Pearl Wellness Practice recently had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Ariel to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy in the Maryland area. We were so impressed by how warm and inviting the space is for all bodies at all levels of movement. Let's explore more about this outstanding practice!
Please share your name, credentials, current role, and name of practice.
Dr. Ariel Addy, PT, DPT, E-RYT 200, PCES Co-Owner and Lead Physical Therapist at Rooted Physio & Performance.
Is your practice in person, virtual, or both?
Mobile in-home treatment within a 30-minute distance of Columbia, MD Virtual for MD/DC.
What states do you hold licensure?
Maryland
Do you practice from a specific modality or theoretical approach?
At Rooted Physio & Performance, we are a fitness-forward physical therapy and performance training company that helps our clients achieve their highest performance by optimizing their movement while decreasing their pain. Our approach is hands-on and education forward. We want our clients to leave feeling empowered and in control of their bodies with tangible steps on how to reach their goals. We practice physical therapy using a holistic approach to treating musculoskeletal and pelvic floor dysfunction. We evaluate our client's entire body and ecosystems including their movement, sleep habits, stress levels, and nutrition. We are strong believers in an interdisciplinary approach that includes referring out to other evidence-based providers in our network like the team at Pearl Wellness.
Do you consider yourself HAES Aligned? If so, what does that mean to you when working with clients?
Yes! We believe that fitness is for EVERYONE and there is no "one size fits all" approach to healing or optimizing your wellness. The fitness industry is unfortunately a bit toxic in this day and age. We believe that weight is not the only indicator of health. Instead, we base our programs on sustainability, joint preservation, and strength. Most of our clients come to us with the goals of feeling more confident and stronger in their bodies after dealing with an injury or a chronic condition. We use a trauma-informed approach to strength training, neuromuscular education, and mobility work that leaves room for customization in collaboration with our client's belief systems and physical needs.
Do you prefer beaches or mountains?
I used to definitely be more of a beach person, but now as I get older I have gained a preference for mountains. Mountains are never perfect. When hiking a mountain, the path will often send you on (what feels like) an endless journey of back and forth and slow, steady gains that are hard to notice. However, when you get to the top and look down you realize that all of the work and chaos along the journey was ultimately important in order to reach the peak. The healing journey is often like this. We help our clients through the switchbacks and remind them that slow and steady wins the race, especially when overcoming a chronic condition.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate chip ice cream :)
What is your favorite form of self-care?
Massage therapy and yoga!
What drew your interest in this field of work?
My husband, our lead personal trainer, and I started Rooted because we felt like there was a gap in the fitness and rehab space. I grew up as a youth athlete who was often told that "no pain, no gain" was the way to go. This led me to being disconnected from my body which resulted in a shoulder injury in college and a battle with chronic pain. I felt like no one was listening to my concerns and instead just giving me band-aid solutions to deal with my pain. I decided to become a physical therapist because I wanted to help people like me and do a better job than the traditional rehab experience in which patient's beliefs are often never asked, their high-level goals are often ignored, and the root cause of their condition is never explored.
I decided to become a pelvic floor specialist after working as an orthopedic PT for a year. I started to have a number of tricky low back, hip, and pelvic pain clients and I felt like something was missing in their treatment plan. I started referring them to a pelvic floor PT in the practice I was working in and was amazed when they were getting better once this area of the body was included in their treatment. I decided from that moment to fully dive into learning and exploring pelvic health rehabilitation. My continuing education includes hundreds of hours understanding menstrual health, hormonal health, and how to navigate the pregnancy and postpartum journey from preconception to years after giving birth, and the link between the pelvic floor and orthopedic conditions like low back pain and hip pain. This path has allowed me to treat all my clients through an entirely holistic lens.
