Quinn Downtown Physical Therapy

Kate Nickerson at Quinn Downtown helped turn my life around. By November 2014 I was disabled by severe chronic migraines and at my wit’s end. I had already had to quit my job and try a series of medications and treatments I had never dreamed of trying, which didn’t work and also had terrible side effects. One of the most frustrating things about my condition is that I knew getting regular exercise was essential to regaining my health, but exercise was triggering the migraine attacks. It was the worst kind of catch-​22 and I was sliding into a state of poor health I never dreamed I would be in. Just over two years prior, I had backpacked over 200 miles on the John Muir Trail. Now, I could barely get out of bed.
The first physical therapist I tried was with a different business and could not accommodate my extreme sensitivity to harsh lighting, especially fluorescent lighting, and noise, like the peppy music played in the treatment room where several other patients were receiving treatment simultaneously. I had an attack by the time I left that place and was even more discouraged. Embarrassed by my vulnerabilities and the craziness of my situation, I worked up the strength to call Quinn and explain my problem. Without judgment or hesitation, Leah (who worked the front desk at the time) described the physical layout of the office and what they could do to accommodate me. In addition to a shared space with exercise equipment, they have private rooms which receive enough natural light to turn out the overhead fluorescents.
When I met Kate, she immediately put me at ease with her kindness, expertise, and positive attitude. She saw immediately that one of the vertebrae in my neck appeared to be slightly sunken behind another (something my doctors had missed in x-​rays), and my posture had become truly terrible, as I was frequently stooped over in pain. This was creating a cycle of pain between my neck/​shoulders and my migrainey brain. She very, very gently set to work correcting that problem through stretching, massage, and gentle strength-​training. She understood that no matter how committed I was, my progress would be slow because of the nature of my problem and my sensitivity. She didn’t push me but encouraged me in ways achievable for me at the time.
Fast forward eight months and a lot of work, and I am exercising every day again! I am so much stronger and confident in my body, and my attacks have dwindled dramatically. I am again able to travel, enjoy the out of doors, and even had a successful scuba adventure! Together with other key treatments and the amazing support of my husband, I am rebuilding my life with a level of optimism simply impossible for me to imagine last year. Kate and Quinn were fundamental to this success. I know I would still be stuck without her help.
You can read more about how physical therapy fit into my escape from what I call «Migraine Island» on my website here:

Best of luck, everyone, and thanks again, Kate!

I took of work and took my father there for hist first appointment today. After arrival, we were told to wait for them to further verify insurance info, and it turned out it’s the type they don’t except. I’ve given them the insurance info before. Why didn’t they find it out? It’s a big waste of time.

Great place with an awesome faculty! They truly understand what it takes to get you back on your feet and back doing whatever you love. They helped with my post shoulder surgery and now after four months I can use it with no problem! Shout-​out to the office staff and Nicole for really helping me out. I highly recommend her for any PT appointments.

I went to Quinn when they were at the location above the San Jose Athletic Club, which was super convenient, but then they moved. The loopy, disorganized girl on the phone didn’t even bother telling me they’d moved when I called to make my appointment, so I showed up to the original location and missed my next appointment. When I got to the new location I found it in a sketchy neighborhood, with locks on the bathrooms, a creaking, sagging floor, and fixtures with wires hanging out of the wall. It was a real step down in location and facilities. As far as therapists go, Nickie was great, but unfortunately when she went on maternity leave they kept switching me from one therapist to another (my very next therapist disappeared on her honeymoon — does anyone actually WORK at Quinn?). I could not get a consistent appointment time, and the treatment I did get seemed like the therapists were just going through the motions and didn’t really care about me. Plus I discovered belatedly that they’d been happily collecting my copays even though I’d actually maxxed out my copay on my insurance and should not have been paying at all!
Because of the frustratingly poor scheduling and location at Quinn I have since switched to Breakthrough in Sunnyvale and it is GREAT. Much better and more thorough treatment, my new therapist works me hard but I can feel I am finally getting better. It is a 180 degree change from the uninspired «treatment» at Quinn. Plus my appointments are longer at Breakthrough (Quinn was only 30 minutes, Breakthrough is 40 — 1 hour). Don’t bother with Quinn — go to Breakthrough (or anyplace else).

I have a large disk herniation and have been getting PT from Lezlie Martin for about 6 months for it. She has helped me get from severe sciatica and numbness to pretty mild symptoms. She does great manipulation (massage!) and stretches me out and has also taught me some great stretches and core exercises to do at home (every day). Her help was invaluable, especially when I first started PT.
Also, the office staff are great — particular shout-​out to Kim, who is super sweet and helpful!

The ONLY place to go if pregnant — So I was referred to Deborah Quinn of Quinn Orthopedic with severe Symphysis pubic dysfunction during pregnancy (SPD) and nerve pain — I was on a walker with it and three other physical therapist offices felt they didn’t have the knowledge or expertise with pregnant women to help me and referred me to Deborah. Immediately I felt comfortable and she helped greatly improve my pain and mobility. Knowledgeable, kind and understanding. She also helped me to better understand not only how the exercises could help but why and what I was aiming for when doing them. She also has a great sense of humor and the office staff were also wonderful, professional and a pleasure to work with
11 stars out of 10 — that’s how well I rate Quinn PT!