FemFirstHealth Women’s Health Physical Therapy NYC

FemFirstHealth is a women’s health practice designed to bring rehabilitation and wellness services to New York City. We are committed to empowering women to achieve their best quality of life by providing compassionate, evidence-based care at every stage of life. 

AS FEATURED IN

We help you get back to you.

Our team of physical and occupational therapists are highly specialized in treating the full spectrum of women's health concerns, from paediatric care all the way to menopause. With extensive training and expertise across disciplines like pelvic floor physical therapy, postpartum care, breast cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema therapy, treatment of painful sex, treatment of mastitis and clogged milk ducts, we are here to help you thrive through all phases of life.

We have two offices in Manhattan: Upper West Side & Midtown.

Services & Treatments

  • Lymphedema Therapy

    Using manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments/bandages and decongestive exercises, our Certified Lymphedema Therapist can help you reduce your swelling and improve your lymphatic health.

  • Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

    Strengthen and stretch the muscles on the pelvic floor that support your uterus, rectum, bowel, and bladder.

  • Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

    A physical therapist will develop a treatment plan specific to your needs and guide you through exercises before and after surgery.

  • Prenatal Physical Therapy

    Support for common symptoms during pregnancy including back pain, hip pain, and conditions effecting the pelvic floor.

  • Postpartum Care

    Improve the symptoms associated with the effects of pregnancy on the body as well as some trauma to the tissue you may endure during delivery.

  • Orthopedic Physical Therapy

    Orthopedic PT treats conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons.

  • Vaginismus Treatment

    Reduce the pain and sensitivity of this condition by stretching out the muscles through manual therapy or the use of dilators.

  • Endometriosis Treatment

    Through physical therapy, we’ll create a custom plan to manage your symptoms.

  • Pilates Rehabilitation

    Pilates rehabilitation involves a variety of different movements to help either lengthen or strengthen your muscles and fascia.

  • Pediatric Physical Therapy

    Designed to help children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, delays, injuries, or post-surgery needs.

  • Yoga for Pelvic Floor

    Yoga for the pelvic floor focuses on bringing mobility to muscles in and around your pelvic floor.

  • Clogged Milk Duct Treatment

    Ultrasound technology to effectively treat blocked milk ducts, ensuring a smooth breastfeeding journey

Schedule A Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation with one of our therapists!

Women’s Pelvic Health & Cancer Rehab

Highly specialized staff

provides comprehensive

care to patients with a

variety of pelvic floor issues,

lymphedema and

orthopedic conditions.

  • Dr. Kristin Sapienza

    Founder of FemFirstHealth

    Kristin Sapienza PT, DPT, CMLDT is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health and orthopedics. She takes a personal approach to physical therapy by customizing a treatment plan for each patient. Kristin combines manual therapy techniques with exercise and education to assist patients in recovery while teaching them how to prevent future injury.

  • Dr. Jennifer Purwin

    Jennifer Purwin PT, DPT, CSCS, CMLDT is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health and orthopedics. A long-time practitioner of traditional heated yoga, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa, Jennifer has completed yoga teacher training and especially enjoys teaching yin and restorative classes and utilizing meditation techniques to decrease stress.

  • Dr. Lima Iype

    Lima Iype PT, DPT is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health, pediatrics, and orthopedics. Lima believes in empowering women to optimize their movements without pain, weakness and incontinence. Lima is passionate about working and advocating for pelvic health for all ages and gender. She works with the pediatric population with variety of diagnosis including torticollis, developmental delays, hypotonia and constipation.

  • Dr. Melissa Jesski

    Melissa Jesski PT, DPT is a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health and orthopedics. She has worked in a variety of outpatient orthopedic settings including aquatic physical therapy. Melissa is skilled in postural correction, post-surgical rehabilitation, gait and running mechanics, balance and proprioceptive training, as well as pregnancy and postpartum care.

  • Caitha Barr

    Caitha Barr, OTR/L, CLT is an occupational therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist who specializes in breast cancer recovery and post-surgical care. As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Caitha takes a personalized approach to treating patients with lymphedema, lipedema, and chronic swelling due to pregnancy, venous conditions, and cosmetic surgery. She also uses her expertise in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and breast health to help new moms prevent and treat mastitis and clogged milk ducts.

What Our Patients Are Saying

  • I can't thank Kristin enough for being an incredible ally in my pregnancy and postpartum journey. One of Kristin's standout qualities is her unwavering commitment to achieving tangible results. Her goal is clear: every patient should leave her office feeling better than before. In my case, not only did she meet this goal at every appointment, but also empowered me to stay active throughout my high-risk twin pregnancy. Thanks to her support, I was able to work out until the day I delivered, as well as mitigate pain and discomfort in everyday activities.

