Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Selby.
Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
WildHer Physical Therapy is a pelvic floor focused physical therapy practice located in Columbia, Maryland. I have been a pelvic floor physical therapist for 11 years. I completed my Bachelors of Science at Towson University and my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at University of Maryland, Baltimore.
WildHer PT was born out of my desire to treat patients as a person as opposed to a specific body “part”. We are multifaceted individuals and our care should be too. Often times patients have brief, impersonal experiences with their healthcare providers and I wanted to change that. I strive to meet my patients where they are that day, and design a plan of care with them at the center.
Pelvic health is so often an area that gets glossed over as an afterthought or even ignored. The pelvis is quite literally in the center of our body. The muscles that attach there have such an important role in support, sexual health, and bowel & bladder function. This can begin to impact many other areas of a patient’s life. Many individuals incorrectly assume that pelvic dysfunction is something they “just have to live with”, not knowing how much help is available to them. Pelvic dysfunction is incredibly common, but not normal.
I am deeply passionate about pelvic health care and the wilds of nature. As such, WildHer PT is inspired by my love of nature, rooted in science, and led by a deep respect for the journey of rehabilitation, helping patients return to strength (and their wild) on their own terms. WildHer is not just a business name, but an ethos and way of life for myself and my patients. I live my life wildly, with abandon, just like I want my patients to.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting your own business is not for the faint of heart. For years I said I never wanted to have my own physical therapy practice. I just wanted to treat. I’m going on record here to say my husband was right all along, when he told me I should have my own practice. He saw what I didn’t, which was a strong desire to take care of patients “my way”.
I am constantly humbled by the intricacies of starting and owning a practice. Funnily enough, the hardest action for me was to set up Google Voice! I consider myself a fairly tech forward individual but wow, getting a phone number was surprisingly hard.
Website design is not inherent to my skill set as a physical therapist. I got started with my website but knew that I would really need to improve and refine just about everything! I have an amazing SEO/digital marketing consultant that has made a huge difference in both my search engine results but my knowledge base of website design.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Long before WildHer was in existence, I was a staff physical therapist for other clinics. As I grew from a new grad into a more seasoned practitioner, connecting with my patients was incredibly important to me. Yes, the physical work that I was providing was very valuable, however, making my patients feel heard, validated and safe was the top priority. This is even more so necessary when working with individuals who have pelvic dysfunctions. I like to think that this is what ultimately sets me apart from other clinicians in the area.
I am proud to create a wholesome environment where my patients feel seen and fully understood during a period of pain and/or distress. My brand is truly an extension of myself and my heart.
What makes you happy?
This question made me smile in response even before thinking about my answer!
It has taken many years of personal work to be able to answer this simply, which is being true to myself. Leading my life with a full and open heart has allowed me to feel more balanced and at peace. This looks like saying yes to what serves me, and saying no unapologetically when it doesn’t.
I am completely content being curled up on the couch with a book and my heating pad, or taking a hike with my husband and young son. The first sip of hot coffee in the morning is pretty high up on my list of little joys!
Happiness is living my life by my design which is incredibly fulfilling!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildherpt.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildherpt/
