Movement Works Physical Therapy

I’ve used Movement Works several times over the years and have been recently seeing Rebecca for the last four months for various injuries. I’ve been to other local PT offices before. This is by far the best. Their patient/​therapist ratios are such that they can give each patient individual attention. Rebecca will work you hard but it all works. I’ve applied everything taught to me and the staff was relentless in their work with me. I cannot find a gym with equipment as nice as Movement Works’ equipment. This is as good as it gets folks. I’m a germaphobe and this office is super clean too.

Rebecca treated me for my L5 S1 injury that I’ve had for over 10 years. While I failed physical therapy and need to see an orthopedic surgeon, Rebecca was so knowledgable and fantastic at her job. I felt like I was in really good hands. Literally.

Last December I pulled a groin muscle playing tennis. I suffered from the same injury15−20 years ago and remembered that recovery took nearly a year. This time I decided to go for physical therapy. One of the trainers at my gym had recommended Movement Works.
Working with Richard I decided to change my workout routine to focus on muscle elasticity, a common problem that occurs with aging. Richard had many different techniques for obtaining this elasticity. After two months the groin muscle was recovering to the point where I started groin strengthening exercises. I felt that I was making progress.
However, while stretching the calf muscles I managed to strain both both left and right calves. I blame this on Richard. He never once warned me about the danger of over-​stretching. Two weeks ago I went in and told him that I had suffered a major setback. His response was to tell me that he didn’t know what to do implying that the injuries were my fault.
If you are considering therapy at Movement Works, you should reconsider. There are only a few physical therapists there one of them being Richard. There are other people working with patients, but they are interns and really don’t know what they’re doing nor are they licensed to work without supervision. Any problems occur and they have to ask Richard for help. My advice to any of you considering physical therapy with Movement Works would be to look for a different physical therapy company — one where you are being seen by a competent physical therapist who works with you the entire time you are there. Movement Works is a money-​oriented operation and hence the interns. I found Richard to be very argumentative and pompous whenever questioned about his technique.
I am sure that there are competent physical therapists out there. I just don’t know who they are but I can assure you that if you’re in need of physical therapy you do better than Movement Works.

I have used Movement works twice. Once for my knee replacement and once for my son’s shoulder reconstruction rehab. Both times I have been impressed with the care and thought that goes into their treatment. My knee had some odd repercussions and they were very helpful figuring it out. Great Folks!

I can’t say enough about Movement Works and their staff. From Jessica at the front desk, to Michelle who is currently working with my 11 year old daughter. She really goes above and beyond and makes physical therapy, after a horrible knee dislocation, fun and encouraging. Each week she is reevaluating her progress, and adding knew exercises to keep her engaged, and challenging. Not once has my daughter complained about going… she looks forward to working with Michelle and her assistants and sees the improvement herself. Thank you.

I couldn’t disagree with Douglas more! Do the therapist talk and joke among themselves? Yes. The place has a great vibe. But, are patients ever neglected? NO! Everyone is so attentive. Even when my therapist was working with someone else or I was in another part of the facility, he was watching me.
I had two MAJOR shoulder surgeries in the same year. They involved pain I can’t put into words but, thanks to the very professional and supportive PT at MW, I have much better range and strength than I had even before my injuries. Richard knew just how far to push me and it was beyond what any person could or would do to themselves.
I am a person who likes to understand ‘what and why’. Every questions was answered and the explanations were put into clearly understood lay talk. Bottom line: Fabulous success. (Additional thanks to Dr. Kurzweil whom I would also recommend.)
I have referred this place to SO many friends and acquaintances and no one has been disappointed. I’m about to take my 81 year old mother in to rehab after a full knee replacement. We strategically planned her surgery and recovery so she could take advantage of MW.
I never felt neglected or like ‘just another patient’. The entire crew reflects to owners work ethic, thoughtfulness and cheerfulness. You will have a great outcome if you do the work they recommend and a pleasant experience at a time that could definitely be otherwise.

Movement Works has the best physical therapists in Long Beach and the surrounding cities. I used them twice for both of my rotator cuffs. I highly recommend Angie in particular. She is extremely knowledgeable and one of the nicest people there. The entire group makes you feel comfortable and they are all awesome including the owners Mary and Richard. Additionally, this place is kept clean and very neat always. If you need PT, this is the place to go.

The pain in my shoulder was getting worse each month. I thought for sure I would have to have rotor cuff surgery and was dreading that eventuality. Well, my shoulder specialist Dr. Kurzweil had me go to Movement works. They listened to me, did an excellent evaluation, my therapist was Angee, her professional attitude and experience was/​is totally awesome. If I wasn’t able to do a certain Exercise the first way she showed me, she would show me how to accomplish the same result with a different type of Exercise. Never made me feel bad if I hadn’t been able to do the work, and reminded me that we really were a team, and she was going to help me get my shoulder back to normal with no pain and full range of motion. Well, with alot of work and following her direction, she came through for me 100%+. My quality of life has been upgraded dramatically. The entire staff was great. I watched the other therapists there and they too were very sensitive to their clients needs. If you ever need a physical therapist be sure to go there.

