Arlene Cavan Physical Therapy - San Francisco, California

Raychi L.

I came to Arlene on the verge of giving up on my post surgery knee rehabilitation after working hard with another PT for two years with very slow progress and lots of physical pain. Arlene not only restored my physical health but also helped rebuild my confidence and trust in myself.

She quickly uncovered that the slow progress with my knee rehabilitation had more to do with my hip and spine misalignment in the first session. Instead of asking me to 'work hard' like other PTs, she taught me how to listen to my body and modified my take-home exercises to be more functional and suited to my lifestyle rather than focusing solely on muscle building. I felt immediately more balanced and experienced less pain in just a month.

Arlene is knowledgeable yet humble. She introduced me to handful of tools and exercise so that I can manage most of my pain by myself. She also understands the limitations of physical therapy and encourages me to seek help from chiropractors and functional medicine practitioners so that I can get the full spectrum of support.

On top of that, she is warm, caring, and listens to me. She listened to my venting about work and life and showed empathy and support along the way.

I can't say thanks enough. And would recommend Arlene highly to anyone who wants to take health into their own hands.

Aditri B.

Arlene has helped me immensely over the past several weeks with persistent knee and lower back pain. She is exceptionally skilled at considering the complex interplay of various body systems, taking these into account when providing therapeutic exercise guidance and lifestyle modifications. Arlene not only helped me with the knee and back concerns which were part of my official treatment plan; she has also set me on a path to holistic wellness, equipping me with tools and knowledge to better support my physical and mental health. I’m super grateful for her ongoing support and guidance!

Manan B.

Arlene is very knowledgeable and kind. She was able to help me with my achilles tendinitis. I met her at the 11 week mark after the injury and was able to see a lot of improvement within 2 weeks of seeing her. She recommended exercises and stretches to do on my own and was able to do a phone call check in to keep me on pace between appointments. It helped to have an expert give me confidence to push myself to get stronger.

Eileen F.

Arlene is an excellent physical therapist and very caring in her approach to patients! She really listens to their needs and finds treatment solutions that work specifically for them and their lifestyle. She is extremely knowledgable and provides additional resources for patients to use outside of appointments. I am grateful for the care she provided me.

Minh L.

Arlene was a phenomenal and personal physical therapist. I had bad elbow pain for several months because of climbing, and nothing I attempted from online blogs really helped. After my first 1-2 sessions with Arlene, my pain immediately dropped and I could get back to climbing, which felt incredible. She also gave me a bunch of exercises that I could do at home to prevent or alleviate any pain I get in the future, and has been a generally wonderful, and cheerful, resource. Highly recommend her for anyone who needs PT!

Ryan B.

Arlene is phenomenal, and sessions with her are like magic. I was experiencing periodic recurring lower back pain for a year or so when I first started working with Arlene. She diagnosed the issue and possible causes, worked with me to develop a stretching and strengthening plan, and applied direct body work to help correct the issue. Within a surprisingly short amount of time, after a set of sessions and following the exercise routines she recommended, the pain subsided and I've been pain free since. I would work with Arlene daily if I could!

YaHuei C.

I started to work with Arlene for the body pain and soreness 6 months after giving birth to our little one. Arlene is great! Her hands-on work is amazing. Every time my body felt relief and I can straighten up much easier after her manual work. She taught me how to stretch the area of muscle tightness and strengthen core muscles. We also talked about how to restore daily life function, such as adjusting my desk and chair level so I can have a good posture when working in front of my computer or finding the ways to sit on the floor comfortably when I play with the baby. I strongly recommend her!

coni H.

Arlene is a true healer. I am currently working with her to address a pelvic issue. After a few sessions I am already making great progress.  Arlene takes her time to listen and understand my issues and lifestyle and as such customizes her treatment plan. Once my pelvic issues are resolved I look forward to continuing my work with Arlene to address other issues.