I never find myself writing reviews for anything, but I think I owe it to anyone looking to get out of pain, perform better in their sport, or just recover from an injury or surgery to share the experience that I, and four others, had after seeing Dr. Locatelli Rao in Pasadena. TLDR: He has been able to help each of us after we all were separately convinced that we had seen "all of the best" PTs/therapists/healers in California, Minnesota and Vancouver. I found him while I was training for an Ironman a couple of years ago. I had experienced a number of injuries while training that were starting to slow me down. Not only did those injuries resolve, but in later appointments with him I was able to fix my chronic shoulder/neck and low back pain that I had been living with for the last 15 years after injuries/surgeries from playing high school football and baseball. I can't put a price on what this has done for my quality of life as someone who values taking care of my health and fitness. Since then I have sent my parents, girlfriend and one of my friends to him and we have all had the same experience. Parents: Dad (ankle) Mom (meniscus) - - both of them are now pain free after they had been living in pain for the past two decades after each of their injuries. One of my best friends experienced a near-death skydiving accident. Broke 4 cervical vertebrae and tore his acetabular labrum (hip labrum) and had seen 12+ specialists to try to get out of pain and regain his mobility he had lost after being in a neck brace for 4 months. He was told that all of those specialists were the best in their fields/techniques but he only saw either marginal improvement (if any) or temporary improvement/relieve with them. After one appointment with Dr. Loc he regained most of the functionality of his left hip and is excited to go back and address his neck pain with Dr. Loc. For the first time in half a decade he is feeling confident that there is actually a path out of pain for him. My girlfriend had low back pain throughout her life as long as she can remember. After a single appointment with Dr. Loc she has not experienced anywhere near the intensity/frequency of pain that she was experiencing prior. Even a day of sitting too long at her desk chair would have her at 6/10 pain and now the worst she experiences is a 1.5-2/10 after heavy lifting/long hikes. (follow him on Instagram and you'll see dozens of case studies and other examples of this happening for other people as well) Put simply: We all call him a wizard and he is the now the first person we are all recommending other people go and see when they're dealing with any sort of pain. It's a long drive for me to go and see him, but I'd make the trip if it were 10x longer. read more

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Dr. Loc? In one sentence... He is a living healer. Yes, he's far and yes he's expensive but in ONE visit he fixed my shoulder pain. In the second visit he freed up my ribs from tightness caused by double mastectomy scar tissue. I couldn't breathe properly for years. Two visits. Yes I did weekly physical therapy, weekly massages, acupuncture, Rolfing, sauna, cold plunge, PEMF mat, hyperbaric oxygen, I honestly could keep going but you get the point. If you're considering making the drive and investment do it. read more

Buyer beware! Pasadena Physical therapy is not what it claims. They are actually Postural Restoration Certified (look it up) and Dr Rao performs a number of tests on your eyesight. He says that is what was causing my hip and back pain. I was completely caught off guard and the visit cost $450. They gave me a Superbill to submit to insurance but gave me one claiming I had 3 appointments at $150 each. When I asked for a corrected one, the office never responded. Maybe because I told them I wasn't planning to go there again. Dr Rao was also rude. His office is dirty and cluttered and I felt uneasy the entire time I was there. If you are looking for a traditional PT setting this is not it. read more

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Excellent "mechanic," not a great coach, poor communicator. Unless you're from the field or a professional athlete you won't understand much of what Dr. Loc is saying. Answers to questions become meandering thoughts, much like the texts on his websites (PT and personal) which are riddled with typos and grammatical errors. As a coach he lacks compassion and it felt like the time spent 1 on 1 in his office could have been used more efficiently. That said, he will fix your pain, if you follow the instructions and do your homework. PS: Whoever states he's humble (see his website), is not. read more

Dr. Loc is a life saver! I always leave with reduced pain, increased knowledge, and doable exercises to maintain the benefits of his treatment. Every 6 months a knee or ankle will act up, and Dr. Loc is the only place I turn. Lately I have had sharp and tingling pain all around my knee as soon as I start to run. Dr. Loc worked on my patella and scar tissue mobility, and since my visit I've gone on two pain-free runs. I can't believe it! Dr. Loc genuinely cares about his patients and about making an impact on people's lives. I feel so grateful that he makes himself available for regular people and treats every patient with the most respect. Chronic pain is hard and scary. Dr. Loc makes is feel like a mechanical flaw that we can solve together. I highly recommend taking your body in for service! read more

