SUCCESS STORIES
As an RN/Gerontologist, my initial impression upon entering the door of ProActive was a resounding internal “YES!” I immediately had a sense of benign “control and balance” – the kind that is reached when caring and skill come together for the purpose of helping and healing. The environment is conductive to instilling confidence and building trust. The staff exudes a vibrant energy that reaches out and “zaps” you with its positive purpose. An embracing warmth and understanding precludes a skillfully developed care-plan methodologies designed for optimal results. I have incorporated ProActive’s therapeutic treatment plan into my home based regimen of daily activities and now look at my cane as a decorative item on the wall.
SM, RN
I have had shoulder and back problems for many years and have been seen by 7 or 8 different physical therapists. Julie and her associates at ProActive are clearly THE BEST physical therapy care I have had. I have made significant progress against difficult, career threatening problems as a musician. The care here is very thorough, conscientious, and provided in a very pleasant and respectful manner.
SM, SF Symphony
I thought I might have to quit my job as a massage therapist because of the pain in my arms and neck. I have been to many physical therapists and body work practitioners and I find that Julie Wong’s work is unparallel and she is the best. I have been able to continue my career and have learned a lot about how to keep myself healthy!
VS, Massage Therapist
I injured myself while working as a RN. I have seen many different models of physical therapy programs; but ProActive has been absolutely the BEST! Every patient works to maximum efficiency. ProActive has patients on their road to recovery with better results in less amount of time in comparison to other organizations. ProActive has my highest recommendation!
BM, RN
“I Have A Dream” Mama Mia – ProActive saved my life! I was able to get better and was able to complete the closing performances. Thanks for everything.
TM, Sophie in Mama Mia
I’m happy to report that after 6 months since we last met, I’m still pain free! This still amazes me, simply because I was told by 2 doctors that I would need back surgery. Thanks to your team, and the progressive way you approached the problem (I.E. working to find what works, not just what the books say) I’m not only painfree but clearly have a high level of core stability. Thanks for your very personal and detailed attention. You were always more than willing to thoroughly answer my many questions. The knowledge I gained added to the physical rehabilitation I received.
DT, patient
I have been successfully treated at ProActive. What is the key you ask? This place is a hands on staff that works directly with you. You are not sent to do exercises and then iced. The staff works with your troubled areas and educates you. They have technically trained hands to get to the troubled spots. I went to another physical therapy group and did not get the success, education or healing that clearly ProActive has to offer.
KG, patient
Ankle
It’s been a great experience working with Carrie and the team. Everyone is extremely nice and supportive! Thank you for making me feel like home every time I visit here.
NA, patient
Golf
I am a 25 year old LPGA player and am just beginning my career on tour. Thanks to ProActive I now ill be able to have along career in playing golf. Although I only had minimal back pain, it was obvious that the pain was only getting worse. Julie pointed out my weak muscles which was throwing my hips and spine out of alignment causing my back pain. I was given exercises to stretch and strengthen my muscles; especially in the back. I now know how to protect it and will have many years of playing good golf! Thanks for all your help.
Nicole Jeray, LPGA Tour Player
I want to thank you for your presentation on the Back to Golf program that you gave at American Golf’s Women in Golf Day. I found your lecture so educational on the body’s complex mechanics as related to the golf swing. As a teaching professional, it really helps to understand how some golfer’s physical weaknesses and limitations inhibit the proper swing mechanics so dramatically. I recommend the Back to Golf program to my students.
Trisha Hinze, PGA Head Pro
Tilden Park Golf Course
Thanks to you and to the BacktoGolf program, the tendonitis in my shoulder healed in record time. Golf is my business and my passion, so I am delighted to be back on the course. I’m impressed with your golf specific treatments and with the exercises to strengthen the shoulder and back muscles. It’s also educational to discover the complex body mechanics involved in the golf swing and learn how to manage the body for optimal golf performance. I appreciate your dedication and skill and would recommend your program to all golfers seeking to heal an injury or to improve their game through strengthening the golf muscles.
Cori Kenicer, Golf Writer
This is the best I’ve felt in 10 years. I am able to walk and play golf without pain or stiffness after golf! Four months ago, I was in serious pain. I am able to shoot 79-82 now. There’s more endurance, no destructive degenerative pain. I’m sore today from putting up the Christmas tree; but I can swing painlessly and freely. I’m even ¾” taller now! I had to lower my car seat. The exercises are essential in my life now!
