Meet Dr. Ashe Etherton, PT, DPT
Dr. Ashe (she/they) earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Elon University. She discovered her passion for pelvic health while in graduate school, which led her to seek additional mentorship and specialized training in pelvic floor physical therapy. Through her personal journey with pelvic pain, Ashe experienced the importance of working with an inclusive and trauma-informed provider. She is committed to providing a safe space for folx of all LGBTQIA+ identities. Special clinical interests include pelvic pain, sexual wellness, and gender-affirming care.
In their free time, you’ll find Ashe training their puppy, camping, climbing, crafting, sipping coffee, or curled up with a good book.
-
Every individual has the inherent right to make informed decisions about their own body, health, and reproductive choices, free from coercion, discrimination, or judgment.
Respecting and upholding bodily autonomy is essential in fostering a patient-centered healthcare environment. It acknowledges that each person is the ultimate authority over their own body and healthcare decisions. Our commitment is that all individuals feel empowered to actively participate in their care plans, express their preferences, and have their choices honored.
You know the experience of your body best, and we are here to honor your experience.
-
We are committed to fostering an environment where individuals feel safe, respected, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. Whether addressing pelvic health concerns, supporting transitions, or providing care during pregnancy and childbirth, we are dedicated to offering care that is sensitive, informed, and aligned with each individual's identity and goals.
As a queer-owned practice, we strive to cultivate an environment where all people experience safety and belonging.
-
This is an essential and undeniable truth within the healthcare context. Every individual, regardless of race or ethnicity, deserves equitable access to respectful, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
Structural racism and bias within the healthcare system have led to significant gaps in access to quality care, leading to adverse outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods for Black birthing people. As healthcare professionals dedicated to the well-being of all individuals, we recognize the urgent need for change.
We are dedicated to playing our part in creating a healthcare environment where every person is treated with dignity, justice, and compassion.
-
Every individual, irrespective of their body size, deserves equitable access to respectful, compassionate, and comprehensive care that recognizes and respects the diverse spectrum of bodies and experiences.
Promoting this truth means embracing a diverse range of bodies, experiences, and identities, and understanding that every person's health journey is unique and valid. This principle rejects the harmful stereotypes and biases that have perpetuated stigma based on body size, allowing individuals to access care without fear of discrimination.
-
We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where neurodiversity is recognized, valued, and supported.
We are dedicated to providing care that respects and honors the unique needs, communication styles, and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals.
We understand the importance of adapting our approach to meet the specific needs of each person, and we are committed to tailoring care to align with individuals’ preferences and sensory sensitivities.
-
We are deeply committed to providing trauma-informed care. This approach recognizes the impact of past traumas on your health and ensures every step of care is guided by respect, informed consent, and collaboration.
Our goal is to provide compassionate care that fosters trust and promotes healing. Together, we'll work towards your goals in a way that feels safe and empowering.
-
Evidence-based practice serves as the foundation for informed decision-making, emphasizing the integration of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. This approach is vital to delivering effective, safe, and personalized care that aligns with the unique needs and goals of each individual.
By staying current with the latest research findings, we strive to enhance our clinical expertise and offer interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in improving outcomes.
We are dedicated to maintaining a rigorous commitment to evidence-based practice. By doing so, we aim to provide the highest standard of care, contribute to advancements in the field, and ultimately empower individuals on their journeys toward optimal pelvic health.
-
Physical movement is not only essential for our overall health but also plays an important role in promoting healing, restoring function, and enhancing well-being. Through purposeful movement, we can unlock the body’s remarkable capacity to heal and thrive. We are dedicated to guiding individuals through movement strategies that are tailored to their specific needs and goals, meeting each person where they are.
Our Core Values
-
Pelvic health encompasses the well-being of all the structures within your pelvis, including muscles, nerves, connective tissue, organs, and blood vessels. These structures are essential for bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and support of your internal organs.
A key component is the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), a hammock-like group of muscles at the base of your pelvis that contribute to your core stability. Importantly, the pelvic floor doesn't work in isolation. Therefore, our evaluation and treatment approach considers your entire body's movement patterns to identify and address all factors influencing your pelvic health, using full-body interventions to optimize your well-being.
-
Absolutely! Telehealth physical therapy has proven to be highly effective in many cases. Through secure video calls, we can assess your condition, discuss symptoms, modify daily activities, and demonstrate exercises—all from the comfort of your home. If hands-on interventions are necessary, we will teach you techniques and tools to perform on yourself or with the help of a trusted partner/friend/family member.
-
Yes! We offer in-clinic treatment hours at the OutWellness gym facility in Austin, TX. Additionally, we offer a limited number of in-home treatment sessions for folks in the ATX area.
-
The number of visits needed varies for each individual, which we can discuss in more detail during a free 15-minute consultation.
Your physical therapist will outline a personalized plan of care, including the anticipated number of visits and frequency (typically starting weekly and decreasing as you progress), during your initial evaluation.
An average plan of care involves 4-12 follow-up visits over 2-6 months. You and your PT will collaborate to develop your individualized plan.
-
Your first appointment is all about getting to know you and understanding your pelvic health concerns. We'll start with a detailed conversation to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and goals.
Next, we'll perform a physical assessment, which may include checking your posture, movement patterns, strength, and mobility. Wear comfy/athletic clothing.
If you are being evaluated in-person, we may perform an internal assessment of your pelvic floor muscles. This helps us understand your unique needs and identify the source of your concerns.
Based on our discussion and assessment, we'll collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan that may involve exercises, lifestyle changes, and hands-on techniques. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of your condition and the steps we'll take together to improve your pelvic health.
-
Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable! Keep in mind that you will be moving and performing exercises, so loose, comfortable clothing - like workout attire - is a good choice.
-
Nope! We will work with what you already own or have access to.
-
Hope Rising PT is an out-of-network provider. This means we will not bill your insurance directly and payment is due at time of service. Upon request, we are happy to provide you with a detailed receipt called a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement if they allow. We also accept FSA/HSA payments.
We offer a limited number of sliding fee scale slots. For more information, please contact us.