Meet Dr. Kristen Merchant | Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Birth Doula, and Placenta Processor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Kristen Merchant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Kristen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Throughout my adult-hood, I’ve had multiple ideas for businesses that I thought would be cool to start. I never acted on any of them fully. Ironically enough, none of those ideas involved what I went to school for, being a Physical Therapist. I always saw myself in a in-patient setting (meaning, working in or for a hospital). It wasn’t until I left the hospital setting and began working in an outpatient clinic, that I began to see myself working for myself.

Working in collaboration with Physicians, instead of for Physicians was a new game for me, and I enjoyed it. What I didn’t enjoy was the demands that come from getting approval from insurance companies for treatments that I knew would help, but that insurance would not cover. There are a lot of rules and politics that come with insurance, and it is never in the best interest of the patient, rather, what they (the insurance company) deemed was necessary. I got tired of seeing disappointed patients, because insurance would not cover the visits they needed.

I also noticed in the clinic model, I was seeing majority prenatal and postpartum women. And with young children, babies at home, these patients would cancel a lot of appointments because someone got sick, the sitter canceled, they can’t find their car keys. I saw an opening and a need for in-home, concierge care, where I bring the services to them, so that all they have to worry about is healing.

What sent me over was my home life; having two younger kids, and wanting to be there for them. Knowing that I couldn’t have a full-time job working for somebody else, while attempting to make the last minute preschool activities. I had to be able to set my own hours and make my own rules. Employees don’t do that, bosses do.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Sacral Physical Therapy and Birth Services, initially as a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, certified in pregnancy and postpartum exercise and as a lactation educator. My goal was to meet women where they were, come to them with concierge services, in-home, allowing them to heal in their safe space. Over the course of my time as Pelvic Health Therapist, working primarily with prenatal women, I’ve had my fair share of women ask me if I could be present during their births. During your birth, you don’t necessarily need a Physical Therapist, you need a support system, a Doula. After having my own doula during my second childbirth, I experienced just how magical they are and it sparked interest in me to become a certified doula as well. So I took training to become a doula, and become a certified placenta processor, adding on “Birth Services”.

Where I am today in running my business, was not easy to get to. I have mentors, but I continue to make mistakes and learn from them. I’m proud of where I am, I’m proud of taking the first step on the windy staircase that I can’t see the top of. It’s scary, because everyday I don’t know what new hurdle I’m going to have to get over. However, I’m determined to keep offering my services, to reach women where they are, in their safe spaces, to help them heal.

I want people to know that Sacral Physical Therapy and Birth Services is a service based company. I wear multiple hats and am constantly learning to make sure I am up to date and knowledgeable to treat whatever pelvic pain, postpartum issue, or birth prep inquiry. Treating women, and hearing them say, “I was able to sleep without waking up due to the pain last night”, or “I feel confident going into my childbirth, because we went over all the things”, or “I was able to cluster-feed nurse my baby and not have excruciating neck pain afterwards” brings me joy that I can’t fully explain. Being a mom who experienced all the different pains and issues during pregnancy and postpartum, I understand the need.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, my friends know I am a home-body, and we are perfectly ok with ordering or making some food and having drinks at the house. If and when we do step out, I like to frequent restaurants that are vegan or vegetarian friendly, since I’m a fake vegan (I eat honey and butter, and sometimes eggs if it’s baked into something).

Nick’s on Beverly has amazing brunch and cocktails, Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose is a great dinner spot, and Akasha in Culver City has a good vegan chilaquiles and good single origin coffee for breakfast!

For activities, hanging out at the beach, or taking a leisurely hike on a local trail are easy outings that I can do with or without my kids.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When you start your own business, and you’re a team of one, you’re responsible for all of the behind the scenes work and all the marketing. When you start your own business and you’re an introvert, it takes a lot of encouragement and hype to put yourself out there. I want to shoutout my husband and my girls for always being my hype people! Always telling me to take the risk, make the phone call, post the video, talk to the stranger. You guys have and continue to push me forward towards my goals, and I appreciate it you for it!

Website: sacralpt.com

Instagram: @sacralpt