Lizzy is amazing to work with. I went in with lower back pain and my tailbone popping constantly while walking. After a month of seeing her once a week we were able to get it adjusted and the popping finally stopped. All of the stretches and time with her really helped me get back to where I needed to be. She always took her time and never rushed our appointments. She kept me informed with everything she was doing and made sure I was always comfortable during my appointments. The front desk is quick and attentive and I am glad I made the drive out here every week! read more

Being a 73 year old sporting woman I've had a lot of injuries requiring surgery and tons of PT. My experiences with several around SD left me starved for a decent one. I finally found Lizzy at Catalyst in Mission Valley. She has extensive knowledge of how each exercise benefits me and incorporates it into each exercise seamlessly as she works. It has been a pleasure working with her. read more

Decent care. Expensive and you'll be paired with students a lot. Highly recommend not giving them your real email address. It's been years since I've been there and I still get daily emails from them after unsubscribing, blocking, and asking them to stop. They have so many email addresses it's hard to block them all. read more

I have had shoulder problems from jiu jitsu for several years now, with my current issue being adhesive capulitis on my left side (frozen shoulder). Last year, I had some issues with the right shoulder. I went to Catalyst PT for my right shoulder last year, and after a couple of months I was back to normal. My therapists were Peter and Bess, and they were both great. When I got the frozen shoulder, I started coming back to Catalyst in January I believe. My main therapists now are Jane and Christina B., who are also both great. I believe that all of the therapists at this location are highly efficient, knowledgeable, and personable. The aides and office staff are all nice and helpful also. Most importantly, my range of motion for my shoulder has increased drastically while my pain level has decreased drastically. Before I came in, I could barely wipe after using the toilet without excruciating pain. I also had to pop 2 extra strength tylenol every morning like clockwork due to the pain. About one month after coming in, I was able to stop popping tylenol, and can use the restroom with no issues! I am very pleased with the service and my experiences at Catalyst, and would recommend them wholeheartedly. They are flexible and have appointments as early as 7am, and even as late as 6pm, may be even later. The only thing that sucks sometimes is the parking. Since they share a lot with Chuze Fitness and other businesses, it can get packed at peak times. You can find parking on the street usually or if you take the road going uphill on the side of the parking lot, which leads to the parking lot in the rear; there are always spaces in the rear parking lot. Just have to walk a little further. read more

I was referred to Catalyst Physical Therapy by a neighbor after had a Left total knee replacement. I am 80 years old and had a rougher recovery after this knee replacement. I had a total knee replacement of my Right knee 6 years ago. Post op I could not tolerate oral pain medication due to nausea and vomiting. I dreaded going to PT because I had not had the best experience with some Therapists in the past. When I met Maya my physical therapist I felt an immediate bond. She constantly encouraged me when I did not feel I was making progress. I found the exercises difficult however I was determined to regain full use of my Left leg. Maya was very open to any concerns I had and taught me how to overcome some issues I was experiencing. She also massaged very tight muscles to help me achieve better flexibility. I have one more session and am hoping I will have completed my therapy. I would certainly recommend Maya and Catalyst Physical Therapy. Gratefully, Peggy Allen read more

Strained my low - mid back pretty bad and went to the chiropractor. Chiro only relieved my pain short term. I went to the chiro for about 3 months and felt like it was ok, but still had lingering pain. The chiro just told me to stretch without providing any specific action plans. Realized that although they can provide pain relief, it's not a good long term solution. Started looking into physical therapy and found Catalyst PT. Their PT's are great! I worked with Jane and John at the time. I strained (and tore) my calf muscle playing basketball and they provided me a detailed strengthening / stretching regimen. My goal was to get back up to full strength and start playing again! I went in 3 times a week determined to heal. And, they did just that. Their physical therapists are great and Highly recommend others to get treatment here. read more

