Integrative Physical Therapy
Providing trauma-informed physical therapy to help you overcome aches, pains, and injuries.
Begin your journey to recovery with Dr. Ariana Lopez, PT, DPT. I will take the time to understand your specific needs and challenges, crafting a personalized plan that addresses the root of your problems and helps you work toward accomplishing your goals. Treatment typically involves therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques such as cupping, myofascial release, and dry needling.
Conditions I can treat:
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Joint pain
Musculoskeletal strains/tears
TMJ dysfunction
Shoulder pain
Spine (neck, thoracic, low back pain)
Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot Pain
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Hypermobility and EDS
Long COVID
Chronic pain
Fibromyalgia
Migraines
Arthritis
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Recreational athletes - runners, climbers, tennis/pickleball players, gymnasts, and weightlifters.
Beginner, professional, and competitive dancers - ballet, modern/contemporary, pole, aerial, and salsa/bachata.
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Your pelvic health matters.
Arlo Physical Therapy & Wellness offers a calm and healing environment for you to address your pelvic health concerns. I treat common pelvic floor concerns like leakage, pain with sex, constipation, and prolapse. I also treat concerns that can be more complex like endometriosis, PCOS, and pain after gender affirming surgery.
Unlike many traditional PT clinics, you will always receive a 60-75 min session in a warm and inviting treatment room. You will never be pressured to do an internal pelvic floor exam. We will work together to find a course of treatment that works best for your mind, body, and spirit.
Conditions I can treat:
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Leakage with cough, sneeze, or exercise
Overactive bladder
Frequent nighttime bathroom trips
Incomplete bladder emptying
Chronic UTIs
Interstitial Cystitis
Constipation
Painful bowel movements
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Chronic pelvic pain
Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) pain
Pain with sex, pelvic exams with speculum, or inserting tampons
Vaginismus
Vulvodynia
Lichen Sclerosus
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Pelvic and abdominal pain from endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or PCOS
Pudendal nerve entrapment
Postoperative abdominal pain
Pain after gender-affirming surgery
Pelvic organ prolapse
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Birth preparation
Pubic symphysis pain
Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain
Low back, tailbone, or hip pain
Round ligament pain
Diastasis Recti
Perineal tear recovery
Cesarean scar recovery
Leakage or frequent urination
Difficulty returning to running or exercise
Wellness Services
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a specialized technique used in physical therapy to relieve muscular pain and dysfunction. Thin needles are inserted into tight, knotted bands of muscle called trigger points. When the needle is inserted, it causes a local twitch response. This involuntary contraction followed by relaxation is believed to break the cycle of muscle tightness or spasm and improve pain and mobility.
FAQ :
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Though similar in appearance, dry needling and acupuncture have different goals and foundations. Dry needling targets muscle trigger points to relieve pain and improve function, based on modern anatomy. Acupuncture, from traditional Chinese medicine, aims to balance energy (Qi) by inserting needles into specific points.
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If you're experiencing persistent muscle pain, tightness, or limited mobility that isn't improving with standard treatments, dry needling may help. A PT can assess whether myofascial trigger points are contributing to your pain. If these trigger points are causing discomfort or restricting movement, dry needling could be a beneficial option to release tension and improve function.
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Dry needling can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Conditions include, but are not limited to neck, back and shoulder pain, arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow), migraines and tension headaches, back and tailbone pain, hip and leg pain, pelvic pain, and pregnancy-related pain.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a gentle and effective hands-on therapy that applies myofascial stretching to eliminate pain, restore range of motion, and function when other treatments modalities have been temporary or ineffective. Dr. Ariana utilizes John F. Barnes Myofascial Release. The Barnes approach to treatment is more comprehensive and intuitive than traditional therapies that focus on aggressive tissue manipulation or masking only the symptoms.
FAQ:
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Fascia is the connective tissue web that surrounds your muscles, organs, and nerves. When fascia becomes tight or restricted, it can pull on the body in ways that create pain, limit movement, and keep the nervous system on high alert. MFR helps release those restrictions so your body can move and rest more freely.
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Massage therapy uses lotions or oils and flowing strokes that glide over the body's superficial tissues to promote relaxation. Firmer, more focused work along the muscle, often called deep tissue massage, is a form of soft tissue mobilization.
