Testimonials

Customer satisfaction comes first! Everything about this operation exemplifies their commitment to make sure the patient has a stress free, one on one, pain relief visit. The office manager, Kaitlin, makes every person feel welcomed and informs of any time management changes so you aren't left wondering when you'll be seen. I've started my RedCord sessions with Cathie who is very personable and encouraging.

The 2 sessions so far have been a wealth of knowledge as far as what my body strengths and weaknesses at my old age. I've seen some improvements and have been notified on what behaviors to change to target what needs to get stronger. So far a very positive experience and I've already bought 5 more sessions in advance. I don't feel like I'm just a patient they are trying to get out the door; we are journeying together instead to help find the right fix.

Abdominal adhesion pain is GONE. Jera is magical. No kidding. For 27 years I had the same very specific pains in my gut following complications after a cesarean. Jera has eliminated the pain in just TWO visits! And she's so gentle, too! My gratitude is enormous.

Jera has moved to Rancho Bernardo--- it's a great location, plenty of parking and very accessible. Her new office is spacious and stunning. Love it.

Sprained my knee and she worked her magic. Yes, "magic" walked out feeling 60% better. Swelling has gone down. Expect to make a speedy recovery. Highly recommend to Poway and Rancho Bernardo community and all of San Diego. Her physical therapy work is magical and she is a rare talent. Go see Jera!

I have seen Jera for nearly a year for multiple issues. She provides a holistic approach and explains what she is doing and what you can to enhance her work. Aside from that she is a gentle caring person and makes you feel very comfortable. Kaitlin is also great, very nice and friendly when you walk in or call!

Jera Ratliff is very experienced and intuitive therapist. I came after whiplash injury and felt much better only after 2 visits. The office is very clean and spacious. The staff if friendly and professional.

Jera is amazing!!! Her office is in a great location and is easy to find plus her space in huge! She is the only physical therapist that helped and healed me after a serious car accident. She is very comforting and well knownlwgable about the body and you can tell that with her work. I call her my "magician" therapist because she truly is a miracle worker and if I hadn't found her I'm not sure how i would have recovered.

Jera has helped me successfully return to running after being side-lined for over 2 years with an overuse injury & history of related injuries. I had seen multiple other PTs, acupuncturists, massage therapists, & sports med physicians before finding Jera. She has been the one who most comprehensively evaluated my situation, customizing a treatment plan that allowed me to progress safely & steadily. She understands & honors the importance of a holistic approach to optimal healing and well-being.

I have suffered from TMJ disorder and its associated pain symptoms for many years. I was told by several doctors there wasn't much to do, expect to take pain medication. I decided to look for alternative solutions for pain relief. After hearing many positive reviews about Jera at Alternative Medicine I decided to give it a shot. The thought of reducing or eliminating my discomfort in a more organic/natural method was very hopeful and appealing to me, so i set up an appointment with Jera.

During my treatment Jera noticed some issues with my right shoulder. I had some shoulder pain about a month before and had gone to physical therapy, but it had felt better since then. Well turns out Jera found that my shoulder was pulling on a nerve that was associated with my TMJ leading to my pain. After my treatment I felt so relaxed that I just wanted to go to sleep. I went home and did something I never do during the day... sleep for three hours straight. The following day my pain was gone. I am so glad and thankful that I decided to go with Jera. Her methods and treatment are truly amazing!!!

I've been seeing Jera Ratliff for physical therapy for several years. Jera is very involved with her patients; very thorough documenting your medical history. She has helped me through very serious neck pain, balance, constipation, you name it! I've been to other practitioners but they used a little heat, a little massage and sent me on my way. Not Jera! Alternative PT is right. She doesn't stop her approach to healing until she has success. I'm 75 and will be with her until I'm 95!

