look outside of the pelvic floor to identify the root cause of the dysfunction (ie. flat arches, weak glute muscles, tightness in the mid-back). The biggest population I serve is prenatal and postnatal! I am a pre/postnatal corrective exercise specialist!
I am the Director of Operations and Staff Doctor of Physical Therapy with The HOPE Doctors who have physical locations in Tampa Bay, FL and virtually all over the world.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
1000% over with a sub-speciality in hormone health. I know enough about it to help myself and guide others in the right direction by referring out to providers I adore, but I would love to be able to test my clients’ hormones, thyroid, cortisol, adrenal health, etc; when they’re coming in with irregular menstrual cycles, they’re having a hard time conceiving, or having constant aches and pains.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Connecting with your clients. I have my own personal history of pelvic floor dysfunction and have worked with so many men and women dealing with similar dysfunction. It really helps when you have a personal connection and were able to heal yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehopedocs.org
- Instagram: andreayarbrough_pfdoc
- Facebook: Andrea Higgins
- Linkedin: Andrea Yarbrough
- Youtube: Andrea Yarbrough
Image Credits
Kimberly Romano Becca Ford