Meet Dr. Victoria Mallow, PT, DPT, MA | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Victoria Mallow, PT, DPT, MA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Victoria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
While working in various clinics and hospital settings, over the years, I developed an idea of what pelvic floor therapy should look like. I felt that the traditional PT model was not set up to provide this level of care that I deemed necessary for treating such intimate and personal concerns. Fast forward to the pandemic which forced me to stay at home for several months. It was during that time that I was able to craft the exact vision for what pelvic health patients deserved. Namely, ample time with a consistent provider, private treatment rooms, and individualized care that focused more on what each person truly needed rather than what an insurance company would declare necessary. I knew then, that I could not re-enter the world of rehab without upholding these higher level practices. Thus, Restore Pelvic Health and Rehab was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, I help individuals with their most personal symptoms and concerns that many people don’t openly talk about. I treat a wide variety of issues pertaining to bladder, bowel, and sexual function, as well as chronic pelvic pain conditions and pregnancy/postpartum issues. What sets my practice apart is the time and consistency with each patient, as well as the customized treatment approach each person receives. All of the visits in my office are at least 60min in length and each visit is in a private room with comfortable linens and lighting. All of this is intentionally planned to create a calm and supportive environment. I do not believe in using cookie-cutter approaches to therapy, but instead, personalize each treatment plan to the person in front of me. Getting to this point, however, was not easy. Pelvic health is the one field in PT that requires a significant amount of continuing education after obtaining the Doctorate degree. My husband and I had our first child while I was still finishing PT school. I had to start my career juggling motherhood and living in a city without family support, while my husband worked long hours. This went on for several years and included moving to two new cities and welcoming another child along the way. All of this was occurring while I worked full-time and continued my education on the side, to strengthen my skillset in pelvic health. The journey from completing PT school to opening my practice took 5.5 years. What it has taught me most of all is that if something is that important to you, you can find a way to persevere. Slow progress is better than no progress. These are things I try to emphasize to my patients who deal with chronic pain.
What is most important for people to know is that Restore was built from my determination to provide patients with an un-matched level of care in a healthcare system that often makes people feel as if they are rushed, dismissed, or “just a number.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
South Florida is an exciting place and there are alwasy fun things to do. When family members visit, we often take them to one of our favorite breakfast spots with a view, like Benny’s On The Beach. We typically spend the day on one of the many beaches in Delray or Boca and spend the evening on Atlantic Avenue, in Delray. There’s alwasy something fun and entertaining there like live music or art shows. Our family’s favorite restaurant on the avenue is Tramonti’s, which rivals any of the upscale Italian restaurants in New York!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve had two very impactful mentors along the way who have shaped me as a healthcare provider. My physical therapist back home in NY, Maryann Russo, provided my first introduction to the field of PT. At the young age of 12, I experienced PT firsthand and saw how she ran two very successful clinics. She created a name for herself in the area and I knew she was doing something right when all of the local physicians requested to be put on her schedule. I later came to work for her, as an aide and scheduler, during my high school and college years. I admired her caring approach with patients and often thought how I wanted to emulate her when I grew up. My second job, after graduating PT school, was in a Sports Medicine/Orthopedic clinic where Yves Joseph not only hired me but mentored me throughout my time there. He taught me many valuable treatment skills but what alwasy struck me was how he believed in me even when I couldn’t see beyond the next work week. He pushed me towards management positions within the company and was a constant support in my development as a clinician.

Website: www.restorepelvicrehab.com

Instagram: @restorepelvicrehab_boca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Restorepelvicrehab

Image Credits
Cristina Pelino