Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, no. California's direct access law lets you start physical therapy with a licensed physical therapist without a physician's referral, for up to 12 visits or 45 calendar days, whichever comes first. Beyond that, a physician, surgeon or podiatrist needs to examine you and sign off on your plan of care before treatment continues. That appointment can be in person or by telehealth.

So you don't need to wait for a doctor's appointment before getting your injury or movement problem evaluated. We can carry out an initial evaluation, identify what's going on within our scope of practice, build you a plan, and tell you whether physical therapy is the right fit for your condition.

We're also trained to recognize what falls outside physical therapy. During your evaluation we screen for signs and symptoms that may need further medical assessment, and if anything raises concern we'll refer you or coordinate with the right provider. Knowing what we can treat, what we can't, and when you need another set of expert eyes is part of good care.

Two exceptions on referrals. Medicare requires a formal physician referral before you start. Some private PPO policies have their own rules and may still require one for reimbursement. We check this with you when you call.

We assess how you move, where the pain is and what triggers it. You always leave with something to work on, whether that is an exercise, a stretch, a posture change or a modification to how you are doing something, plus treatment on the day where it is appropriate.

An initial evaluation runs 55 to 60 minutes. Follow-up visits run 40 to 55 minutes, depending on your insurance and which treatments we are using.

Comfortable clothing that lets us reach the area we are treating. Tennis shoes are the best option.

A typical course runs anywhere from 6 to 24 or more sessions. It depends on how severe the problem is, how long you have had it, how you respond to treatment, any other conditions involved, and whether surgery was part of the picture.

Neck pain from a poor work position might need workstation adjustments, some postural work and manual therapy to loosen tight neck and upper back muscles. An ACL reconstruction runs from acute care through a full return-to-sport protocol, with milestones to meet at each phase before moving to the next.

Once we have seen you a few times and can see how you respond, we have a much better idea of how long you will need.

We are primary care practitioners for the musculoskeletal system, so we treat any conditions related to the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and problems that may arise from these. For the conditions we see most often, see our Services page or our physical therapy page.

Every session is one-to-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. You will generally see the same therapist throughout your treatment, though you may see another depending on scheduling or vacation cover.

We all get the same base doctorate education in DPT school, which covers the entire body including the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems, and the problems or disease that can affect them. After that we may choose to specialize in an area such as hand therapy, neuro, sports or pediatrics. You can take continuing education in areas of interest to advance your expertise, or become board specialized through the American Physical Therapy Association.

Our specialty here is sports and orthopedics, so most of our continuing education is on those topics. We still need to know the entire body, because anything can happen when you are playing sport and we have to be able to treat any injury.

We accept all PPO plans. If we do not accept your plan, an HMO for example, we offer self-pay. Depending on your insurance and plan we may be in or out of network.

Most insurance plans have a consumer login where you can look up your PT coverage, or you can call them directly. We also check on our end so we can estimate any deductible, co-insurance or co-pay due at the time of service.

Plans vary enormously and it is impossible for us to know every plan out there. We would recommend knowing your own benefits and limitations, since any expenses arising from treatment at our office are ultimately your responsibility.

Call us on (310) 393-1703. That is the fastest way, and a voicemail is time-stamped if we cannot pick up. You can email, but we check the phone more often so email may reach us later.

We need at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule, and by the previous Friday for Monday appointments. That gives us a chance to offer the slot to someone else. Cancellations inside 24 hours and missed appointments are charged.

3435 Ocean Park Blvd #111, Santa Monica, CA 90405, in Sunset Park.

Park in any non-reserved spot in the lot and pay through the parking app, using the QR code posted in the lot. There is also free 2-hour street parking and metered parking nearby.

We are on the inner side of the building at the southeast corner of the parking lot, street level next to the elevator.

Yes. The clinic is street level and accessible for patients with mobility difficulties.

We all get the same base doctorate education in DPT school, which covers the entire body including the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems, and the problems or disease that can affect them. After that we may choose to specialize in an area such as hand therapy, neuro, sports or pediatrics. You can take continuing education in areas of interest to advance your expertise, or become board specialized through the American Physical Therapy Association.

Our specialty here is sports and orthopedics, so most of our continuing education is on those topics. We still need to know the entire body, because anything can happen when you are playing sport and we have to be able to treat any injury.