    Now, in the postpartum phase, Kristin's personalized approach to rehab is guiding me through a complex recovery and helping me get ready to hit the gym again. Her genuine care and encouragement make physical therapy not just about recovery but empowerment. If you're on the lookout for a pelvic floor therapist who will make you feel better after every session and help you achieve long-term goals, look no further than Kristin. She's not just a therapist; she's a wellness ally, guiding you to strength and confidence with warmth and dedication.

    Mila Hadzhiracheva

  • I had a really great experience both with Caitha and the receptionist at FemFirst, and highly recommend going there for PT after surgery.

    My particular problem was cording after breast cancer surgery. My arm was so tight and painful that I wasn't able to lift it high enough for radiation -- which was super stressful, because my hospital's PT department was booked for six weeks.

    FemFirst was able to get me in immediately, and made sure that I was matched with Caitha, who had experience working with breast cancer patients. Caitha looked at my gnarly incision area without gagging (a feat of incredible mental strength!), and through a miraculous combo of massage and exercises was able to increase my range of motion more in one hour than I'd been able to do in the previous month's worth of stretching. Thanks to her, I am now physically prepared for radiation and optimistic about future assistance if needed.

    Also a shout-out to the person (Lisa?) who helped schedule and communicate with my insurance company; like Caitha, her kindness and professionalism was much appreciated.

    Jennifer Johnson

  • This practice is amazing!!

    Pelvic floor Pt is never the most comfortable for many reasons but Lima is fantastic at making it the most comfortable experience ever. She is kind, gentile and incredibly professional. She explained everything to you before, during and after the session. She is sensitive to patient needs and really creates a safe environment.

    Cannot recommend her and FemFirst health enough.

    Shari Goodhart

  • I have been seeing Jennifer for pelvic floor PT for a little over a year now. After going to multiple doctors who didn’t know what was wrong, Jennifer was able to give me the right support that I needed and refer me to other doctors who could actually properly diagnose and treat my condition.

    Jennifer is knowledgeable, warm, friendly and makes you feel comfortable and at ease right away. She even went above and beyond and accompanied me to one of my doctors appointments when I had a medical procedure done. I still have some ways to go with my treatment, but I know that after I have a PT appointment, I am going to leave feeling much better.

    Can’t recommend FemFirst Health enough!

    Chain Markel

  • I saw Melissa Jesski on and off during the months after having my second child. I was working with her to improve the diastasis recti diagnosis that I had received. I saw great improvement by the time I finished working with her. Melissa was intentional, thorough and flexible as I navigated PT and a newborn.

    Additionally, the receptionist staff was also so helpful as I navigated my insurance & my schedule (thanks Lisa!) I would highly recommend this location to any woman seeking a place to work on their health.

    Keisha Katz

  • I am beyond grateful for Kristin, Caitha and the team at FemFirst health. They have helped me so much with navigating the many side effects of breast cancer treatment.

    With Caitha my lymphedema symptoms have drastically improved! She fitted me for a proper sleeve and has provided helpful instructions for how to self manage so my lymphedema does not worsen. My entire experience from intake to all of my appointments has felt so validating and assuring- cannot recommend FemFirst enough!

    Samantha Fregenti

  • The best physical therapy team in New York, by far (and I've seen a lot of PTs over the years.) Kristin began taking care of me when I was recovering from a very difficult surgery and could not walk unassisted. She rehabbed me from several weeks post surgery to the point that I could walk normally and even do stairs. Since then, Kristin has been my go-to for any injuries or even just pain.

    She is amazing at knowing exactly how far to push your body so you are working it to its limits but not beyond. Every session is therefore worth its weight in gold. Kristin's hands-on approach, whether it's figuring out the best exercise to correct my issue or using various massage therapy techniques to get rid of trigger points, jammed joints, etc. means I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.

    Anna Gressel-Bacharan

  • Absolutely critical in my healing after breast cancer surgery. I cannot recommend this practice highly enough.

    They are experienced, professional, gentle, knowledgeable and willing to share their collective knowledge and observations - with no agenda or judgement .

    A+!!!

    Iva Kravitz

  • Excellent in every way!

    Highly recommended and as a physician myself I love how knowledgeable and caring everyone is at this practice. Was excellent for my pregnancy and beyond.

    Ashley Brissette

  • My therapies with Lima have been incredibly helpful so far. After a month and a half, I already feel most of my issues are addressed, most of my symptoms have improved greatly. She is kind, listening with patience and attention, keeps in mind everything, connecting the dots that are not visible to me to come up with solutions.

    She is resourceful and creative. When I came to her, I had little understanding of my pelvis muscles. She taught me of them, find which ones are in pain, how to relieve them, gave me self practices every week that varies from self-massage, yoga and specific exercises to bathroom journals and reading. I enjoyed the sessions greatly and felt powerful after them.

    Tugce Bilgin