Serving patients in Baltimore & the DMV area | Give us a call today: 410-941-9512
The Pelvic Pride Team
Dr. Joy Noble
PT, DPT, CMTPT/DN, PCES (she/her)
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Saint Augustine
- Bachelor of Science, University of West Florida
Expertise:
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist/Certified Dry Needling
- Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
Experience:
- Panelist, American Urology Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Baltimore Safe Haven Gender Affirming Informational Session
- Presenter, Johns Hopkins Hospital, New York APTA Student Special Interest Group, Columbia University, New York Medical College
- Conference Presentation, AWHONN Pennsylvania Annual Conference
My journey to become a specialist in pelvic health started when I was in physical therapy school. During class, my professor told a story about celebrating the day a patient came in crying because she had pain free sex for the first time in 6 years. My first thought was "that is so awesome! I could totally do this!" I feel that being able to make such an impact on someone's quality of life is amazing. After graduation, I started adding to the orthopedic therapy skills I learned in PT school, through training with the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning, APTA, and Herman & Wallace. The trust my patients give me to treat a sensitive area while helping them become pain free, stop peeing their pants, or gain control over their post-partum body has been a driving force my entire career. I spend every day of my life talking openly about pee, poop, and sex (much to my husband’s dismay and undying support) as well as movement and function to help my patients feel empowered through the knowledge and skills needed to reach their goals. I feel like once we realize everyone deals with these issues, we can move past the scary feelings and start healing. These symptoms are common, but they are not normal and you do not have to live with them.
I currently live in Baltimore county with my husband, pup, and two cats. Outside of the clinic, you will find me reading, traveling, or trying a new Baltimore restaurant.
Dr. Marlena Allen
PT, DPT, PCES (she/her)
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Duke University
- Bachelor of Science, University of Virginia
Expertise:
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Neurologic Physical Therapy
- Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
Experience:
- Presenter, PRE & POSTnatal Yoga Workshops at The Womb Room
From a young age, I have been intrigued by the idea of movement as a form of well-being and rehabilitation. Further, my passion for pelvic health began after attending a presentation as a physical therapy student highlighting the role of pelvic therapy and helping individuals return to pain-free sex. Following school, I moved from North Carolina to Maryland and began my journey as a PT working with individuals with neurological-based diagnoses improve their function and quality of life. Now joining the Pelvic Pride team, I plan to further develop my pelvic health education and skill set to provide an individualized, multifaceted approach for each patient. I enjoy helping people return to their daily activities and get back to doing what they love. More than anything, I am here to listen to each person’s story and understand their priorities for their care.
I currently live locally in the Federal Hill neighborhood with my partner and two pups. In my spare time, you can find me in my garden cheering my plants on, trying a new restaurant or recipe in the kitchen, or taking our pups out on an adventure.
Dr. Eirika Abbey, PT, DPT (she/her)
Pelvic Health
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Radford University
- Bachelor of Science, Virginia Tech
Expertise:
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Experience:
- Adjunct Professor, Towson University
- Clinical Instructor, multiple physical therapy schools
My awareness of the impact of pelvic health physical therapy started when I was a physical therapy student. While attending a talk, the speaker stated that there were zero pelvic therapists who treated male patients within a 200 mile radius of the classroom we were sitting in. Realizing I could make the biggest impact in the field of physical therapy through a specialization in pelvic health, I signed up for the pelvic health course series through the American Physical Therapy Association shortly after. My hope is that I can help normalize the discussion of bowel and bladder dysfunction, sex, and pelvic pain concerns with medical providers while simultaneously improving the way in which we treat these conditions.
My treatment approach centers on providing holistic care that integrates a hands-on treatment approach, in conjunction with exercise and lifestyle modification, to facilitate healing. I approach each treatment session with the psychosocial aspects of each diagnosis in mind as I help my patients get back to doing what they love, free of dysfunction. I am passionate about staying up-to-date on current research and sharing what I have learned with others.
When not in the office, you can find me out on a hike, in my garden or curling up on the couch with my cat and a good cup of coffee.
Samantha Horn (she/her)
Patient Care Specialist
I come to Pelvic Pride with a combined background of healthcare administration and patient advocacy. I look forward to using the skills that I have learned over the years to support both our patients and our therapists.
In the clinic you can find me welcoming patients, answering questions, and keeping the space warm and inviting. Outside the clinic you can find me advocating for cancer research, trying a new Baltimore restaurant, and counting how many dogs I see on my daily walks.
A note about our therapists' training...
At Pelvic Pride, we take your care seriously. This means we are devoted to learning from the top educational institutes in the field of pelvic health therapy. All of our clinicians have completed their education in pelvic floor physical therapy and dry needling through trusted sources including the American Physical Therapy Association, Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, Brooks Institute of Higher Learning, Core Exercise Solutions & Myopain Seminars.