Physical Therapists
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Physical Therapists
Nov 2008
I am recovering from surgery on my cervical spine. I would like to
start physical therapy close to home in Alameda or vicinity. Anyone
have a recommendation?
Jenny
I have seen Deirdre McLoughlin for a wicked back injury and she is
fantastic. Her practice is located in the Strawberry Creek Bldg. on
Addison in Berkeley, and she is extremely caring, knowledgeable and
focused on each patient. Unlike many pt practices where you get handed
off to different assistants and trainers, Deirdre spends a full 50
min/hour with each patient herself and puts her entire attention on your
care. She works with her patients on all the usual PT things- ongoing
assessment and progress tracking, exercises, stretches, icing,
ultrasound, estim, massage, but because she doesn't hand you off to
other people to do pieces of your treatment, she is 100% attentive and
responsive to what she thinks you most need. She doesn't take
insurance, but I got a big chunk of her fee reimbursed by my ins.
company. 510-883-1126.
ALISSA
Nov 2008
I will be having rotator cuff surgery in the Boston area soon
and will be staying with my daughter and her family in the East
Bay Area to recuperate. I am looking for recommendations for a
physical therapy facility in the Orinda area. Thank you.
anon
I can highly recommend Physical Therapy Associates of San Ramon, as
the best of breed. Both my teenage daughter and myself have been
going there as needed for 5 years for our specific healing and have
found the care to be exceptional. We drive all the way from Alameda
as we have found no better.
They are easy to access off 680 at 2817 Crow Canyon Road.
Call 925-838-9846 and ask for Pat Scott.
Enjoy! Louise and Sarah
happy patients
I had a very good PT experience with Bob Baker of Emeryville
Physical Therapy. About 1 year ago I severely injured my right
shoulder and had to undergo surgery to repair tears in both my
subscapular tendon and labrum. My surgeon was concerned that an
unknowledgeable PT might re-injure my shoulder and therefore
recommended I use Bob for my PT. I visited Bob's office twice a
week for about 3 months and received excellent care and advise.
Today I have 100% mobility and strength in my shoulder. The icing
on the cake was that Bob's approach to PT resulted in very little
pain. I was warned by friends that PT stood for 'Physical
Terrorist'. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that no
severe pain was involved in the process. Bob takes a slow and
steady approach that gets maximum results with minimal discomfort.
Bill
May 2008
Hi,
Looking for a good, experienced physical therapist in my Hill
Physicians Network to rehab from a shoulder injury. The only
places that are covered are:
NovaCare Rehab in Oakland
Flex Physical Therapy in Oakland
Pacer Physical Therapy in Walnut Creek
Anyone have a good (great?) experience with a PT at these
places?
Any advice is much appreciated,
Maura
I highly recommend Flex Physical Therapy. I had a back pain and I was given
ideas and ways to get rid of the pain. It worked! The staff is wonderful.
anon
I tried 4 different Hill Physicians' PTs, and attempted a request for an
out of network assignment (refused) before I changed to AltaBates (now Sutter Group)
and got a great PT (Allan at Berkeley PT).
For some bizarre reason Hill has even refused to certify Summit Hospital PT -- which
has good PTs and would be willing to be part of the Hill network; they tried to get
re-certified by Hill Physicians, and were unable to do so.
Sadly, your best solution is to switch out of Hill Physicians, if you can, to get a
decent PT.
--glad to have better PT care than Hill offered
April 2008
I am having chronic knee problems. I know it falls under the
catagory of patella-femoral syndrome. It has been so bad that I
have dislocated my patella in the past. I am looking for a
physical therapist that focuses (in their practice) on this type
of condition. Any recommendations?
diane
You might want to try Physical Therapy Innovations in El
Cerrito. They have great therapists and specialize in knee and
back pain. They also have Pilates and Aquatic physical therapy
if you should need it. PTI also has 2 other clinics in Oakland
and Orinda if that is more convenient for you. The tel no is
510-524-2177 and you can go to their website
www.ptinnovations.com for more information.
A.
I know an excellent physical therapist who specializes in
chronic knee problems. Her name is Deena Levy (510) 540-7816.
She's dedicated to her profession and excels at finding
solutions. I've seen her for treatment and she's the best.
She's located at 2301 Grant St. in Berkeley.
L.
I was diagnosed with patella-femoral syndrome last year. I
have been going to June Graham PT at UCSF sports medicine
clinic at Mt. Zion campus. She is an expert in knees, and is
great. The telephone number is 415-353-7598.
R.
July 2007
Hi,
I'm looking for a good physical therapist in the East Bay for fractured hip.
anon
I am also looking for a PT in the East Bay, so hope to hear the responses. I
had an unfavorable experience with Flex PT on Broadway in Oakland. In
particular, I found the owner to be arrogant and disinterested in my case.
