My Journey to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Founding Wellest in Boston
- Melissa Hines
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
by Melissa Hines, PT, DPT, founder of Wellest
From Personal Experience to a Lifelong Mission
My journey into pelvic floor physical therapy began long before I ever stepped into PT school.
In high school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I watched physical therapists tell her she had “plenty of range of motion” — even though she felt far from getting her life back. When they said, “That’s the most you’ll ever get,” I knew I wanted to approach care differently.
That experience lit a fire in me to dig deeper into women’s health. But when I went through physical therapy school, I realized we barely touched on pelvic floor therapy. It wasn’t until one of my first clinical rotations — with a provider who worked exclusively in this area — that I saw the real potential. It felt like magic, and I knew this was the work I needed to do.
Creating the Space I Wish Existed
When I began practicing in the Boston area, most pelvic floor physical therapy happened in hospital settings — quick 20-minute sessions that didn’t allow for deeper connection or comprehensive care. I wanted to create a space that was medical but also calm, welcoming, and fully focused on each individual.
Today, Wellest is a team of specialized pelvic floor physical therapists, alongside a nurse practitioner, so we can address not only muscular issues but also hormonal, endocrine, and autoimmune conditions. We treat all genders and all aspects of pelvic floor health — from urinary concerns to erectile dysfunction — with an individualized, holistic approach.
Our Holistic Approach to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Boston
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, just like those in your neck or back. When they become tight, weak, or dysfunctional, they can cause a wide range of problems. At Wellest, we are all trauma-informed providers, and we meet each patient where they are. Internal pelvic floor work can be transformative, but it’s never something that has to happen right away.
We’ve built this practice to be the place where patients feel truly heard, understood, and supported — where they leave feeling hopeful and know there’s a real path forward for recovery.
Hear the Rest of My Story
If you’d like to hear more about my journey and why this work is so personal to me, you can watch the full video here:
If you’re struggling with pelvic floor symptoms, please know you don’t have to live in pain or discomfort. We would be honored to be part of your healing journey. Reach out today to learn more about our services or contact us to get started.