Meet the Owner and Physical Therapist of ALIGN

Susan McLaughlin, Physical Therapist. Specializing in treatment of the pelvic floor
Susan McLaughlin, PT
My intrigue with the human body evolved after an injury sustained in a car accident. I experienced constant back and nerve pain down my right leg and into my foot. I tried conservative approaches: chiropractic, physical therapy, and a nerve root injection to no effect. My solution was surgery.  And for a few years I was “fixed”; I was 25 at the time.  Gradually, back pain returned as well as periodic SI dysfunction, and pain became the focus of my life for 10 years.  My pain ranged from a moderate continuous inconvenience to short episodes of incapacitation: unable to walk or stand up straight. 

In 2011 my perspective changed.  I began to be more objective about how I moved and used my body on a daily basis.  I realized that I had a lot of tension in my nervous system and muscles, and it was reflected in how I used my body biomechanically, behaviorally, and relationally.  Within 3 months of being attentive to how I moved and used my body, as well as performing daily movement correctives, I was not in pain anymore.

At the time of my accident in 1994 I was fumbling with what I wanted to “do” in life.  I was a college graduate with a degree in english, working for UPS slinging boxes to make my living.  I had relied on my body, and because of the pain, I couldn’t use it in the job I had chosen. This experience placed me into self-reflection:  I discovered that I wanted a profession that was focused on health, wellness and taking care of the body.  I wanted to support other people to learn about their own bodies, to get out of pain and become vital. And so I began the process of getting an education to become a physical therapist.

I have been practicing physical therapy since 2001. In 2012 I started my own business. I transitioned away from the major medical healthcare system to a holistic and eclectic collection of skills, all of which fit under the title of my business name: ALIGN Integration | Movement.  As a practitioner I meet each client with the empathy and compassion that I, too, have sat deeply imbedded in the suffering of pain, and have been able to transform my body, mind, and spirit to get out of it.  You don't have to live in pain!
This quote sums up my lifetime goal and what I hope for my clients:
"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are," -Carl Jung
Education: 
Master's in Physical Therapy, University of Utah 2001
Bachelor's in English, Brigham Young University 1992

Certifications & Trainings:
Upledger Institute: CranioSacral Therapy 1
Pelvic Level 1 & 2 CAPP Certified
DeMystifying Pudendal Neuralgia
Gynecologic Visceral Manipulation
Restorative Exercise Specialist™ Certification through Nutritious Movement: Katy Bowman, 2011
Melt Method Hand and Foot Certification, 2013
NeuroKinetic Therapy™:
  • Level 1 & 2, 2013
  • Level 3, 2015
mBIT Certified Coach, 2013
Restorative Breathing Level 1, 2013
Anatomy in Motion™: 
  • Level 1 & 2, 2014
  • Level 3, 2015
P-DTR: Module 1 & 2; 2015
Pudendal Neuralgia & Pelvic Pain 2015
Trauma & The Pelvic Floor 2017
Kathy Kain/Somatic Practice:
  • Resilience & Self-Regulation 2018
  • The Somatics of Emotions 2019
  • Somatic Narrative and the Viscera 2020
Barral Institute:
  • Visceral Manipulation: VM1 2018, VM2 2019, VM3 2021
  • Viscerovascular Manipulation: Lower Body 2022
  • Manual Articular:  Upper Extremity 2022
Biofield Tuning:
  • Foundations 2018
  • Practitioner Training 2019
Institute of Birth Healing:
  • ​Confidence in Your Core, Pelvic Floor and More 2021
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Memberships:
  • American Physical Therapy Association: Orthopedics and Women's Health Section
  • International Pelvic Pain Society
  • Global Pelvic Health Alliance
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • Utah Doula Association
What you can expect from a session with me:  The treatment process may take many forms and will always include a whole body focus.
  • I am a manual physical therapist:  I will utilize various techniques to enhance nervous system regulation, flow to fascia,  release of restrictive connective tissues/muscles and joints.
  • I specialize in men’s and women’s pelvic health: I have taken additional training through the American Physical Therapy Association and other programs in assessment and treatment of the muscles of the pelvic floor, the pelvic organs and surrounding tissues.
  • I will assist you in reeducating habitual movement strategies and breathing patterns.
  • I will work with you to find your center: establish postural alignment for the appropriate loading of bones, joints, and effective use of muscles so you can move better and get out of pain.
  • The autonomic nervous system is our internal regulating system.  Through daily living this system can get out of balance and disrupt our ability to heal.  I will guide you to become more aware of the subtle cues your body gives you.
  • You will be given movements and exercises to perform at home to re-educate and reinforce tissue changes and motor skills.  Self care is the key to health care; take ownership of your body.
  • I will meet you where your body is.  Your session is 100% about you and your needs: one to one individualized care.