The office manager was also terse. During my appointment, my PT, the owner,
was distracted, somewhat flighty and just generally not focused on me, as she
kept getting called away. Her recommendations conflicted with what my doctor
and nurse's recommendations were and when I asked her about it, she was
defensive and said she had the final say. I found her unprofessional and
won't be going back.
anon
May 2007
I am looking for a really good physical therapist who has experience with hips and
young patients. Please send along any recommendations.
anon
Sports and Orthopedic Specialists at 6300 Telegraph Ave in Oakland has a great group
of physical therapists that can work with young clients and orthopedic issues of all
kinds.
You can call them at 547-8293
dawn
Oct 2006
Re: Chiropractor who specializes in feet
I know a person who is not a chiropractor, but a licensed physical therapist as well
as certified Feldenkrais worker and Pilates trainer. She is fantastic with foot
issues. I had severe plantar fascitis (couldn't get my heel on the floor!) and was
running again after two treatments, it has never come back in four years since. My
daughter had foot pain for years and years, similarly after two treatments, has been
painfree for years. She's great, great personality too. Her name: Kaivee, her phone:
(510) 504-5484. She's in North West Berkeley, off Gilman by San Pablo Avenue,
accessible and easy to get to.
Leia
May 2006
Re: Chiropractor for postpartum back pain
I highly recommend Em Squires. She is a physical therapist who specializes in post
partum issues, including posture. She also does adjustments, and insurance covers her
if it covers physical therapy. She works near Lake Merrit. 286-8100 (I think). she is
really knowledgable and very kind. Just fantastic. she knows more than the doctors I
saw for some pp issues.
I loved Em.
There is a physical therapist in the East Bay that specializes in postpartum healing
and rehab. She helped me with my prenatal and postpartum postural issues. Her name
is Suzanne Koval, MSPT and she can be reached at suzannekoval[AT]partummemom.com
asayeed
April 2006
Can anyone recommend an excellent Physical Therapist in the
Alameda/Berkeley/Oakland area, who is experienced with miofacial
release? I had some major surgery on my legs 2 months ago, and
am trying to gain my mobility and strength back while dealing
with a lot of tightening from scar tissue. Someone who accepts
Blue Shield PPO insurance would be a plus.
rachel
I highly recommend Edie Murphy, (510) 451-5560. She is very
experienced, intuitive, and finds muscles I did not even know I
had. She is in Oakland and bills Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Ariel
March 2006
I would like a recommendation in North Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito for a physical
therapist who gets the job done without drawing the therapy out for weeks. I want
someone who will teach me the exercises I need and make sure I am doing them
properly. It seems that so many physical therapists use the insurance payments to give
their patients questionable treatments instead of teaching them how to use thier
bodies to prevent injury, how to work hard to overcome the condition and how to set
up a home program to continue the treatment. I want someone who is straightforward.
Any suggestions?
Lydia
I want to recommend Patrick Hannum Physical Therapy. He is
located on Gilman and 4th street in Berkeley. This is a unique
Physical Therapy clinic that provides quality hands-on manual
therapy. Patrick is also a certified Rolfer which is a type of
deep-tissue work. He has one other Rolfer and two other P.T.'s
that work there also with great skills. They have a Pilates
reformer for exercise training. I went to him for a chronic
neck problem and then went through the Rolf series afterwards.
It is amazing how much he has helped me. He is a blue cross and
blue shield preferred provider. This is not your typical office.
Linda
May 2005
July 2003
Has anyone had experience with a physical therapist named Dr. Janet
Soto? She has been recommended to work with me for my ruptured
disc.
Thanks,
Elyse
I've seen Janet Soto for different body parts, specifically
shoulder and lower back, and I thought she was great. It has
been a while since my last visit, but she was also recommended
by a physical therapist friend who occasionally worked with
her. She's a really nice person as well as a good PT.
Robbie
November 2002
Any suggestions for a physical therapist who has particular
expertise with knee problems? I looked in the p.t. archives but
not a lot of therapists were touted as being particularly focused
on knee stuff.
You should call Simon at Montclair Physical Therapy in
Montclair, Oakland. He is a God in my book. I pay my own
money, (I changed insurance and they will only allow me go to
South Phyical Therapy)to see Simon and he has always made it
better. Keep in mind that he will put you to work to strengthen
which ever muscle needs it to make up feel better long term.
But if you do the work he prescribes -- he has machines in his
office-- you will get better.
JDrew
Edie Murphy is an excellent physical therapist and Aston
Patterner. She's in Oakland off of the lake. Her number is
451-5560. She doesn't specifically specialize in knees but she's
very experienced and certainly knows knees and knee injuries.
Good luck
June
Patrick Hannum is a physical therapist and Rolffer who has
been working on my knees as well as other issues. Patrick
offers the added benefit of doing great deep tissue work in
addition to standard PT work. I highly recommend him. He
is located in the Tannery on 4th and Gilman, and his
number is 524-6422.
