Exploring Movement in Recovery with Dr. Michelle Laging

In this episode of Taking Up Space, Cassie sits down with Dr. Michelle, a Denver-based physical therapist who’s redefining what healing can look like—especially when it comes to movement and eating disorder recovery.

Together, they explore what it means to return to your body through safe, supported, and attuned movement. Dr. Michelle shares how she helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies, drawing from her expertise in pelvic health and functional movement, while always centering consent, nervous system safety, and body autonomy.

We talk about why traditional approaches to exercise often fall short in recovery—and how mindful, intentional movement can become a source of empowerment rather than punishment. Dr. Michelle also shares her vision for expanding this work through continuing education, advocating for more physical therapists to be trained in eating disorder-informed care.

Whether you're in recovery, support someone who is, or work in a healing profession, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate look at why movement belongs in the room—and how we can reclaim it on our own terms.

As a weight-inclusive and HAES® informed practitioner, Dr. Michelle recognized the need for greater pelvic floor literacy within the world of eating disorder recovery and completed training as a pelvic floor physical therapist.  She has worked with individuals in eating disorder recovery that have experienced gastrointestinal distress, constipation, bloat, distension, pelvic pain, along with abdominal wall muscle dysfunction – all of which make it hard to participate in progress toward recovery.  Likewise, she has noted a parallel between individuals with eating disorders and women pre/postpartum regarding decreased body awareness and body dysmorphia, coordination, and drive to return to exercise.  Dr. Michelle offers creative solutions to individuals experiencing these issues AND actively invites her clients to reclaim and live in their bodies.

Guest Bio: Dr. Michelle is one of the few eating disorder sensitive and informed physical therapists. She has been providing physical therapy care to individuals with eating disorders for the last 16 years and has woven pelvic health intervention into her practice for the last 6 years. Strength Within Physical Therapy & Wellness, Dr. Michelle’s private practice located in Denver, Colorado, is where she blends her background as a yoga/fitness instructor with her physical therapy skills for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and education to encourage clients to participate in movement and “healthy” reconnection with the body. Throughout her career, Dr. Michelle has advocated for physical therapy to be a recognized profession in the field of eating disorders and, in February 2020, became the first physical therapist to become a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) through iaedp™. Several months later she obtained the Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) designation. In her free time, she enjoys reading and learning ALL the things, dancing and listening to great music, exploring the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and chasing after her 2 kiddos who are just growing up way too fast!

Connect with Dr. Michelle:

https://strengthwithinpt.com/

IG @strengthwithinpt

 

Connect with Cassie:

https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/

https://www.iristrainingcollective.com/