Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Lohr PT, DPT, PRPC.
Hi Mariah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I always knew a career in the medical field was my calling. I love helping people! Experiencing a significant knee injury while playing sports in high school opened my eyes to the world of physical therapy, and I have been hooked ever since. I earned my Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018, then immediately began my graduate studies, earning my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from South College (Knoxville, TN) in 2020.
While working for a year in orthopedic care, I discovered the disparity of treatments available for people experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. I began taking continuing education courses and found my passion for treating the pelvic health population. I’ve treated pelvic health conditions since 2021 and achieved my specialty certification at the beginning of 2023.
Backtracking a bit, I was blessed with the opportunity to meet my husband in PT school. As new therapists, we both began our careers working in outpatient orthopedic clinics, gaining valuable experience, mentorship, and insight into insurance companies’ influence on patient care and outcomes. As time passed, we recognized more fully that we had to explore different avenues to provide patients with the comprehensive care they truly need and deserve. So we took a leap of faith, resigned from our jobs, and launched Nomadic Physical Therapy.
Nomadic PT is a cash-based therapy service that provides longevity-based, personalized, proactive care. One of our goals is to break down as many barriers to quality care as possible. Without insurance companies dictating the amount of care approved, the body part treated, and what treatments are covered vs not covered, we can treat people with the appropriate care they need. Nomadic PT offers concierge treatment, meaning we’ll pack up our table and equipment to treat you in the comfort of your home, but we also currently have two locations at which we can treat clients. Our treatments are always 1 client to 1 therapist ratio for continuity of care. Other benefits include transparent pricing, no visit limits, and preventative/proactive care to reduce injury risk.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My husband and I decided on this endeavor knowing it would not be a smooth road. It is impossible to know everything when starting a new business! But we’ve owned our mistakes and appreciate the lessons we continue to learn. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. We’ve adopted a motto to keep our eyes on the path ahead. “As nomads do, we keep moving forward. Always striving, never settling.”
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health, I work with both males and females experiencing urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain conditions, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, infertility, post-prostatectomy symptoms, and prenatal and postpartum conditions. These conditions are never “just” a result of the pelvic floor muscles and require a holistic approach. I can utilize my background in orthopedics to ensure all regions of the body are considered. I’m trained in various manual interventions to augment my client’s treatments, including cupping, dry-needling, soft tissue techniques, visceral manipulations, and internal/external pelvic floor muscle techniques. ICareBetter.com approves me for specialized treatment of endometriosis symptoms.
The Top 3 Things I’m passionate about sharing:
- I love educating. The better one understands one’s body and how it functions, the better one can thrive. I’ve been blessed with opportunities to get out into the Knoxville community and provide classes on various pelvic health-related topics, such as reducing menstrual symptoms, improving the longevity of the pelvic floor, and strategies for reducing stress incontinence. I love seeing that “lightbulb” moment occur.
- Spreading the word that men have pelvic floors too! I’ve talked to so many people, both men and women, who had no idea that men have pelvic floor muscles. Our bodies are more similar than they are different in the pelvic region; besides the reproductive organs and genitals, the muscle structure is very similar.
- Optimizing movement. As I gained experience in this niche specialty of physical therapy, I realized how invaluable it can be to listen to someone’s life story and how the small habits we pick up make such a significant impact down the road. I started to see just how drastically I could impact people’s lives, and my passion has been ignited ever since:
- I’ve taught an older man how to stand up and sit down in church with everyone else and not have to worry about passing gas involuntarily.
- I’ve gotten to assist a wife who’s been with her husband for 18 years but hasn’t been able to have pleasurable intercourse with him for over 6 years because it’s ‘just too painful.’
- I’ve gotten to help many men and women save hundreds of dollars on incontinence pads/diapers by addressing their urinary incontinence.
I hear the pain and frustration in their stories, and I get to be the one to say, “Let’s do something about that right now.” It’s refreshing to be the voice that empowers people to regain control of their lives. Remember, just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s normal!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
I grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin, so many of my childhood memories are activities outside on warm summer days. I vividly remember walking down the woods to pick wildflowers, swinging on a giant rope in the barn with my brothers, petting the animals, and making s’mores around big bonfires. One of my favorite chores was baling hay! Our family would get some of our friends to come out and help. You’d get a tan and total body workout while getting the job done. It was always a party! We’d make an activity out of just about anything outdoors.
Pricing:
- Treatment Session $150
- There are package deals available (call/text for more information)
- 10% Military Discount
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nomadicpt.net/
- Instagram: @nomadic.physical.therapy and @pelvicpt_mariahl
- Facebook: Nomadic Physical Therapy
Image Credits
@christian.hardin_ Refined Essence Digital Marketing Co.
