Physical Therapists in So. Cal.

[trcylynn]

Hi,

Anyone have any recommendations for a physical therapist in southern california? Preferably Orange County. I saw one at UCI Medical Center but I want a 2nd opinion and since that therapist was one my doctor recommended I know of no other therapists.

Thank you for the help/input.

[MacksMom]

We live in OC, but have not been referred to a physical therapist. Did you see Dr. Bhatia at UCI? What did you think of him?

Lisa

[trcylynn]

I did see Dr. Bhatia. I think he is a good doctor. I got really annoyed with his PA or whoever she is- she asks all these questions and literally reads my MRI transcript (or whatever was written) to me as though she's the doctor. I was kind of brief and maybe slightly rude to her because I had been waiting over an hour and just wanted to talk to Bhatia to get the results from him (after all he's the doctor).

Bhatia recommended UCI PT- I saw the lady there she thinks one leg is longer than the other and my opposite hip is somehow higher though and that all that caused my scoliosis. But, I've met people with true leg disparities and not only do they have back problems but knee and hip problems as well and I've never had that. I just don't understand/believe a PT could discover all my problems and that 5-10 specialists and doctors I've seen the past 20yrs missed it. So I'm trying to get a 2nd opinion but don't know where to go.

I called and emailed Bhatia to ask him what he thinks of the PT's evaluation and if he has any other recommendations so I'm waiting to hear back from him as well. Just hoping there's more So. Cal. people on here that have some good experiences (or bad and could warn me) of PTs to see or not to see.

But overall, sorry for the long reply, I do like Bhatia I think he's a good doctor and knows his stuff and will be very blunt and honest if you want him to be which I can appreciate.

[twisterLA]

PTs in So Cal

Did your doctor give you the names of more than 1 PT? Mine did. I am in LA so there are lots of PT's here. The names that were constantly recommended here in LA were Cathy Cahill and Robert Forster.

[MacksMom]

That's funny. We felt the same way about his PA. My daughter was so annoyed with her. She really really disliked the PA. I can't really describe what she was like - but you were there, so you know. Not condescending, but something like that. Mackenzie said she talked to us like we were idiots (and I'm a hospital administrator!!). Oh well. We did like Dr. Bhatia. He has excellent credentials. I'll probably take Mackenzie to a spine specialist who deals only in pediatrics though.

Good luck in your search. My friend's mother went to Dr. Akbarnia and really liked him - and he also has excellent credentials. He's down near San Diego.

Lisa

[trcylynn]

She does kind of talk down to people... I actually just got a call from her (speaking for Bhatia I guess) she said she measured my xrays and that was about it... what are her credentials? I asked what Dr. Bhatia thought and she said they recommend that PT place because they are good I said I understood but wanted Dr. Bhatia's opinion of the PT's evaluation and she really couldn't give that to me because he probably has no idea what is going on and no one has told him anything. I guess that's the sacrifice I have to be willing to make to see the best/someone with such good credentials- if they are that good they don't really have the time to call/email patients back answering every question.

I'm still lost as to what to do with this situation. My insurance has a limit of PT sessions so I don't want to be 5 sessions into it only to realize she has mis-diagnosed me and be worse off than I am now. I would assume UCI would only hire very qualified professionals but my therapist is not listed on the UCI PT website and I don't know her credentials which worries me. I've spent too much time and money on people pretending to act like they are scoliosis experts and have figured out how to solve my problems only to be dissapointed in the end. I'd rather save myself the time and money if I can by finding a great PT.

I'll try giving the San Diego office of the Dr. you said a call to see who they recommend patients to as far as PT.

Thanks,
Tracy

[Ken]

Hi, TRCYLNN

Dr Akbarnia may have more than one, but I happen to know he has access to PT right in his area!! (infact, I think it's in the same office)...