Physiotherapy Associates

My Physical Therapist Tara is great.
I feel a lot better after each session and have become much more mobile.
Although it is specifically for my Cervical Spine, the difference is astonishing compared to when I first ‘walked’ in.
The most healing aspect is when she massages/​presses the stiff points on my neck and shoulders. It seems to melt away the pain. I also realized I’ve been holding my breath and building tension, so it’s thrown off my alignment. But when I am dealing with stabbing and sharp pains, it’s hard not to.
I’d say I’ve been able to manage it ‘appropriately’ after each session.
I have other problems with my body but I feel better than before. Physical Therapy is crucial and I was lucky enough to have met someone that I could trust. It’s due to Tara’s high spirit, her wanting to hear about my progress, and willingness to try.
The front desk staff are nice, too! As someone who have worked in Customer Service and understand maintaining clientele relationships, they’ve brightened my day every time I’ve gone in.
My only complaint are the other reviewers who seem to not understand that there is ‘home work’ in between sessions. You’re given and provided ‘at home exercises’ to continue the relief plan. You can’t expect to be healed after a session or two. There should always be follow through on your end.
I noticed that they’ve been working out the kinks and trying to fill positions/​staff but their efforts to cover/​run the business should be awarded. When I first called to schedule, I spoke with a guy named Jeff. He seemed distant, busy, and uninterested as he was asking for my information over the phone. It definitely made me feel hesitant to go and was considering another location but glad I went in.
I have two more weeks left and I will update my review. So far, so good!

The actual physical therapy was ok. Mostly information and teaching exercises for me to do on my own, not much in the way of hands on Physical therapy, but overall pretty helpful. The number one reason I give 1 star and would advise you to stay away is that even though they are in network for my insurance, they performed medically unnecessary treatment/​refused to send medical justification and I have been fighting my way though their hellish evasive billing department (which btw is a whole separate company basically) for over a month about an appointment that I didn’t receive a bill for until 5 months after the actual visit.

This place has THE crappiest customer service. My boyfriend scheduled a 7am appointment on a Tuesday and shows up on time. The receptionist tells him his PT is sick and so they will need to reschedule him, but did not bother to call to let us know. His excuse? «Oh well I just got into the office.»
He reschedules his appointment for the following Tuesday at 5pm and shows up early at 4:30pm. They tell him they need to reschedule him AGAIN and AGAIN they don’t bother calling in advance to let us know.
Complete waste of time. Don’t come here.

In comparison to other places I’ve been, its nothing. I came there couple of times and the only thing they gave me was printed papers with exercises (which I can find in the internet). No training in clinic at all. I don’t understand for what I paid. I don’t think that a theory is a real treatment.

I was really disappointed in this place. Let’s start with cost: My initial appointment with them was $ 570. Earlier in the month I’d gone to an initial appointment with a different physical therapist in SF (but I had to discontinue with her after an insurance switch), and that initial appointment was $ 390. I’m baffled as to why Physiotherapy Associates would charge almost $ 200 more. My follow-​up appointments were over $ 300 each, and I didn’t even receive electrical stimulation, that sound wave therapy (don’t know what’s it’s called), or even ice. That was for a 20 minute stretching session, basically. It didn’t really matter to my bank account since all I have to pay is my insurance co-​pay, but for those who are billed co-​insurance (as I was on my previous policy), this would be a pretty large bill.
The therapy sessions ended up being frustrating for me. The doctors would work on multiple patients at once, so I never had anyone’s full attention. I felt like the doctor didn’t try to understand my problem and just threw a few random stretches at me. I was hoping for strengthening exercises, but didn’t get any. I gave up after a few months.

Great people, great service, really caring.
I broke my collarbone in April. The surgeon prescribed Physical Therapy and I didn’t want to spend hours on Muni getting across town to the hospital therapists. I noticed this place on Unilocal.They’re next to the Forest Hills Muni station, so they’re extremely convenient. Went by for a look and asked my surgeon and my neurologist. Both highly recommended them.
I’m about 6 weeks in now, and completely agree. These guys are fantastic. Low key, personable, incredibly knowledgable and caring.
They also pay attention to costs. For the first few weeks after surgery, things are rather fragile and they are very limited in what they can do. After seeing that I was doing ok, Sharlene suggested that we cut back on visit frequency and save insurance benefits for later when they will help more. I really appreciate that.
When I developed another, potentially serious issue, Sharlene was fantastic at ensuring that I got help without unduly creating fear or anxiety. My doctors agreed with her concern and her push for immediate attention. Fortunately, after a bunch of tests, it wasn’t what everybody feared. The Neurologist I saw during this evaluation also highly recommended this outfit.

