Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Physical Therapists in San Mateo, CA

Our Recommended Top 6

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Mateo Physical Therapists on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

25Reviewed

17Curated

6Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

800 North El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Heal Physical Therapy & Wellness is a concierge and mobile physical therapy service that treats patients in San Mateo and other areas in the San Francisco Bay Area. The practice focuses on providing one-on-one outpatient services in the comfort of patients' homes. It is owned and operated by Arwa Motiwala, a physical therapist and kinesiologist who takes a holistic approach to healing and wellness. She has been practicing physical therapy independently and with various clinics since 2010.

San Mateo, CA 94402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (20)
Google
4.4 (7)

Why choose this provider?

For over a decade, Body Balance and Beyond has been treating patients in the Bay Area, helping to improve their posture, increase their strength and endurance, and restore their flexibility. Their goal is to achieve full body balance for all of their patients in a fun, relaxed, and enjoyable environment. To achieve this, their experienced therapists review a patient’s past medical history, current physical injuries, and assess their general physical condition. This evaluation enables their team to tailor a program that best suits each patient’s needs and goals, and their individualized programs promote steady progress with long-lasting results. Located in San Mateo, the studio offers services that include physical therapy, Gyrotonic massage therapy, personal training, and a comprehensive scoliosis program.

San Mateo, CA 94402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (39)
Google
5.0 (10)
Yelp
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Starfish Therapies is a professional pediatric therapy clinic that services patients in the San Mateo metro. The physical therapists work with children aged 0-22 with conditions such as autism, torticollis, developmental delay, orthopedic injuries, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. They focus on developing the child's gross motor, orthopedic, and neurological development through vestibular rehabilitation, gross motor examinations, early intervention, and intensive therapy services, In addition to consultations and therapies, they provide clients with continuing education resources through their website.

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.4 (22)

Why choose this provider?

South City Physical Therapy brings over 30 years of physical therapy experience to the South San Francisco area. Patients of all ages, from children to the elderly, benefit from thorough evaluations, various tests including for spines and ligaments, manual therapies, and some modalities such as taping. Individuals seek treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine, occupational medicine, spine rehabilitation, general orthopedics, and beneficial home exercise programs as well. The owner has a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from Stanford University, is a strength and condition specialist certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and is also “Rock Doc” certified by the Rock tape company. South City Physical Therapy took over the previous practice of Coastside Physical Therapy, and Spanish-speaking patients are welcome.

Palo Alto, CA 94306

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (51)
Google
5.0 (47)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Agile Physical Therapy in Palo Alto is a private clinic specializing in the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries. Their focus is on helping patients reduce pain, improve physical function, and maximize their physical well-being. The main office is a complete physical therapy facility with private treatment rooms, an exercise area, showers and lockers, and high-end training equipment. The FIT Personal Training Center in Los Altos provides physical therapy, massage therapy, and a personal training gym to guide people in all areas of health and fitness. It offers personalized training sessions for individuals and small groups and specialized programs for kids and teens. Reviews speak of the therapists being very experienced, motivational and encouraging, and the facilities being clean and kitted out with the latest equipment.

San Mateo, CA 94402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (43)
Google
4.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

West Bay Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center is a San Mateo facility that provides service in English and Spanish. The clinic offers one-on-one sessions and treats conditions such as repetitive stress injuries, TMJ dysfunction, headaches, sport-specific rehabilitation, pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, ankle injuries, hip injuries, back pain, neck pain, hand injuries, wrist injuries, and elbow injuries. West Bay Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center’s hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patients appreciate their friendliness, encouragement, knowledge, helpfulness, efficiency, punctuality, and support.

Compare our Top Physical Therapists

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Heal Physical Therapy & Wellness
800 North El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
Body Balance and Beyond
San Mateo, CA 94402
Starfish Therapies
San Mateo, CA 94402
South City Physical Therapy
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Agile Physical Therapy
Palo Alto, CA 94306
West Bay Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center
San Mateo, CA 94402

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Physical therapy is an essential medical specialty for people that experience difficulties with performing daily activities. This includes simple tasks such as bending, walking, picking up objects, showering, and dressing. Patients that require physical therapy treatment include those with physical disabilities, old age, injuries caused by accidents, or disease.

    Physical therapy is used to help patients manage their pain, rehabilitate the affected body area, and restore optimum performance. Most physical therapists specialize in treating specific cases, such as:
    • Orthopedics, including injuries to muscles, bones, and joints.
    • Pediatric therapy to treat children's injuries and developmental conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
    • Athletic injuries, including fractures, strains, and splints.
    • Geriatric therapy for the elderly with various, conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and stability disorders.
  • What is physical therapy?

    Physical therapy is a medical practice involving therapeutic activities to help patients regain mobility and normal bodily functions. It provides a remedy for the treatment of injuries, medical conditions, and pain management. Physical therapists receive a diagnosis from a physician, identify the appropriate treatment plan, and conduct customized therapy sessions to restore or better physical function.

  • What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?

    Physical therapy and occupational therapy retrain the body and mind and play a vital role in improving or maintaining physical functions. Occupational therapy focuses on enhancing fine-motor skills or hand-eye coordination to perform daily activities, such as getting dressed or writing. Physiotherapy concentrates on improving pain, physical deterioration, and range of motion by stimulating blood circulation with targeted exercise.

  • What do physical therapists do?

    Physical therapists help relieve pain and improve physical strength and movement to individuals of all ages with injuries or debilitating diseases, whether acute or chronic. They consult with doctors to learn about the patients' needs, evaluate movement dysfunctions, teach patients how to use equipment, and provide treatments, such as massage. Other responsibilities include monitoring progress and altering treatment as necessary.

  • What does a physical therapist assistant do?

    Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of physical therapists. Their responsibilities include reporting patient progress and working with individuals of all ages on therapeutic exercises, gait and balance training, and how to use recovery equipment.

  • Are physical therapists doctors?

    Physical therapists are considered doctors of physical therapy and are qualified to use the title "Dr." in front of their name. The biggest difference between them and medical doctors is that PTs use exercises and massage to restore their patients' health, whereas doctors offer treatment using medications and surgeries.

  • Can physical therapists diagnose?

    Physical therapists don't perform medical diagnoses. In most cases, doctors perform the medical diagnoses and refer the patient to a physical therapist for rehabilitative treatment. The physical therapist conducts a physical evaluation to pinpoint the nature and extent of the physical damage or impairment and prepares a treatment plan.