UCLA Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Programs: Comprehensive Care and Expertise

UCLA Health offers comprehensive rehabilitation services with a focus on quality and personalized care for a variety of orthopedic conditions. The rehabilitation services team includes more than 300 employees with specialized expertise, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, prosthetists/orthotists, audiologists, speech pathologists, cardiopulmonary rehab specialists, and integrative therapists. In addition to orthopedic and neurologic care, UCLA Health offers specialty services in pelvic floor rehab, lymphedema, hand therapy, geriatrics, balance and fall prevention, cochlear implant services, cardiopulmonary rehab and more.

Accessing UCLA Rehabilitation Services

To schedule an appointment, visit the office on the 4th floor (Room 417) of The Ashe Center or call 310-794-4923. A valid physical therapy referral is needed to schedule an appointment.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

BruinCard
Completed Clinical Questionnaire
Comfortable clothing (e.g., shorts or sweatpants for knee appointments)

Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Note that patients arriving more than 15 minutes late may not be seen.

Fees

UCSHIP: Initial and follow-up visits cost $15.
Non-SHIP: Initial visit costs $210, and follow-up visits cost $150.

There is a $20 fee for missed appointments and late cancellations (less than 24 hours before the appointment time).

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday: 8 am - 6 pm
Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Lunch Closure: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays Only: Lunch Closure is extended from 12:30 pm - 2 pm

Location and Directions

The Ashe Center is located on the 4th Floor (Room 417). Upon entering the 4th Floor, check in on the kiosk to the left and proceed down the hall to the Bruin Bear mural. The closest paid parking is available in Lot 4 or 7. To check-in, please stop at the iPad next to the insurance office at the front of the 4th floor before proceeding down the hall to our clinic.

Why Choose UCLA Health for Rehabilitation Services?

UCLA Health rehabilitation services offer several key advantages:

Excellent Success Rates: Patients and staff members work together to strategically develop care plans and problem-solve using evidence-based standards. UCLA Health partners with patients to ensure their voice is heard and their needs are met, resulting in a patient satisfaction rate consistently greater than 90%.
Easy Access to Care: UCLA Health provides both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation care, with patients having easy access to services through more than 15 rehab locations.
Specialized Services: UCLA Health targets specific rehabilitation programs to specific patients, including specialized services for babies and children in intensive care, and community outreach programs to empower seniors to stay active and continue living independently.

Areas of Care at UCLA Rehabilitation Services

UCLA rehabilitation services include a range of specialized care programs:

Audiology

The audiology team works with patients throughout their lifespan, conducting newborn hearing screenings and specializing in hearing aids and cochlear implant programming and management. They work closely with the multidisciplinary medical team to provide state-of-the-art, evidence-based care.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a supervised and monitored outpatient program designed to help improve cardiovascular health following a recent heart event, procedure, and/or surgery.

Hand Therapy

Certified hand therapists specialize in hand and upper extremity injuries, aiming to reduce pain and improve function after a hand injury or diagnosis. These services may be appropriate if you have complex regional pain syndrome, a fracture, repetitive strain injury, tendonitis or arthritis.

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Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine includes non-medication strategies to promote health, symptom management, and relaxation. UCLA Health offers integrative therapy to patients who are hospitalized and on an outpatient basis. Treatments may include gentle movement, aromatherapy, guided meditations, or breathing exercises. Massage therapy is also available at the bedside for hospitalized patients to relieve stress, encourage relaxation, and promote a sense of well-being.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with patients to improve function with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, or grooming. They assess balance, strength, and cognition and may suggest equipment (such as a cane or walker) or home modifications. They also provide education to family members and support people to ensure that patients are well cared for when they return home after a hospital stay. In the inpatient/hospital setting, they work with patients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living to enable them to progress to the next level of care. In the outpatient setting, they work with patients with a wide range of diagnoses, including orthopedic, neurologic, and pediatric. A specialty area within outpatient occupational therapy is hand therapy.

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Pelvic health physical therapists optimize pelvic floor muscle health and treat pelvic floor dysfunction. They can help patients with a range of concerns and health conditions including bladder concerns (urgency, leakage), bowel dysfunction (constipation, leakage), pelvic pain, pregnancy and postpartum care, or post abdominal and pelvic surgery.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists help people return to or gain higher levels of function after an illness or injury. They evaluate strength, range of motion, balance, and endurance, and write personalized treatment plans. They may use exercise, manual techniques, or modalities to improve function. Physical therapists also can recommend durable medical equipment, such as walkers or wheelchairs. In the inpatient/hospital setting, they provide mobility-related therapy to enable patients to progress to the next level of care. In the outpatient setting, they work with patients with a wide range of diagnoses, including orthopedic, neurologic and pediatric. In addition, specialized services within outpatient physical therapy include lymphedema management, pelvic floor rehab, vestibular rehab, burn care, balance and fall prevention, including an exercise program especially for seniors, and much more.

