Email at HorwitzPhysicalTherapy@gmail.com
Call Me 510-533-6560 (After 12:30PM)
ABOUT ALLAN
Allan Horwitz has been practicing physical therapy for 45 years. He graduated from University of Illinois in 1975 and went to work as a generalist with an emphasis in neurology at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, a 1,000-bed teaching institution.
In 1979 he became the director of the physical therapy department as well as clinical education coordinator leading over 20 physical therapists. During those years he was a clinical instructor affiliating with four university Physical Therapy programs. It took him 2 years of management to realize that treating patients was what he loved, not being an administrator.
In 1982 he was accepted into a class of eight by Kaiser Permanente Physical Therapy Fellowship in Advance Orthopedic Manual Therapy, which was the first orthopaedic physical therapy fellowship program in the country. There he had the opportunity to work with five of the top physical therapists in the country who were the first Americans to study abroad with world masters in Norway and Australia. He joined the faculty in 1985 and taught and mentored at the fellowship level for over 30 years. He hung his shingle up at Berkeley Physical Therapy in 1988 where he treated patients from Berkeley and surrounding areas until recently. He was one of the early fellows in the prestigious Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) since 1995 where he remains a lifetime fellow.
While teaching and treating, he continued studying a multitude of approaches to orthopedic manual physical therapy with top clinicians in the United States and the world at large while keeping up with the ever-expanding plethora of evidence generated by the field. He has watched the development of the Physical Therapy flourish for almost half a century. His goal has always been to offer an eclectic approach to patient care aggregating the best the field had to offer. With all that he has learned and all the people he has studied with what has always been clear was that the best lessons were learned from patients. As an early mentor, Peter Edgelow, said to him, "patients have all the answers.You just have to listen."
Since 1989 Allan has also developed expertise in office ergonomics which you can read about below. In 1988, he became a consultant to Back Designs, Inc. and taught continuing education courses in seating and office ergonomics around the country. Since that time, he has been providing office ergonomics consulting and educational services to individuals and small businesses. European Sleep Works has called on him to consult in bed and pillow design over the past 30 years. He is also in the process of designing several new innovative pillows. He has invented several devices to aid in orthopedic self-treatment.
Allan is a proud card-carrying member of The American Physical Therapy Association since 1975 as well as The Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
You can read Allan's recent publication, "The Functional Loss Clinical Reasoning Framework For the Neuromuscoloskeletal Patient", in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice Vol. 33: #4, page 210 at the following link: CLICK HERE. This concept informs Allan's perspective as he makes clinical decisions.
SERVICES
Physical Therapy Services
At this stage of his career, Allan has decided to take the show on the road. He brings a treatment table to your home along with all necessary tools, exercise equipment and educational materials. He serves Oakland, Berkeley and Albany, California.
Though there are benefits to seeing patients in an office setting, there are also disadvantages. After being on the hamster wheel of 30-minute appointments for decades, he is now seeing clients in their home for longer sessions which are more thorough and less rushed.
Part of Allan’s mission has always been to empower patients and educate patients to be their own therapist and autonomous problem solver. He develops a hands-on manual therapy approach for each unique patient presentation. Every technique he applies, he tries to turn into a technique that the person can apply them self. He develops home programs consisting of self-mobilization, stretching, strengthening, as well as endurance, proprioception, motor control and balance training. Half the battle has always been facilitating carry over at home. He has found that teaching these lessons in the home environment, where they will be performed, to be very helpful. Being in the home also allows him to weave ergonomics into the program related to sitting, working, sleeping and activities of daily living, not to mention more time for more thoroughness with less rushing.
Initial evaluation are 80 minutes long with follow up appointments lasting 50 minutes both at reasonable rates. Allan has advanced expertise in the full array of orthopedic pathology and dysfunction, sports injuries and post-operative care. After teaching the shoulder for decades, this joint complex remain his all-time favorites. He has developed some unique approaches for rotator cuff tendinopathies. Having worked with many of the same patients and their families for over 30 years, they have aged with him. He takes great joy in working with older adults helping them overcome particular problems as well as helping them stay strong, mobile and safe. He also has a very helpful treatment program for arthritic knees.
