Dr. Heather Draper
PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health Specialist
A month into pursuing my doctorate, I received a diagnosis called Interstitial Cystitis (also called IC or Painful Bladder Syndrome, PBS). This diagnosis came only after I was bounced around to several providers who couldn’t determine a cause for my severe bladder and pelvic pain. My pain was so severe some days, I was doubled over in pain unable to focus on my coursework. Thankfully, a concerned professor and physical therapist listened to my list of symptoms and referred me to a pelvic floor physical therapist. That’s when things began to change. My physical therapist didn’t cure me of IC, but she taught me how to manage my symptoms and treated the tight muscles that were contributing to my problems.
“
I find a special joy in getting patients back to the activities they love but have missed out on due to pain, leakage, fear or any other reason.
Ever since that experience, I set my sights on becoming a pelvic floor physical therapist myself. It’s my goal to provide as much relief and hope to each of my patients as I once received from physical therapy. Over the years, I have treated numerous patients with the same diagnosis or symptoms that I experienced, and I am so grateful to have a personal understanding of what it’s like to be in their shoes.
I find a special joy in getting patients back to the activities they love but have missed out on due to pain, leakage, fear or any other reason. I once treated an active mom who described her urinary leakage as “not a problem” as long as she didn’t jump or run though in her heart, she expressed she truly wished to run and play with her two young boys. Shortly after we finished working together, she sent me an email overjoyed that she had jumped on a trampoline with her boys and didn’t leak a drop! Stories like this continue to fuel my passion for treating pelvic floor conditions of all sorts.
“I worked with Dr. Heather during my postpartum recovery (second child) and had an amazing experience! She was very thorough in her initial assessment and made sure she had a good understanding of my goals so she could help me get everything I wanted from PT. She's very knowledgeable and always happy to explain the "why" behind the exercises she's prescribing. As a lifelong runner, my primary goal was to start running again without the pelvic pain I've experienced ever since my first pregnancy. I'm happy to report I feel better than I have in four years! And I have lots of great stretches and exercises in my toolkit to keep improving my strength and range of motion”
Callie R. (Google Review 2023)
“I can’t say enough good things about my experience. Everyone was so polite and friendly, on schedule, knowledgeable and professional. Heather explained everything making it easy to follow thru at home. She requested my feedback on my progress and goals for my situation to ensure we covered all my concerns and answered all my questions.”
Kathleen S. (Google Review 2024)
Dr. Heather draper’s Career Overview
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of North Georgia
Completed extensive training in pelvic health rehabilitation through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
Advanced training in running analysis
Heather’s Recommendations
Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden
This is essential for understanding your menstrual cycle. It offers great guidance on using your period as a barometer for your overall health as well as natural suggestions (e.g. food!) for improving period problems.
Desert Harvest Aloe Glide
It's always good to have a lubricant on hand. While I do love this and recommend it often, I also think it's smart to try different kinds and see what works best for you.
Meet The Rest of The Team