WF, avid golfer
When I first came to ProActive, my posture was so poor that I thought of myself as the ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame”. My golf game became so unpleasant to play that I was very frustrated in playing especially since I love the game. After a few physical therapy sessions, my golf game improved to the point where I was back to my old form and actually gained a few extra yards on my swing! The golf tips I received also helped my tempo and feel! I highly recommend ProActive if you are in pain and need help with your golf swing!
BH, avid golfer
My son is just turning 14, and wanted to start a weight strengthening program for his golf game. From the very beginning it as clear we would get to this goal, but only in a safe and healthy way. It was very reassuring to know we were proceeding in a correct and sensible way. We wanted caring expertise and we got it! Thanks!
LK, father of avid golfer
I am an avid golfer. Unfortunately, I twisted my back severely at the driving range. ProActive was recommended to me. After the first treatment, I felt much better and was able to walk out of the office without the twisted back! Learning specific exercises directed at my body’s weak points has helped me avoid further injuries. Additionally, I was shown which of my incorrect golf swings could potentially cause injuries. I highly recommend ProActive. They give excellent care and they really know a lot about golfing!
NM, avid golfer
Soccer
You have no idea how much I appreciate all of the work you did on me. You were my life saver and miracle worker. If it hadn’t been for you I would not have been able to play in state tryouts. Your staff was also great and led me to a quick recovery. Thanks!
EM, Select Soccer Player
When I first came to ProActive, my quad was overstrained and painful. I could no longer shoot or even sprint. In addition, my quad was constantly sore. However, after my first few treatments, my quad stopped bothering me when I walked, and every session thereafter it got better. After only a few weeks, I have regained all uses of my quad with no pain. Plus, I now know how to avoid further injury an dhow to diagnose my own injuries. I can now play soccer full force after about 3 weeks instead of 2 months.
SM, Select Soccer Player
After several unsuccessful appointments with various doctors and physical therapists, I finally ended up at the right place. Following the recommendations of several of my teammates, I came to ProActive hoping to fix my chronically aching ankle. Where other doctors simply diagnosed and sent me on my way, when I came hre, I was met with genuine concern. After my first appointment, I could run and play soccer with less pain than I had had I months. Now, only after three visits, and a lot of stretching, I am playing without any pain and with a lot more confidence! Thank you for everything!
RZ, ODP Soccer Player
Thanks so much for all the success you gave me. I didn’t think I would be able to play soccer for 6 months after I strained my hip flexors; but I’m able to play after only 5 sessions of physical therapy. My leg feels great now. Everyone was really helpful and nice. Thanks a lot!
Bryn, avid soccer player
Breast Cancer
http://www.liver-disease.org/?p=17 P.T. for the Boobies
Hi EveryoneI’ve been going to physical therapy for my breast reconstruction issues for almost a month. Julie Wong is the PT. That ugly bulky oatmeal shirt is the ‘gown’ they make you wear.She’s pretty amazing, as a person, and a PT. She had cancer a few years ago, and after her lumpectomy she couldn’t believe how much it changed the way she could move her body. This inspired her to look in to working with breast cancer surgery patients, to help them get back their range of motion as well as working on the scar tissue associated with the surgery.But I don’t need to ramble to much on this, you can click here and check it out yourself. Watching this makes me feel so lucky I have the opportunity (read health insurance) to get the help from all these great people.When I go there, I know I should be concentrating on getting my strength back and my flexibility, but mainly I just ask her when they are going to look better. I have to admit, I haven’t been great about the exercises she prescribes. It’s like homework, and I am a bad student. Honestly, I don’t see how sitting up and slowly stretching my neck to the left and right thirty times with deep breaths will help my breasts look better. She does her best to explain to me that when you get a mastectomy, they take your pectoralis muscles and stretch them over the implant so that there is something between the skin and the bag of silicone (otherwise the silicone bag would be more vulnerable to rupturing). They don’t do this with regular breast augmentation because those ladies still have all their breast tissue and milk ducts to protect the implant. Anyway, because these muscles get stretched, they are tight and they pull your neck and shoulders down, like they are trying to go back to where they were. Oh, my poor body. It must be so confused. So you do these stretches to lengthen the muscle which I guess is somehow supposed to help with the appearance of my breasts. She also prescribes some serious breast massage. Well, massage really isn’t the right word. It’s breast wrenching. Breast twisting. Breast major maneuvering. It’s all to break up the scar tissues that formed around the implants because, in Julie’s words exactly (and she reiterates this to me every time I go), Your body is saying, Hey! There’s something foreign in here and it sends scar tissue, so you have to