Horrible
I tried to schedule an appointment with Movement Works. My first phone call was never returned! Two days later I called and left another message. Finally my phone call was returned! I was informed that they could not schedule an appointment for two weeks. So I called back and tried to schedule an appointment within their time frame. Due to my work schedule the earliest time I could get in would be around 4 pm. I was informed that the latest time they could evaluate someone would be 2 pm… It appears that they do not work with patients time frame or «they do not need new patients»…

Original Quick Tip: This place was great when I needed it years ago. Now my friend is using them. I’m her driver today ;)
Full Review:
This place was perfect for me when I needed it back in 2010 after my ACL reconstruction. I told my PT, «I play rugby, I’m not afraid of pain». She took this to heart (thankfully) and didn’t go easy on me. I zipped through the stages of my therapy since she wasn’t going easy on me. She made me cry from the pain almost every day. I am so thankful for that. Within a month I was good as new. Even though I still had 3 months of prescribed therapy after that, I was back to my old self. After 2 months I was able to jog. Within 3 months I could do almost everything but play contact sports. By the time I was done with therapy I felt as though I had never had surgery. Even though the psychological scars are still there, physically I am stronger than ever and that is thanks to the attentive staff at Movement Works.
I finished with therapy so quickly that my insurance only covered the final two weeks. Which was kind of a bummer. It was like, «yay! my insurance is covering the full amount now but boo, I only have 4 sessions left». Oh well.
Granted, I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to be stationary. Hell, I went out dancing less than 2 weeks after my surgery; sans crutches. Just a cane, a well wrapped/​braced leg and a little booze. So maybe it was part determination and part awesome physical therapist (s), but either way…
Every time one of my friends needs PT (which is often since most play rugby), I suggest Movement Works. Currently, a friend of mine is going to Movement Works to recover from ACL reconstruction. My friend doesn’t want to be pushed too hard. So her PT is taking notably longer. I drive her to PT once or twice a week so I have seen the progression first hand.
I guess my point is, this place is great because they will work with you to get you where you need to be. If you want to take it a little slower and minimize pain, they will let you. If you want to be pushed and aren’t afraid of pain (I’m talking ‘make you cry, scream, moan, shake, convulse in pain’. The worst pain imaginable), then they will do that too.
On top of the actual care received:
*They are friendly. Always remembering names of those who come in.
*The facility is well maintained and very clean.
*Even if your therapist is busy with another patient (they overlap appointments) and you need something, someone is always nearby to help.
*Once you learn the ropes, they don’t mind you doing things on your own.
*If you don’t like an exercise for any reason, they can usually find an alternative. — For example, I hated extending my legs fully on the leg press because it scared me so my therapist switched me to the Pilates machine.

I have been a patient here twice in the last 6 mos for different ailments. This is the best PT facility I have been to in the area. I have had PT at 5 other places and none of them even come close to the treatment you get at Movement Works. The facility is clean and neat, well organized, and very well managed. Beautiful gym, pilates area and treatment room.
The Therapists and PT aides know their stuff and treat each patient personally. They greet you each day by name, put their hands on you to assess your affected body part — shoulder, knee, back… they assign you an exercise program that is personalized just for you. If you don’t like a particular exercise just say so and they will adjust your program. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
I had a knee replacement and because I have followed their treatment regimen, painful as it is, I have had excellent results. There is no getting around the pain but all along the way I have been evaluated and questioned about my pain.
Communication is high on their list of priorities.
If you want to be a partner in your recovery, this is the place for you! Try it and see.

I highly recommend Movement Works! I have had chronic ankle problems for over 20 years, rolling and spraining until I broke my fibula. I have been to most physical therapy facilities in the long beach/​south bay area. It wasn’t until I got to Movement Works that I finally got the attention I needed. They are attentive, professional, and sincere. The environment is positive, considering all the patients are dealing with some type of pain. @ Angela V. I’m bummed to read your experience because every time I feel a twinge of pain, I tell my physical therapist and it is addressed. They even educate me and the attendees about the way the body works, pain management, and even referred me to the best surgeon I have encountered (and I’ve had quite a few). Thanks to Movement Works, I am walking with confidence again!

Movements Works is in my opinion the best physical therapy clinic in the area. It has an extremely good staff with high credentials. I have been treated there with good results each time and my father loves the pilates classes. Thanks!

I feel really strongly about the quality of therapy at Movement Works. I have been to a lot of PT places in my 20 years of playing soccer and my mom is a therapist, so I have a good basis of comparison. This was the first therapy place I’ve ever been that incorporated therapy on the reformer and it has been AMAZING. I have been able to build leg strength and jump on the reformer which has greatly sped my recovery. Thanks Alyda!

Same as all the other PT places. They say the words about wanting to help you get better but when it comes to focused attention they just don’t want to work that hard. My PPO insurance pays big $$$ but the PTs here just want to talk to each other about their weekend. Not good.

i used to work here and i loved it. the staff is excellent. the owners are very well organized. it is in a very nice building complete with a gym, a treatment room, and a pilates room. i can’t vouch for service as a patient, but it seemed as though almost all of the patients were positive when they came in.