Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Haas.
Hi Mary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into physical therapy began with a passion for helping people regain the ability to do the things they love. As I progressed through physical therapy school at San Diego State University, I became especially interested in pelvic health because it addressed conditions that are incredibly common yet often misunderstood or left untreated. I was drawn to helping patients navigate vulnerable, transformative stages of life, from menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery to menopause, pelvic dysfunction, and sexual health concerns.
Early in my career, I realized that while traditional physical therapy was beneficial, many patients still weren’t achieving the lasting results they deserved. That led me to discover Fascial Counterstrain, a specialized manual therapy approach that identifies and treats areas of dysfunction within the body’s fascial, nervous, vascular, and lymphatic systems. As I continued my training through the Fascial Counterstrain curriculum, it completely transformed the way I evaluate and treat patients. From there, I joined Counterstrain San Diego in Vista, where I work alongside a team of providers who genuinely care about the work we do and the patients we serve.
Beyond treating patients, I have always been passionate about educating and empowering others about women’s health. I regularly provide educational lectures at local universities to help students better understand topics like pelvic health, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the many conditions that often go undiscussed. I believe that increasing awareness is one of the most powerful ways we can help people advocate for themselves and seek care sooner.
My goal has always been to help people feel heard, understood, and confident in their bodies so they can return to the activities and relationships that matter most.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest ongoing challenges in my career isn’t necessarily treating patients, it’s increasing awareness that pelvic health physical therapy even exists. Many people silently live with symptoms like urinary leakage, pelvic pain, pain with intimacy, constipation, or postpartum dysfunction because they’ve been told it’s “normal” or simply something they have to accept. In reality, these conditions are often highly treatable.
There is also a common misconception that pelvic floor physical therapy is only for women after having children. While pregnancy and postpartum care are an important part of what I do, pelvic health physical therapists also help men, children, athletes, and individuals with a wide range of bladder, bowel, sexual, and orthopedic conditions.
That’s why patient education has become such an important part of my work. Whether I’m speaking with patients one-on-one, collaborating with other healthcare providers, or sharing educational content with the community, my goal is to help people understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence. The more awareness we create, the more people can access the care they need to improve their function and quality of life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I’ve already shared a bit about what I do and specialize in, I think what really sets me apart is the type of patients and cases I’m able to work with. At Counterstrain San Diego, we often see patients who have complex or challenging symptoms and haven’t found answers or relief through other providers or specialties. Because Fascial Counterstrain allows us to address the body as a whole—including systems and structures that aren’t typically treated together—we’re often able to make meaningful changes in symptoms that patients may have been told they simply have to live with.
Patients sometimes describe our treatment as “magic” because we’re able to make significant changes in their symptoms through manual treatment alone. Fascial Counterstrain is a highly specialized technique, and there are very few providers in the area who are trained to use it, which allows us to approach challenging cases in a way that many patients haven’t experienced before.
What I’m most proud of, however, is the connection I’m able to build with my patients. This is especially meaningful in pelvic health, where patients are often dismissed or told that symptoms like pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction, or sexual health concerns are simply “normal.” Being able to validate their experiences, truly listen to them, and help them understand that they don’t have to accept those symptoms as their normal is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Ultimately, I’m proud to be a provider who makes patients feel heard, believed, and hopeful that things can get better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors and opportunities throughout my career that have shaped the physical therapist I am today. I feel lucky to have discovered pelvic health and, later, Fascial Counterstrain, both of which have given me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in my patients’ lives. At the same time, I don’t think growth happens by luck alone. Continuing to pursue advanced education, staying curious, and challenging myself to keep learning have been intentional choices throughout my career.
Looking back, some of the opportunities that have shaped my career were ones I never could have planned for. I’m grateful that I was open to pursuing them, and that each step has led me closer to the kind of provider I want to be. Most of all, I’m grateful for the patients who have trusted me with their care and have given me the opportunity to keep learning along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.counterstrainsd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counterstrainsandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063850598660