Physical Therapy Pricing
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New Evaluations (80mins).....................$180
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Follow-up (50 mins)...............................$120
To Note:
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Transportation is included but scheduling requires some flexibility so that patients cna be scheduled in clusters by location.
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Allan does not bill insurance companies or Medicare.
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We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. $60 fee for less than 24-hour notice.
Ergonomic Services:
Individual Workstation Consultation
Assessment
The consultation, conducted one on one, generally takes about two hours. It begins with an ergonomic fitting evaluation, which has three components:
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A functional loss assessment determines the nature of the problem.
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A physical demands assessment analyzes the functional requirements of the individuals job.
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An anthropometric assessment details a person’s size, shape, and posture.
Once the data from the ergonomic fitting evaluation is collected, it is interpreted for the client in lay terms. Educating individuals about their problems is a critical step in facilitating independence and future ergonomic autonomy.
Equipment Evaluation and Problem Solving
The consultation continues with an analysis of the office setup and needed adjustments:
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The client’s workstation is examined.
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Problem solving begins.
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Furniture and equipment is adjusted as needed (a selection of retrofitting equipment is brought along in anticipation of adjustments).
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New equipment is suggested as appropriate with a ranking in importance from optional to essential.
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Instruction is offered on the adjusting of chairs and other equipment, as well as on posture.
REPORTS
Formal Report, Recommendations, and Follow-up
The consultation and evaluation are documented in a formal report. This includes:
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Specific retrofit and equipment recommendations.
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Resources, including local ergonomic-supply retailers or large office-supply companies, are provided with each recommendation, along with ballpark pricing.
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The individual’s budget is taken into consideration.
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Certain vendors offer a discount with this report.
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Follow-up is available either at the office or at the vendor at an hourly rate.
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A successful session includes education for future autonomous problem-solving.
INDIVIDUAL PRICING
Ergonomic Pricing
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Workstation consultation with report...........$340
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Additional workstations...........$120/hour prorated
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Follow-up...............................$120/hour minimum; 15-minute increments after the first hour
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Out-of-area travel time.........$60/hour prorated
Group Training and Assessment
Education, brief fitting evaluations, and recommendations are provided to groups of up to 20 employees. A group lecture ranges from 1.5 to 2 hours in length, with space provided by the employer. If desired, recommendations can be made regarding furniture and equipment selection before costly purchases are made. The objective would be for participants to self-assess their postures, workstation adjustments, and work habits in order to improve their workstation independently. Instruction can be provided on efficient and meaningful stretch breaks and self-management strategies.
If desired, the lecture is followed by a consultation. The group lecture allows consultations to be streamlined. The length of the individual consultations ranges from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on whether the individual has musculoskeletal issues or simply seeks advice about prevention. A brief list of recommendations is provided for each individual with a rating as to urgency and impact. The report is less extensive as compared with the individual workstation consultation.
GROUP PRICING
Ergonomic Group Pricing
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Lecture...........$150/hour
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Individual Consultations...........$120/hour
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Report...............................$100/hour
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Out-of-area travel time.........$60/hour
Residential Consultation
This kind of consultation typically involves either seating within the home, automotive seating, or bed and pillow recommendations. A small selection of products are brought along in anticipation of adjustments. The steps and pricing are the same as for the individual workstation consultation.
PHYSICAL THERAPY TESTIMONIALS
This review is for Allan Horwitz. The man is a physical therapy genius. He is also exceedingly kind, funny and pleasant to work with. I had a shoulder injury from swimming some 8 years ago (in a different state). I've lost count of how many PTs I've seen over the years--not a single one could get me to the point of full recovery until I saw Allan. With Allan I am 95% of the way there. It is nothing short of a miracle--when I started to see him the injury had been aggravated again and I couldn't even put on a jacket or t-shirt without experiencing a lot of shoulder pain. After working with Allan for a few months I am pain-free and have gained a ton of strength and flexibility. He is confident I can return to swimming and this is the first time in 8 years that I too believe this is absolutely possible, given this incredible recovery I've made, thanks to Allan. He has also helped me with an old whip-lash neck injury.
–K.K.
