Originally published in Voyage MIA
Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Winograd.
Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a physical therapist for almost 30 years and a small business owner for almost 15 years. When I moved down to South Florida 10 years ago, I owned a concierge Mobile outpatient physical therapy company. I quickly realized that my clients who were being referred to me for falls were not falling due to poor balance as it was assumed. They were falling because they were rushing to the bathroom.
This piqued my curiosity about Pelvic Health and wellness, and I began to incorporate bowel and bladder retraining with these clients and had incredible results. Around the same time, I was approached by a physician who treated prostate cancer and asked me if I could help his pelvic pain clients. My response was an immediate yes!
This propelled my passion and drive to help all clients with bowel bladder, sexual, and digestive dysfunction which ultimately led me to launch Pelvicore Rehab. Pelvicore Rehab grew rapidly and it made me realize what an incredible need there was for people struggling with pelvic health issues.
Our mission is to use a whole-body approach to addressing the underlying cause for long-term healing. Many times the origin of pain is at a distant site from where it is perceived. We also implemented a biopsychosocial approach which is imperative for long-term resolution and healing. This means that we individualize a program for the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Our outcomes for healing healing are amazing because of this approach.
We have always been incredibly driven to provide complete care. This broadened our vision of the kind of help we could provide and led us to launch LEAD Wellness. At LEAD Wellness we offer personalized wellness programs that support every individual’s unique healing journey through a comprehensive team approach.
We utilize comprehensive diagnostic testing, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs with our Physical Therapists, health coaching, a complete online curriculum, and community support. Do clients have their own “dream team” to help them achieve their health goals?
We treat a broad range of stubborn conditions that often go misdiagnosed and untreated such as digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, inflammation, Stubborn belly fat, pre-diabetes, bowel and bladder issues, sexual dysfunction, and autoimmune conditions.
We know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. This is why we incorporate our five key pillars of health; Detoxification, Nutrition, Hormones, Movement, and Mentorship. We implement these 5 key pillars of health and individualize them so we are addressing the root cause of their health concerns from all angles. We help clients implement a sustainable program that they can continue to incorporate and integrate throughout their healing journey and beyond.
We are dedicated to uncovering and addressing the root causes to truly help, people heal long-term. We are so proud to do things differently. The level of unmatched support and mentorship truly sets us apart. We are there to guide our clients every step of the way, we help them through any challenges, empower them, encourage and motivate them, and celebrate wins together with them.
Our goal is to help support people and get them to feel like themselves again even if they feel like they’ve tried it all!!! With our team approach, We aim to educate, inspire, and empower people to achieve optimal health in a holistic and supportive environment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building, running, and growing any company always has its challenges. I am constantly working to create a work-life balance and that is the most challenging part. I am lucky to have the most supportive family who believes in my mission and purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In today’s world, it’s common for people to see many different specialists for specific health problems, like hormonal or digestive issues. However, we believe that focusing on individual parts of the body instead of looking at the whole person might prevent us from getting to the true root cause.
In the current conventional health model, it seems that there is too much focus on symptom management (which often yields short-lived results), as opposed to addressing the underlying issue (which can truly lead to lifelong solutions).
At Pelvicore Rehab/LEAD Wellness, we believe in a truly holistic and integrative approach to healing, focused on empowering clients to achieve health optimization and independence. We use our 5 Pillars of Health– Detox, Nutrition, Hormones, Movement, and Mentorship– and individualize these essential elements of health to help clients reclaim their body, mind, and life!
Let’s take a deeper look into the Top 5 Pillars of Health that contribute to sustainable, individualized, and empowered long-term healing.
Nutrition – This may seem obvious, as this single pillar often has one of the largest impacts on our overall health. Nutrition is defined as the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. Oftentimes, however, the food we eat is doing the exact opposite of promoting health. Food can either be poison…. or it can be medicine.
Mother Nature has truly given us everything we need through natural, whole foods– but after taking one look in the grocery store, the lines can become blurred. With so much conflicting information on the internet and social media, it’s not surprising that we often have no idea what foods are truly medicine. The truth is, that no single diet or way of eating works for everyone. The goal is to find what works for your body. Of course, the fact remains that whole, unprocessed foods are key.
Detoxification – Now, I know what you’re thinking… maybe an image of bitter wellness shots, or strange equipment with prongs and pokes come to mind. Although those things may serve their purpose, this is not the type of detox we’re referring to! The truth is, that our body accumulates toxins from the food we eat, the air we breathe, the medication we take, and so much more. By gently detoxing the body through powerful supplements and whole-food nutrition, we provide ourselves with a clean slate that is essential for digestive and gut health, balanced hormones, inflammation control, and immune system support.
Hormones – By understanding the function of our hormones, we can understand the absolute importance of having them work optimally. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Having balanced hormones makes a huge difference in alleviating even some of the most stubborn symptoms, like weight gain, belly fat, bloating, fatigue, and menstrual pain.
Movement – This will likely not come as a surprise! Movement can consist of any activity that gets your blood flowing, your heart rate up, and your endorphins activated. Not only does our physical health depend on physical activity, but so does our emotional and mental health. There are so many types of movement we can do, and while strength training and light cardio are a great start, movement must be individualized for mind and body. What truly matters is consistency and commitment to movement because you enjoy it!
Mentorship – Have you ever heard the phrase, “It takes a village?” Mentorship is vital to success, and unfortunately, it’s missing from far too many wellness programs. It is essential to connect with like-minded, inspiring individuals who support you along your wellness journey. Healing is not linear; having the support to help you troubleshoot and problem-solve is imperative to success! Being part of a community that will encourage you, empower you, and celebrate your wins with you will set you up for long-term success.
Using our 5 Pillars of Health is what truly sets us apart! This leads to true, sustainable changes, and none of these can exist without the others. We believe that the key to health success is incorporating these Pillars into a sustainable system that is individualized and applied to each unique person to create and maintain true, long-lasting change.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is to always have a mentor AND always be a mentor. I am blessed to have several mentors in different areas of my life. Teaching, spreading awareness, podcasting, and giving workshops, webinars and seminars have been instrumental in my growth and learning. It has also connected me with incredible people I value and learn so much from.