Locatelli at Pasadena PT was my savior in a very difficult and desperate time in my life. When I first met him, I was about to go in for surgery on a herniated disc in my lower back -- and ended up canceling because of the hope he gave me that I could heal naturally. Our regimen gave me relief right away, and my back pain has completely cleared up since then. Locatelli is extremely science- and fact-oriented but doesn't let the limiting conventions of the industry hold him back. He's a creative thinker whose zone of genius is clearly the human body. He could basically tell what was wrong as soon as he looked at me lol. He's also super gentle and compassionate and made me feel taken care of, like I was in good hands -- which, at the time I came to him, was honestly half of what I needed. Thank you Locatelli for giving me my life back! read more

I have an l5 s1 protrusion, i first strained my back 2 years ago and the latest incident in December 2021 where I started getting sciatica. I went to orthopedists, neurosurgeon, got multiple mri's. And was panicking when I came to dr rao. He's fixed me, I don't feel pain in my lower back and don't feel sciatica. I can lay down in my bed now without my foot getting tingly or feeling pain. I'm so so grateful and happy. His knowledge on the body is immense and the method he uses empirical, practical, based on science. I will be returning to further my knowledge on the body, exercise, etc. Thank you so so much ! read more

I was a patient of Dr. Rao, and went to him after other PT experiences left me lacking and still in pain. I had chronic neck pain, weird hip stuff, and was recovering from a tib fib fracture. Feeling at the end of my rope. Dr. Rao helped me feel normal again! His process is different than most and that was why I chose him, even though I live in Oakland. The monthly visits reset my body and I did my work at home in between. I am pain free walking now and moving better than I have in years. The exercises feel and look weird sometimes, but even a single round of the right intervention instant results in testing and how I felt. It was nothing short of magic, but really, attentiveness and caring by a doctor that knows more than most. Grateful I found him, worth every dollar I spent. read more

I try to stay active through running, biking, lifting weights, yoga and interval training, but as a working professional, I find that a majority of my day is spent sitting. Unfortunately, this is the case for a lot of us, and as a result, my body isn't always able to perform the way I want it to. My purpose of my latest visit to Loc at Pasadena Physical Therapy was to relieve the calf pain I was experiencing while running. I had been spending a lot of time on a treadmill pre-lock down, but my transition back to flat ground post-lock down resulted in a tremendous amount of calf pain after about a mile of running. Within the first visit, Loc was able to successfully find the root cause of the calf pain I was experiencing while running. Despite all of the my efforts to stay active, my body was not strong enough in the right places to run at the pace that I wanted. Loc provided me with a step by step plan to strengthen my body to get back to running. Every step of the way he explained what my body was doing, why it was doing it, and how the exercises (homework) he was giving me would correct it. During each visit, we reviewed where I was previously and asked about how much of the homework I was able to accomplish. He then asked me to perform the test(s) that I had failed previously. Sure enough, I was now able to perform the movement that I had failed in my last session. This objective evidence gave me confidence that I was doing the exercises correctly and that we were on the right track. This approach is so confidence inspiring, it's shocking to me that more PTs don't operate this way. Today, in a new pair of properly fitted shoes that he recommended based on my gait, I was able to run 2 miles without any pain. I have a spring in my step that I've never had. I now have the confidence and knowledge of my body to continue my workouts to sustain this level of performance. I would recommend that anyone needing physical therapy go see Loc at Pasadena Physical Therapy. Loc's knowledge, expertise, and communication skills are among the best in the business. read more

I rarely write yelp reviews, but excellence deserves recognition. Dr. Loc Rao and his team are the real deal. I was having horrible lower back pain that seemed to be a mystery to any doctor I asked. Some even said I had a slipped disc and would likely need spinal surgery. I'm so glad I got a second opinion from Pasadena PT. Loc was able to completely heal my back spasms by teaching me a few simple exercises, which STILL work to keep my back in great shape. Not only do Loc and his team fix immediate problems, they give you the tools to better understand and maintain your body to prevent further injury. This was the best money I've ever spent on a physician. A+++ value for the time and effort. I've since recommended Loc to several friends who have all reported a similar, extremely positive experience. What sets Dr. Rao apart is his passion for understanding his craft, his attention to detail and the fact that he *actually* cares about his patients' wellbeing. In his practice you're not just a number. read more