01
I have worked with Allan for over a decade on many issues covering hamstring strain,
back and neck pain, bilateral rotator cuff surgery rehab, reverse shoulder replacement
recovery, and even basal joint arthritis. After seeing easily 10 other therapists in about
as many different practices, I can say that Allan is hands down the most knowledgeable, thorough, committed, inventive, and personable one of all! He’s my go-to guy. Allan teaches me HOW to do each exercise properly so that I won’t be wasting my time or causing further injury. “Work smarter not stronger” I believe is his quote. He clearly explains the mechanics of the problem and inspires me to think and observe on my own. And when I come to him with questions, his answers are a collaboration, not a lecture- he’s open to learning all the time. Even with his vast knowledge and experience in the field, he continues to research and experiment, often building contraptions with his carpenter skills to try to find a solution to a problem. (For example, I’m a professional viola player, and he built a device to aid me in holding my instrument after my shoulder was replaced.) I HIGHLY recommend Allan if you’re looking for a physical therapist that will not give you a cookie-cutter approach to healing your issues. Every patient is a new and different challenge to him, and he delights in the journey.
–A.K.
02
Allan Horwitz is an amazing and caring physical therapist. I have seen Allan on and off
for over 20 years for physical therapy after various injuries and surgeries. He evaluates the problem, treats it with hands-on therapy and a tailored home exercise program, and proposes ergonomic ways to minimize the problem in your daily activities. Recently, Allan has been treating me at my home following a reverse total shoulder replacement which has been invaluable. I am a very active 75 year-old and I wouldn’t be where I am today if if weren’t for Allan. If you want the best physical therapist, Allan is who you want to see!
–V.B.
03
I've worked with Allan, off and on, since 2009 – starting with work to keep my neck
moving after surgery, followed by work for my arthritic knees, and finally, for pain
reduction from my neck surgery. Allan has also worked with my partner for shoulder
pain, with a neighbor for hip problems, and with another neighbor after her knee
surgery. His work is phenomenal. I'm only able to walk comfortably because of a gadget he built for patients who have the same knee problem I have. If I use the gadget for 10-20 minutes a day, I walk! My neck pain is significantly reduced as a result of his work, and sometimes I'm totally pain free. I whole-heartedly recommend him for physical therapy. In addition, a bonus: He will recommend great movies and TV shows!
–M.R.
04
I am writing to recommend a physical therapist, Allan Horwitz, whom I have been seeing on and off during the past 30 years. During these thirty years, he has worked at an established East Bay physical therapy clinic. However, Allan has decided to start his own physical therapy practice. So, I decided I wanted to share, with whomever I could, my experience with Allan as my PT.
Since I have known Allan, he as always worked at an East Bay Physical therapy clinic. Over these last 30 years, I was told by various office staff at this clinic that Allan was the most sought-after therapist there and also that he was a mentor for many PTs at the clinic. During the thirty years that I was a client of Allan’s, he was simultaneously a faculty member specializing in teaching Physical Therapy at the Kaiser Hayward Permanente Physical Therapy Fellowship in Advance Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
Periodically, I have had a number of injuries involving my back, knee, wrist, hand, shoulders, and groin. Allan has helped me immensely to recover from all of these injuries, has taught me about how to take care of my body efficiently. He has done this by assigning the top priorities and specific times for both my stretching and strengthening exercises.
I am a very athletic person, primarily as a skier, backpacker, and horseman. Although I am now a 76-year-old retired public high school teacher, I still enjoy these activities and have no restrictions in terms of other physically demanding activities. I give Allan a lot of credit for this good fortune.
Over the last ten years, unfortunately, it has regularly been difficult to get an appointment with Allan without having to waiting at least a month, so I have gone to a few other PT practices in the East Bay. Allan stands out as the best physical therapist I have ever seen, and I recommend him highly as a physical therapist.
–M.B.
05
I have been seeing Allan Horwitz for physical therapy for the last 20 years. He has pulled me out of some very difficult injuries. I consider him to be on the foreground of our profession. He is compassionate and a good listener. He is trained in musculoskeletal dysfunction in both diagnosis and treatment. He is constantly studying and upgrading his knowledge. Being myself a physical therapist I believe him the one who has excellence in the field of physical therapy.
–P.E.
06
I have Allan Horwitz to thank for helping me though a number of conditions over the years. He is a terrific practitioner – really exceptional.