I broke my fibula and fractured my ankle in 3 places about a month ago. It was a Christmas miracle that my doctor finally cleared me for PT, but unfortunately a lot of places were closed/ booked out around the holidays. I am so grateful that Catalyst was able to book me into their busy schedule. I opted to not use insurance and paid out of pocket, so my initial eval was $230 and my appt after that was around $140. Going into my first session I was so anxious. It would be my first time moving my leg in 4 weeks since I broke it. Jane worked with me for both sessions and she was so knowledgeable and personable. She started by taking my measurements so we could get an objective reading of my flexibility and movement. Needless to say my leg was stiffer than a candy cane. I was horrified that my atrophied leg had a lot of flakiness around my incision site, but Jane never made me feel bad about how my ugly duckling of a leg looked. She took her time massaging it and then showed me how to use a resistance band to strengthen my ankle and toes, always checking in with how I was feeling and where my pain levels were at. After consistently doing the exercises and her massages, I feel like my range of motion is so much better. Thank you Jane for all that you do! read more

Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness is outstanding in every facet and I recommend them for anyone needing physical therapy. Back in the summer of 2022, I tore the meniscus in my left knee. Although I could barely walk for weeks, it was assessed as a minor tear by my doctor, meaning I probably didn't need surgery and could just do physical therapy to get back to full health. My doctor's top recommendation was Catalyst Physical Therapy, so I called them, set up an assessment appointment and started treatment soon after. The initial consultation at Catalyst was a thorough assessment of my injury, strength and flexibility. I was then scheduled with Audra Jahn as my physical therapist and she immediately understood my issue, answered all of my questions and built a detailed and customized plan specifically for me. She's an incredibly knowledgeable professional that balances strength training with flexibility as well as guidance with care. For my recovery, she always encouraged me to push myself to a challenging but safe limit, which I really appreciated. She also constantly changed the program for me so it didn't get stale and adapted to my body as I recovered. One other thing she did which I really appreciated was educate me about my injury, my body, the areas I needed to focus on and how to take what I was doing in the office and bring it home to help expedite my recovery. It took about 9-12 months before I was back to full strength and when I say back to full strength I mean back to doing all the activities I did before the injury including walking, running, hiking and the gym, all without pain and stronger than before I started PT. I would also say the entire staff was excellent. From the front office who were always friendly and accommodating when scheduling appointments to the PT assistants that worked closely with me on refining technique of each and every exercise. All kind, all super helpful and just downright pleasant. I'm so grateful to have worked with Audra and the good folks at Catalyst on my recovery. I'm sure all of the physical therapists at Catalyst are wonderful, but Audra really worked closely with me and helped me at every step and I'm sure I'm back to my active lifestyle because of her deep understanding of human physiology and the most effective ways to recover from specific injuries. read more

I am in physical therapy following total knee replacement surgery. I found the massage services offered by Catalyst helpful in managing discomfort and promoting a greater range of motion. Connor Kirchhoff provided friendly and skilled targeted massage services, and I recommend his services. read more

This review is long overdue as it's now been almost a year since I "graduated" but this place is fantastic and I highly recommend it! I tore my ACL & meniscus and was at Catalyst from pre to post surgery and they really made it all such a great experience. The entire staff is very welcoming, I was always greeted by the front desk staff when I walked in, the aides were very kind and helpful, and the PTs are all amazing. Special shout-out to Jon and Kat, I worked with both throughout my recovery and I will always be grateful to them! Definitely would recommend Catalyst to anyone looking for a great staff and environment for a successful recovery! read more

I recommend Catalysts physical therapy to everyone Bess, Natalie and actually everyone I've seen has been great. Though they are the two that I see the most they are efficient, kind and go out of their way in detail to make your visit the best . They also give you a few tips to work at home. I can't say enough about the ladies and gentleman and the company they work out all my kinks and pains. read more

I was skeptical when my doctor referred me because of a problem with the vestibular nerve impacting my balance and vision. Not the typical reason to see a physical therapist. Olivia immediately understood root cause issues and developed a plan that was robust enough to change based on my feedback. Olivia demonstrated her knowledge in every session and was communicative in sharing her thoughts, concerns and rationale in addressing my problems. I feel like my old self with much more self awareness. Thank you Oliva! (Mission Valley location).​ read more