I started having back pain at work and needed physical therapy. I had treatment with Tara for 12 visits. My doctor recommended strengthening my core so we did a lot of exercises to increase my core strength and posture. After 6 weeks of treatment, I have noticed a drastic improvement in how I sit, stand, and walk. Pain has lessened while I am at my desk and when I sleep at night. I’ve always had a pleasant experience at this office. Clara and Michelle are always kind, helpful, and attentive. I would not hesitate to refer my coworkers, friends, and family here. Thank you for all your help!

I have gone to physical therapy before, and that place had nothing on this place. Everyone is so kind and easy to talk to, and my PT Matt really explains why you’re doing what you’re doing, how it should feel, and how it is going to help you. I really appreciate that, and I feel that they’ve really helped me recover faster.
Yay Physiotherapy Friends!!!

If you’re going to have an injury, you might as well go big or go home– and sadly, I went big and it sent me home from snowboarding– with a bad shoulder fracture.
I was pretty bummed out to be looking at several months of physiotherapy — let alone not being able to work out like I usually could. Enter Sharlene, Trevor and team. Not only were they super knowledgeable, friendly and informative when it came to setting up a plan to get back to normal, they actually helped me improve far beyond where I was at _​before_​my accident.
My shoulder is now back to 100% and my posture (and workouts) are far more balanced. I’d recommend Shar and team to anyone who’s getting physio. That, and they stock their candy jar with gobstoppers (thats like a 5 star rating in an of itself :))

The entire staff at Physiotherapy Associates in Twin Peaks is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. You can tell from their work and demeanor that they truly care about the people they treat, which results in the best therapy and facilitates the fastest rehabilitation possible. I am grateful for their kindness and great work that they do.

Dr. Sharlene Shu and her team are fantastic. I did 10 months of physical therapy years ago and also used to work in the hospitality industry so I’m somewhat discerning (fussy). Warm smiles and great attitudes from Sharlene and the team even on times when it’s clear the day has fallen apart due to late patients causing overlap (and overload). And if you need an example of their exemplary service: Watching Dr. Shu moving fast and doing double duty for a short stretch while she has one of her staff drive a patient home in her car due to the non-​responsive San Francisco taxi companies. If I could give six stars, I would!

I went to Jill Getty to help with my bunion, but there are always things achy and tight in my body. Jill addressed anything I brought up with intelligence and kindness. She gave me exercises and ideas about how to hold myself differently. I think she must have xray vision. I wish I was close enough to see her now. I highly recommend her!

I was seen by Sharlene Shu and she is terrific. I had a clavicle fractured in several places. She taught me exercises well so that I can do confidently at home; spoke to me in depth about exercises to help my clavicle healing as well as other problems I have and listened well. She/​her staff performed treatments, i.e.: massage and cold packs that felt wonderful. I highly recommend Physiotherapy Associates on Dewey St., SF, and in particular Sharlene Shu. The others on staff were extremely nice and efficient, parking is easy and my United Healthcare Insurance went smoothly.

I’ve been to these guys twice now, both to help me get healthy after meniscus repair surgeries by Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht. I worked with Sharlene in 2008 and recently with Jill, who unfortunately for us, is going away on a long hiatus. Both of them are extremely knowledgeable and geniunely concerned for their patients, and in both cases I have returned to a high level of activity, which for me is martial arts and self defense, running, biking, and other sports as well. Sharlene and Jill always took time to answer all of my questions and gave me a lot of strategic advice beyond just putting me through exercises. They also both took the time and the interest to work with me on some other long term postural and movement problems that will help me avoid future knee injuries. I highly recommend Physiotherapy Associates to anybody who needs PT for injuries or surgery.

After a horrible snowboarding accident (more like me being a dumbass), my doctor told me I had a torn miniscus, 2 sprained MCLs, and a tear in the shoulder of some sort. I know hardly a thing about muscles, tears or miniscuses (minisci?). All I knew, was I could hardly walk and couldn’t raise my arm very high. Doctor suggested 3 MRIs. «Good thing I have insurance,» I thought, but NOooOoo Blue Cross decides to deny them.
Off I go to Physical Therapy. The staff at Physiotherapy Associates, consisting of Sharlene, Katherine, Jill and Danny did a wonderful job. I can walk, run and jump as I please now. Without them and their help, I would be screwed. And being in a location almost in the middle of no where but near Forrest Hill Station, I was able to freely schedule my appointments.
Yay, snowboarding time!

I’m sure that all of PA’s locations and physical therapists are really good, but I had the good fortune of working with Dr. Sharlene Shu at this location. She really put me back together and more importantly, taught me how to change the movements and posture of my daily living in order to prevent any further injury. Her own medical history gives her experience useful for healing injured people and teaching them methods for living and working without pain. Sharlene rocks!