Based in Braintree, MomLife Health & Wellness is redefining women’s health through a specialized focus on pelvic floor therapy. Founded by Caryn Phillips, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Pelvic Floor Therapist, MomLife is more than a clinic; it’s a sanctuary where women feel empowered, safe, and supported in their health journeys.

For Caryn, the path to becoming a physical therapist started early. Growing up in Medfield, her career vision was inspired by a personal health experience. At age 13, Caryn underwent surgery for scoliosis, followed by physical therapy. “I thought it was so cool that physical therapy could help me walk and get stronger again after surgery,” she recalls. This transformative experience led her to pursue a career in physical therapy, with an early focus on orthopedics.

After earning her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut, Caryn continued her education with a Doctorate from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. 

Initially interested in pediatric physical therapy, her interest shifted after a lecture on pelvic floor therapy, an area not widely covered in PT programs. “There’s little to no schooling on pelvic floor therapy, and that really sparked my interest,” she says.

Caryn’s first position as an orthopedic therapist at Beth Israel in Boston gave her the unique opportunity to help launch a pelvic floor program. This specialization soon became her calling, and she worked in the field for 15 years, dedicating the last 14 to treating pelvic floor dysfunction. 

The experience highlighted a critical gap in women’s healthcare: too often, women with pregnancy or postpartum-related issues were told to "just wait" or were referred to multiple specialists without solutions. “Many women had seen multiple doctors and still didn’t know what was going on,” Caryn explains. “It became clear that this was an underserved population.”

By 2019, Caryn was ready to open her own practice, and MomLife Health & Wellness was born. Her early vision was to bring pelvic floor therapy to women’s homes, especially for expecting and new mothers who may struggle to find the time for clinic visits. This mobile model allowed Caryn to reach women at their most vulnerable stages, delivering prenatal and postpartum care while raising awareness about pelvic health.

As her clientele grew, Caryn saw the need for a dedicated space. She opened MomLife’s first location in Medfield in 2021, followed by a second Braintree location to serve women of the South Shore in summer 2024. 

“I wanted it to be a place where women feel safe and relaxed,” she says. “Pelvic floor therapy is a vulnerable type of treatment, and I wanted our space to feel warm and welcoming, not like a doctor’s office.” Today, MomLife’s two clinics house a team of eight specialized physical therapists who support women through every stage of life.

At its core, MomLife Wellness provides pelvic floor physical therapy—specialized care for muscles in the pelvis, hips, and low back that cannot be treated in a general PT clinic. Caryn emphasizes that pelvic floor therapy requires a specific skill set, from assessing muscles’ ability to contract and relax to creating treatment plans that integrate hands-on care, exercise, education, and lifestyle adjustments.

One hallmark of MomLife’s approach is that therapy is personalized to each patient’s goals. “Some women are told to stop doing activities they love if they have issues like prolapse, but we work to find ways to keep them active,” Caryn explains. 

For example, if a woman is training for a marathon, MomLife can design a plan to support her through the event rather than advising her to quit. The clinic’s approach is also preventive, meaning they work with patients who don’t yet have symptoms but want to maintain strength and prevent future issues.

Another key feature of MomLife is the focus on holistic health. Caryn and her team often collaborate with professionals in complementary fields, such as nutrition and acupuncture. This integrative approach considers the interconnected nature of body systems, recognizing that factors like stress, sleep, and diet can influence pelvic health.

MomLife serves patients dealing with various pelvic floor issues, including pregnancy-related pain, postpartum recovery, incontinence, pelvic pain, and conditions such as endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. 

Typical treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment, where therapists evaluate symptoms and determine each patient’s needs. Treatment may last several months, with sessions gradually decreasing in frequency as patients achieve their goals.

“Our goal is that patients feel progress by the third or fourth visit,” says Caryn. For some, improvement is noticeable within weeks, while others, especially those with high-level goals, may continue therapy for maintenance or specific milestones.

One of the most rewarding parts of Caryn’s work is seeing the difference pelvic floor therapy can make in women’s lives, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. “A lot of women who come to us during pregnancy report shorter labor, fewer complications, and better recovery postpartum,” she shares. For Caryn, this impact is deeply fulfilling, knowing that her work helps women feel stronger, healthier, and more comfortable in their bodies.

As a mom-friendly space, the clinic also welcomes patients with children in tow and provides a dedicated space for nursing or diaper changing, creating a family-friendly environment. The Braintree location frequently hosts community events like pre-natal yoga classes, support groups, and lactation workshops, fostering connections among local women.

A significant misconception Caryn addresses is the belief that it’s “too late” for women to seek pelvic health treatment, especially after childbirth or menopause. Caryn assures her clients that issues like core weakness, prolapse, and incontinence can be effectively managed or improved at any stage. “It’s never too late to feel better,” she says.

She also advises women to trust their instincts and seek help if something doesn’t feel right, even if their symptoms have been dismissed by others. MomLife offers 15-minute phone consultations to answer questions and ease any concerns before starting therapy, encouraging women to take an active role in their health.

With two thriving clinics and a growing community of patients and partners, Caryn’s mission to support women’s health continues to expand. Through her passion, Caryn is empowering women to reclaim their strength and well-being at every stage of life, making MomLife a vital resource in the region.