3551 Mira Costa, Suite N, San Clemente CA 92672, US
Call for a free consultation (714) 299-9642
Testimonials 5 Star Google Reviews
Jerra G. 5/17/2022
I found Liz Montagna through an online search for a Holistic Physical Therapist at the advice of my breast cancer coach. An old ankle injury was making movement difficult, and I wanted to take pickleball lessons without re-injuring myself. Through the years I have been to many physical therapists and I believe in the modality, although I have found many PT centers follow a "cookie-cutter" structure and I was looking for a more individualized approach. Liz Montagna was the answer and has truly changed my life! After meeting Liz for the first time, I was impressed with her knowledge of body mechanics and was sold on the idea of Structural Integration - deep bodywork with my connective tissue to create space by using massage techniques to reposition the soft tissue, optimizing joint movement, and allowing more mobility. I signed up for a series of Structural Integration sessions, along with Yoga movement sessions to augment the structural work. Since then, I have had several sessions with Liz, and each time I come away feeling better, with more movement and less pain, more settled, and inspired by Liz's passion for her work, attention to detail (she creates spreadsheets and takes copious notes) and wealth of knowledge in her field. She has a true calling for healing - and has backed up this natural inclination with continuing advanced education - she is always eager to learn more about her craft so she can be the best practitioner possible. Liz's methods are holistic, viewing the body as a whole and understanding how each part affects another to make the body perform at its optimum. Although my initial reason for the visit was an ankle injury, Liz has cured other issues that I had at the same time. Recurring neck pain was a frustrating problem for me, and Liz got to the root cause of it, providing me with easy exercises to strengthen the surrounding tissues and eliminate the pain. It's gone! Liz is also certified in Pilates and Yoga, and we start each session with a brief meditation, which I feel has grounded me. Liz has a beautiful soul -- she is kind, caring, and fun - and I feel deeply connected to her on many levels. Not to mention she has provided a clear path to eliminating my pain and creating a healthier, more structurally integrated person. After several months of working with Liz, I sustained an injury to my knee and ankle and although this setback was disappointing, I knew Liz was going to make me whole again. We had to stop with the Structural Integration sessions temporarily and concentrate on healing my knee and ankle to prevent surgery. I have every confidence this goal will be achieved because I so strongly believe in Liz's expertise. Hiring Liz Montagna as a my Physical Therapist was an easy decision. You will never find someone as passionate, caring, and knowledgeable with a true calling for healing. Liz is a gift to her clients and to her profession, and if you are looking for a Holistic Physical Therapist, I strongly recommend Liz Montagna.
Susan H. 12/15/2021
After years of frustration and little lasting results from PT clinics that simply provide X exercises for Y diagnosis, I was looking for a Physical Therapist who would look at the whole body as a system and get to the underlying causes of my issues to get a lasting result. Liz Montagna is a licensed PT who also brings to bear the trifecta of Yoga, Pilates, and Integrated Body Work certifications to her care. She is incredibly attuned to body mechanics and in just a few weeks has identified and improved the root causes of my various symptoms. Her ability to zero in on the systemic issues and then her super-power of providing the right verbal imagery to help me isolate and correctly work muscles I never knew existed has already improved my terrible posture and many of the ills that brought on, has me walking more easily on a recently fractured foot and is undoing years of tense sitting at a computer. Now several months in, chronic low back pain is gone, and I can get up from the floor without doing 4 point turns with hands and elbows to get up. My legs and feet have the strength and flexibility to get up on their own. The systemic focus extends from her focus on the whole body to her system for treatment - expertly guided yoga, Pilates or PT works in tandem with the deep body work sessions designed to open structural barriers in the body. It is wholistic program designed to build overall, lasting health. My increased balance, flexibility, and strength already has me: increasing the length and speed of my walks, standing/sitting with proper alignment and with more ease, lessening or outright eliminating chronic tightness, weakness, and pain throughout my body. I leave every session- Yoga PT and the body work -feeling amazingly energized
I find Liz to be an empathetic, generous, and deeply caring person. the combination of yoga therapy and the body work in tandem has created real benefits for me. I'm stronger, more aligned structurally and more flexible due to this combination of therapies. I heartily recommend Liz and her approach for a holistic approach to real and lasting wellness.
Matthew Muller 8/26/2021
I had been enduring back & shoulder pain for many years. Working with Liz I began a real path to recovery. I met her a few years ago when she helped me with effective massage therapy, and through various restorative yoga and Pilates classes. Her more recent structural integration treatments and exercises have given me profound and lasting relief from the debilitating episodes I used to endure. She is knowledgeable and deeply intuitive, and is an authentically warm and caring therapist. I feel I am healing and strengthening, finally resolving even long-term problematic areas. Liz is a gifted healer, guide and teacher. I am in very good hands.
