Because your body is meant to THRIVE.
We’re here to treat people differently. To enhance function, as opposed to just treating symptoms.
We created Thrive Physical Therapy to show people a different style of treatment, to enhance function as opposed to just treating symptoms. And since you’re here reading this, our guess is that you’re one of the wise people who get this style!
We believe that the way we move through life is important and doesn’t have to be as difficult or as painful as it sometimes can be.
We believe your body can do more than just "be."
We’ve been granted this one, beautiful, body to work with and it is our intention to help you thrive within it.
Our mission is to elevate people’s understanding, expectations and abilities of their bodies. To facilitate ownership and confidence by providing education, hands-on body work, neuromuscular retraining and exercise.
Movement is our jam. Even more specifically, the muscles, joints, nerves, brain to body connection and strength gains related to improving movement, are our jam! Assessment and treatment must go far beyond range of motion and strength testing. We look at how your musculoskeletal, fascial, visceral, neurodynamics and neuromuscular control systems all work together and allow or impair the way you move.
For some of you, you’re moving and managing your body PLUS one (or two or three…). We’re talking pregnancy and postpartum!
For you Mamas, you get the added challenge of navigating this life in your constantly changing body as you progress through each trimester of pregnancy and then into the fourth trimester, postpartum. You, Mamas, are our lifeline and who make this world go 'round! We appreciate you and we got you!
And for those who aren’t Mamas, it’s our mission to help you too! Whichever system or body part/s you’re struggling with, let’s make sure your soft tissues and joints move, make sure you have control and strength of those parts and then use all that goodness to function easier, get rid of pain or even better, prevent it! The ol’ bandaid technique does not work in this model!
We’re excited to share our style with you and get your body thriving!
Meet the Team
Dr. Lauren
Fascinated by the art and science of movement, I began my career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2012 focusing on sports and orthopedic issues and quickly recognized the need to give specific focus to pregnant and postpartum people. Since then, I have been working, primarily, with women who are postpartum, pregnant, active or having any pelvic floor concerns. My goals are to educate people on the symbiotic relationship between their pelvic area and the rest of their body and to help them be as active, strong and confident as they want to be! Because I believe our bodies are meant to do more than just be, they’re meant to THRIVE!
My postdoctoral studies are focused in female pelvic health and dysfunction, the female athlete, functional manual therapy (FMT®), innate postpartum traditions, postpartum doula training, and visceral mobilization.
Dr. Aaron
I have been an athlete for my entire life which, sadly for me, means that I have experienced multiple injuries. I have felt, first hand, how different PT approaches can be life changing in either a good or bad way. I am committed to changing it for the good.
I devote my practice to making sure that each patient I work with gets the best possible PT approach. I am determined to help you find the original cause of your pain, not just chase it. Chasing pain is a bandaid approach and really only leads to more chronic issues, which nobody wants!
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified in Functional Manual Therapy (CFMT), I practice using a full body, holistic approach. I use manual techniques to address mechanical dysfunction of the soft tissues, joints, viscera and neuromuscular system while also utilizing manual neuromuscular facilitation to build motor control and return to efficient movement patterns needed for a Thriving body. With this approach, assessment and treatment must go far beyond range of motion and strength testing. The cookie cutter approach does not cut it in this treatment model.
So, whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior or just want to be able to perform daily tasks without pain, together we can develop a plan to return, and likely progress beyond, your normal functional level.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your full potential!
Dr. Rowena
Growing up in San Diego, my path to becoming a physical therapist began with my background as a Division 1 Collegiate Cross Country and Track athlete. Post-collegiately, I continued training but tore multiple ankle ligaments which ended my racing career. This experience motivated me to pursue physical therapy, where I aimed to not only recover from my own injury, but also to assist others in understanding the root cause of dysfunctions contributing to their pain.
Over the past decade, my focus has gravitated towards women's health and the pivotal role of the pelvic floor in facilitating optimal well-being. My treatment philosophy involves blending manual techniques while simultaneously addressing restrictions within the mechanical, neuromuscular, joint, soft tissue, and lymphatic systems, that may contribute to your pain. Providing you with insights into the root cause of your pain, while also giving you tools for self-care beyond our session, I can help you move beyond merely living with pain to thriving!
As a pelvic floor, orthopedic, and lymphatic physical therapist, my postdoctoral studies have focused on female pelvic health and dysfunction, the female athlete, functional manual therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, lymphedema, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and chronic pain.
Fun fact: I am in a PhD program working to advance pelvic floor and cancer survivorship rehab. I'm also associated faculty at SDSU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. So if I bust out a whiteboard mid-session…you’ve been forewarned :)
Jori
I have always felt a passion towards helping others in a physical therapy setting. With my background in sports and experiencing my fair share of injuries, I knew it was my calling. I graduated college with a degree in Kinesiology with the hopes of doing just that.
After graduating, I began working as a physical therapy aide- trying to navigate my way through the different areas in my degree. I found THRIVE after moving to San Diego from Northern California. I was immediately drawn to Dr. Lauren and Dr. Aaron and their style of therapy. I knew I had to learn everything I could from them.
As the team continues to grow; I am forever grateful I get to take part in the growth and work with such a wonderful team! Whether it's scheduling an appointment or holding a baby; I look forward to meeting you and helping you through your journey here at THRIVE!
Make some moves.
As Doctors of Physical Therapy, movement is our jam. Just call us your Doctors of Movement! So, if you’re looking to move better and feel better, let’s meet!
We’re seeing patients in person and virtually.
2389 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(On corner of 5th and Kalmia with entrance on Kalmia)
Email: admin@sdthrive.com
Call: (619) 354-4888