Her personal involvement includes not only a call & email about your appointment but a personal email to follow up, even calls. She doesn't seem to be bound to a 1 hour appointment but takes the time needed. Jera is constantly learning with her guru and classes with advanced techniques. She's a true professional with a very big heart. You will not be disappointed. You've nothing to lose if you have tried other methods to relieve chronic pain without success. Make an appointment today!

After receiving a friendly call from Jera apologizing for my experience, she encouraged me to book an initial visit. I had my first appointment with Jera today and I'm really glad I decided to give it another try. She is an amazingly knowledgeable practitioner. And she's a genuinely nice person.

I came in with 5/10 hip pain and left with a 1/10. Pretty good for my first treatment. We talked extensively at the beginning regarding my health history and I left the office with tips, recommendations and exercises until my next visit. Her technique is skilled and delicate but very effective. I would highly recommend her. Thanks so much Jera.

Jera is a very skilled therapist!

I'm almost sad to review her because if she gets popular I might not be able to see her so easily! But credit where credit is due right? Jera is the 2nd CFMT fully certified PT that I have had the pleasure of getting treated with. Like any other health field, different practitioner means different philosophies, techniques, and bedside manners. So to keep it simple let's just list out why she's awesome in the following categories.

Attention to Care - She's an independent therapist and not with a large group. Plus it seems that CFMTs ( i could be wrong) seem to work one on one AND they do a lot of manual work, meaning they are working on you, palpating you, checking you. You aren't just given exercises. (that's not to down your PT but insurance dictates what some are able to do)

Bedside Manner - Encouraging and listens! Who wants to go to a healthcare practitioner who doesn't listen or worse overlooks your symptoms, literally or figuratively. Ever meet someone in the healthcare field who just is so much smarter than you that they absolutely have to be above you and show you that with their unending knowledge and training? Yeah, I didn't go to them again or recommend them. Bottom line: I'm writing this review and I plan on seeing her if I need more work.

Treatment - You know the story about how some people go to a massage and the the therapist actually hurts them because they aren't listening to the client? Yeah that's most likely not going to happen with Jera. Her treatment is gentle and you feel cared for so if something hurts she usually asks. Even if she thinks it might be uncomfortable she lets you know. Certified Functional Manual Therapists are hard to find! Plus she knows trigger point therapy and visceral manipulation. She might have more skills up her sleeve but if you look those up you'll see how valuable those techniques truly are.

Did she get me better? - YES! I'm pregnant and injured my pubic bone during exercise. Walking was awful on top of being pregnant and I couldn't do very much yoga because of it. I was able to walk, sit and move without pain. As a result of her working on my hips and pelvis the pain from sneezing when you're prego was so much better too. I have come in for tuneups with her. (If you are wondering why, it's mainly because I'm pregnant & hip/pelvic issues don't just go away until baby is here.) But the main issues sheered pubic bone and twisted sacrum have not come back.

I can't say enough about really great PTs and healthcare practitioners like Jera.

Not only is she great but she has confidence in referring you! If she can't treat you she is more than happy to help refer you. When a a company or a person is confident enough to do that, you have to think, 1. they are doing well enough they aren't afraid to refer out and 2. They must be and feel confident in their own skill to refer to others and 3. They believe in their community of practitioners and must have a friendly network with them.

ALL good things to know about anyone caring for you. So please do yourself a favor, if you are injured or just have questions please go see her or call her!

I came to see Jera after experiencing whiplash from a car accident. She takes a holistic approach to treatments, looking at the whole body to ensure the source of pain is addressed and corrected. Its amazing to see how pain in one part of the body can be caused by a problem elsewhere that I would not have recognized. Jera was able to trace problems to the source and provide relief. I had a variety of symptoms from subtle dizziness to acute lower back pain and she was able to address and provide relief for all of them. I came in one day walking with a limp unable to cross my ankle over my knee and was able to walk out completely normally with my normal range of motion restored. On top of that she is a very warm, friendly, genuine person and is wonderful to work with! I highly recommend Jera and will be returning to see her for any future physical therapy needs! Thank you Jera!