Ahhhhhmazing. Catalyst crew is awesome! They have PTs working with San Diego's women's soccer team, professors from local colleges, just straight awesome PTs, and who knows what else! I have been to a few other PT places before, including the supposed best PT chain in the country, and Catalyst is in a league of their own. Wow. I've been seeing them as I recover from an ankle injury and surgery that included an experimental stem cell treatment. The people at Catalyst took it in stride. Weird surgery? No problem. Super long recovery time? We're friendly and we like new friends. Dealing with my ankle is normally the most frustrating and exhausting thing in my day, but these people make my PT sessions the best part of my day. I recommend this group to EVERYONE. My poor Lyft and Uber drivers get an earful about how great they are. Love love love Catalyst. read more

This is my 4th physical therapy location and I would full heartedly recommend to any one and everyone. What separates this place is the personal care and attention you get. Keep up the good work read more

I want to warn you about Andrew at Catalyst Physical Therapy off of Thornmint. He is unethical and unmotivated with his physical therapy programs. He will promise all sorts of great ideas and then will end up giving you some bargain basement personal training program not really focused on your injuries. I've been to over 8 years of physical therapy for a multitude of injuries. Andrew was probably the laziest I've ever worked with but it was close to my house so I kept going. While working with him the first time I noticed some days he would put effort into working on me and other days he would just stand there dazing off into space. He even told my VA doctor that I didn't need PT and released me without ever informing me of this. Then when I asked him and the office they lied to me about it. Just found this out. I even tried to give them a second chance and brought my daughter who had scoliosis to get physical therapy with Andrew thinking maybe it would be better this time. NOPE! Andrew did the same thing, ignored issues didn't do proper evaluation, didn't want to work on her to help her with the pain. Instead, Andrew just sits there completely checked out. He only wants to check the box and charge your insurance. He is more focused on trying to be some social media influencer than actually doing his job. When I complained his own bosses said they have seen the same issues with Andrew (yet continue to let him run things at that location). Catalyst is trying to copy another physical therapy company who the owner worked for in the past. They should be ashamed with the way Andrew at the Thornmint location is conducting business. Since switching back to the PT company who Catalyst is trying to compete with (don't want their name associated with this review), it's night and day difference. Unlike Catalyst, good physical therapist work on you every session. They do an in depth evaluation, and adjust each session to what is bothering you the most. They pay attention to you as you work with the assistant PTs and make adjustments as needed. Andrew at Catalyst does none of that. You might as well go to a gym and get a cheap personal trainer. It won't be much different. Plus you won't have to worry about them lying to the VA because they don't want to help veterans. Don't waste your money working with Andrew at Catalyst. You can find much better options that won't try to rip off your insurance. read more

Qualifield and educated therapists. Knee replacement with post op issues. Quality care plans, carefully building up based on progress and doctor test results. Peter is my therapist, excellent. Most visits are shared with 1 other patient, however always a second individual /college intern monitoring activity, never solo. Main therapist keeps eyes on. Office is clean, front desk is efficient and welcoming. Staff is reliable, punctual, caring. There is opportunity for feedback via their follow up emails (owner/management) checking in for satisfaction. read more

Background: @neeks93 on insta I'm a former D1 water polo player, Bodybuilder, and one of The Rock's Titans (NBC's The Titan Games S1 Ep.2) I've also appeared on Steve Austin's Broken Scull Challenge Season 5... moral of the story I'm pretty competitive, I've been worked on plenty over the course of my career and I'm SUPER impressed with Catalyst! So I broke my humerus squatting 300lbs in competition & have been healing naturally without surgery! I started my treatments weeks ago and have been coming in 3 times a week seeing a couple different therapists! Some bullet points: - I love how hands on they are with manual therapy! Each session usually starts with stretches then a good 30-40 min of getting worked on - each therapist is enthusiastic about your progress and truly vested in the progress you make together - they give practical at home HW exercises not hours of work they know you won't do - guaranteed to make you laugh even when you're having a rough day! - VERY colorful and clean environment! (Inspirational quotes on the walls, images of trees on the ceiling lights, and crafty storage bins for all bands,balls & PT equipment) This facility is more than just PT, they offer massage therapy's, wellness exams and more! As someone who works hard all day sitting as an engineer it's nice to know they can help make sure I'm ready to play at my fullest potential and get me back to my normal self! If you check me out on Instagram I have a highlight saved at the top of my page so you can see what a normal session would look like! (Just look for the catalyst logo!) Request an appt with Dibs, Missy or Ellie and you won't be disappointed! (No particular order they are all a 15/10) #NeeksApproved for read more

Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness - @neeks93 Approved! - Physical Therapy Near Me - San Diego, California

Before I hardily recommend Andrew Wilson of the Catalyst group, first I must thank my back surgeon who suggested that I try physiotherapy before surgery. And he was right. Yes, I have a pinched nerve in my back and also nerve damage in my legs. What I didn't know was that my nerve damage should be looked at first. After several sessions with Andrew, my lower body is getting stronger and taking the pressure off my back. I am not a doctor but I feel confident in suggesting that surgery should only be taken as a last resort. Thank you, Michael Mogul read more

Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness - Physical Therapy Near Me - San Diego, California

I refer everyone I can to Catalyst. They are so good, my husband and I were barely mobile before we went in. I was told by my Dr that I might be on muscle relaxers for the rest of my life. Then I went to catalyst. From my back, knees, shoulders, feet... They have worked through and gotten me moving again after I hurt myself over and over. I've been able to stay active, when I wouldn't be able to if I just took meds. I can't say enough great things. They do manipulative therapy and guide you through your stretches and workouts that they pinpoint to you and your body. A wonderful group of people, they listen to you, and alter excercises as you need. It's amazing when healthcare professionals actually listen. Everyone there is excellent, including their masseurs. Friendly and on top of it front staff. And they work hard to keep your insurance up to date, even when insurance isn't cooperative - cough, Tricare, cough. Speaking of, they take most insurance, though not medi-cal last I checked. You can also pay out of pocket if you don't have or want to deal with insurance, they have a few different options. Obviously I love them. read more

My PCP referred me to Catalyst for my shoulder injury and I was instantly so impressed. The folks at Catalyst (ALL of them) are simply the loveliest. You feel cared for with every interaction with everyone in the offices. I've spent the past year working with Jon as my PT. I came to him after neglecting my shoulder for months. He's worked diligently with me every week to progress me, and while the healing was slow with its ups and downs (it's a tricky injury!) - I have now gotten back to about 95% of my former mobility with almost no more pain! It's been incredibly to see. I recommend Jon to everyone! He's patient, caring, genuine and so in tune with his patient's needs. He challenged me, but always knew my limits. He switched up our program so that I would always be trending towards further and further improvement. He's also just a fantastic human being who I always looked forward to seeing to brighten my week. The PT care combined with massage therapy (from multiple providers there) has done wonders. Thank you Catalyst!! I'll be back =) read more

I've been to several Pt's over the years and this crew is top notch. Very well educated and up to date on science of exercise and rehab. Friendly and focused. You are NOT just another number, they take care of you from start to finish! Kat D. Is the best! read more

I had been experiencing chronic pain in my legs and knees for over 2 years and was being treated at another PT business and wasn't improving. I researched online, found Catalyst in my health plan network, and decided to give them a shot. It was the best decision! I started treatment the latter part of 2021 and continued treatment through 2022. My PT is Olivia. I trained with her twice a week. She is knowledgeable, personable and professional. Today, the chronic pain is gone. My strength and mobility has improved, not to mention my quality of life! I can now do exercises I hadn't been able to do for years and it's so exciting. I highly recommend working with Olivia. I should mention that it's important to not just rely on your sessions for improvement. Do your prescribed exercises on your own as consistently as possible. It will help accelerate your strength building and recovery. To the office staff, PT's and assistants at Catalyst, thank you for being so professional and friendly. You all work very hard and I want you all to know you are appreciated. Thank you! Happy New Year read more

Mariedel is an outstanding massage therapist! I personally require a very high level of pressure during massage, which most therapists are simply not capable of. Mariedel is a skilled technician who has successfully applied multiple techniques to treat my chronic pain. I have sciatica nerve pain, and almost nothing works to make the pain subside -- but after a massage with Mariedel, I'm miraculously pain-free for days. read more

I can't say enough good things about Catalyst PT, its providers, and staff. Unfortunately I had to rehab my third sports injury with them in seven years, this time a shoulder. Jon was my PT and he was fantastic. He was thorough and detail oriented in his assessment and treatment plan. He was also flexible with the rehab plan and able to pivot when the MRI results revealed an injury to a different part of my shoulder we weren't anticipating. His bedside manner is pleasant and jovial, especially if you're into sports (basketball) and cats. 10/10 I would rehab with Catalyst and Jon again! read more