My husband, Leslie, was also a high-level athlete and felt restricted in his athletic endeavors due to several injuries he sustained on the basketball court. During his rehab process, he found that he was able to get back into high-level athletics, but he also struggled with chronic pain associated with overtraining. Together, we created Rooted Physio & Performance to help bridge the gap between injury and returning to high-level tasks such as lifting, running, yoga, and strength training. We became the providers we wish we had growing up by founding our company on the principles of empathy, communication, and collaboration with our clients.
What is your “WHY”
Our why is similar to why we got into this field. We want to be the providers we didn't have growing up. We want to serve people in a way that is relatable and walk with them through their wellness journey.
Who is an ideal client for you?
Our ideal clients are people who want to get active with less pain/aches. This might be a new mom returning to fitness postpartum, a millennial woman overcoming pelvic pain associated with PCOS and wanting to get back into an active lifestyle, or a 50-year-old dealing with chronic low back pain who wants to get back into strength training after a long period of inactivity.
Can you walk us through what a client should expect in getting started with you?
The first step to get started is to visit our website www.rootedphysioperformance.com and fill out the contact form. You will then be contacted by one of our expert team members who can help answer any questions you have about our services and get you scheduled. The next step is an evaluation by our Doctor of Physical Therapy. This is a one-hour appointment conducted in your home or online. We will watch your movement and talk in-depth about your goals. Then we will come up with a collaborative step-by-step plan of how to get you there. In between sessions, we utilized an app with your exercise program and text message follow-up to ensure that you are always connected with your provider and can ask short follow-up questions in between your sessions. Our goal is to create a long-lasting relationship and to help support you through your current and future goals. Whether this is decreasing pain and fear associated with movement, improving confidence with weight lifting, or optimizing your body as you plan for pregnancy.
What do you think the most common misconception(s) are in your area of specialty?
Common misconceptions about performance physical therapy are that
1. "We're just supposed to deal with pain as we get older" - Nope! There is so much we can do to help you move and feel better regardless of age
2. "You should just stop ______ due to your chronic condition" - Wrong again! There are so many ways to return to fitness even if you are dealing with a condition like PCOS. Having a coach to lead you along the way is exactly where we step in.
3. "The number one goal for personal training is to lose weight" - Personal training has so many benefits that have nothing to do with aesthetics. Stress relief, strength and confidence gains, mental health improvements, and sleep improvements are some to name a few.
4. "Pelvic floor dysfunction is normal after you have a kid or if you have PCOS" - Absolutely not! It is common to have pelvic floor dysfunction (like accidental leakage) but there is so much we can do to limit or completely prevent it from happening ever again.
What is a piece of advice you would give to the community?
Our biggest piece of advice when looking for a performance physical therapist (especially one who specializes in pelvic health) is to make sure they are actually trained in internal pelvic floor assessment. This is not always necessary or required as part of your treatment, but is the mark of an actual pelvic floor specialist - not just someone who took a weekend course and calls themself a "Pelvic floor coach".
How can people connect with you?
People can connect with us by calling us at 443-671-4116 or sending us an email at info@rootedphysioperformance.com
Do you have any resources you recommend to those wanting to learn more and/or manage their symptoms?
We share a lot about our evidence-based approach to health and wellness on our social media accounts on Instagram @rootedphysio and @drarieladdy
Some of our favorite books include:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - A book that can help you learn how to embrace your personal journey.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - A mindset Shift to regain control over your life Fix your period by Nicole Jardim - hormonal education for holistic healing of PCOS
Come as you are by Emily Nagoski - sexual health and wellness mindset shifts
When exploring the various pillars of wellness, we see the importance of respecting our physical health. Rooted is a compassionate and empowering practice that offers a safe and judgment-free zone for those looking to strengthen their function fitness. Another pillar of wellness includes prioritizing mental health and nutrition. If you're looking to improve these areas, we offer in-house support for therapy and nutrition services at Pearl Wellness Practice. Submit a contact form today to schedule a complimentary consultation call and strengthen your wellness journey.
With Pearl of Wisdom,
Eden & Kira
