Beyond the Treatment Table: Get to Know Dr. Marissa!

At Uplift, our pelvic health specialists blend expertise with genuine compassion. Today, we’re excited to introduce a pelvic floor Dr with diverse experience who is truly dedicated to helping patients regain comfort, confidence, and a better quality of life. 

Dr. Marissa Lehmann didn’t stumble into pelvic floor therapy. She chose it – before she even finished her doctorate. Since then, she’s spent her entire PT career in this one specialty, treating the full range of pelvic conditions that other providers too often dismiss, minimize, or miss entirely. If you’ve been referred to Dr. Marissa, or you’re researching whether she’s the right fit, here’s what you need to know.

Who is Dr. Marissa Lehmann?

Dr. Marissa holds a Bachelor of Science from Baylor University and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. 

Since graduating, Dr. Marissa has dedicated herself to caring for people of all genders, including prenatal and postpartum individuals, through her specialization in pelvic health. 

Her passion took root during her doctoral studies at UTMB, inspired by her close collaboration with a pelvic floor therapist and professor. She felt called to join this field and completed a 12-week clinical rotation in pelvic health—a rare and meaningful opportunity—taking her first course on the subject even before finishing her degree. 

Dr. Marissa warmly welcomes patients of all backgrounds and is committed to providing inclusive, compassionate care.

Why Pelvic Health?

Dr. Marissa understands that people with pelvic dysfunction often feel underserved and overlooked. Her passion comes from witnessing many individuals struggle for years, sometimes dismissed by others with responses like:

• “You just have to live with it.”
• “Kegels are just for women.”
• “There’s nothing we can do for you.”
• “The only way to fix your prolapse symptoms is surgery.”
• “Urine leakage after having a baby is to be expected.”

Dr. Marissa truly wants her patients to know that those responses are often inaccurate. 

She compassionately treats a broad range of pelvic health concerns every day and sees many patients succeed, and recognizes there is a lack of quality care for this population and is deeply committed to redefining what patients can expect from pelvic health support.

If you’ve ever received any of these responses from friends, family, or physicians, know that you are not alone. 

Take a look at The Complete Guide to Determining if Pelvic Floor Therapy is Right for You to see if a pelvic health physical therapy perspective could help you. 

Marissa’s Approach to Care

Areas of Specialty

Dr. Marissa particularly focuses on:

• Postpartum return to exercise, hobbies, and sport
• Perimenopause and menopause-related changes
• Vaginismus/dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
• Male pelvic dysfunction

What Drives Her Passion? 

What does Dr. Marissa love most about her work? 

“Reaching each individual’s personal goals and helping all my patients feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.” She recognizes that every individual’s experience is unique and requires a wide variety of interventions. 

As Marissa began her career in pelvic rehabilitation, she gained extensive experience with a wide range of patient presentations. 

She worked with various specialists within a large hospital system in Houston, gaining post-operative experience and treating diverse trauma cases, including work-related pelvic trauma and reconstruction from motor vehicle collisions. 

She has treated patients of all anatomies and is confident addressing both shared and unique challenges. Marissa takes special pride in supporting pre- and postpartum patients and values when her patients achieve smooth recoveries. No matter your pelvic health concerns, Dr. Marissa has likely treated it before! 

Treatment Philosophy

Dr. Marissa’s philosophy focuses on functional goals. 

She works on activities or hobbies that challenge clients, such as weightlifting, running, or Pilates, to help them return to activities that bring joy. 

For example, if your goal is to lift and carry your toddler without experiencing low back pain, she will evaluate each component of that activity and address your problem areas. 

Dr. Marissa’s care stands out for her warm, communicative approach. 

She bridges the expertise of pelvic doctors (such as OB-GYNs and Urologists) and GI doctors, ensuring you receive thoughtful, comprehensive support for urinary, bowel, or intercourse concerns. She is direct yet compassionate, clearly explaining how your symptoms relate to both pelvic floor function and whole-body movement. 

Dr. Marissa is experienced with both male and female patients, offering guidance on sensitive topics like erectile dysfunction and ejaculation issues with kindness and respect. She brings empathy to every session, making sure you feel comfortable each step of the way. At the same time, she encourages you with accountability and positivity—your goals are her goals, and your successes are her brightest moments!

If you book with Dr. Marissa you can expect her treatment approach to combine:

The First Session Experience

At your first visit with Dr. Marissa, expect a thorough three-part approach:

1. Comprehensive Understanding – Taking extended time to truly understand your symptoms and how they’re affecting your daily life, as well as where you’d like to see yourself after the conclusion of treatment.
2. Examination and Evaluation – Conducting a detailed assessment to find the root cause of your symptoms, instead of just quick-fixing symptoms, only for it to recur without you having strategies to manage it independently.  
3. Collaborative Goal Setting – Creating a personalized plan for your specific goals together. 

