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ABOUT ME

Dr. Valerie Lapeña, PT, DPT, GCS

she/her

Since 2013, I have focused my clinical practice on pelvic health rehabilitation for adults, specifically, pelvic and abdominal pain, bladder and bowel dysfunctions, sexual dysfunction, prenatal preparation and postpartum health.

I have a special interest in serving transgender individuals to address musculoskeletal, myofascial, and postural complications as well as bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction associated with gender affirming surgeries and practices such as binding, packing and tucking.

EXPERIENCE

I have over 20 years of clinical experience. Since 1995, I have provided over 40,000 hands-on treatment sessions for various musculoskeletal conditions as a licensed physical therapist. In my West Los Angeles clinic, I combine this expertise with a holistic approach to people with pelvic floor dysfunction as it relates to physical therapy. 

EDUCATION
SPECIALIZING IN THESE TREATMENTS

  • External and internal manual therapy

  • Bowel and bladder re-training​

  • Abdominal wall assessment

  • Lumbopelvic assessment​

  • Postural re-education

  • Pre and postpartum strength training

  • Scar management

Western University of Health Sciences

  • Doctorate in Physical Therapy 2009

  • Master in Physical Therapy 1995

UCLA​

  • Bachelors of Science in Physiological Sciences and Psychology 1992

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APTA BOARD CERTIFICATION

  • Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy

  • Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women's Health

SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS

  • Pelvic girdle and lower back pain in pregnancy

  • Postnatal pelvic pain and weakness

  • Cesarean or perineal scar tissue management

  • Stress urinary incontinence

  • Urge urinary incontinence

  • Fecal incontinence

  • Urinary and fecal urgency

  • Urinary and fecal frequency

  • Pelvic floor pain 

  • Pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, uterine prolapse, rectocele)

  • Pre and post urogynecological surgery

  • Abdominal separation (diastasis rectus abdominis)

  • ​Vaginismus 

  • Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)

  • Vulvodynia

  • Vestibulodynia

  • Low back pain/pelvic girdle pain

  • Coccydynia or tailbone pain

  • Pubic symphysis dysfunction

  • Balance training and fall prevention

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