Testimonials
5 Star Yelp Reviews
Susan H.
4/13/2022
After a series of foot injuries and decades bent over a computer I was in chronic pain and unable to do my primary form of exercise - walking, which only further degraded my weight and overall health. I knew from supervising my father's recovery from partial paralysis at the National Rehab institute that PT done right could be almost miraculous. My father learned to walk on crutches, drive and function unassisted. But my own experience with traditional PT practitioners her in SoCal was disappointing: a quick diagnosis and a rote set of the "usual exercises" sometimes helped with the immediate symptoms short term but never got to the root causes let alone curing them. And it was always one area at once, never looking at my structural health as a whole. Liz's holistic approach has meant real and lasting changes to my health. I'm not only walking again pain free, but my gait has improved so that I can do hills and stairs now using the RIGHT muscles and so am building up to serious hiking again! My posture- walking, standing and sitting is much improved easing many symptoms and especially chronic neck and shoulder pain. Liz is determined to identify all of the root causes that need to be tended too in order to achieve lasting benefits. He amazing knowledge of body mechanics means she know where to look for the "culprits , test her hypothesis and then offer the right therapeutic activities to correct them, pulling from her PT, Yoga and Pilates background. Along the way I presented her with new health challenge: a flair up of interstitial cystitis and sharp elbow pain and she was able to apply her by now thorough and well documented knowledge of how my body worked (and didn't work ye)t to identify all contributing factors and ways to work fixing them into our practice together. Liz is holistic in a second and important way- combining therapy with deep body work designed to increase mobility and remove obstructions in the body. The exercises build on and work to maintain the body work, which makes it easier to move and build strength correctly. In addition to her deep expertise and the rigor she brings to treatment (expect measurement, notes, photos etc. to document progress) Liz's greatest superpower is her ability to verbally create an image of what muscles need to behave in what ways and which to turn off or slow down. She has helped me to locate and strengthen the key muscles I need for permanent improvement (I'm talking to you Psoas muscles!) Lastly, Liz is simply a joy to work with, a healer in every aspect; kind, empathetic, dedicated and with a delightful sense of humor. My goal was to make sure i had the health to enjoy this retirement I worked so hard for and with Liz's holistic approach I'm realizing the intent I set at every session: "Health Forward". She is a gift!
Matthew M.
11/3/2019
I had been enduring back & shoulder pain for many years. After a helpful course of physical therapy with Rausch I was referred to ABC Pilates where I discovered Liz and began a real path to recovery. She has helped me not only with her masterful massage therapy but also through various restorative yoga and pilates classes as well. Her treatments and exercises have given me profound and lasting relief from the debilitating episodes I used to endure. Liz is knowledgeable and deeply intuitive, and an authentically warm and caring therapist. I feel I am being healed, and also am learning new ways to stand and move that strengthen my core and allow even long-time sensitive areas to finally heal. I wish I'd found Liz years ago - she is a gifted healer, guide and teacher. I am in very good hands.
Jill L.
8/31/2019
Rausch at Town Center has a hidden gem that I wish was more known because she is AMAZING! Her name is Liz Montagna and she is their yoga physical therapist. If you are limited because of chronic pain or just simply wish to try physical therapy with using your own body and mind to find balance again, she is the one to see. She is so knowledgeable, patient and caring and takes the time to hear what you need and want in your own recovery. She truly wants to help and heal. She is a true gift and I am so thankful I found her, I have lived with chronic pain for quite some time and for the first time when I met her and started working with her I have hope and ways to get through the day. Thank you, Liz! I treasure you!
Nick H.
8/25/2019
I have been getting deep tissue massage and yoga therapy from Liz. I've had great success in regards to increased mobility after just a few sessions with her. She is very precise in locating and releasing the right trigger points causing me pain and limited mobility. Also to add to the trigger point release, are the holistic yoga stretches she's been giving me to target all tight areas and get the best stretch I can which helps maintain the relaxed state of my muscles after extensive computer work.
I've had relief with both upper and lower tightness after working with Liz. She provides personalized care while paying attention to all the little details. She also provides me with videos of the stretches so I can review them later and work on them. Liz really cares about helping me get relief from my pain as she can empathize since she herself had to work and learn how to eliminate pain and muscle stiffness in herself. I really like that Liz can immediately zone in on how to release a problem area and come up with a game plan to continue to make that area better, more mobile and stronger.