Prosthetics and Orthotics

These rehabilitation specialists evaluate, measure, fabricate, and fit patients with artificial limbs and braces. This treatment may be appropriate for some patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders, as well as those who have experienced amputation, trauma, or undergone certain surgeries.

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Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program helps patients improve their respiratory function with exercise, education, and mental health support. Research-based therapies are used to improve health and quality of life.

Speech Pathology

Through the Speech Pathology Clinics, UCLA Health provides comprehensive treatment for speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing problems for adults and children, offering services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. The goal is to coordinate care as conveniently as possible, communicating findings to the primary care provider and involving patients in forming and customizing their treatment plan.

Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy

Sports medicine is an area of healthcare focused on athletes, covering myriad medical and physiological goals and concerns that can and do impact athletes. The field of sports medicine encompasses a dynamic range of job types and career opportunities, including physical therapy.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do in Sports Medicine?

Physical therapists in sports medicine help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future ones. The therapeutic programs they develop center around exercises, stretches, and other forms of physical movements and manipulations, including massage. Their injury recovery and prevention plans typically include a combination of different physical therapy techniques, including:

Monitored exercises and stretches
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Hydrotherapy
Manual therapy, such as trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and traction
Dry needling

Physical therapists may also create custom plans to support athletes in improving mobility, range of motion, strength, and functionality, evaluating each case on an individualized basis and making strategic decisions on what is best for each athlete.

Common Conditions Handled by Sports Physical Therapists

Common issues a sports physical therapist can help with include:

Tennis elbow
Knee injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
Lower back / lower extremity injuries
Tendinitis
Rotator cuff tears
Ligament tears
Muscle strains
Joint dysfunction

How to Become a Sports Physical Therapist

It typically takes at least 7 years to complete the education and training required to become a sports physical therapist:

Earn a bachelorâs degree. Estimated time required: 4 years
Earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Estimated time required: 3 years. CAPTE began requiring the DPT degree as a prerequisite for its accredited physical therapy education programs in 2016.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTEÂ®), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Meet all physical therapy licensure requirements determined by your state regulatory board.
Optional steps: Secure board and other supplementary certifications.

Resources for Aspiring Sports Physical Therapists

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT)

Advice for Aspiring Sports Physical Therapists

Aspiring sports physical therapists should be aware of and comfortable with the idea of working as needed, as being a sports professional is a lifestyle choice more than a job. The issues seen are as unique and varied as human bodies, making the work challenging and motivating.

Applying to Physical Therapy Programs

The Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT programs. The goal is to facilitate the admissions process for applicants and programs, promote the physical therapist profession and educational programs to a broad spectrum of applicants, and provide rich applicant data for institutional, regional, and national analysis. Not all professional PT programs participate in PTCAS.

Application Tips

Should be taking the GRE or waiting for the release of your score from an earlier test.
PTCAS application is available in July. Begin to fill out application.
Most PT programs require applicants to submit GRE scores. In addition, some programs require that the GRE test scores must not be more than 5 years old.
Gather Transcripts Arrange for PTCAS to receive an official transcript from every US college and university you attended. PTCAS will not verify or forward your application until all official US transcripts, application, and correct fee payment are received.
Do I need Letters of Recommendations? A: Yes. The reference requirements vary across programs, and not all programs require references. PTCAS will not determine if you have met the reference requirements for a particular program. Request References early!
Gain Experience PT schools encourage or require applicants to have volunteer or paid experience related to Physical Therapy. Having work or volunteer experience in a healthcare setting may be an important factor in the admissions process. If you are a physical therapist assistant (PTA), enter your paid experience. It is up to each program whether or not it accepts paid experience. Your selected programs can view your experiences, regardless of whether the hours were verified by a physical therapist.
Not all programs require PT observation hours or a signed form as part of the admissions process. Review the Directory for program-specific requirements. PTCAS will not determine if you met the requirements for your selected programs.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate some understanding of the work and professions of physical therapy gained through paid or volunteer experience in a variety (e.g. outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation) of physical therapy settings working under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The clinical observation hours must be completed and electronically verified in PTCAS by the application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan ahead to obtain a mix of both inpatient and outpatient experiences. Keep in mind that many inpatient facilities have long waiting lists for volunteers which can range anywhere from 6 months to over a year. All applicants are encouraged to research facilities in their area for more opportunities to obtain clinical observation experiences under a licensed physical therapist. Applicants may also research skilled nursing facilities that may have opportunities to work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Not all programs require PT observation hours or a signed form as part of the admissions process. Review the Directory for program-specific requirements. PTCAS will not determine if you met the requirements for your selected programs.
If you have shadowing experience, enter all of your paid or volunteer physical therapist observation hours on the application. If you have observed a PT in more than 1 setting, select âAdd New Entryâ for each additional experience. If you are a physical therapist assistant (PTA), enter your paid experience as well. It is up to the individual program whether or not it accepts paid experience.

Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are two essential fields that both aim to enhance a patient's ability to perform daily activities and improve overall well-being. While they may overlap in some aspects, occupational therapists focus on helping individuals engage in meaningful activities and tasks, while physical therapists focus on improving physical function, mobility, and strength.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Focus: OTs focus on helping individuals of all ages participate in the activities and tasks that are meaningful and important to them, often referred to as "occupations" or "activities of daily living" (ADLs). These occupations or ADLs can include self-care activities (such as bathing, dressing, and eating), work tasks, leisure activities, and social participation.
Strategies: OTs use a holistic approach to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that may impact a person's ability to engage in daily activities. They may utilize interventions such as adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, sensory integration therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and skill-building exercises.
Settings: OTs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, community health centers, and private practice.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Focus: PTs focus on helping individuals improve their physical function, mobility, and strength (in order to improve the ability to perform ADLs. They assess and treat movement dysfunctions, as well as neurological and musculoskeletal conditions that may result from injury, illness, or disability.
Strategies: PTs use a variety of techniques and modalities to address impairments, relieve pain, restore mobility, and promote functional independence. These may include therapeutic exercises and activites, manual therapy, gait training, balance training, sensory integration, aquatic therapy, taping, and modalities such as biofeedback and electrical stimulation.
Settings: PTs work in diverse settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports medicine facilities, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and home health agencies.

Insights from UCLA Rehabilitation Therapists

Leah Dimalanta, UCLA Health Occupational Therapist

Leah Dimalanta discovered occupational therapy after graduating from college. She was drawn to the field's blend of medicine, healthcare, and teaching, as well as the opportunity to form meaningful connections with patients. Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help individuals develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working, focusing on promoting independence and participation in meaningful activities. They assess a patientâs functional abilities, identify barriers to participation, and develop personalized intervention plans, providing therapeutic activities, recommending assistive devices, modifying environments, and teaching compensatory strategies to improve a personâs independence and quality of life.

Patients may need occupational therapy when they experience physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges that interfere with their ability to perform daily activities, such as physical injuries or disabilities, cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, developmental delays, and chronic conditions.

Leah emphasizes that common misconceptions about occupational therapy include the belief that OTs provide employment or career advice, that they have an easy "fix" or "solution" for the patient, and that once you accept occupational therapy, youâll need it forever. To be a successful occupational therapist, Leah says a person should have flexibility, solid communication skills, and a passion for the profession.

To become an occupational therapist, one needs a master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. The path to becoming an occupational therapist usually involves completing a bachelor's degree (4 years) followed by a master's or doctoral program in occupational therapy (2-3 years). Overall, it takes around 6-7 years of education and clinical training. According to US News, the median salary for occupational therapists in 2022 was $93,180. Occupational therapists work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, community health centers, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and private practice.

Leah suggests volunteering in a variety of different settings to get firsthand experience and to be prepared for the fact that many people don't really understand what occupational therapy is or what occupational therapists do.

Leena Uranwala, UCLA Health Physical Therapist

Leena Uranwala combined her passions for healthcare and movement analysis by becoming a physical therapist. She emphasizes the rewarding nature of the career and the inspiration she draws from her patients. Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in restoring movement and function in individuals affected by injury, illness, or disability, considering themselves movement specialists. They evaluate a patientâs movement patterns and impairments, diagnose movement dysfunctions, and develop individualized treatment plans, using techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent disability.

Patients typically require physical therapy when they experience impairments in movement, balance, strength, or mobility, which may be recommended for various reasons, including injury rehabilitation, chronic pain management, neurological conditions, cardiovascular conditions, pre- and post-surgical care, pediatric conditions, and pelvic health.

Leena believes that physical therapy is an often overlooked but extremely effective therapeutic tool.

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