I have been to many, many health practitioners, PTs, acupuncturists, chiros, etc., seeking help and relief for back pain and other issues -- almost none of them have helped. Then there was Jera, who is exceptional in so many ways. She is that perfect mix of hyper-experienced, yet always learning and listening. Other practitioners think they know how to "fix" you and may think they "know best," (read: better than you) despite you reporting increased pain after their treatments. Jera listens, adjusts, and humbly manages to relieve your pain in what may seem like mysterious ways. It's difficult to understand just exactly how it happens, precisely because much of it feels very gentle. I recommend Jera to everyone, but especially to those who have chronic issues that have been resistant to other treatments. You can feel better! Jera will help you, just like she has helped me.

Jera is an amazing and talented Physical Therapist. She definitely knows her anatomy and neurology. She has helped me with my lower back and my ankles. I get treated by a lot of different people and she is the best PT person in the business. Give it a go and you won't regret it!!

I have been treated by Jera at Alternative Physical Therapy for several injuries over the years. She's worked on my shoulders, back, and neck. She's a very experienced practitioner and has been able to quickly assess and treat my injuries. Thanks to her, I'm able to function and live without pain. If you have aches and pains that are keeping you from the activities you enjoy, make an appointment. I highly recommend Jera and Alternative Physical Therapy.

I've had an unexplained bad knee most of my adult life which I always figured was due to some injury, strain, or inherent weakness on one side. In the past 5 years, I had learned to baby it since the issues now included my knee catching or going out, as well as pain and less mobility. The debilitation became severe enough that I reverted to a beginner ballet class despite dancing my whole life, and I was frustrated that I couldn't figure out what was causing my decline or how to stop aggravating it. I sought the help of my chiropractor and primary care physician, as well as a sports masseuse, but none had answers. They suggested I get an MRI to understand the root cause. I decided to see a physical therapist first and am so grateful that I found Jera's office.

I wasn't sure what to expect from my first visit to Alternative Physical Therapy, but I appreciated their convenient location and website information. I encountered a well-appointed facility and professional, friendly staff with a genuine interest in understanding my complaints, goals, and concerns. Within a few minutes of reviewing my history and evaluating my movements, Jera assessed that my knee issues (as well as some unreported problems with my left foot) stem from my leg alignment in my hip. She was able to explain years of compensation causing my various knee problems. I was incredibly excited to finally have answers, and it was a serious light bulb moment. The reason is that I had been told at a young age that I was born with a hip defect and fitted with a brace as an infant to address my leg being twisted inwards. However, I grew up without any issues, ran track and danced ballet, so it never occurred to me or anyone else that I may have ongoing issues. This bit of history had always been considered irrelevant and ironic since my passion is ballet which requires a turn out from the hips.

Jera was able to show me the alignment in my body which was causing chain reactions down my leg. The physical therapy and simple exercises I could do from home resulted in immediate improvements. Pain reduced on the first day and mobility improved each session. She taught me how to make adjustments to maintain and improve my performance. Now I'm back in advanced ballet classes without a knee brace, worry, or pain!. I've been able to exercise regularly without limitations and even joined a high energy hip hop class recently.

Thanks to Jera's ability to understand the root cause and know how to teach me to work with my own body, I quickly returned to an active lifestyle again and can fully engage in activities which bring me joy. I can't say enough good things about Jera's personality, approach, or technical abilities...just that she's the best, and every encounter with her office was a positive experience. I highly recommend Alternative Physical Therapy to anyone dealing with pain, recovery, unaddressed issues, or just wishing to optimize physical performance or ask questions.