Amy M.
1/12/2019
I discovered Liz in her Yoga for Backs class and was happy with the small class size and attention she gave to each person. With my chronic back issues I have to be very careful about the exercise classes that I attend. Liz made sure I felt comfortable in class and gave me specific instructions on how to modify the movements so that I could have a pain free yoga experience. Liz is a compassionate physical therapist and really connects with her paitents. She made me feel very comfortable and at ease in my appointment and gave me in depth exercises to practice at home to strengthen my body. Her body work helped release my tight muscles and encourage my body to have proper alignment. I am so happy I found Liz and look forward to working with her this year in PT and in her yoga classes. I highly recommend Liz!
Barbara T.
6/19/2018
The physical therapy provided by Liz Montagna was by far the BEST therapy I have ever received! Each 55 minute therapy session was completely individualized to my specific issues, and home exercises were continually tailored to my ongoing progress. Integrating a vast knowledge of physical therapy with her passion for therapeutic yoga, Liz was able to alleviate my pain and teach me ways to strengthen and heal. Liz also provided me with videos of specific exercises introduced during our sessions, enabling me to practice each exercise at home correctly. Very helpful!
Linda H.
6/16/2016
Liz Is an amazing yoga instructor. Her 20 plus years experience as a physical therapist in addition to being a gifted teacher greatly enhances what she has to offer to her students and makes her the only source for yoga instruction for me. I've worked with her for more than a year and a half and have seen her consistently take each student's current physical concerns into consideration and find a way to incorporate a way to address them in her classes. Her classes are very interactive, hands on and comfortable to be in. She truly cares for each person's well being and progress as she works to make each class the best experience for us all. I think very highly of her and recommend her without reservation. Useful Funny Cool
Lendale W.
11/10/2015
I have worked with yoga physical therapy for over 15 months now and consider it a life-changing experience. I have struggled with fibromyalgia and arthritis overall body pain for over 20 years. In my 60s and now 70s I have experienced major back, knee and shoulder- neck pain issues. At times I have been relegated to using walkers, crutches and being bedridden. I have also frequently needed prescription pain medications and steroids to carry out my normal daily activities.
After over a year of hard work with Liz Montagna, RPT,RYT I have seen major across-the-board improvements in my health and quality of life. My fibromyalgia and arthritic pain and stiffness have been dramatically reduced. My back pain problems are gone and the knee surgery I thought was certain is no longer necessary. my current shoulder - neck problems are steadily improving.
Liz Montagna brings a wonderful blend of knowledge, skills and experience to her work. There is purpose and method in everything she does. She constantly amazes with her ability to diagnose a problem and then apply the proper approach to dealing with it. In my case there have been many problems and numerous effective fixes.
Liz is one of those rare people who has a genuine passion for what she does.Her commitment and skills have resulted in effective positive results for me. I look forward to working with her for a long time to come.
Carol M.
8/1/2017
I had undergone hundreds of hours of physical therapy with multiple providers in trying to recover from back surgeries, but did not experience any real healing progress until I became a patient of Liz at Yoga Physical Therapy. Liz is credentialed as both a Registered Physical Therapist (RPT) and as a yoga instructor, and she combines the two disciplines to create a truly personalized and unique program for each of her clients. Her skills and her very kind and caring nature have made a big difference in my life and I'm very thankful for the exceptional care that I've received at Yoga Physical Therapy.
Evan K.
9/9/2013
I had a history of back and neck problems and went to Liz in hopes of fixing structural issues and increasing flexibility. Liz not only helped me accomplish the former, but she also gave me the tools to continue my Yoga practice beyond the therapy sessions, and into everyday Yoga classes. She is kind, easy going, and a very good communicator. I recommend Liz' Yoga Therapy sessions for anyone with pain that is related to structural issues, muscle tightness, or injury.
Silvia F.
1/18/2013
I had been struggling recovering from three shoulder surgeries and was personally fed up with the physical therapy that I had been receiving. I was still in pain and the scar tissue was simply not going away. I read a report on Iyengar yoga helping persons with injuries. I sought out the internet and was so blessed when I found Liz. She is amazing, caring and concerned about your overall healing. She was a saint who worked my shoulder and neck to the point where I have been pain free for the last six years. I was saddened when she moved away from Huntington Beach, but as a direct result of her care and concern I have continued my Iyengar Yoga practice and it has continued to help me both physically and spiritually.
Thank you