Our Staff
Dr. Jennifer Johnson Gabelsberg
Director of Physical Therapy
Dr. Jennifer Johnson Gabelsberg DPT, MSc, MTC, is a women's health physical therapist who has been specializing in the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic pain since 1994. She strives to empower patients through education and self-awareness to encourage them to take responsibility for their own health.
"I believe that a physical therapist's education forms the cornerstone of her care. For that reason, I attended one of the top physical therapy universities for my undergraduate education and have continued to complete both a Masters in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and a doctorate in Physical Therapy." - Dr. Jennifer Johnson Gabelsberg, DPT, MSC, MTC
Education:
- University of Vermont, Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy, 1994.
- Advanced Masters in Orthopedic Physical Therapy awarded in 1999 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
- Doctorate in Physical Therapy, awarded in 2002 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Meeting the Highest Standards of the Physical Therapy Profession.
"I feel it is really important to keep up with the very latest developments in Physical Therapy and to learn from my colleagues. That is why I have completed a great deal of advanced training and am actively involved in professional organizations".
Professional Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association (Orthopedic and Women's Section) National Vulvodynia Association
- International Pelvic Pain Society
Dr. Gabelsberg earned the first of her three physical therapy degrees at the University of Vermont in 1994. She began practicing physical therapy while working on her Advanced Masters of Physical Therapy through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
She began to study pelvic floor dysfunctions such as urinary incontinence. She performed a research study on women with stress and urge incontinence to determine if pelvic floor strengthening, biofeedback and behavioral techniques provided any relief from symptoms.
The initial study proved that these conditions could be successfully treated by these conservative techniques, and had an 83-100% success rate in reducing symptoms of urinary incontinence. The study was published in 1999 in the American Physical Therapy Associations Women's Section Journal. Her research findings are the basis of her one-on-one treatments in the clinic.
Dr. Gabelsberg graduated with her Advanced Masters degree in 1999 and completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2002. While earning her doctorate degree, she opened a Physical Therapy practice, Women's Advantage, Inc. in Torrance, California. Her clinic is dedicated to addressing women's issues such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and prenatal/postnatal issues.
Over the years, Dr. Gabelsberg has instructed many physical therapists nationwide on how to treat urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunctions. She teaches a "Beyond Kegels" class for her local hospital and many "mommy and me" classes for postpartum rehab. She taught the Urinary Incontinence lecture at the APTA's National conference held in Anaheim, California in June of 2001. In October of 2006, she was asked to join the Herman-Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute as an instructor. She is available for teaching and consultations on a private basis.
Options Available Outside the Clinic
After treating urinary incontinence in the clinic for many years, Dr. Gabelsberg heard many patients asking where to send their friends and family in other states for the same treatment. Locating a physical therapist hat specializes in treating women's issues is often difficult to find, especially in rural areas across the country.
Dr. Gabelsberg developed a DVD which clearly and easily explains the behavioral techniques and demonstrates the exercises which would allow women suffering from pelvic floor issues and urinary incontinence to gain relief from their symptoms in the privacy of their homes. She has found that many women are reluctant to come forward with their problems and discuss them with a professional, as the myth that urinary incontinence is "normal" especially after pregnancy has been perpetuated for generations from one woman to another. Dr. Gabelsberg points out that while pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence is extremely common, women do not have to accept it as normal. If you are interested in learning more about his DVD, please click onto our link for the Empowerment DVD at the bottom of your link options.