I have struggled with hip mobility issues for the past 15 or so years. Before finding Dr. Rao, I went through a number of other treatment options that either didn't work, or only provided short term relief: traditional exercise-based PT, Active Release Therapy, muscle scraping, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage and stretch, all kinds of fancy lasers and machines, etc. I found Dr. Rao's Instagram off a Reddit post (of all things!), gave him a follow, and decided to commit for the first visit. Driving up once a month from Orange County to Pasadena became a monthly pilgrimage of sorts for me. After going through my patient intake form and putting me through a couple baseline tests, he had a good idea of what was going on. We tried a couple drills, then re-tested and confirmed the drills would help. He devised a treatment plan and he gave me some homework. This became the template for every visit (about once a month for ~7 months?), and Dr. Rao helped me work through the postural compensations that had taken over my body in the past 15+ years. Within the couple days, I could tie my hockey skates without any pinching or pulling from my hips and lower extremities. At about the 3 month mark, I started getting about 15-20 degrees of seated hip internal rotation in our tests (my baseline on day 1 was 5-10 degrees). By the end, I hit 35 degrees of seated hip internal rotation, and I feel like I can train into the capability to take more. I just graduated this past Friday and could not recommend Dr. Rao's practice more. Commit to the plan and trust the process. read more

Dr Loc is incredible. Helped my husband heal from a compound hip fracture. He also helped with his form in running. He has been able to complete 2 marathons since then. He also helped me with neck and shoulder pain. Highly recommend. read more

Dr. Loc is a wizard. I have been to countless physcial therapists and specialists and no one was able to fix my problems. He gave me hope when hope was lost. If you want to fix the problem go see Dr. Loc. read more

I found Loc on IG close to 2 years ago? I messaged him about rates and just really loved the stuff I saw. I think it was thru the explore page back in the IG days haha. This past December after my knee surgery I had the honor of seeing him. I've had a list of injuries, my wife makes fun of me saying she's gonna trade me in for a newer model lol I think I depreciated off the lot. I had spine surgery 4 years ago, 20 years ago right knee surgery, a weird painful foot pain ( right foot) where they put me in a boot‍, left knee pain ( where I recently had surgery and pain was there before surgery) can't full extend and when I do there's sharp pain posterior and laterally in my left knee, foot pain over peroneal tertius , back heel pain, right mid back pain that gets really tight and have to lay down, foot pain after walking for more than an hour and feel like I'm falling apart. My main concerns or priority were my left knee, right foot and right back. I've seen 4 chiropractors ( 1 who I see still), 3 NKT's ( 2 level 2 and 1 level 3), 2 graston people, had ART, 4 PTs at Kaiser, 4 MRI's, 6 xrays, cupping, ultrasounds, acupuncturist, massages , rheumatologist ( who wanted me to take pills for my knee synovitis and if I started the pills she said I'd have to take 2 for the rest of my life(Literally everyday) so that's why I did the surgery 2 months ago and maybe more and so I finally just saved the money to see him and it was so worth it. Very first thing he said to me was ," joe what do you want me fix? Your knee, foot or your back? Or do you want me to fix your whole body? " which was really cool to hear and reassuring. So I said ," my whole body" When I saw Loc he did an assessment so crazy when he was saying do you lean on the right , which I always do because my job is demanding and on our feet 10-14 hours a day. He asked if I sleep on my right side and I do. He saw my right calf was firing excessively and I had a claw toe( the foot i don't know how I really injured 4 years ago). He fired all these things off one after another and I was amazed. I saw him for the hour and I was the only one he saw uninterrupted for the whole hour. I learned so much in that hour and will see him again soon. After I get back to work lol because my disability pay isn't great. Thank you Loc. read more