I’d seen a number of physical therapists before Allan was recommended to me. Once I was treated by him, I saw what a remarkable difference a single therapist can make. Allan excels at every aspect of treatment – assessing a problem, treating it in a hands-on way in the office, proposing ergonomic strategies to address it at home, and presenting a client with exercises to help alleviate the problem in daily life.
He is a very attentive listener and a sensitive person; he’s therefore able to customize his approach to the particular needs of each patient. Because he’s alert to the individuality of each patient, he doesn’t give cookie-cutter prescriptions for care, but rather adjusts each treatment and exercise to the specifics of who his client is and what that client can do. And because he keeps abreast of research in physical therapy, Allan’s advice is always current – consistent with the best practices in the field.
Finally, Allan is an excellent teacher: he makes sure that you understand how to do the exercises he prescribes. He understands that if you’re not doing exercises properly or you’re not confident about your technique, you won’t pursue your treatment program outside of the office. He therefore makes physical therapy a collaborative experience.
Because of my history with Allan, I’ve referred a number of other people to him. All of them have made real progress working with him, and they, in turn, have recommended him to their friends. Allan is a seasoned professional with a deft hand and a quick intelligence. He is also a pleasant person whose working style helps to ease a patient’s anxiety. I have absolute trust in his expertise, and I feel fortunate to be under his care.
–D.L.
07
I recently completed a series of patient appointments with Allan Horwitz for my back. Being 78+ I have had PT for the same or similar purposes before. I was extremely impressed with Allan’s knowledge, concern for me and the suggestions he made that have helped greatly. It was easily the finest PT experience I have ever had and commend him and your entire practice.
–H.T.
Once I had physical therapy referrals from my orthopedic surgeon, my consulting physiatrist told me to take his report to each of the physical therapy offices on my approved list and ask them if they had anyone trained to work on a shoulder like mine. I went through two offices, both said they did not but the third said, ‘I don’t, but I know who does – his name is Allan Horwitz and he’s at Berkeley P.T.’ What a gift that was – if I would have not done that, I would have just gotten an assignment from the floor that most probably hurt more than helped. Now I have continued with Allan as a private pay so that I can continue to keep this shoulder as flexible and strong as it can be.
–M.J.F.
I can’t recommend Allan highly enough – after just two sessions, he cut my pain in half. After two weeks, my back feels so much better and I am able to do my job. I had seen other physical therapists, with no improvement. There is no substitute for working with a truly excellent professional like Allan. Thank you.
–F.C.
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WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Ergonomics (from the Greek word ergon meaning work, and nomoi meaning natural laws), is the science of designing equipment and devices to the people who use them and fitting jobs to the people who work in them. It includes restructuring or changing workplace conditions to reduce stressors that cause musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics is sometimes known as human factors engineering.
PHYSICAL THERAPY & ERGONOMICS
Many disciplines serve clients with ergonomic needs ranging from engineering and industrial health to physical therapy. A physical therapist knows human structure in all its sizes, shapes, postures, movements, and functions both in health and when challenged by pain and disability. The physical therapist:
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Understands the nature of neuromusculoskeletal problems, pathology and the healing process
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Identifies risk factors for prevention of problems
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Determines a path to resolution should problems develop
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Has the knowledge base and experience to converse with your referring physician or therapist
A healthy environment while working, driving, relaxing, and sleeping is at the heart of ergonomics. The physical therapist’s in-depth knowledge of the human body combined with a familiarity with office equipment can help create and maintain a healthy workplace and residential environment.
Having worked with patients in clinic settings for over four decades, I know that orthopaedic manual physical therapy is often fruitless without first getting to the root functional causes. This is particularly true of many overuse and repetitive stress injuries. Manual therapy and education in self-treatment, including self-mobilization, stretching, therapeutic exercise posture reorientation and movement re-education is key. But for lasting relief, one must address the cause, which is often found in faulty ergonomics.
"Making Your Workstation Work For You"
ERGONOMIC TESTIMONIALS
"Two cervical spine surgeries resulting from degenerative disc disease left me with severe chronic pain. Over the course of several years I have seen dozens of medical professionals -- pain physicians, neurologists, spine surgeons, and multiple physical therapists among others.
