Welcome to Rooted Pelvic Health & Recovery
Finding the right care for pelvic, abdominal, or persistent hip and back pain can feel overwhelming, especially when traditional physical therapy hasn’t provided the answers you need. At Rooted, I believe you shouldn’t have to “just live with it.”
With over 12 years of pelvic health specialization and a foundation in advanced clinical reasoning, I look beyond the basic symptoms to treat the whole person. I understand that these issues are often complex and deeply personal. That is why I prioritize a space where you are truly heard, your boundaries are always respected, and your goals drive everything we do.
My practice is built to provide the depth of care your recovery deserves. Every session is a 55-minute, one-on-one appointment with me, giving us the time we need to develop a path forward.
Let’s work together to help you move with confidence and get back to the things you love.
Specialized Care for Every Body
I offer comprehensive pelvic and abdominal therapy for all ages and all genders. If you are experiencing symptoms not listed here, please contact me to discuss how my approach may help.
- Bladder leakage (urinary incontinence)
- Urgency or frequency (peeing suddenly or often) or overactive bladder (OAB)
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Constipation and bowel straining
- Accidental bowel leakage (fecal or gas incontinence)
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Back, groin, hip, or tailbone pain (coccydynia)
- Pelvic girdle pain (SI joint or pubic symphysis)
- Pain with intimacy or sex (dyspareunia, vaginismus)
- Vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, or testicular pain
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) or endometriosis
- Abdominal wall or scar pain
- Pudendal nerve pain (neuralgia)
- Chronic prostatitis
- Back, hip, or pelvic pain during/after pregnancy
- Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti)
- Birth preparation
- Cesarean or perineal scar recovery
- Postpartum recovery and core strengthening
- Guided return to running and sport
- Pelvic floor reconstruction or prolapse repair
- Prostatectomy
- Hernia repair (umbilical or inguinal)
- Gender-affirming surgery
- Pelvic radiation or hysterectomy
- Post-rectal surgery bowel dysfunction (LARS)
- Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
- Daytime wetting accidents
- Chronic constipation in children
- Bowel leakage or "poop accidents" (encopresis)
My Approach to Your Recovery
I treat the whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Using a combination of advanced technology and hands-on care, I create a customized path back to the activities you love.
- Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI): Watch your pelvic floor and core muscles working in real-time. This non-invasive tool ensures you are coordinating your muscles accurately.
- Individualized Exercise: Targeted movement programs that go far beyond basic "kegels" to help you reach your goals.
- Skilled Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques (including soft tissue mobilization, myofascial work, and joint mobilization) to reduce pain and restore mobility.
- Neuromuscular Re-education: Retraining the brain-body connection to ensure your muscles fire with good timing and intensity.
- Behavioral Coaching: Detailed education on bladder and bowel habits, ergonomics, and the "why" behind your symptoms.
Your Comfort, Your Choice — Every treatment plan is a partnership. While specialized exams and tools are available, they are never a requirement. We will always move at your pace and I prioritize your comfort and consent at every step.
About Me: Dr. Stephanie Mentch, PT, DPT (she/her)
I graduated with my Doctor of Physical Therapy from Mayo Clinic in 2011 and was honored with my class’s academic achievement award. I have been a licensed physical therapist for nearly 15 years, with more than 12 years dedicated to the complex field of pelvic health.
Since 2016, I have focused my practice exclusively on pelvic floor and abdominal wall issues. I am committed to learning and advancing my specialty. In 2017, I began working as a teaching assistant for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health, helping to train other physical therapists in the skills required for pelvic health excellence.
While my primary focus is the pelvic floor and abdominal wall, my background in general orthopedics is a foundational piece of my approach. I recognize that pelvic symptoms rarely exist in a vacuum; they are often connected to the complex relationship between your hips, back, and core.
I founded Rooted Pelvic Health & Recovery to provide a specialized resource for the Columbia River Gorge where complex pelvic and abdominal concerns get the dedicated time they require. I believe these deeply personal issues are best served in an environment that allows for thorough investigation, privacy, and uninterrupted focus. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where we can develop a partnership focused on your goals and your recovery.
Insurance & Getting Started
I am committed to making specialized pelvic health care accessible to our community. I accept a variety of insurance plans.
Insurance & Payment
I am currently In-Network with the following insurance companies:
- Medicare
- Regence and other BlueCross BlueShield plans
- PacificSource Commercial and Medicare plans
- Providence Health Plan
- First Choice Health Network
- Moda Health
- VA Community Care
Out-of-Network: If I am not in-network with your specific plan, I can provide a "superbill" that you may submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
In the state of Oregon, you have direct access to physical therapy. This means you do not need a referral from a doctor to schedule your initial evaluation or begin treatment.
Note: While a referral isn't legally required to receive physical therapy, some insurance plans do require a physician’s prescription for payment.
Ready to get back to the life you love?
The first step is a comprehensive, 55-minute one-on-one evaluation. During this time, we will discuss your history, assess your symptoms, and begin building your customized recovery plan.
Rooted Pelvic Health & Recovery is located in downtown Hood River, serving patients across the Columbia River Gorge.
- Address: 706 Columbia Street, Hood River, OR 97031
- Phone: 541-716-1420
- Fax: 458-201-4530
- Hours: Monday through Friday, by appointment only
