Meet Dr. Brandie Freeman | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Owner of Connect Pelvic Health

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Brandie Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Brandie, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Individuals outside of pelvic physical therapy, whether they are potential clients considering treatment or seasoned physicians, are often unaware of the wide range of conditions we can partner with patients to resolve. For example, many postpartum people assume it is “normal” to have urinary leakage with coughing or jumping.

Unfortunately, peeing your pants is even jokingly a rite of passage for new mothers.

As a result, many do not seek help. Or worse, they may ask their gynecologist about urinary issues and instead of being referred to pelvic physical therapy, their MD might recommend kegels as a cure-all or mention a bladder sling procedure. However, this issue can be solved easily- many times in just a few sessions- with pelvic floor treatment. Pelvic therapists are the experts on a wide variety of issues from “nipples to knees” ranging from constipation, low back pain, and erectile dysfunction to childbirth injuries and prolapse.

I feel outsiders underestimate our ability to solve issues without medications or surgery. It is my personal goal to stop unnecessary suffering from treatable conditions by educating others about their bodies and about how seeing a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in pelvic health can help restore function and resolve pain.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As the founder of the first pelvic health clinic in Paulding County, I was told by numerous seasoned business owners that my area was too rural or uninterested in pelvic floor treatment for my business to survive. Initially, I resonated with their doubt and had considered working at other clinics closer to Atlanta. However, as a lifelong resident of Hiram and a former schoolteacher in Cartersville, my heart was torn because I wanted to serve my neighbors and friends in Northwest Georgia. No one should have to drive an hour for quality care. I dreamed of opening a clinic easily accessible to patients in Paulding, Douglas, Cherokee, Bartow, and Cobb Counties. It took the sincere encouragement of mentors who knew my skill, compassion, and dedication to my calling to find the courage to open Connect Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy in Acworth in March of 2022.

Once I resigned from my previous job and took the leap, my business took off immediately! Within 3 weeks, my schedule was full. Within 2 months, I hired a patient care specialist and leased my own clinic space that houses a lactation consultant, photographer and massage therapist. Now, Connect Pelvic Health is an oasis for care in underserved area for those with pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, bowel/bladder issues, and perinatal concerns.

I can attribute my success to praying over my patients each morning and starting my day around the intention of being used as a vessel of service and healing for all people, regardless of age or gender. I have built my brand on being a good steward of others’ time and resources so they can connect back to what they’ve been missing as quickly as possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The suburbs of Northwest Georgia offer a myriad of opportunities to be active and enjoy the outdoors. Kayaking on the Etowah river, boating on Lake Allatoona, and hiking up Pine or Kennesaw Mountains are all ways to enjoy the beauty of nature while staying within an hour of Atlanta. I also love taking friends who visit to Marietta Square, where there is always excellent yoga offerings at Be Yoga, acai bowls at Updog Smoothies, local produce and goods at the farmers market on Saturday mornings, and flavorful at the Latin-Asian fusion restaurant, Taqueria Tsunami.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I foremost would like to thank my husband, Allen, and my family for their unwavering support as I started Connect Pelvic Health. I would also like to give a Shoutout to Baylor University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for preparing and encouraging me to pursue my passion in pelvic health. Finally, I am so grateful for my mentors, Dr. Teresa Bachman, Dr. Jessica Reale, Dr. Nick Rainey, Dr. Susan Clinton, Dr. Kelly Alhooie, Dr. Jennifer Stone, Dr. Allie Hammond, Dr. Ann Croghan, and Darryl Wilburn.

Website: www.connectpelvichealth.com

Instagram: @connectpelvichealth

Facebook: Connect Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy

Other: TikTok @connectpelvichealth

Image Credits
Photography by Kara Williams