Allan is one of those exceptionally rare rehabilitation professionals who listened closely, with empathy and without rushing or interrupting me. When he spoke after listening, it was clear he was vastly more knowledgeable than the more than half dozen PTs I had seen up to that point -- and he patiently explained more to me than 9 out of 10 MDs ever had. Without his input and recommendations, I could not have set up the workstation that enabled me to get back to work and moving forward with my life. I recommend him most highly to anyone in need of physical therapy and/or ergonomics help."
-Shad Turney
Client
01
"I cannot recommend Allan enough. He is a gifted physical therapist with a huge fund of knowledge in ergonomics. His high level of problem-solving and superb musculoskeletal knowledge combine to create custom ergonomic solutions for patients with a broad range of needs. His expertise is helping individuals interact with their environment in a safer and more efficient manner.If you looking for an ergonomic specialist, Allan Howritz, PT is the only the BEST in the Bay Area."
-Jennifer L. Ault, DO
Board Certified in Neurology & Pain Medicine
East Bay Physicians Medical Group - Berkeley
02
"With Allan's help I am now both working and sleeping more comfortably, which has enhanced my productivity, creativity and overall well being."
-Seyed Alevi
Client
03
"Because Allan brings many years of experience as a physical theraphist to his ergonomic eevaluations, he is exceptionally alert to the specific physical and functional needs of his clients. Our clients have found his recommendations to be creative and helpful. He helps them to prioritize equipment purchases and gives them creative solutions to help them to be able to continue work in an optimal way."
Caroline Taylor, DPT, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Owner, Taylor & Thornburg Physical Therapy, Inc.
Oakland, CA
04
"Allan consistently delivers a quality product. His ergonomic reports are comprehensive, thoughtful and show great attention to detail. His excellent grasp of underlying pathology results in recommendations I know I can trust."
Kathy Thornburg, DPT, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Owner, Taylor & Thornburg Physical Therapy, Inc.
Oakland, CA
05
"Allan Horwitz is a very skilled and experienced physical therapist and a kind and compassionate person. He offers our East Bay community skilled ergonomic assessments of work and computer stations. I have referred many clients to him, including a man with considerable disability who wanted to continue with his studies at UCB. Allan could evaluate the client’s needs and recommend appropriate equipment that enabled him to meet his educational goals. I highly recommend Allan to evaluate any set-up for proper ergonomics allowing clients to maintain wellness and avoid repetitive strain injuries."
Liz Jennings, PT, MSPT
Business Owner
Albany Physical Therapy, PC
06
"I was introduced to Allan through my physical therapist. My wife Joy and I own a design/build home remodeling company and our staff spends many hours on the computer working on AutoCad drawings as well as other time consuming tasks. Many of us were afflicted with various physical discomforts as a result. We contracted with Allan to help solve these issues and right away just listening to him we knew we had found the right person to help us. With his training, advice and recommendation for various hardware to improve the ergonomics of each work station, all of our issues were quickly solved which resulted in a more comfortable environment and increased production. We would highly recommend Allen and his services."
Jerry Wilkins
President, Custom Kitchens
Oakland, CA
07
"Allan has consulted with our office (an architecture firm of 25 people) for over 10 years. The nature of our business requires that staff members spend 90% of their time drafting and writing on a computer. Injuries from repetitive tasks, such as using a mouse and sitting for hours on end are very common in our industry. Allan’s knowledge of ergonomics and body mechanics has allowed us provide workstations that keep our staff injury free, comfortable and productive.
We have repeatedly called on Allan to come to the office to do ergonomic training for the entire staff as well as individual consultations. He is very good at evaluating problems, explaining them in a way that lay people can understand, and helping to find solutions that the staff member is comfortable with. He often offers a “menu” of solutions so that the staff member feels in control of their work station design and is a partner in solving issues.
We would recommend Allan to anyone and any office where people face physical challenges in doing their work. In an office environment many different personalities and physical issues are present. We rely on Allan because he listens well, is highly knowledgeable, and takes people as he finds them, providing customized solutions that are uniquely practical and affordable."
Ann Slobod
C.O.O., Studio KDA
Berkeley, CA
08
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CONTACT ME
Shoot me an email or drop a line:
510-533-6560
After 12:30PM