I am not even sure I can believe this, but I am so happy about it I need to tell you NOW. I am not having that horrible gut pain. EVEN WHEN I ATE CORN on purpose. Like a serving of Corn Chips. Just to see if it was true, that I was doing ok. Of course I won't go out of my way to EAT corn, but when I do accidentally get some in juice or sauce or supplements (pills are full of corn), I need to be able to not have as big of reaction, so I do have a little bit here and there. But this is different, I was traveling, eating out every day, and had no severe gut/back pain. Then at home again I had little bits of corn containing things here and there. No problem other than stiff knees and a few minor symptoms, but not the usual. A few days later I tried another version of corn. Fine. Then the whole serving of the actual corn chips, and OMG, I slept through the night! This is LIFE CHANGING. I don't even know what you did, but whatever you did is WORKING.

I was referred to Jera by 2 physicians after traditional medicine could not diagnose a recurring pain in my lower stomach. I was skeptical, but after 1 appointment, and I know I may be an exception, I’ve remained pain-free. I continue to see her for integrated treatment to address injuries from a car accident as well as ongoing pain from a torn meniscus. Jera integrates traditional PT with a holistic approach that just works.

Jera helped me successfully return to running after being side-lined for over 2 years with an overuse injury & history of related injuries. I had seen multiple other PTs, acupuncturists, massage therapists, & sports med physicians before finding her. She has been the one who most comprehensively evaluated my situation and the root causes, customizing a comprehensive treatment plan unlike any other I had experienced. She is deeply committed to outstanding delivery of care, bringing deep expertise, wisdom, compassion, and a great sense of humor to every appointment. I enthusiastically recommend her with 100% confidence based on personal experience.

I’m a 67 yo active gentleman with a good deal of arthritis in my lower back that had altered my spine into a scoliosis curve causing me to lean sideways and twist forward. When I came to Jera for help, I could walk for only short distances and I could stand for only very short periods because of severe sciatic nerve pain running from my back and down the back of my legs. Almost any movement initiated the pain. I also experienced a great deal of numbness, particularly in my left foot. With Jera’s help (hands on treatment) along with the individualized excercise routine, I’m back on my feet. I can walk a great deal more than before and the numbness in my left foot has pretty much disappeared. Moreover, standing is no longer much of a problem. I can pretty much do all of the activities I need to do without pain. I highly recommend Jera’s approach to physical therapy. A real blessing.

I’m a physical therapist myself suffering from back issues for several years. I move (relocate) a lot which means I have worked with several good therapists across the country. Jera is by far the most skilled therapist I have met. I knew instantly her skills were unique by her thought process, her hands, and her ability to watch you move and make corrections. She truly does consider how the entire body is contributing to your dysfunction, and treats with that mindset. I would recommend Jera to anybody who needs PT no matter how big or small the problem, you will be in great hands. Thank you, Jera, for changing my life!

Jera has been my physical therapist off and on over the past two years. I came to her suffering from severe shoulder and neck pain. I had significantly reduced mobility of my neck and moderate to severe pain in my arm making it almost impossible to drive more than 20 minutes. (note: living in Brawley and San Diego proved a burden as a result of the pain). Daily pain registering more than 6/10 had become a constant with minimal relief trying other things. Jera’s treatment has led to pain reduction and the return of my neck and shoulder mobility. Her treatment was carefully planned and implemented. Ultimately she proved to me that posture is the KEY to good spinal health and enforced my exercises ever so carefully as she knew I was challenged with doing them correctly. I appreciated her patience, her care, her professionalism, and personal consideration that have led to my successful treatment. Thank you, Jera!

I had struggled for six years with leg pain. I had been to many doctors, and had MRI’s and x-rays. Nobody could tell me what was wrong. After meeting with Jera she said “this seems like a vascular issue.” She treated me ONE time and the pain went away! Unfortunately, the pain came back. I ended up seeing a vascular surgeon, who found a blockage in my groin. With a simple procedure, it was fixed. I am now pain free. I am able to do things I haven’t been able to do for years. Even though the physical therapy was a temporary fix, it was Jera’s knowledge of the workings of the human body were the main reason for my recovery, I cannot recommend her enough.