Janelle Antonio PT, DPT, CLT, PCES
Dr. Janelle Antonio, PT, DPT, OCS, CLT, is an orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist with a primary focus on supporting women in the postpartum period. She is passionate about helping mothers feel strong, confident, and reconnected to their bodies after childbirth.
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Janelle earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in 2001 and, with an early career transition from banking to healthcare, she completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2007. Her early clinical work focused on orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation, earning her Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) designation from the APTA in 2009.
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She later specialized in oncology and lymphedema care at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, where she spent a decade as the Physical Therapy Department Manager. During that time, she became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), served as a Clinical Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE), and guest lectured at regional colleges on oncology rehabilitation.
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Her extensive continuing education includes training through the Institute of Physical Art, McKenzie Method, ILWTA, Herman & Wallace, Sarah Duvall, Shirley Sahrmann, and the University of Wisconsin, among others.
As a mother of twins and a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, Janelle brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to her work with women. She is committed to guiding them through safe recovery, core and pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Breakthrough Moments
One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing the 'ah-ha' moments women experience in their own bodies.
"I’ve Been Leaking for 7 Years—and This Was All It Took?"
One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing the ah-ha moments women experience in their own bodies. I recently worked with a dedicated CrossFit athlete who had been dealing with urinary leakage during workouts for over 7 years. Leaking had become so routine, she’d automatically put on a pad or pantiliner before heading to the gym—just part of her pre-workout checklist. Even though she was hesitant to fit pelvic floor PT into her busy schedule, she knew it was time to do something when her symptoms started getting worse. After just 4 sessions, she was no longer leaking—and no longer needed any protection during her workouts. 🙌 Her exact words? “I’ve been doing intense workouts with leaking for 7 years... and this was all it took?!” Together, we focused on her breathing patterns, core coordination, and body mechanics. That alone was enough to help her body feel supported and function the way it was designed to.
“I Thought I’d Never Feel Normal Again.”
Many women come to pelvic floor therapy feeling physically and emotionally broken by what they've been through. One client, just 3 months postpartum, arrived in tears after a traumatic vaginal birth that resulted in a grade 3 tear. She told me, through tears, “I’m scared I’ll never feel normal again.”
She was in so much pain that sitting was unbearable—she had to lie in bed to work full-time from home. Walking hurt. Even choosing clothes felt impossible because everything felt uncomfortable.
But after just three sessions, she was completely pain-free. She returned to daily life, movement, and intimacy with comfort and confidence.
“Finally, Someone Understood My Pain”
She had been living with persistent abdominal and pelvic pain for months. After multiple scans, tests, and appointments, no one could tell her what was wrong. The pain was real, but the results were always the same: “Everything looks normal.” As a last-ditch effort before exploratory surgery, one provider said, “It probably won’t help, but why don’t you try six sessions of pelvic floor PT?”
At her very first session, we were able to identify that her pain was coming from tight muscles in her pelvic floor. It wasn’t something imaging could see—but her body had been trying to say it all along.
Over the next few visits, we worked together to release those tight areas. Her pain eased.
No surgery. No more mystery. With each session, she felt less pain and more hopeful. So glad this is all behind her now!