Pasadena Physical Therapy is a great place to volunteer! All of the physical therapists and PT Aides are both very knowledgeable as well as patient and kind when it comes to answering any questions you may have. They also will check in with you during any free time and ask if you need any explanation on either what was done to treat the patient or why a certain exercise was used to help strengthen the patient. Dr. Josh Schwartz and Aaron Steinebach (PT Aide) really are a great combo. They are always more than willing to help volunteers out when it comes to discussing their methods of treating patients. They also have you attempt some of the movements, exercises or posturing techniques yourself so you can get a better understanding of how the body works and why it was a necessary step in the patient's treatment. My time at Pasadena PT was really inspiring as a prospective graduate student. Everyone at the clinic truly strengthened my resolve that Physical Therapy is the right direction for me. read more

Physical Therapy AT ITS FINEST! The entire staff is awesome. Professional and friendly! They have all of the best technology to get your injury treated and healed in no time. My friend tore her ACL and just coming here made her feel better and gave her more and more confidence because she keeps gaining mobility after each session. If you're hurt, come here. They take insurance and THEY ARE SO AWESOME! read more

This review is long over-due. Simply put I believe that Loc is the best Physical Therapist in the US. I was going from PT to MD / Orthos over the course of almost 2 years to figure out why I had hip pain with basic stuff like standing, stairs, walking. I felt defeated and as an athletic person, going from working out almost everywhere and playing lots of sports to being very sedentary against your own will, it was very tough. Loc was the only person that knew exactly what the problem was and what we needed to do to fix it. I went from not being able to walk 3 houses without pain to now doing 1 hour hikes. His assessment skills are laser precise and gives you exactly the tools that you need to use in order to put in the work to fix yourself. You have to put in the work though! Trust the process and that Loc will never lead you in the wrong direction. He genuinely cares about your health and getting you back to full functioning, and truly resolving the issues that are leading to pain and dysfunction. If every PT was as good as Loc I'm a firm believer that many surgery centers would go out of business. Thank you Loc! Don't know what I would've done without you! read more

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review. I came in to Pasadena Physical Therapy 2.5 years ago after ankle surgery and complications had put me in and out of a boot for over a year. Prior to surgery, I had been an active hiker and runner, but when I came to PPT I could barely walk a block without serious foot and ankle pain. I had seen two physical therapists who had been unable to identify what was wrong, and I was feeling quite desperate and alone. The care and thoughtfulness with which Loc approached my recovery is absolutely unparalleled. I had no muscle tone in my foot, and he started working on strength right away. Another physical therapist might have stopped there, but every week Loc came in with new ideas about how my mobility and strength could be improved. He was tireless in his attempts to understand why I had been in pain for so long, and as a result I have been able to recover my strength with a foundation and understanding that will serve me for the rest of my life. I have been running for months pain-free, and have begun training for my first marathon. If you come to Pasadena Physical Therapy, you can expect to benefit from the expertise of the entire team--the space is intimate, and the therapists openly ask each other questions and advice, which means more thoughtful perspectives on your recovery. Whoever you see will make sure you understand how to care for your body and maintain whatever improvements you've made; there are no easy fixes or unexplained exercises, just careful listening and dedicated work. Basically, if you are thinking about coming to Pasadena Physical Therapy, do. Count me as one of the many people whose life Loc has changed for the better. read more

I just finished another visit with Dr. Rao. I now live about 2hrs away but still come back for treatment in Pasadena. I have occasional lower back pain but this time it took hold for nearly 4 weeks - ouch! I finally called Dr. Rao and setup an appointment. He opened my eyes and clearly explained the source of my backpain. He explained it in such a way that made sense to me (i.e. crumpled beer can example!). As part of my treatment, I had difficulty engaging tired muscles in my hips, these small muscles I didn't even know I had to be honest, but after working with Dr. Rao i'm now aware of how to rehab myself at home when i'm at the clinic but more importantly I'm aware of the source of my backpain which actually stems from an old lingering injury I had more than 10yrs ago. SUPER HELPFUL but more importantly I'm on my way back to an active lifestyle. read more

Thank you Dr. Joshua Schwartz for the healing of my left hip. The treatments cured my injury. It was an amazing healing experience and I am grateful for your understanding and compasión. I will not hesitate in referring my family and friends. Thank you to all the staff. Dolores Sirias read more

I am very pleased to give a 5 Star rating to Pasadena Physical Therapy for their outstanding service which they provided me on a weekly basis for over five months. I received therapy for a weak quadricep muscle of my left leg and for balance problems. I received on site therapy and appropriate exercises to follow at home. I benefited from their professionalism, courtesy, and helpfulness. Therapy was delivered in a friendly, caring manner with close attention to my safety. For veterans,  you should be aware that PPT is not a participant in the Veterans Administration's reimbursed My Choice program. Bottom Line:  like me,  if you use their services you will be very glad you did!  FRANK DE BALOGH, PhD, South Pasadena, CA. read more

I have been through a lot of physical therapists, but I 100% credit my return to basketball officiating to Loc and his team of therapists at Pasadena Physical Therapy. After a horrific accident and multiple injuries, I doubted I would ever return to a life of normalcy, much less back on the floor again. There is just something special about this place - and I can honestly say that his patients and their care is something Loc genuinely cares about. Loc and his therapists showed me my deficits, and where my body was compensating for the injuries and how that would affect my entire core. Working together with Loc broke the endless cycle of pain and compensations, and in re-learning how to move on a daily basis, I am able to continue to be injury-free and referee. So THANK YOU to Loc and his staff, I know that I am only back doing what I love, because of YOU! read more

This place is like the show Cheers where everyone knows your name. I don't think I have ever been to a happier workplace though everyone's crammed into a tight space. I love coming here and at this point, I probably should wean myself off of them, but I don't wanna. My arm had bothered me for four years and I basically just stopped using it for sports. I had written myself off, but then I came here, and under the care of Jordan, Chase, and Kiana, my arm got much better quickly and now it feels strong. My arm became this fascinating puzzle that Jordan and Chase seemed to enjoy figuring out; both are very, very thorough in their testing and explanations. In fact, I don't think I have ever had a doctor explain things as clearly as they do here, whipping out models, rulers, and interactive graphics on an iPad. They really take their time here at PPT and have great bedside manner, though we are really not on beds. Kiana is the great aide who really helped me get my form correct for exercises. My only wishes are that they had a bigger space -- I know it's not a gym, so I don't know why I am wishing for that -- and that the mats looked a little cleaner. They are very comfortable mats though. I also like all the things that they have to play with in there. It may be obvious that I am not a serious athlete, nor was seriously injured, since I know no technical words at all. But still, they treated me seriously. I have seen them do more "mind games" motivational talking to the serious athletes though. Honestly, I still marvel that people can be this happy at work. Also, sometimes the employees' very well-behaved dogs come to work and they are adorable. Kelly at the front desk is also a peach. Jordan is very pleasant and kind, like the straight man, to Chase who has the happy energy of a dog. I guess the studies that show physical therapists have one of the happiest professions are true. Thanks, PPT, for bringing me back to sports. read more

I have not been a patient at this clinic but was kindly allowed the opportunity to observe Dr. Rao work and it was a real honor. He was very professional and knowledgeable way beyond your average PT and what really stood out was the level of attention he gave and listening he did with each patient. Every patient that I observed, both new and returning, truly appreciated him for his work and learned a lot. Would HIGHLY recommend this place for physical therapy read more

Highly recommend seeing Dr. Loc. I was visiting relatives over the holidays. He was recommended by my PT up north. Dr. Loc was able to fit me in on very short notice not just once but twice. He took his time to do a thorough assessment. He found areas for me to work on that will further help with my journey back to health. I can't say enough of how impressed I am by his professionalism and his thoughtful approach to helping his patients. He thoroughly enjoys his work and it shows in every way. I'll definitely be back as often as I can. read more

I was being treated by Dr Charlie Benandi for post knee replacement physical therapy. The treatments were extremely helpful. I felt very confident in Charlie's knowledge and ability. My knee is now nearly perfect and continues to improve using the exercises Charlie showed me. It was just an awesome experience and I recommend that anyone needing physical therapy go to Pasadena Physical Therapy read more

I had been to 2 pt places before coming to Pasadena physical therapy. One at congress medical, which I don't recommend, and at body synergy who were friendly, caring, attentive and knowledgeable but not as skilled as pasadena physical therapy with whom I've had the most progress rehabbing my shoulder and back. I've mostly seen Loc who seems gifted for diagnosing what's wrong with someone. I've learned a lot from him, because he is so knowledgeable and because he explains pt concepts very well. He also cares about having me at my peak athletic and physical condition! I was also treated by Blaire who skillfully diagnosed a major flaw in how I use my diaphragm and who helped me better utilize my core. Pasadena physical therapy comes highly recommended! read more

I was hoping Pasadena Physical Therapy would meet my needs, but my session with Loc was not satisfactory. He adjusted my neck, and only a few hours later, the same aches and pains returned. I know that in some instances, more time may be needed to discern a health issue. That's not my complaint. What's frustrating is at the end of the session, he didn't take the time to explain the bigger picture, a perspective I really needed. He did share that he was very tired that day; even so, I was still surprised that at times, he seemed impatient. I was hoping for a therapist who would be more encouraging and supportive in answering my questions or showing me the exercises. I've only worked with him once, so I can't speak for how he is generally. So, maybe he was too tired to give his best that day. Whatever the reason, I have a pretty good sense that had he offered more, I would've left the session with more understanding and maybe better results. Loc seemed knowledgeable with physical therapy; I do think his communication at times seemed a little too direct. A new patient, especially someone who is new to therapy, could take his comments the wrong way. Otherwise, the facility is clean, and there is plenty of parking in the shopping mall. The two girls I met at the front desk were really friendly and helpful. read more

Loc is the easily the best physical therapist that I've ever worked with, hands down. Having been an athlete for most of my life, I've had my fair share of injuries and rehab. After seeing 6 physical therapists over 6 years for a bad shoulder, Loc is the first one that has actually made a significant difference in my shoulder's functioning. I'll admit, I was hesitant to pay out of pocket to see him, but it has been worth every penny. Loc spends the entire hour with the patient, no messing around with PT aides, ice, heat, e stim, or ultrasound. Every time I see him I get his complete undivided attention. His bedside manner is excellent, there are no stupid questions, and I have never felt him be dismissive with my concerns (unlike some other pts I have seen in the past). In my sessions with Loc, we spend as much time talking about concepts as I spend performing exercises. He is an excellent educator in addition to being a treatment provider. This has helped tremendously with my ability to understand and care for my own body. Pasadena PT is NOT a clinic that simply gives you a print out of exercises to do and sends you on your way. It IS an involved process, it DOES require learning new things, but it is completely worth it. The knowledge I have gained through working with Loc I will have for life. Loc's toolbox is cutting edge. He has spent far more time in continuing education than any other PT I have worked with, studying with the Postural Restoration Institute, The Prague School (DNS), and Functional Range Systems. As a true doctor of human movement, he created a practice that combines these different schools of manual technique and corrective exercise into a highly effective treatment method. Loc's approach does not simply address symptoms of injuries but looks at WHY these symptoms might be happening. The ultimate goal is to improve function, so nothing is overlooked, even the way you breathe. This is a whole body, systems approach to movement medicine. Lastly, my experience with the office staff has been great. Scheduling appointments is easy and the office texts you the day before your appointment to confirm. There is even an iPad for check in. It seems like they make every effort to modernize and streamline the patient experience. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Loc and his clinic. It's easy to see how passionate Loc is about his work and helping people. read more

Dr. Loc is a wonderful and caring physical therapist! I had been struggling with hip pain for quite a long time that began effecting my sleep. I had been to one physical therapist who was kind and well meaning, but, alas, was ineffective with resolving my issue. My orthopedic physician recommended I see Dr. Loc as he personally had success with Dr. Loc. Dr. Loc pinpointed the muscles that need rehabilitating and the actions that we should take. As we moved forward he explained everything that we were doing and the reasons for them. Additionally, we pinpointed the situations in which create the strain on my hip and have eliminated them. The entire staff is kind and professional. I'm sleeping better now. I have my strengthening exercises, and I'm happy to say that I'm on my way to recovery. Awesome experience! read more

