top of page

Shannon Pacella, PT, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

she/her/hers

PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Shannon Pacella, PT, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

Dr. Shannon Pacella is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy with a passion for helping people feel confident, strong, and supported in their bodies. She specializes in pelvic health and is dedicated to providing compassionate care that empowers her patients to take an active role in their healing journey.

Shannon earned both her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Simmons College. Since then, she’s focused her career on pelvic health. Shannon has extensive experience treating a wide variety of pelvic health related conditions, utilizing manual therapy techniques including myofascial release, as well as therapeutic corrective exercise and movement. Shannon believes in a whole-body approach to treating pelvic health concerns to ensure all potential contributors of someone's symptoms are addressed. Shannon is passionate about helping people to reach their goals and return to doing the activities they love.

In addition to clinical work, Shannon has had the privilege of teaching pelvic health education to students, athletes, fellow physical therapists, and medical professionals both nationally and internationally. She believes education is the foundation of progress, and is passionate about advancing pelvic health awareness and care for all.

When you work with Shannon, you can expect a safe, welcoming space where your goals are heard and respected. She’s here to support you — wherever you are in your journey.
Shannon enjoys spending time outside, often spending weekends with family in New Hampshire and Cape Cod, tending to her plethora of house plants, trying new recipes, and exploring the many restaurants around Boston.

Education, Certifications & Advanced Training

  • Simmons University

    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2016

    • Bachelors of Exercise Science, 2014 

  • Dry Needling Certification: 

    • Dry Needling for Pelvic Rehab Specialists; Orthopedic Dry Needling Solutions and the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine

  • Medbridge Continuing Education Courses:

    • Acute Rehab for the Perinatal Population 0–6 Weeks After Delivery

    • Updates in Fascial Science: Movement and Manual Interventions

    • Current Guidelines for Prenatal Fitness

    • Postpartum Fitness Program Design

    • Pelvic Health Impairments in Women With EDS/HSD

    • Pelvic Floor in the Postpartum Patient: Evaluation and Treatment 

    • Abdominals in the Postpartum Patient: Evaluation and Treatment

    • Postpartum Patient: General Examination

    • Postpartum Patient: General Treatment

    • Orthopedic Connections to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

    • Pilates: History, General Principles and Precautions

    • Ethics for Physical and Occupational Therapy Professionals

    • Men’s Pelvic Health Advocacy

    • Lower Extremity Presentation in HSD/EDS

    • Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Presentation in HSD/EDS

    • Graston Technique®: Treating the Sensitive Nervous System Part 1 - Neuroscience Background and Evaluation

    • Graston Technique®: Treating the Sensitive Nervous System Part 2 - Manual Therapy and Complimentary Interventions

    • Applying Cup Therapy Techniques in an Evidence-Based Practice

    • What Is and Is Not Evidence-Based in Cupping Therapy

    • Physical Therapy in Patients With Gastrointestinal and Rectal Cancers

    • Advanced Treatment of the Pediatric Pelvic Floor Patient

    • Adolescent Pelvic Health Rehabilitation

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Case Studies 

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Enuresis

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Evaluation and Treatment of Common Conditions

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Psychological Considerations, Dysfunctional Voiding and Constipation

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Investigative Tools

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Terminology, Conditions, & Diagnoses

    • Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Bowel and Bladder Function

  • Institute for Pelvic Health Continuing Education Courses: 

    • Redefining the Pelvic Exam: Pelvic Floor Clinical Foundations

    • Move Rx - to Promote Optimal Pelvic Alignment 

  • Pelvic Global Academy Continuing Education Courses:

    • Ehlers-Danlos/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Pregnancy/Postpartum Considerations

    • Understanding and Treating Male Pelvic Pain During Sex: Piecing Together the Puzzle Through Deep-Dive History Taking

    • Abdominal Bloating/Distension and Abdomino-phrenic Dyssynergia

    • Postpartum Exercise: Pelvic Floor, Diastasis, and Pregnancy Posture Considerations

    • Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Updated Clinical Assessment and Treatment (Including Pregnancy/Postpartum)

  • Other Continuing Education Courses:

    • Endometriosis 101: Moving Towards Better Care; Pelvic Health Solutions

    • Physical Therapy Treatment & Evaluation of the Transgender Patient; Boston Medical Center

  • Teaching Engagements: 

    • Complex Pelvic Pain Conditions: Assessment & Treatment; Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi, Kenya

    • Advanced Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes; Eureka Seminars, Bethesda, MD (teaching assistant)

    • Advanced Human Anatomy; Simmons College (graduate assistant)

  • Professional Presentations:

    • Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy 101; Simmons College, Boston, MA

    • Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: What OBGYNs Need to Know; Inova Fairfax Hospital, VA 

  • Basic Life Support (CPR & AED) Certification; American Heart Association 

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Member 

  • International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) Member

  • International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) Member

  • Ehlers-Danlos Society Member (EDS)

bottom of page