I've had persistent sciatic symptoms for years and have been through PT a few times with limited success. In 2023, I decided it was time to get serious about addressing these symptoms. Catalyst isn't in-network for my insurance but I was impressed with their reviews and wanted something more than the tepid PT I had experienced before. My experience with Catalyst has made the out-of-pocket costs more than worth it. Admin - scheduling, insurance, payments - are all responsive and excellent. They are easy to get in touch with, friendly, helpful, and accurate. I've been to Mission Valley (get there early, parking is tough at that location) and Point Loma locations - both clean, cheery, energetic, and comfortable spaces. The aides I've worked with have also been great without exception. I couldn't have gotten luckier than to be matched with PT Patrick M. Patrick provides just the right mix of guidance and education and I've learned so much working with him. The sessions are more intense, and the expectations higher, than previous PT experiences, and the improvements have been more dramatic. If you want to see improvement over time, Patrick is the PT for you. Patrick is friendly, motivational, and knowledgeable, and always takes the time to explain what we're doing and why we are doing it. I'm impressed with his focus and attentiveness - every session feels very tailored to where you are that day, he's constantly making adjustments, and his instructions are always super clear. I'm impressed with Catalyst on many levels, will recommend them to everyone I know, and would definitely choose them again in the future. read more

My doctor referred me to Catalyst PT because she felt they were the BEST in the business. Boy, was she correct. From the moment you walk in the professional care you receive is second to none. A lot of the time you can either find a great therapist or a great front office staff. Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness has it ALL. I also have found the best massage therapist on the PLANET here. read more

I was in town for a baseball tournament and my left shoulder was bothering me, and Catalyst was next door to our hotel. I walked in and the receptionist was very helpful, got me an appt right then and there with Audra, who was very helpful! 30min session and advice for a very reasonable price. I even went back the next day for a 30min massage on my shoulder area with another therapist who was really good also. Highly recommended! read more

I went to PT for my knee and I had a great experience at Catalyst. Everyone was very kind and polite from the girls at front desk specially Kat ;) to Olivia my therapist. She was very attentive, patient and professional. She listened to my concerns and created a plan that was easy to follow, that helped me get out of my comfort zone and gave me the strength and confidence that I needed to achieve the goals that we set at the beginning of treatment which we we did by the way. I also got a great massage with Mariedel. read more

I've been to them for three different problems. Each time, great care and really friendly and easy to work with them!

First time ever doing Physical Therapy and I love it, I strongly believe it has to do with the professionalism and care I found at Catalyst. I'm 8 weeks postpartum and am focusing getting back to my pre pregnancy self. From the initial visit I felt so well taken care of by Audra. She explained everything comprehensively, constantly checked in, and made me feel excited to come back. read more

I've gone to a range of massage places and this one is by far my favorite. This is right off the 8 freeway in Mission Valley and in the same plaza as the fitness gym. I have not gotten a massage in about 6 months or more, so you can imagine how much my body needed this! If you need an AMAZING, DEEP massage, I recommend Jess. She's very strong and super sweet. My back had been stiff for a couple of months and she found knots everywhere along my body. Not only did she completely understand what I vaguely explained, she had a total instinctive sense of how much pressure to use and where. She made sure I was comfortable, she helped me stretch and my massage lasted more than 90 minutes. Talk about service! The establishment is enjoyable, clean, and relaxing. There is also a physical therapy room. At the end of the massage, you can help yourself to water, hot tea in all assortments. Overall a great experience and will definitely be back for JESS! read more

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I recently completed pelvic floor physical therapy at Catalyst. I suffered from diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction after having two children. Initially I tried to go back to exercising on my own and quickly realized I my symptoms were worsening. I truly thought I was going to have to give up many of the active hobbies that I love. Through friends, I found out that Catalyst specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy. Not only was my experience at Catalyst exceptional, it was life changing. Kat, the Physical Therapist I worked with, tailored sessions to my specific needs and adjusted my program during times of set back. She listened to my concerns/comments at every session, was encouraging and extremely knowledgeable. There were many times Kat was on the floor doing the exercises with me to ensure they were executed properly and effectively. There are no generic or algorithmic therapies here, only top notch treatment. I am now able to enjoy yoga, pick up my children and jog (among many other exercises) without symptoms. After 6 months of treatment I can say with certainty that I am back to doing all of the things I never thought I would be able enjoy after childbirth. The team at Catalyst is professional and talented. I highly recommend Catalyst for all PT needs. read more

