Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Pannullo.
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My career began as a Certified Athletic Trainer on Long Island, where I split my days working in a physical therapy clinic and my evenings covering the local high school. It was there that I discovered how much I valued building meaningful relationships with patients and guiding them through recovery. That experience ultimately led me back to school to earn my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University.
During my time there, I was introduced to the specialty of Women’s Health Physical Therapy—now more inclusively known as Pelvic + Women’s Health Physical Therapy. It was my true “aha” moment. I had found the work I was meant to do.
Shortly after graduating, my family relocated to the Raleigh-Durham area, where I joined Duke Health as part of a multidisciplinary Women’s Health team. I spent 13 years there, deepening my clinical expertise while collaborating alongside physicians, mentors, and other specialists to support women through complex and deeply personal health challenges.
During those years, my most meaningful role began—becoming a mother to two incredible children. As they grew, I recognized the need to shift gears in order to create the flexibility and presence my family needed. With my husband’s encouragement, Peak Pelvic Health Physical Therapy was born in the summer of 2019.
At first, it was just me — driving to patients’ homes, carving out space in borrowed offices, building something slowly and intentionally. In January 2020, I stepped away from my hospital outpatient role entirely. It was terrifying. And then the world changed.
But what 2020 taught me is this: when you build something rooted in integrity, connection, and service — people find you. They come because they are ready to be heard. Because they are tired of being dismissed. Because they want more than a rushed appointment and a handout sheet.
Nearly seven years later, I am incredibly proud to say the practice is thriving. We are now in a larger location, have two additional pelvic health specialists on our team, and continue to expand our impact through community outreach events and educational in-services—spreading awareness about the life-changing benefits of pelvic health physical therapy.
What sets Peak Pelvic Health apart is simple: we work for our patients, not their insurance companies. We take the time to listen to each person’s story. We build true partnerships. And we are deeply committed to helping our patients reach their individual goals and return to the lives they want to live.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road.
The biggest hurdle was taking the leap in the first place — choosing to trust that the net would appear. The truth is, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I simply decided to go all in. That kind of decision requires equal parts courage and faith.
I was incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support and encouragement of my husband. Quite honestly, without him, I may never have taken that step. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, and having someone who believes in you — especially on the days when you question yourself — makes all the difference.
As I built the practice, I intentionally surrounded myself with people who could guide and challenge me. I joined a strong networking group that offered mentorship and accountability, and I became involved with my local Chamber of Commerce to learn from other business owners who had walked this path before me. Those communities were instrumental in helping me grow not just as a clinician, but as a business owner.
The reality is that owning a business requires constant evolution. There is always problem-solving, decision-making, and a certain level of hustle. But what I’ve come to understand is that this challenge is also a privilege. Every obstacle has strengthened my resilience, clarified my mission, and deepened my gratitude. I don’t take a single day of this work for granted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Peak Pelvic Health, we believe every person deserves to understand their body, feel heard, and access expert care without shame. For too long, women and marginalized individuals have been taught to whisper about bladder leaks, painful sex, postpartum recovery, or chronic pelvic pain. We’re here to rewrite that story.
Our practice exists to bring pelvic health into the light—where it belongs. Whether you’re navigating postpartum healing, complex chronic pain, perimenopause/menopause, or incontinence that disrupts your everyday life, we meet you with a plan made just for you.
Your first session is all about listening, learning, and creating a personalized plan. We’ll review your medical history, symptoms, goals, and daily activities. You’ll have time to ask questions, express concerns, and get clear on what’s next.
At Peak Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, we help our patients break free from the stigma of pelvic floor dysfunction. Through one-on-one, trauma-informed care, we restore confidence, comfort, and control—without shame, judgment, or one-size-fits-all solutions.
While not all patients will work directly with me, this philosophy and training shape the entire care experience at Peak Pelvic Health.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has absolutely played a role in both my life and my business — though I’ve come to believe that luck often meets us where preparation and opportunity intersect.
Long before Peak Pelvic Health was even an idea, my husband’s job relocated us to North Carolina. At the time, it simply felt like a life transition. In hindsight, it was pivotal. That move allowed me to join the Women’s Health team at Duke Health, where I spent over a decade training alongside exceptional clinicians. The depth of knowledge, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration I gained there gave me both the clinical expertise and the confidence to eventually step out on my own.
Beyond that, “luck” showed up in two powerful ways.
First, in the unwavering belief my husband has always had in me — often stronger than my own. His encouragement gave me the courage to take risks I might not have taken alone.
Second, in the patients who trusted me — especially in the early days. Building a practice requires people willing to say yes before you have a track record as a business owner. Every woman who walked through my doors and allowed me to partner in her care helped shape what Peak Pelvic Health has become.
So yes, I’ve been fortunate. But I’ve also learned that what many people call luck is often the byproduct of wholehearted commitment, steady consistency, and a willingness to be ready when opportunity presents itself.
Pricing:
- Free 15-minute phone consultation to determine if Peak Pelvic Health is the right fit for you
- $215 evaluation (75 minutes with your provider)
- $185 follow-up appointments (60 minutes with your provider)
- We offer discount packages for plans of care that will extend over several visits to help make care feel easier to manage.
- out-of-network provider with all insurance companies- payment is due at the time of your visit. We’ll provide you with a superbill you can submit for reimbursement based on your coverage. We accept HSA, FSA, credit cards, Zelle, cash, or check.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peakpelvichealth.com/
- Instagram: peakpelvichealth_nc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakpelvichealth
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-pannullo-peakpelvichealth
- Other: [email protected]
