Megan Lavin, DPT, M.Ed.

Welcome! My name is Megan Lavin and I'm the owner of Reclaimed Movement and I'm a licensed physical therapist in the state of Wisconsin. I'm also the Founder and Executive Director of Live RecoverED, a nonprofit organization dedicated to shining a light on eating disorders, helping others live fully recovered.

Having struggled with and recovered from an eating disorder, I'm passionate about helping others experience freedom and recovery. I'd love to support you with reclaiming movement from the eating disorder and support you through the physical aspects of your recovery journey from an ED-informed, weight neutral, and trauma-informed lens.

My Reclaimed Movement Story

Exercise in the past wasn't enjoyable, it was compulsive, obsessive, punishment, about changing my body, and about seeking self worth, validation, and identity.

Here's my story.

Running started off as fun for me. I loved running the mile in elementary school, I loved exploring new places in cross country club in middle school, and I enjoyed running with my teammates my freshman year of high school. But then running stopped being fun.

I found success in running quite naturally. My perfectionistic nature took over and I had the belief that I had to be the best, the fastest.

Running started to feel like a chore, something that I had to do. And quite rapidly my identity and sense of self became wrapped up in being a runner, and in being a fast runner.

I turned to running for my worth and identity. Running became more compulsive, to the point where I desperately wanted to stop but the eating disorder screamed at me to continue. Add onto that other compulsive exercise to try to have the "perfect" body and I was trapped.

Following years of eating disorder therapy, placing my identity in Christ, and focusing on 1 Timothy 4:8, I can wholeheartedly say that I am free from compulsive movement and move my body in ways that are joyful and life-giving, rather than life-draining.

I've experienced what it's like to be controlled by exercise which is why I'm so passionate about helping others to reclaim movement, to break free from the bondage of exercise and enjoy the gift of moving their body.

Services I provide:

Physical Therapy for Eating Disorders
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Chronic pain
- Abdominal discomfort/bloating

Physical Therapy for Pregnancy & Postpartum

Movement Integration Coaching
- Helping individuals with eating disorders integrate mindful and joyful movement, overcoming compulsive movement and/or avoidance of movement

Group Movement Classes

My Practice Values

The below values inform how I provide my services.

Faith

Faith is the foundation of my life, and if interested, I'd be happy to incorporate this into our sessions such as scripture and breath prayer. I absolutely respect if this is not an area that you'd like incorporated into your sessions and will provide you with compassionate and respectful care regardless of your faith beliefs.

Weight Neutrality

Weight neutrality is an essential value of my work with individuals with eating disorders and body image struggles. You do not need to fear comments from me about your body size or shape, my services are provided from a weight neutral lens.

Embodiment

A sense of connectedness to ones body is so important and can be challenging while in recovery from an eating disorder. It is one of my priorities to help you experience a sense of safety and connectedness in your body and help you to feel empowered during your recovery journey.

My Education & Training

Education:

Masters of Education Health Education & Promotion Concentration in Eating Disorders Plymouth State University 2024

Doctorate of Physical Therapy Carroll University 2021

Bachelors of Exercise Science Carroll University 2019

Professional Organizations Membership:

International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals: Milwaukee & Detroit Metro Chapters 2024-present

Continuing Education Courses:

OBI Webinar Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2025 (16 hours)

OBF Webinar Fundamentals of Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2025 (16 hours)

Urogynecological Clinical Evaluation & Treatment via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2025 (2 hours)

Safe Exercise at Every Stage Workshops #1-4 (5 hours)

PH2 Webinar Pelvic Pain via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2024 (14 hours)

PH2 Webinar Bowel Dysfunction via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2024 (14 hours)

Eating Disorders and Pelvic Health Rehabilitation via Herman & Wallace 2024 (17 hours)

PH1 Webinar via APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2024 (16 hours)

Continuing Education via Research Studies:

Young, S., Touyz, S., Meyer, C. et al. Relationships between compulsive exercise, quality of life, psychological distress and motivation to change in adults with anorexia nervosa. J Eat Disord 6, 2 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-018-0188-0

Continuing Education via Books:

Sick Enough by Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani
iMove: Helping Your Clients Heal from Compulsive Exercise by Amy Gardner, MS, CEDRD, RYT
Heal Your Nervous System by Dr. Linnea Passaler
8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin
Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch