I had several physical therapy sessions Dr. Jana Tokunaga for recurring knee discomfort. She provided exceptional treatment, and I was back to cycling without pain within a couple of months. I am appreciative of her skill and knowledge and recommend her without hesitation. I'm grateful that I have returned to an activity (cycling) that provides me with so much joy. I also recommend to any cyclist in need of a bike fit to schedule an assessment with Dr. Mark Shulman. He knows the biomechanics of cycling, and after a through evaluation, made the necessary adjustments to ensure my knee discomfort from cycling does not return from improper fit. read more

Allison was my Physical Therapist who helped me with my Pelvic Floor issues. She was extremely patient and listened intently to my concerns. She is very knowledgeable in her field an I will contact her in the future for all of my Physical Therapy needs. read more

I started PT sessions in March 2025 with Mark Shulman and he helped me progress tremendously after an injury from a fall. My partial rotator cuff tear was very painful but the therapy was not and I have almost complete range of motion back. Mark has astute and very competent diagnostic skills and diagnosed a bilateral fx. before the orthopedic MD and MRI confirmed it. He assessed the problem and began accommodating with a virtually painless routine. He was always able to adjust an exercise to be effective and minimize any pain. I am appreciative and grateful to have worked with such a skilled therapist. My fx. has healed and I'm feeling as well as before my injury. I highly recommend PT Effect for assessment and treatment of physical therapy needs. PS. He's also good on restaurant reviews. :) read more

Fun, friendly and conveniently located in Little Italy, San Diego - The Physical Therapy Effect was definitely a good choice for my physical therapy needs. I broke my foot last year and after being non-weight bearing for a few months, I was excited to get back into my everyday routine. My podiatrist didn't think I needed physical therapy, but after a few conversations with friends who were in the medical and fitness industry, I decided to give it a shot - especially since this was my first time. Fast forward to today, I'm glad I signed up for PT. I had a few months of physical therapy with Dr. Hannah Willms and she was such a joy to work with. She kept my nerves at ease, helped me rebuild my strength again and was an incredible ally on my journey to recover. I would recommend The Physical Therapy Effect to anyone looking to get regain strength and mobility. Plus, the staff and office dogs were always a treat to see. Thanks, y'all! read more

If there's one word to describe the experience at The Physical Therapy Effect, EXCEPTIONAL is it. San Diego seems saturated with physical therapists, wellness collaboratives, etc., but, if you've come across this clinic, you've come across one of the best, most consistent group of physical therapists I've had the honor to seek care from. If you're taking the time to read reviews, I suggest you look no further. In my opinion, The Physical Therapy Effect is a premiere and dare I say one of the top physical therapy clinics around... After seeing many PTs in both Northern and Southern California. The care, intention, support, and attention to detail is unmatched. The progress I've made is too! The environment is welcoming every. single. time. The entire staff is good to go! From Allison to Mark to Hannah to Rachel, and the rest of the team, there is no "drop off." If pelvic health/therapy is what you seek, seriously Allison is your person! Beyond consistent, kind, and knowledgeable about pelvic health for men and women! Speechless about Mark, his knowledge, and his demeanor I admire. Having spent a lot of time with Allison and coming in with a new, unrelated but aggravating injury, Mark stepped in and is providing some immediate very high-level support to "stop the bleeding." Mark, thank you! I am SO GRATEFUL to have found this elite team of physical therapists, THANK YOU ALL! read more

At one point in my life.... I might have scoffed at physical therapy.. Fast forward and my neck has seen fit to smash a nerve into submission. Like showers of tingling nerves in my shoulder, arm and hand. And my neck sounds like someone breaking a chicken thigh and leg apart. The VA was full.. so off to the civilian folks. This place was recommended by a good friend and they were on the money! With this type of injury, fixing it is one thing, but teaching how to keep it fixed is where it all works! The staff is, awesome, life changing, and super helpful. I came almost ready to accept that I'd be in pain the rest of my life. Now, I'm better than I have been and am enabled to help myself be functional and healthy. Great location, superb staff and life changing! read more

I have been treated at Physical Therapy Effect by Mark Shulman, and his staff since last September, in follow up to having both knees replaced surgically. The entire experience here has been great, from the help with insurance and scheduling treatment, to the relaxed and casual atmosphere. Besides getting first rate attention during each appointment, I've been given the exercise program that I have to follow on my own, to complete my recovery. The input for my therapy has been a combined effort of Mark, other staff members and myself. I appreciate the effort of all, to help me on this long journey of healing. read more

These folks do a great job. Hannah really knew her stuff and really helped. Professional, friendly, and helpful. read more

I genuinely appreciate the quality of care here at the Physical Therapy effect. I came here with calf pain similar to a shin splint I had been dealing with for years, thanks to Mark and his team we were able to find out the root cause of that pain. I came in with an expectation that if I were lucky I'd have minimal pain going forward, but the group here helped me get to the point of ZERO pain even after runs/hockey. This was my first time in PT and the 1 on 1 aspect I found to be really helpful and something I think is very special about this place. They genuinely care about their patients and it shows in their work, the staff themselves and the results they achieve. If you're reading this and need physical therapy, I highly recommend this place. Added plus, friendly and adorable dogs are in the office too if you arrive early for an appt! read more

Super friendly and knowledgeable staff. Hannah was great and really helpful. She really cares about her patients wellbeing.

The 5 is for Josh. I've been dealing with lower back pain for at least 40 years, on and off...I've been to many PT's. Because of Covid, I've not been very active. I'm back at the gym and Josh has been helping me with excellent exercises that combined with the gym, have eased my issues. Josh knows his stuff. He's polite, professional and a good guy. Thanks Josh...appreciate your help. read more

I work in tech, which means that I am active on my computer and in a stationery position all day. I came to The Physical Therapy Effect with pain in my shoulder, tricep, hand, and thumb. I am happy to report that after a month of physical therapy, I walked away completely healed and equipped with a toolbox of exercises for further strength development and future injury prevention. The front desk staff at The Physical Therapy Effect was always warm and welcoming! I was able to schedule my appointments with ease and was even able to move appointments around without any issues. During my first appointment scheduling, Rachel noticed that I am allergic to dogs and offered to accommodate me with a different therapist. I really appreciated the fact that she was so attentive to my care and had paid attention to a minor detail on my patient record. The clinic is clean and pet friendly! The doggos are definitely there for emotional support and it is very effective! I worked with Dr. Mark and soon-to-be Dr. Jessica during my time at the Physical Therapy Effect. Mark and Jessica worked together to properly diagnose the issue and then came up with a thorough treatment plan. From Day 1, I knew exactly what we would be doing and how the exercises will help me build strength over time. During my first appointment with Mark, he noticed that the wrist brace I had on may not be suited for my particular case. He researched for an alternative option and printed out a copy of the recommendation, so I won't forget the exact brand and type of brace. How sweet and considerate is that! Jessica was very fun to work with! She kept me accountable by checking in at the beginning of every session about pain level, progress since last session, and whether or not I had repeated the exercises at home. She even offered alternatives to my regular workout exercises that were causing clicking and/or discomfort. Both Mark and Jessica were very approachable and patiently answered my questions and concerns. They even busted a few myths about physical therapy and taught me something new about the inner workings of the human body in every session. As a patient, I felt very comfortable asking questions and even felt empowered to take charge of my own care by following their directions. I can't emphasize enough the importance of repeating assigned exercises diligently at home. I truly felt like Mark and Jessica focused on patient education and awareness, so after each session, I would need them less and less as I was becoming reliant on myself more and more. I highly recommend The Physical Therapy Effect for anyone needing physical therapy and looking for a team of medical professionals that truly care about your well-being and recovery! read more

The Physical Therapy Effect - Pre-physical therapy - Physical Therapy Near Me - San Diego, California

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I chose this practice based on the stellar Yelp reviews. But, now I'm not sure I can trust Yelp anymore, either the reviews are filtered to be only good ones or people have extremely low expectations. I saw the owner, Mark, who was ten minutes late, and gave no apologies and was very blasé. The whole engagement with him was apathetic and dismissive. It was obvious he was unaware of how to help me and asked me a series of idle questions, to which his response was often aloof and even trivializing and patronizing. His energy was veering on negative and it was an overall uncomfortable engagement. I came out with no progress whatsoever, just a few token, vapid recommendations to which he held on to for "next time". Throwing $150 to the wind would have been better. I cannot recommend this place to people in need of physical therapy. ( As well, making an appointment here was liking to me begging to give them business, they would never return calls and Rachel was ineffective to say the least. That initial hoop should have been an indication to me to not patronize this establishment. Lesson learned!) read more

The people at The Physical Therapy Effect have changed my life so much for the better. I was referred by my urologist to Dr Allie McKay; with her expertise and personalized home exercises, I felt and saw immediate changes in my natural posture. At 48 I discovered an entirely new way to stand thanks to Dr. Allie. It also helped reduce my anxiety, since my body working better as a whole made it easier to breathe, which helped more than I could have imagined. Then, I discovered that Dr. Mark Shulman has advanced experience in adjusting the jaw, and as I wrapped up my sessions with Allie (with my original concern resolved, thank you Allie!), I asked him if he would help me with lifelong TMJ issues. He, like Allie, is a wizard at responding to the subtleties of each person. I have a freedom of movement in my jaw unlike ever before, and it is only getting better. Plus, the Little Italy location, where I go, is a great environment filled with jovial, professional doctors. This is a top-notch group. read more

Update: I rarely update a review, but in this case it's warranted. When I first went to Dr. Shulman, I couldn't sit for more than 20 min and couldn't drive far without pain. I also limited myself to walking 15 minutes. After some treatment, I drove to Julian and it was a big deal. I have not forgotten the exercises Dr. Shulman taught me and he that he said I could walk as far as I wanted. I continued the exercises and 3+ years later, pain is 95% gone. I now live in North Carolina and drove here from California with no problems. I also walk 3-4 miles most days. Thanks Dr. Shulman! read more

Allison was awesome! I had been suffering from intense pain in my lower abdomen and pelvic region for about 6 months. I had visited numerous specialists, but none of them were able to help me in relieving my pain. All my lab work showed no signs of any kind of infection, so this scared me quite a bit not knowing what I was ailing from. I came to see Allison, and she put me at ease by explaining that I was only suffering from extreme muscle tightness in those areas. She gave me some muscle relaxing exercises to do at home. Just after a few visits, I started to feel much better. It took around 6 months of therapy, but now thanks to Allison, I'm living a pain-free life again. Allison was truly a lifesaver and will not hesitate to call her again if I ever encounter anything similar in the future. read more

Going to the right physical therapist is extremely important. Joshua is great from the assessment to the recommendations that he makes. My last experience with PT was fair. This experience is just what I need to get me through my injury. Each session builds up my strength and gives me follow-up exercises that I can do at home. Each week I see improvement and that is the way that PT needs to be. The staff is amazing and friendly. They take into consideration everything that they need to. I was asked during my first phone interaction whether I could walk up stairs or do I need to be on the lower level. I was asked if I am allergic to pets and they make sure that they are not where my therapy is taking place. I would recommend them highly and would use them again if the need arises. read more

Great PT! The treatment protocol was tailored to my needs. Wonderful customer service. So glad I chose this establishment.

I was referred to TPTE and this was the absolute first time in my 20 on and off years of therapy that I received life sustaining and therapeutic support. Dr. McKay was the best therapist I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She is thoughtful, understanding and took the time to truly understand my issues and prove a regiment of exercises that were easy to follow while helping to rebuild my strength. You will enjoy the staff and the overall professionalism of the business. Please consider them if you are looking for therapeutic care. read more

Allie is a wonderful PT. She is extremely knowledgeable and very patient. I would recommend her without a qualm. She does pelvic floor PT as well as regular PT. I didn't know that pelvic floor PT was a thing until my MD sent me to her. She has very painlessly broken down a lot of the scar tissue in my abdomen to help with leg pain and discomfort. She devotes her entire attention to one client unlike other PTs I've been to who were working with as many as four people at a time. Also the place is clean and airy. I recommend The Physical Therapy Effect highly. read more

Whenever I'm in San Diego, and I have aches and pains, I hit up Rachel to see which therapist is working. I have no preference as ALL THE THERAPIST are PHENOMENAL! I saw Mark once for my back, and he was able to re-assure me that he can get me better with a few visits, and he DID! Then one time I had some pain in my body (in between the jewels and the abyss) which made it hard for me to go to the bathroom and entertain my wife. So I saw the fully booked and sought after pelvic floor specialist Allie who after a few sessions got me back on the game with little to no pain! Their new addition Hannah has also been a game changer since she is also a pelvic floor specialist and is skilled in treating other areas as well! Very personable and we chatted about corn in her home state of Iowa. But the real MVP is Rachel at the front desk. She's a one woman show that runs pretty much everything on her own (verifying my insurance, following up on my coverage, scheduling, parking)... And she has two kids she raises at home. I do not know how she does it but she's the best!! I do not understand how this place gets the occasional poor reviews, maybe they did not take the time to get to know the staff or something. But I always felt welcomed and the conversations I've had with everyone there has been a delight! I always call ahead of time to make sure I get the spot I want because they can get real busy.. who can blame them, they are THAT good! Kudos to you PT Effect! read more

I was referred to the Physical Therapy Effect post pregnancy for Pelvic Floor issues, back and SI joint pain. I met with PT Alison when I was 6 weeks postpartum and she helped put me back together! I worked with her every couple weeks for about 4 months, and I can't speak more highly of her and the treatment plan I received there. A year ago, I had no clue what Pelvic Floor therapy even was... now, I'm a firm believer that it is SO NECESSARY for all women pre and post pregnancy. I also have nothing but great things to say about the front desk staff, who were always so pleasant and helpful. Highly recommend! read more

I visited Dr Allison McKay to assess and treat my weak pelvic floor and core due to multiple large pregnancies. She listened attentively to my explanations, worries, fears, and questions. Her exam was both thorough and gentle. The assessment included testing the strength and functioning of my pelvic floor muscles, which is key in order to move forward with physical therapy. Her treatment and exercise plan are very personalized and keyed in to my particular strengths and weaknesses. Dr. McKay is professional, kind, knowlegable, and thorough. She is always available via email to answer any questions or address any struggles or issues I may be having. I highly recommend every woman visit a physical therapist to ensure any weaknesses or problems in the core and pelvic floor are caught and addressed before they progress too far. Allison is a great resource for any woman who wishes to improve her core health and functioning in a thorough and comfortable way! read more

When I went to set up some therapy sessions, I met with Rachel at the front desk. I did not find her helpful, even when I asked simple questions about scheduling. She did not follow thru getting information she had promised. As a result, she did not solve whatever issues arose and was dismissive. She seemed to come to work late much of the time. I noticed this because the therapist who was working with me had to leave to answer the phone because Rachel was not there, this interrupted the therapy sessions in progress. I did not find her work manner and communication professional. read more

When I contacted the Physical Therapy Effect office to schedule an appointment, I spoke with Rachel at the front desk. She told me Mark would be my therapist. However, when I arrived for the first therapy session Rachel told me I would be working with a student, not Mark. No explanation was given and there was no opportunity to discuss the matter. During the first session Mark seemed to keep an eye on how the student was working with me, however the following 10 sessions Mark did not participate very much and the student worked exclusively with me. I did not like the lack of communication on Rachel's part. I would have preferred to have an experienced therapist work with me rather than a student. As a client I did not feel this matter was handled in a professional manner. read more

This is long over due but as a guy who never seeks medical care, I had to finally do something about my knee and neck pain which became so bad that it drove me to seek some relief. I saw Physical Therapy Effect's sign and walked in wondering if my insurance (I'm retired military) would be accepted. Not only did they accept my insurance but they got me right in for treatment which has (so far) permanently fixed my neck and knee. I enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly team that made my experience enjoyable. My knee and neck were back in action quickly and was able to back to sprint and heavy resistance workouts. read more

Mark and the staff really care for your well being. Very knowledgable and experienced. I have gone to several PT in the past this one surpasses all the rest. read more

I was assigned to this team thru my VA doctor, and they are very professional, very helpful, and very knowledgeable. I had a therapist named Joshua, and he's the best I've ever seen. I was dealing with knee pain from an injury I had while on active duty...and he did a great job in helping me strengthen my knees. This office is very polite and professional. It's a very laid back, and comfortable atmosphere. I would recommend this team to anyone. read more

Mark and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and uphold the utmost level of professionalism and ethics. I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone who is suffering from any injuries major or minor. I have been going to Mark for 6 months now and he has really helped me work thru my hip injury and my chronic tmj. He has even taken an extra step and ordered tools that would help me with my exercises at home. Picture attached. He recently treated my tmj which was causing my migraines. I had no idea that physical therapist even treat this or I would have done this earlier. I have only has 2 treatments and I have not experienced a migraine since and the clicking of my jaw has almost vanished. I can't thank him enough for helping me. read more

The Physical Therapy Effect - At home tools: Elastic band for my squats and foam roller - Physical Therapy Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been to many physical therapists over the years but these guys are the BEST!! They use an eclectic approach and focus on building muscle in the areas that need it most - it is what physical therapy should be!! Joshua and Mark are both very knowledgeable and their PT studio has large windows and doors so they can open it up to the outdoors, very helpful these days. I was having knee pain as well as some hip pain, worked with Joshua who gave me specific exercises; I am now back to running, hope to keep rehabbing. This place is HIGHLY recommended!! read more

Josh and his team were awesome! He was able to resolve my knee pain much faster than I had even hoped was possible. He really took the time to figure out the root cause, when even the orthopedic surgeon hadn't been able to figure it out. Instead of just providing printouts of a text book with exercises to do, he gave me an video to go over the treatment plan. He even helped me figure out improvements in my workout routine to prevent the issue from recurring, and build strength in areas I had been neglecting. I give him and the team my highest recommendation! read more

I came to The Physical Therapy Effect after having some TMJ pain that wasn't healing on its own. My jaw had locked one night and it wasn't 'unlocking' in the morning. So after seeing an ENT, he referred me to Dr. Mark Shulman. I made an appointment and saw improvements even after the first appointment. Dr. Shulman was able to identify the exact issue and work some adjustments for me that day, as well as give me exercises to do at home until my next visit. He made the issue I was having very clear to understand and explain how and why the exercises will help. I went in a few more times, with each visit having the pain and stiffness become less and less of an issue. I recently 'graduated' and feel completely back to normal and I wouldn't have been able to do it without him, his team, amazing staff, and adorable office dogs. I have already recommended him to friends and family who could use him and would highly recommend him to anyone else having TMJ troubles. Thank you PTE for all of your help! read more

I attend PT to address an issue with my neck and another in my hips. I work with both doctors, both of whom provide excellent care. I come in with my baby and they, along with their staff, always distract her so I can enjoy my session. Physically, I feel a significant decrease in back pain. They are flexible both in scheduling as well as with insurance issues. I give them my highest recommendation! read more

Mark and his team are great! Super flexible when it comes to my schedule. Best physical therapist I've ever had.

I have been going to this physical therapy business off and on for back issues. Now I am going to deal with issues related to spinal surgery. Mark and his employees are very thorough in their assessment and their treatments. Often I have to bring my husband who has Alzheimers with me. On one occasion when it started to pour down rain (we live a block away) Jill who works there got her car and drove us home. They go over and above in how they deal with patients. I highly recommend them...ps, they have parking! read more

Both my husband and myself can't sing enough praise for this place. My husband had a very severe injury to both knees and Mark was able to get him back to walking again. Their staff is so friendly and helpful. They became a second family for us since my husband was going twice a week for 7 months. Their massage therapist is first rate and really helped me out too. Would highly recommend them to anyone having any need for physical therapy or massage! read more

Mark and his team are the best in the business. They are truly there for you and willing to help however they can. They are all great to work with and I would highly suggest seeing them for any physical therapy needs! read more

Mark and his staff are amazing! From my first day here I always felt I was given Mark's full attention during our sessions and his staff treat everyone with the utmost respect and care. It was just a bonus that I was always greeted by Mark's dog too who is very well behaved. And they were great about having a flexible schedule if I wasn't able to make an appointment. When I first arrived I was unable to run 1 mile without pain due to fluid buildup in my IT-band and was also having some ankle pain. I am now back to running almost every day and half marathon distances. I will definitely be back for a tune up or massage in the future and feel that you couldn't be in better hands than with Mark and his exceptional team! read more

I have been treated by each person at the office and I am happy to day I have recovered stronger than I anticipated. I hope Patrick comes back to San Diego and I hope everyone has a chance to make an appointment for quality physical therapy nearby downtown. I wish there was a better way to park nearby. I have to walk several blocks or take Uber which add$ up after a while. read more

Mark and his team provide top notch physical therapy. They are all great people and I would suggest them to anyone who is in pain. They are very professional yet it is always a great time when I'm there. They also have dogs in the office at all times which is a big plus. Give them a shot. read more