Maria
I have been to several therapists and had no improvement with a
knee/hip problem I have until I found Karl Schmetz. I have
experienced such dramatic improvement so quickly I am convinced
he must be a witch doctor! He was recommended to me by a co-
worker who had a very serious ski accident two years ago and was
told he would never walk again. With Karl's help, he not only
walks but he even skis. He also works with a lot of professional
ballet dancers and athletes who, I am sure, have a lot of knee
problems. He is in SF but right at the Montgomery BART stop,
very easy to get to and well worth the commute. He has been a
miracle worker for me. (415) 722-4415
Nicole
Two P.T.'s I'd recommend are Patrick Hannum and Lynn Schankliess
(sp.?). Pat has an office down in the Tannery complex on Gilman
and his number is 510-524-6422. He is super experienced, and a
great guy to boot. He has a master's degree in PT but is also a
certified Rolfer. Lynn works (or did work) at the Tang Center
on Campus, and did wonders for my chronic knee problems. I like
them both because they don't just give you a bunch of exercises
and send you off into the blue -- they actually do some real
bodywork, and as athletes (cyclist, runner) they're both
attuned to the idea that you want to be able to get back into
action soon.
anon
I've been going to Albany Physical Therapy and have been
pleased with the exercises and level of service.
jamie
January 2001
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the following physical
therapists, especially for recovery from knee or other joint surgery?
Alta Bates health pavilion on Telegraph
Berkely Physical Therapy on Bancoroft
Herrick Physical/Occupational Therapy on Dwight
Craig Norton or Ortho-Sport Physical Therapy on College
Wendy Katzman or Physiotherapy Associates
Thanks!
Raissa
I was treated by Laura at Herrick for a long-term shoulder problem and was
very satisfied. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Fran
I have had extensive physical therapy and thus have encountered a number of
physical therapists in the
Berkeley area:
My experience with Alta Bates Pavillion was ok, but I felt it was like
being in a factory. Each time I went I had a different assistant. I
didn't feel I was getting individual treatment or have much privacy since
it was all out in the open. Craig Norton use to manage the Alta Bates
Pavillion at that time. The concept was to provide service to a lot of
people simultaneously with very few certified physical therapists, a lot of
PT assistants/students, and save money. I often felt that Craig was not
professional - in his comments to patients, and how he handled the physical
privacy of his clients. I would not go back to that clinic nor go to
Craig's clinic on College Ave.
My experience with Berkeley Physical Therapy has been generally positive,
except the office staff are often unhelpful, unfriendly, and very involved
with their private phone conversations. Allen Horowitz is very good there
and I saw him for my back and shoulders. I would recommend seeing him.
My best physical therapist so far is Ellen Bier, who use to be at Berkeley
Physical Therapy for many years, but now has her own private practice. I
have seen her for my back, shoulder, neck and feet. She does a lot of
hands on work, sets up a home exercise program that is realistic and not
overwhelming, knows how to encourage you to do your part of keeping your
body in shape and out of trouble. Her hands on work has been effective to
me, where I have walked out of there with my back feeling normal within one
session. Along with all this, she is a great person - and fun and
personable. The only drawback is that she doesn't take health insurance.
She can be reached at 510-843-9110,and her office is in Berkeley.
I don't have experience with the therapists you list, but I highly
recommend Allen Ling at Physical Therapy Innovations, 425 Kearney St. in El
Cerrito, telephone 524-2177. He is a UC Berkeley grad in molecular and cell
biology who now has many years of experience in this field. He is truly
exceptional - highly intelligent, astute and kind. He helped me after two
years of physical therapy with different therapists failed to get me beyond
a "somewhat-recovered" plateau. Betsy
I had responded earlier about recommendations for Physical Therapy. I had
strongly recommended Ellen Bier (843-9110) who has her own private practice
in Berkeley. While she doesn't take HMO like health insurance, she will
take patients who are covered by workers compensation, med pay through
their car insurance plans, and patients with PPO type of health insurance.
I also want to add that Ellen, having experienced a number of injuries
herself, is very empathetic and can understand the pain and difficulties
of her patients.
I went to Wendy Katzman briefly for a back problem, and really liked her.
She was a good listener and really targeted the areas I needed. Very
helpful and realistic. I also saw someone else in her office, and liked her
as well although I can't think of her name.
"S. Martin"
Toby 7/99
I took my daughter and also went myself to SOS (sports orthopedic
specialists) and saw John King. He's great and really knows the
human
body. I really got that healing myself from my injury was really my
responsiblity. He could help me, but only if I did the exercises
that he
gave me. I didn't want to know this. I would much rather have gone
somewhere where the therapist just treated and healed me, but the
reality
is that the healing is mostly in your hands. So, John is great and
gives
great exercises. We've been to 2 other physical therapists, one on
San
Pablo near Albany (don't remember the name) and Berkeley Physical
Therapy
and I think John is the absolute best!
Judy (7/99)
My husband had a serious knee injury for which he needed LOTS of
physical therapy.
He went to Sports & Orthopedic Specialists. He adores Pien, his
therapist there. She
is extremely knowledgeable, and uses the right balance of gentleness
& pushing. Her
kindness & wonderful sense of humor help a lot too!
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