SOL Physical Therapy
At SOL Physical Therapy, we are proud to offer comprehensive, results-driven rehabilitation and performance programs for active individuals of all ages. Whether you are recovering from an injury, looking to prevent one from occurring, or interested in improving your overall sports performance, SOL Physical Therapy offers you personal and effective care that will help you achieve your personal goals.
The SOL Physical Therapy staff has over two decades of combined musculoskeletal experience combined with a passionate, patient-centered approach unique to the East Bay and San Francisco Bay area healthcare market.
We strive to make a difference in our community and sponsor countless medical seminars on physical therapy techniques and advances, and volunteer our time for a number of local sporting events.
We accept most major insurances in the East Bay and San Francisco Bay area.
Services and Techniques
SOL Physical Therapy services include:
- Orthopedic manual physical therapy
- Spinal rehabilitation
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation
- Pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation
- Pregnancy and low back pain rehabilitation
- Balance and vestibular rehabilitation
- Active Release Techniques® (ART)
- Functional Movement Screens (FMS)
- Graston Technique®
- SpiderTech™ kinesiology taping
- Cold laser therapy
We treat a variety of conditions that include neck and back pain, tendinitis, sprain/ strains, arthritis, chronic pain, fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint replacement, sciatica, whiplash, work related injuries, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, rotator cuff injuries.
<Back to top>
Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a systematic hands-on approach to the assessment and treatment of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Restrictions or pain in the body that affect muscles, fascia, nerves and all joints respond to manual therapy. Manual physical therapy includes specific techniques such as stretching, Active Release Techniques®, joint mobilization, muscle energy, and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation).
The goal of manual physical therapy is to restore normal pain-free movement in the body. Each patient is thoroughly evaluated by a certified manual physical therapist who will then design and progress an individualized treatment program. This program may include hands-on physical therapy, a custom exercise program, and biomechanical counseling.
<Back to top>
Active Release Techniques®
Running, tennis, golfing, cycling, walking, and even work-related movements can, over time, lead to muscle tightness, pain, the loss of strength and a reduced range of motion. We know some of these aches and pains by name: a headache, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, tennis elbow, runner's knee, etc.
Thankfully, Active Release Techniques® (ART®), a state-of-the-art, soft tissue, movement-based massage treatment, can relieve these issues quickly and permanently. Following a hands-on evaluation of the texture, tightness and movement of the affected area, our trained ART® providers combine precisely directed tension with specific movements to treat these abnormal tissues.
Active Release Techniques® is truly the gold standard when it comes to soft tissue manipulation. It is administered by trained professionals to damaged soft tissue, restoring movement and eliminating pain. So, how does it work? Muscles are composed of tiny filaments of tissue that run parallel to one another, allowing each muscle to move freely. When a muscle is injured, these filaments tear. Some muscle tissue injuries are sudden like tears and sprain/strains. Others are the result of “cumulative trauma” like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and bursitis. Regardless of the cause, the body reacts to the injury in a similar way, by filling the damaged area with inferior tissue known as fibrous adhesions. Adhesions can develop between muscles or within muscles. Still, the result is the same—the once parallel filaments of muscle tissue get bound together so they no longer slide and glide freely, impairing movement and causing pain. ART® is the first and only treatment designed specifically to treat these soft tissue problems. Combining an understanding of biomechanics and movement with hands-on manual mobilization and manipulation techniques, ART® allows the practitioner to go right to the heart of the problem and resolve it quickly and effectively.
ART® does not utilize a single, cookie-cutter approach. Our providers are trained in over 500 specific treatment protocols to identify and correct each patient's individual problems. Practitioners undergo extensive hands-on training to meet the board certified credentialed ART® status. In addition, ART® is not taught in any physical therapy academic programs. ART® was developed by Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Active Release Technique® has a federally protected patent. Members of the College of Providers are the only ones permitted to use the term Active Release Technique® (ART®) and the associated treatment protocols. For more information on ART® please visit the Active Release Technique® website.
Please note, ART® is not considered standard physical therapy and will not be billed to your insurance. It is considered an additional service and will require an additional fee per treatment beyond your insurance copay or coinsurance. We also offer Active Release Technique® (ART®) appointments at our new wellness facility, SOL Performance Training. All ART® appointments, whether at SOL Physical Therapy or SOL Performance Training, are scheduled by calling (510) 547-1630.
<Back to top>
Graston Technique
The Graston Method® is a patented, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique and management system. The Graston methodology is used to break up fibrotic scar tissue and to promote healing of painful or restricted tissues within the body. As part of the Graston Method®, your clinician uses patented tools to detect, aide and assist in the mobilization process necessary to restore normal motion of your muscular and connective tissues.
The Graston Technique® instruments, while enhancing the clinician’s ability to detect fascial adhesions and restrictions, have been successfully proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions, including:
- Cervical sprain/strain (neck pain)
- Lumbar sprain/strain (back pain)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain)
- Plantar Fasciitis (foot pain)
- Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (shoulder pain)
- Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain)
- Achilles Tendinitis (ankle pain)
- Post-Surgery Scarring/Fibrosis
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Scar Tissue Formation/Adhesions
- Chronically Tight of Shortened Muscles
- Shin Splints
Please note, Graston Technique™ is not considered standard physical therapy and
will not be billed to your insurance. It is considered an additional
service and will require an additional fee per treatment beyond your
insurance copay or coinsurance.
To learn more about Graston Technique™, please visit the Graston website.
<Back to top>
SpiderTech™ Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping is an intervention applied to skin in order to reduce muscular pain and inflammation, allow for the relaxation of overused musculature, and to provide support to underlying joints and muscles during moderate to heavy activity. Kinesiology taping differs from traditional athletic taping in that kinesiology taping enhances the body's natural neurological and circulatory systems while providing support whereas traditional taping obstructs this natural flow.
SOL Physical Therapy provides SpiderTech™ kinesiology taping to athletes and active individuals alike. A market leader in the area of kinesiology taping, SpiderTech™ is the preferred provider of taping supplies for this important performance enhancement and pain relief modality.
To learn more about SpiderTech™ kinesiology taping, please visit the SpiderTech™ website.
<Back to top>
Erchonia® Cold Laser
Cold Laser therapy is low level light therapy which helps reduce healing times. A laser is a focused beam of light that emits photon energy. When the light is focused properly, all the photons are traveling the same direction and at the same wavelength; this is known as coherent light. Within the injured musculoskeletal tissue, low-level laser light initiates microcirculation, and enhanced tissue regeneration. The overall effects are decreased pain and inflammation, and increased range of motion. When the body has an injury the cells are damaged and fail to function within normal parameters. Low level lasers penetrate deeply into the skin and work by restoring this abnormal cellular function. Physiologic effects include improved metabolism, circulation and tissue healing.
To learn more about Erchonia Cold Laser therapy, please visit the Erchonia® website.
<Back to top>