Three things Dr. Marissa, pelvic floor Dr, wants every patient to know before their first visit

“Pelvic floor therapy is only for women after childbirth.” Not even close. Dr. Marissa treats patients of all genders and life stages — from athletes in their 20s to men dealing with post-prostatectomy recovery to women navigating perimenopause. If you have a pelvic floor (you do), you can have pelvic floor dysfunction.

“Kegels will fix it.” Sometimes. But a tight pelvic floor that needs to release — not strengthen — will get worse with kegels, not better. Treatment needs to be based on what’s actually happening in your body, which is why the evaluation comes first.

“I just have to live with this.” This is the one Dr. Marissa hears most, and it’s the one she’s most determined to disprove. Most pelvic floor conditions are highly treatable. The problem is usually that patients either don’t know help exists, or they’ve seen providers who didn’t know how to give it.

Marissa: The Human Behind the Expertise

Getting to know the therapist you are working with is more than just their clinical experience. Your provider is a real person, too! Read on to learn more about Dr. Marissa!

Life at Home

Dr. Marissa has been married to her high school sweetheart, Michael, for 7 years. They share an active life with their beloved dog Sadie, whose boundless energy helps keep them moving!

Dr. Marissa’s Favorites

• Best spot in San Antonio: “The Pearl”
• Morning person or night owl? “Night owl”
• Coffee, tea, or something else?: “Chai tea or zero-sugar energy drinks”
• Favorite way to relax?: “Reading in a quiet place or sleeping in”
• How do you stay active?: “Playing pickleball and walking with Sadie, [my dog]”
• Finally, favorite night out? “Trying new restaurants and reviewing food around San Antonio”

Fun Facts 

Here are some things you may not guess about Dr. Marissa:

• Well-traveled to many different states due to her father’s military service and her studies. (She has lived in four different states and eleven cities!) 
• Has a musical background and was a proud member of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band, where she played Mellophone. She now shares her musical passion with her husband, a high school band director. Her great lung capacity shows in competitions, even candle-blowing ones.
• She isn’t fond of the deep ocean, though she enjoys swimming by the beach. However, she strongly dislikes cruises because being surrounded by the ocean makes her uncomfortable. 
• Marissa and her husband have a high-end telescope and enjoy hosting friends for celestial events. In another life, she might have been an astrophysicist.

Nervous about Pelvic Floor Therapy? 

Reassurance From Dr. Marissa:

“Pelvic floor therapy can seem scary at first, but at Uplift, you control your care, and your comfort is our priority. Nothing happens unless you’re comfortable and on board with planning your care. We ensure that all assessments are thoroughly explained beforehand, and your privacy is always protected. With me, expect sessions focused on your goals: engaging, informative, and activity-based”. 

The Reviews are In 

Curious about others’ experiences with Dr. Marissa? Read what her patients are sharing in our Google reviews:

“I have been going to Uplift to help with my postpartum recovery for 8 weeks now and I could not recommend them enough. Marissa has been so great to work with and she has helped me have a speedy recovery with a great program. Everyone at the clinic is super friendly and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone looking for great PT!” – Marisol S.

“Absolutely LOVED Dr. Marissa. She’s a gem who really listens to her patients and understands their issues. She also takes the time to really explain the diagnosis and treatments. Thanks for being a fantastic Dr!” – Backyard Beekeepers

“I can’t recommend Uplift enough! From the moment I started pelvic floor therapy with Dr Marissa, I felt supported, heard and truly cared for. She creates such a safe and welcoming space to talk about things that aren’t always easy to bring up and explains everything in a way that makes you feel informed and empowered. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, kind and attentive and she’s helped me make real progress that’s improved both my recovery and daily comfort. Pelvic floor therapy can feel intimidating, but at Uplift, feels like taking care of yourself in the best possible way. So grateful to have found this place!” – Fernanda

“I highly recommend Dr. Marissa Lehmann, she is the BEST!! I have struggled with my condition for years but I recently found uplift physical therapy and Dr Lehmann has been a life changer! I was able to see a difference within the first couple sessions. It’s nice to have met a Dr. that truly cares about her patients. She works with your schedule and keeps track of all your progress and improvements which is extremely helpful! – Monica

Ready to Start Your Journey? Here’s How to Take the Next Step

Feeling inspired by Dr. Marissa? Taking the first step toward better pelvic health can feel daunting, but we’re here to help you feel comfortable, informed, and supported every step of the way. If you’d like to get to know our other therapists, check out “Beyond the Treatment Table: Get to Know Dr. Amber!”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Marissa or another pelvic health specialist, contact us today. We will guide you through booking, answer any questions, and help you start your journey to feeling more confident and comfortable.

Click here to book your appointment now or call our office to speak with our team. We’re here to help you take your first step toward better pelvic health.