go in and break it down over and over until one day your body says, Ok, I can live with this foreign object. It’s OK with me. In Julie’s world, my body talks to itself. Which is fine with me as long as it’s also saying, Hey, let’s not let anymore of those stupid malignant cancer cells grow in to tumors, and also, it’s probably a good idea if we tell those fat cells to shrink a little because Rosalie just brought a new pair of jeans that are just a tad too tight. Seriously, all that weight I lost during chemo, it’s baaaaaaack. It was weird anyway to be smaller post pregnancy than pre. So now I just feel like a normal new mom trying to lose baby weight. I even joined a gym. The local hippie lady gym in Fairfax. It’s so low key. Ladies are lifting weights in flip flops. I love it. Getting there when I go back to work will be difficult, but I’ll cross that bridge, blah blah.So, after Julie does some work on me, her assistant Joe teaches me some new stretches (which hopefully I remember to do) and then he has me lie down with heat on my back, ice on my chest and electrodes attached to my upper and lower back sending electricity to the muscles.I’m not 100% sure what the electrical doodads are for, but the ice and heat are to keep me from being sore (after all that stretching) and it works. I get to control the level of zapping I get with a little remote. It goes up to 60, but I can only take it to 5 before I get the heebeejeebees. It just feels freaky.After that, I am inspired to keep the scar tissue Julie broke down with her strong hands from reforming, so I drive home hoping nobody is looking at the strange lady feeling herself up in the car next to them. Something I thought I would never think, but the day I have to wear a bra again to keep my boobs from sagging will be a great day
Rosalie, patient
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I did extensive research on the variety of therapies suggested for this disease. There are few physical therapists who are knowledgeable about working with breast cancer patients. Julie uses various techniques to treat body swelling, lymphedema and create movement for patients that have “scarred down” as a result of the numerous surgeries. All these surgeries resulted in the weakening of the chest, shoulders, back and arms. At the same time, the scarring pulls the chest down, the shoulders to cup inwards, and the back to be pulled out of alignment. Without physical therapy, I would have continued to deteriorate physically and to experience increasing back pain, which was negatively affecting my ability to return to work and my general quality of life. I am now back to work full time and participating in an ongoing exercise and weight training program. My hope is that all physicians who work with breast cancer patients increase their awareness of the value of physical therapy. I was fortunate to have worked with Julie Wong, a specialist in this extremely challenging field.
MM, patient
I came to see Julie Wong for physical therapy after a double mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction. My upper body range of motion, ability to extend my arms overhead and my posture were all relatively poor after the difficult surgery. I was anxious to e able to resume my fairly active lifestyle. Given Julie’s experience with other breast cancer patients and her personal thirst for knowledge regarding the most current information available regarding lymphedema and other “side effects” of mastectomies, she knew exactly what to do to help me make significant improvements in a relatively short amount of time. I especially appreciated the reality based information eregarding how to read my body to determine if I was developing swelling or tightness related to lymphedema, the exercises and self massage techniques she taught me, and the personal attention to the various pain and trigger points in my body. Not only did the swelling and tightness in my upper body decrease, I learned skills that I can now do on my own to ensure that I stay healthy and flexible in the future. My doctors were very pleased with my rapid recovery and surprised with how quickly my upper body range of motion improved!
KH, patient
I had my first visit with a lymphedema physical therapist in San Mateo. I had a subsequent visit with Julie and after making a comparison of the two, I decided to remain with Julie even though it was a three hour time investment since I live in San Carlos. She came highly recommended in dealing with lymphedema in breast cancer patients and is also specialized with the ability to break up and preventing scar tissue from forming in the post operative breasts. After four visits, Julie was able to break up my scar tissue and also began working out the hard knots from surgery. Her talent, training and physical strength go beyond just dealing with mastectomy patients. I have been to a number of other therapists, but I found her treatments for post knee surgery patients were just as superb. She has given my the vision for a more positive future and allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
JF, patient
When I first came to ProActive, I was in so much pain that my friends couldn’t hug me. I could barely lift my left arm up. My post op area on the left breast was so swollen and nothing would help. After just one treatment I was able to live painfree. She showed me techniques to combat the swelling. In short, Julie helped me continue to train for the 7 day Aids bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. With her help, I trained and I rode every one of the 545 miles without any problems.