As a clinical hypnotherapist, I help clients manage and even eliminate unnecessary pain. But sometimes pain is an important signal that something is broken, dysfunctional or out of alignment. When my rotator cuff was damaged, I didn't want to risk hurting myself further - I needed the surfaces of an expert. I'm so glad I found Doctor Loc! When you're injured, if you go to a surgeon, they'll see how surgery could help. I'm a firm believer that surgery should be the last resort. What else could you do? A chiropractor will adjust the skeletal structure; a massage therapist will tackle the muscle and tissue; an acupuncturist will think about the flow of the energy and a hypnotherapist will deal with tension, trauma and stress stored in the body. Doctor Loc deals with ALL of that -- he even helped me improve my breathing, and I'm pretty good at it! Not only is Dr. Locatelli Rao an expert, he continues his education constantly and supervised his staff thoroughly -- and they all seem to be excellent to begin with. Sometimes it's a little disconcerting because he's got his eye on several patients at once, but I always feel I'm getting the time and attention I need. The best thing is that Pasadena Physical Therapy is a place where everyone working there cares about doing an excellent job -- from the receptionist to the therapists. My particular injury has been stubborn (I tend to reinjure myself a lot because I'm dulling the pain signals. Oops) but I've also learned how 50+ years of moving incorrectly has limited my strength and fitness. By the time I'm done, we'll not only fix the shoulder but improve the functioning of gluten. And a groin pull that's bothered me for 5+ years is finally under control. This is what PT should be! And if you're in pain and have a PPO, come here FIRST. Dr. Loc will recommend an excellent orthopedist for your imaging and care, should you need it. read more

I've had back problems for years, had surgery on my neck about 7 years ago that was wildly successful -- as in, had the surgery, pain was gone, never looked back. So when my lower back was seized by pain that literally took my breath away, I returned to the doctor assuming he'd say, well ok, the time has come for another surgery. And given my last experience, I would have said yes. Little did I know that the neck and lower lumbar area are completely different and no good doctor would open up that part of my back because it takes too much wear and tear and the surgical repair wouldn't last like the neck did. Oh well... I did get an epidural pain injection so I could fly back to LA from NY and off I went to physical therapy. Naturally I hit up Yelp for recommendations (and other places) and the 2 names that came up repeatedly were Pasadena Physical Therapy and CORE in Studio City. I happened to be closer to Pasadena so made an appointment. Luck was for sure on my side... Staff was super professional, accomodating, thorough, and nice. The place was bustling busy but not chaotic at all. Not huge but somehow very spacious and airy. Very clean and organized. I showed up for my appointment and was introduced to Chase Bauer, who definitely seems to know his stuff AND his sister is a doctor at the same hospital in the very same office where I am treated for a chronic illness that plays a huge role in my back problems. So he REALLY knew his stuff and it was an awesome fit. His evaluation was extremely thorough. He didn't make me do very much the first time out but I swear I had no pain the rest of the day, and unless I'm stupid enough to lift something really heavy I have had no pain since then. Chase showed me one simple trick that made me much more body aware and it's already made a big difference. He also managed goals and expectations and encouraged me to have the patience to see the long-term benefits of a patient recovery. They have a zero gravity treadmill. I have no idea what it is but I've never seen one. I will say that this was the easiest PT I've ever had but deep down I think it's gonna get harder (!) as I get stronger. DEFINITELY recommend. read more

Shame on me for taking so long to write this. I started with Loc and Kerry in early 2014. I had just come off of six months of very limited movement from a back surgery. At the time I was a bumbling mess of anxiety, fear, and pain. I didn't expect to ever have a normal life again and believed I would be in pain the rest of my life. Thankfully Loc and team didn't agree. Through a slow, methodical process of physical, and in many ways psychological, rehabilitation not only did I regain a new normal life that isn't always in pain, but I got back many things I thought were lost to me. Loc used the totality of my body to determine how too help me. He gauged every visit where I was taxed and where I could be challenged. He also gave me routines to do specific for me, not just what a book stated should be performed for my challenges. Loc is a big personality, with cutting opinions, and a fierce focus for what he thinks is right and wrong. He is driven by principles in his practice and in the business operations. Even with some challenges in his front office and with the insurance company billing process, he remained customer experience focused and kept my welfare at the heart of his choices. I strongly recommend this office. It is small (more personalized attention), limited in equipment (you'll be amazed at what you really need to get better), with a small staff (but with great continuity and care), but with great depth in experience and results unrivaled in the area. read more