Myofascial release (MFR) works differently. Rather than gliding across the surface, MFR applies steady, sustained pressure into areas of tight or restricted fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports your muscles. Because the technique relies on engaging and slowly stretching that tissue, it's done without lotions or oils, which would cause the hands to slip rather than grip. Holding this pressure over time allows the fascia to release, which can lead to more lasting relief.
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Because fascia is everywhere, a wide range of people find relief through this work, including those navigating:
Persistent or chronic pain that hasn't fully responded to other approaches
Pelvic floor concerns, including pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and pressure or heaviness
Pregnancy and postpartum changes, from low back and hip pain to scar tissue after a C-section or tearing
Headaches, jaw tension (TMJ), and neck or shoulder tightness
Recovery from surgery or injury, where scar tissue and guarding limit movement
Stress held in the body, where chronic tension and a dysregulated nervous system show up as physical tightness
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that supports your nervous system’s ability to regulate, heal, and restore balance.
Using light, intentional touch, I work with the tissues surrounding the brain, spinal cord, and sacrum to help reduce tension, improve mobility, and create a sense of safety within the body. While subtle in technique, craniosacral therapy can be profoundly calming and deeply restorative, especially for bodies that feel “stuck” in chronic stress, pain, or survival mode.
This approach is especially supportive for people living with chronic pain, pelvic floor concerns, headaches, jaw or facial tension, post-concussion symptoms, hypermobility/EDS, trauma history, or nervous system dysregulation. Sessions are always person-first, consent-based, and tailored to your comfort level.
FAQ :
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Chronic pain or persistent tension
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Headaches, migraines, or jaw/TMJ issues
Neck and low back pain
Nervous system dysregulation or burnout
Post-concussion symptoms
Hypermobility / EDS
Trauma or stress-related symptoms
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No. Craniosacral therapy uses significantly lighter touch than massage and focuses on the nervous system and connective tissues rather than muscle manipulation.
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Yes. Craniosacral therapy can be integrated into your physical therapy sessions or offered as a stand-alone service for wellness purposes, depending on your plan of care and goals.
Energy Healing
Reiki combines two Japanese words: Rei meaning Spirit or Sacred and Ki meaning Energy. It is universal life energy channeled through a practitioner to a client. Reiki relieves stress, reduces pain/tension, and promotes healing by the power of human touch.
The practice of Reiki involves identifying disruptions in the natural flow of energy in our bodies, and removing those blockages through a transformative healing process that brings mind, body, and spirit back into balance.
FAQ:
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Reiki can help with managing chronic pain and tension, pelvic health/womb healing, nervous system dysregulation, and more!
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During a session, you’ll remain fully clothed and rest comfortably on a massage table as Reiki is a universal life force energy that knows where to go, where healing is needed the most. Reiki can help balance your chakras (energy centers), clear energetic blocks, and even release emotional cords that may be holding you back.
During your session, you may feel warmth, tingling, or gentle pulsing sensations as energy flows. Some people feel energy moving through the body, while others simply experience deep peace and stillness.
After a Reiki session, many clients report feeling lighter, more grounded, and deeply relaxed.
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Yes! Reiki is a valuable healing technique that can facilitate good progress in physical therapy. Dr. Ariana frequently incorporates Reiki during PT sessions to improve pain, mobility, and nervous system function.
What can I expect at my first physical therapy appointment?
So, you’re ready to book your first physical therapy appointment, but you’re feeling a little nervous because you have no idea what to expect. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! It’s completely normal to feel a little anxious about something new, especially when it involves such a personal area of your health.
A Comfortable & Supportive Conversation
Your appointment will begin with a one-on-one discussion about your medical history, symptoms, and any challenges you’re facing. Whether you're dealing with pelvic pain, incontinence, postpartum recovery, or chronic pain, Dr. Ariana will listen with compassion and without judgment.
A Whole-Body Movement Assessment
Pain and injury are closely connected to your posture, strength, and overall movement patterns. Dr. Ariana may assess your breathing, hip and spine mobility, and how your body moves during daily activities to get a full picture of your musculoskeletal health.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on the assessment, Dr. Ariana will develop a customized treatment plan designed to help you meet your goals. This may include exercises, manual therapy, breathing techniques, lifestyle modifications, and education to empower you in your healing journey.
Ongoing Support
Each visit is an hour of one-on-one time with a dedicated Doctor of Physical Therapy. During the course of your treatment, I’ll be available to answer your questions and adjust your plan along the way.
Let’s work together!
Send us a message to request a visit or ask a question. We are currently taking new clients and look forward to helping you.