I'm 72 and broke my knee cap last year when I slipped on my dog's leash and fell hard on asphalt. I was hospitalized twice, had surgery and came home with a walker and a full length cast, not even able to dress myself. After a few months of at home therapy, I began attending Catalyst. Patrick, my PT, has been amazing. When I came in I was hobbling along slowly with my cane. He had to put a leash on me so I wouldn't fall while doing the excercises. But with his patient guidance and encouragement I started improving dramatically. Now I have shed the cane and can walk two miles up and down hills without difficulty . Patrick is a highly skilled PT and just a great human being to work with. I recommend him and Catalyst highly. read more

This was my first time needed physical therapy and I was dreading it! After almost 2.5 months, I have such a different view for physical therapy. Audra was my main therapist and she made it actually enjoyable to go 2X a week. I felt that there was a specific plan to my recovery and it was exciting to see the progress every week. Also, their facility and all their staff is amazing! read more

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. I have been going there for massages (structural, integration), which are not the most pleasant type but gave me the mobility in my shoulder that I needed. Luisa is awesome. She knows so much about the body, where everything connects and what can be causing the pain. She also gave me stretches to do to keep mobile. Don't let her petite figure fool you, she is strong!!! She cares deeply about the quality of life of every patient and it shows. I get massages there every 2 weeks now and it is keeping the pain away. I also went there for physical therapy. I've been to 3 different places for physical therapy over the years and this one is by far, the best. I've had multiple therapists treat me and all of them were familiar with my case when treating me. They also all had different tips, which was helpful. They are excellent in reducing pain and helping to accelerate the recovery. Highly recommend this place. read more

I had a wonderful and positive experience at Catalyst PT. I mostly worked with Paul at the Point Loma location but I found everyone I came in contact with was professional and heard my concerns. People come to PT when they are vulnerable, in pain and fearful. There were days that I was so depressed, I felt like I would never get back to doing what I used to do. I felt guided by Paul towards improving my physical health and well-being. He was patient and used his extensive knowledge of physical therapy and some gentle humor (dad jokes) to dispel the despair and get me going towards a healthier future. The assistants who I saw, Eve, Shannon and Aidan also reflect that attitude. They were all very helpful and encouraging to me. Thank you for helping me feel better! read more

The front desk is so awesome! They are friendly, fun professional, and knowledgeable Olivia is my therapist and she is fabulous The aids are so awesome too. Love it here! You will enjoy it. read more

Just updating my review to shout-out my PTs: Audra (for my knee) and Olivia (for my shoulder). They both were attentive, professional and helpful with my return-to-sport status. While I hope to not need PT next year, if I do, I will return to Catalyst and seek out these two for treatment. read more

I went to Catalyst for orthotics as the description on the website about their 'foot positioning system' and 'laser alignment device' convinced me they would have a sophisticated approach to dealing with my foot problem. The physical therapist that reviewed the problem with my foot, measured my foot & instep with a good old fashioned ruler... He drew around my current orthotics onto a piece of paper so he could compare them. I thought perhaps that he was so good at his job he didn't need modern technology. Boy was I mistaken. I paid $100 for that appointment, and when I went back three weeks later to pick up the new orthotics they were just cheap, flimsy insoles. I wasn't going to pay $300 for them. The whole thing was almost laughable, except for the waste of time and the $100 I spent on the first appointment. read more

This place has been amazing. Being pregnant I was afraid to go anywhere for close contact services during the pandemic, but this PT business strictly followed the sanitation guidelines and I felt comfortable getting my prenatal massages. All staff wore masks and kept social distance the entire duration as well as myself (and my own goggles). Luisa and Brit are amazing! With regular visits, they were able to loosen my hips and lower back, immensely improving my mobility during my final weeks of pregnancy. Thank you both!!! read more

Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness - Physical Therapy Near Me - San Diego, California