My doctor gave me a list of three physical therapy groups. I went onto the website of each one. Pasadena Physical Therapy had, by far, the most helpful and informative website. My experience with them turned out to be the best I have ever had. The facility is small; therefore, the interactions are intimate. Joshua is a highly qualified physical therapist with a huge personality and an equally huge heart. He is excellent at both listening and communicating. His patience abounds. I am happy that before I finished my therapy, I met Aaron. (He had been on a leave to fulfill some military obligations.) By this time, I was convinced that Pasadena Physical Therapy somehow manages to find and hire only people who are lovable, competent, and special. Like Jaime at the front desk at 7:00 a.m. What a bright spirit! I went to Pasadena PT to get relief from pain in a left hip. I left with the pain abated and with some really good exercises. I don't necessarily want something bad to happen to me, but if it did, it would be a gift to go back to this facility. They invited me to stop by and say, "Hi!" Maybe I will. read more

Loc and his team provide some of the best physical therapy on the west coast! I recently visited his new facility and it has all of the most up-to-date equipment to help patients rehabilitate their injuries. Loc will be the first to tell you that it's not about the equipment though - it's about hands-on, personalized physical therapy. That's what he and his team provide. They will have you working out muscles you didn't even know you had! If you have been struggling with an injury or ailment, give Pasadena Physical Therapy a call. It will change your life! read more

Interestingly enough, I found Pasadena Physical Therapy on Yelp! Upon arriving, I was assigned to work with Kerry. After a few weeks of work, my back pain all but disappeared. Kerry is a smart, energetic, encouraging therapist who will listen to your needs and assign an exercise accordingly. If you are in need of a physical therapist, and happen to be around the Pasadena area, I highly recommend Kerry--she is really fantastic. read more

PPT is the best physical therapy clinic in LA. I had been to 2 other clinics in LA for the same injury prior to coming here and at PPT they were finally able to get me on the road back to recovery. I had sprained my hamstring two years ago and it had never really healed, even after spending weeks at those two other clinics. The team at PPT is great because they really take the time to look at all the muscle groups that could be affecting you, not just the place where the pain comes from. Not to mention, they have an ALTER-G tredmill, which in the PT world is quite an asset. The team at PPT is wonderful, you will feel better and actually STAY healthy once they are done. read more

I came from out of town to see Dr Loc after suffering from golfers elbow/elbow tendinitis for years. I had daily pain and had given up activities I loved (weight training, cycling, surfing). I had 1 session with Dr Loc in which he was incredibly attentive and focused. After going over my history and some tests, he walked me through some exercises and explained the physiology of how each was connected to my injury and how they would aid in my recovery. He wrote me and exercise plan to continue on my own and over the next 2 months we corresponded via email. Since this one visit and a couple months following his instructions, I am back in the gym, on the bike, and in the surf. I have had knee, shoulder and ankle surgery but never have I had such a great experience with a PT/medical professional. Thanks Dr Loc! read more

I'm a PT veteran. Never too excited about going to appts. Or doing the "homework". This place IS DIFFERENT. Elizabeth has won my confidence in just 2 visits. She's shown this old dog some new tricks and while it may be too soon to bet the farm, I am pretty sure that I can expect to finish my therapy standing and walking upright. I'll keep go back for y appointments & coming here to update you on my progress. THANKS ELIZABETH and PPT! read more

After suffering from ITBS after running the LA Marathon this year, I couldn't even run 1 mile without knee pain. Liz and Loc got me back and running without knee pain after a month and a half of hard work. My main therapist was Liz and she was great! Very knowledgeable, helpful, and is willing to work your ass off if you are up for the challenge. Everyone was very accommodating and flexible. When I had to reschedule a few appointments, Loc was there and willing to work on me. The facility is amazing too! I had the pleasure of watching PPT bring in new equipment and reorganize the facility where you will feel excited to work out. Not a week went by when I was surprised to see something fun and new. If you have been debilitated in any way, and have the dedication and hunger to be back to 100%, I would highly recommend Pasadena Physical Therapy. read more