Karine Gulyamova pelvic floor physical therapist in Boulder Colorado

Professional Journey

Hello. Thank you for being here. I thought I would share my professional path as it is unique and defines me as a clinician. I began my physiotherapy career in 2005 after graduating in Finland and having completed clinical training both in Finland and England. Post graduation I treated patients in a variety of settings, including the National University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland, skilled rehab facilities in Boston, MA, and hospitals in Longmont and Boulder, CO.

In 2016, a course in Pelvic Health inspired me to specialize in this field. Since then, I have completed numerous advanced courses in Pelvic Health and Obstetric Physical Therapy through the APTA and the Academy of Pelvic Health, and other professional organizations.

In 2019, with the support of my colleagues I spearheaded a Pelvic Health program for early postpartum mommas at Boulder Community Health, helping over 600 women each year with mobility, pelvic floor activation, scar care, diastasis recti assessment, stretching, etc. We also created a monthly workshop, Pregnancy Fitness Essentials and Pelvic Floor Health, tailored toward pregnant women.

I volunteer as a CAPP-OB and CAPP-Pelvic Case study reviewer, and serve as a CAPP Content Peer-Reviewer (Female Pelvic Health) on the CAPP Editorial Panel of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

I have been serving the communities of Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont and Superior for over 12 years.

Learning never stops and I will continue to advance my skills to better serve you - my patients.

Education:

  • Degree in Physiotherapy (recognized as a US Master’s Degree by USCIS and the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy, FCCPT), Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Espoo, Finland

  • Master’s Degree Program in Education-Pedagogics/Linguistics (Equivalent to US Master’s Degree in Education); major: English language/ Child pedagogy, Sochi State University, Sochi, Russia

Advanced Coursework and Certifications:

  • Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Pelvic Health (CAPP-Pelvic)

  • Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Obstetric Health (CAPP-OB)

  • Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES)

  •  Dry Needling and Pelvic Health, Professional Pelvic Health Consultants (PPHC)

  • Advanced Pelvic Floor - Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Pessary fitting, Women’s Health Training Associates (WHTA)

  • Therapeutic Neuroscience Education – Teaching Patients about Pain (ISP institute)

  • NDT Neurological Rehabilitation, Level I and II advanced training - Recovering Function

Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Obstetric Health from CAP-OB with a red and white logo at the top.
Certificate badge for advanced practice in pelvic health physical therapy from CAPP-PELVIC.
A gold, round badge with a spiked border and the text 'PCES' in the center.
Karine Gulyamova pelvic floor physical therapist serving Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont

Life Journey

I believe that our personal journeys shape who we become. I consider myself a Citizen of the World. I was born and raised in Tajikistan, a breathtakingly beautiful mountainous country in Central Asia. In 1995, following the collapse of the USSR, my family was forced to leave our homeland. I spent several years as a refugee in Sochi, Russia, before starting a new chapter in Helsinki, Finland in 2000, guided by hope, resilience, and a desire for new opportunities.

My path then led me to Reykjavik, Iceland, where I worked as a physiotherapist at the National University Hospital. While in Iceland, I met my American husband, and together we began a new adventure, first in Boston in 2009, and then in the scenic mountain town of Boulder, Colorado, where we have been happily rooted since 2013.

If I reflect on all these travels it is brave to say that being a refugee has given me unique life experiences. Through travels and while learning and adapting to a new culture in a new country I learned a few important lessons: appreciation of little things, humility, patience, and most importantly the fact that all humans strive to be happy, heard and validated. Everyone has their story to share. We all need to practice kindness as our “religion”, and be present with one another without judgement. I do my best to incorporate these principles with my patients daily.

Outside of clinic I enjoy the simple pleasures of life: knitting, reading, learning, camping, spending quality time with my two teen girls (if they let me:), husband, and a vibrant circle of friends who make up our beloved community.