PW, patient
I had five surgeries for breast cancer. The first was a bilateral mastectomy with an immediate DIEP breast reconstruction, These procedures left me with a 180 degree scar from hip to hip, and several scars on my breasts, including one 11 inches long under the right breast up to the armpit. After the third operation in three months I was still experiencing pain due to persistent swelling. My surgeon referred me to Julie Wong at Proactive, who specializes in post-mastectomy lymph drainage. The program consisted of physical therapy, training, and education. Julie massaged and stretched me every which way in order to break up the extensive scarring, particularly throughout my ribcage. In addition she started me on a regimen of exercise, deep breathing, and self-massage, to be done daily between appointments. This was critical since I live 2 hours away and was lucky to see Julie twice a month. She always says, “You have to keep things moving!”
As the swelling reduced she was able to press deeper and break up scar tissue. Progress was interrupted by two surgeries, the last of which caused the swelling to bulge painfully under my right armpit. But we renewed our efforts and now I can report that the swelling is gone, the scars are soft, and I am pain free. Now I never have to worry about breast cancer again, I am alive, and I have beautiful new body.
JI, a satisfied & very grateful
patient
YELP.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julie-wongs-proactive-therapy-san-francisco#hrid:tI3a4qVkngjvBQTFgLpllw
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julie-wongs-proactive-therapy-san-francisco
I've been seeing Carrie at ProActive for about 4+ months now. I have back and neck problems, or did have neck problems. Before Carrie I was doing Chiro once a week and deep tissue sports massage also once a week. I'm down to 0 Chiropractic visits and massage once every two weeks. Carrie is fun, knowledgeable and very nice. She answers all my questions and I actually have fun at my visits. They're very relaxing and therapeutic, as they should be! I always feel much better afterwards. You can tell she cares about what she's doing and helping you get better.
Administrative - The front desk staff is organized, awesome and always on top of it. Very friendly too.
Other staff - Carrie's PT assistant is also awesome, Ernest. He's great at showing you the exercises and helping you out with heat, ice or stim.
Julie isn't not my therapist, she focuses on post breast cancer surgery PT, she's always around and so friendly and upbeat. She really cares about her patients as well.
I'll never go anywhere else.
Casey R; San Francisco
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julie-wongs-proactive-therapy-san-francisco#hrid:wOL4WIMB3cx-UJy3H4kDhg/src:search/query:julie%20wong,%20pt
Julie Wong's Proactive Therapy was recommended to me by my general practitioner for lower back problems that had been ailing me for the past year or so - thank goodness I actually went and followed through because over time, therapy, exercises and being more aware of my posture and core has helped me immensely!
Over about a 3-month period, physical therapist Carrie Cameron saw me twice a week during the first 7 weeks and then we changed it to once a week as I improved. Carrie is wonderful to work with - very approachable and open, easy to talk to, good sense of humor, and is supremely skilled & patient with the time that it takes to help you through. And the clinic assistant, Ernest, was reliably there to help with teaching me exercises and administering electro-treatment.
Appointments are easily made with Joanne (can be made in 3-week blocks if needed) and the management and staff are all so friendly. Over the 3 months coming into Proactive, I got into my routine of seeing them all and will miss them!
My lower back feels much, much better from where I started, and I now know exercises and stretches to take with me to help strengthen my core to keep my back healthy. I would definitely recommend this clinic for your physical therapy needs and especially recommend the PT experience of Carrie Cameron (Thank you, Carrie!).
The clinic is clean and well-lit. They provide lockers for your personal belongings and comfortable change of clothes if needed. And as an aside, they have the best background music! :) As a child of the 70s and 80s, their music is so fun and will bring back happy memories -- I'll miss that too! Thank you, All!
Maile N; San Francisco
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julie-wongs-proactive-clinic-san-francisco
I too am a breast cancer survivor and Julie Wong was highly recommended by UCSF Breast Care center. The first day I went in I was very tight and my range of motion was quite limited. I could not believe the degree to which my range of motion increased from just her working on me. Julie is herself a survivor and in her own search to get the right quality rehab care she customized her own practice to be more hands-on and holistic, therefore more effective! For instance, understanding lymph node drainage is included in the exercises you are taught to do. The staff is super friendly.
Pam R; Pacifica
http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=vDB5T8Kxs_La5vFu2NX7xA
What a great experience! Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After extensive surgery I was referred to Julie Wong. She is a physical therapist in San Francisco who has helped women recovering from breast cancer and the issues they face in their recovery. After seeing her for a week I was standing straighter and reaching higher !!!!! Visit her web page and view a spot that Channel 7 did, showcasing her work. She has a great staff, they are very compassionate, knowledgeable, and nice. Great location, free parking and office is immaculate.
Debbie C; South San Francisco
