Today we’d like to introduce you to Hallie Ager and Ingrid Hanna.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
We are two moms, friends, and colleagues who were both frustrated with the lack of postpartum care women receive. We started talking one day about what was missing in our own postpartum journeys and how we could use our education and experience as physical therapists to help other moms. After years of providing physical therapy to women experiencing joint and muscle pain, there was one thing we found in common; women were not recovering properly after having a baby. We noticed that the aches and pains they were experiencing were specific to the lack of proper activation, long-standing muscle imbalances, and postural changes. Most had returned to their previous exercise routines however finding themselves injured or in pain, and the others weren’t doing anything because they didn’t know where to even begin! We were determined to build a program for women to bridge this gap and provide guidance in a unique way! We feel that every mom should have the resources and the opportunity to reconnect with her body, retrain her core, and regain strength in a way that is safe and effective. After several years of design and development, Back After Baby was born! We are so excited to share this new way of approaching postpartum care with moms.
Please tell us about your art.
Back After Baby is a multi-faceted approach to postpartum care offering an online Physical Therapy-based program, educational workshops, group classes, and in-home physical therapy visits. We have based the Back After Baby program on our own clinical experience and evidence-based practice. The online program includes 3 Phases, which each target specific areas and needs which are formulated by pre- and post- assessments. These assessments allow the user to track their progress throughout the program, therefore, showing them exactly where they are every step of the way. We guide members through exercises with videos, talking them through exactly what they should be doing and feeling as well as what’s not normal and when to stop. Our method is tried and true. We guide you through the program as if you were progressing through a traditional physical therapy plan, and we aren’t just focused on core and pelvic floor, the Back After Baby Program should be thought of as targeting the whole body. It’s truly a new and different approach to exercise and to postpartum care!
In addition to our program, we offer online resources such as body mechanics training and positioning strategies that give moms information and instruction on how to limit stress on muscles and joints when sleeping, lifting, breastfeeding, and carrying. Our Back After Baby Blog provides additional information and resources covering all topics of postpartum, the pretty and the not so pretty! And, our workshops include what you need to know from head to toe postpartum as well as highlight specific conditions and related issues including Diastasis Recti and Pelvic Floor Health. We also come to you! Our in-home physical therapy visits include more specific and specialized treatment options as well as wellness checks 2-3 weeks postpartum.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
First and foremost, stay true to your mission, but be open to changes in your vision. What was once just an online program has expanded to workshops, local classes, in-home physical therapy, and member groups on Facebook. With that being said, we have never lost focus on our ultimate mission of improving the current standard of care for postpartum women. Second, network! We would not be where we are today without the support and relationships we have built through networking. Meeting other mom entrepreneurs who share the same mission and are supporting women in all that they do has truly inspired and challenged us in our growth. Lastly, when it comes to financial challenges, we get it! We are moms and work full time, starting a business was and still is scary! You will make mistakes, it’s inevitable, just make sure to learn and grow from every experience.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find us at www.backafterbaby.com, Instagram @back.after.baby, and on Facebook! You can support us by sharing our program and our mission to provide moms with the resources and guidance they need and deserve. Tell your friends, family and most importantly your doctors!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.backafterbaby.com
- Email: hello@backafterbaby.com
- Instagram: @back.after.baby
- Facebook: Back After Baby
Image Credit:
Katie Tai, Studio Mom
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