Business Details
5 Years
experience
Expert Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab in Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Physio was founded in 2021 by Dr. Melissa Alonzo, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with extensive experience in sports rehabilitation and athletic development. Our practice specializes in treating elite athletes, including professional runners, skiers, and track and field competitors, through individualized treatment plans that emphasize movement quality and return-to-sport protocols. We utilize advanced technologies like Run Easi for gait analysis and force plate testing to deliver data-driven care. Our services include manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and strength training programs tailored to both injury recovery and performance enhancement. As a certified provider with the US Ski & Snowboarding team, we combine clinical expertise with hands-on techniques to address mechanical restrictions and improve mobility.Our commitment to continuous learning ensures we integrate the latest research and methodologies into every session. Clients benefit from personalized home exercise programs and small-group classes designed to foster community and accountability. With direct access to physical therapy in California, patients can begin treatment without a referral, receiving up to 12 visits or 45 days of care. Our mission is to empower athletes of all levels to achieve their goals through expert-led, compassionate care that prioritizes long-term health and performance.
Services
Sports Rehabilitation
Running Analysis
Strength Training
Manual Therapy
Neuromuscular Re-education
Return-to-Sport Programs
Gait Analysis
ACL Rehabilitation
Home Exercise Programs
Virtual Physical Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2021
Highlights and features
- We offer individualized treatment plans for athletes and active individuals.
- Our team uses advanced gait analysis technology for precise diagnostics.
- We specialize in ACL rehabilitation and sports-specific strength training.
- Our physical therapist holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and works with Olympic athletes.
- We provide direct access to care without requiring a doctor's referral.
What people say
Immediate pain improvements
Best physical therapist
Improved personal best times
Significant quality of life
Effective root cause diagnosis
Services
Sports Rehabilitation
Our sports rehabilitation programs focus on injury recovery and performance enhancement for athletes. Using manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and strength training, we help clients regain mobility and return to their sport safely. Tailored treatment plans address specific needs, from ACL tears to chronic pain, ensuring long-term success.
Running Analysis
We utilize Run Easi technology for detailed gait and running analysis. This data-driven approach identifies movement inefficiencies and biomechanical issues, allowing us to create corrective exercise programs. The goal is to improve performance, prevent injuries, and enhance overall running mechanics through personalized interventions.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy techniques address joint and soft tissue restrictions through skilled mobilizations. This hands-on approach improves range of motion, reduces pain, and restores function. Combined with therapeutic exercises, it forms a comprehensive solution for musculoskeletal conditions affecting athletes and active individuals.
Strength Training
Our strength training programs combine individualized and group sessions to build functional strength for athletes. Focused on sport-specific needs, these sessions enhance power, endurance, and injury resilience. We use force plate testing to tailor programs to each client's unique biomechanics and goals.
Neuromuscular Re-education
This service targets disrupted neural pathways caused by injury or pain. Through targeted exercises and posture training, we restore efficient movement patterns. The approach integrates brain-body connections to improve coordination, balance, and overall functional mobility for daily activities and athletic performance.
People
Dr. Melissa Alonzo
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Melissa Alonzo earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University in 2017. She has worked with Olympic athletes and professional sports teams, specializing in sports rehabilitation and manual therapy. Her expertise includes ACL recovery, running analysis, and athletic development for elite performers.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept Blue Shield, Blue Cross, and Medicare. Cash payments are also accepted, and we can file insurance claims for other providers.
Can I visit without a doctor's referral?
Yes, California's Direct Access Law allows physical therapy evaluation and treatment without a referral for up to 12 visits or 45 days.
What services do you offer?
We provide sports rehabilitation, manual therapy, gait analysis, strength training, and neuromuscular re-education for athletes and active individuals.
Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes, we provide virtual physical therapy sessions alongside in-person options for flexibility and accessibility.
What should I wear to appointments?
Wear comfortable, movable clothing that allows access to the area being treated, avoiding tight garments like jeans.
Are group classes available?
Yes, we offer small-group strength and conditioning classes with a maximum of four participants for personalized attention and community support.
Reviews (7)
Jane Leary
Nov 02, 2021
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Mellisa is terrific! I have been to several physical therapists over the years and Melissa is by far the best. With her guidance teaching me what to do on my own plus what she did to release muscles and joints in our sessions, and making sure I understood correct form when on my own, I have made tremendous progress in a very short time. I wish I lived in Mammoth full time so I could work with her more often. I will definitely see her again next spring for a tune up. If you live in Mammoth or spend a lot of time there and need PT you should definitely call Melissa!
Nicholas Ruggero
Nov 01, 2021
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I had a great experience seeing Melissa over 12 sessions. I tore my hip labrum while staying in Mammoth for the summer and was initially unable to walk slowly without pain. Every time I saw Melissa I had immediate pain improvements that persisted longer and longer after each session (she essentially made sure my femur tracked in the socket and didn't impinge on my pelvis). I was still able to get outdoors and be active for our summer in Mammoth, and had a significantly improved quality of life when it came to my hip. I've worked as an athletic trainer and am a lifelong athlete, and I've seen
Cindy Yang
Oct 23, 2021
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Melissa was the best physical therapist I've ever gone to (previously went to 2 others in the Bay Area). Melissa is very well-versed and effective at diagnosing the root causes of my interconnected body-aches and/or asymmetries. I like having an active lifestyle across hiking, swimming, rock-climbing and she made me stronger at all 3, plus resolved an acute lower back-ache. Before seeing Melissa, I had a chronic back-ache in my lower right side. (Made sitting in cars more than 1 hour painful). After 2.5 months of seeing Melissa, my back-ache is resolved, due to her accurate diagnostic and very
Aleksandra Karapetrova
Jul 14, 2021
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I suffered from a debilitating injury that required 4 major surgeries. Melissa has helped me come back from my last two surgeries. She is a great listener and knows exactly what I'm talking about when I describe my challenges with motion and pain. She provides excellent exercises that have allowed me to quite literally get back to my feet and doing the skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and running that I love to do. Would highly recommend Melissa, she is professional, skilled, and ultimately a great physical therapist who knows exactly what she is doing.
Branko Kral
Jun 29, 2021
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I've had eight orthopedic surgeries with a total of a handful of years of physical therapy for a variety of body parts, and Melissa reeeeally knows what she's doing. Her paradigm is amazing, she's an athlete herself, and her hands are magical. One of the many things she does great is how effectively and systematically she helps you wake up the muscle groups that were shut off because of the injury. She's a part of the reason I can now return to mountain sports stronger. Couldn't recommend her enough.
Grace Barnett
May 27, 2021
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Melissa has provided amazing rehab from injury as well as strength and conditioning! As a professional track and field athlete, high quality PT is so important. Since beginning to work with Melissa, Ive improved my personal best times on the track and am feeling stronger than ever!
Tim Gorman
May 25, 2021
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I am a professional runner based in Mammoth and I've been working with Melissa at Mammoth Physio twice weekly for about 6 months to prepare for my racing season. She's the best! I've worked with a ton of strength trainers/physios over the course of my career and Melissa is among the best in the country. She's excellent at making specific training plans for each athlete and adapting to their needs.
I needed middle distance specific strength work and she put in time to craft specialized programs for me. I watched myself improve quickly over our time together and now I am as strong as I've ever been
I needed middle distance specific strength work and she put in time to craft specialized programs for me. I watched myself improve quickly over our time together and now I am as strong as I've ever been
