Holistic Physical Therapy
in San Francisco

FOR THE PELVIC FLOOR AND THE WHOLE BODY

 

REDUCE YOUR PAIN

BUILD YOUR RESILIENCE

 GET YOUR LIFE BACK

 

Are these problems preventing you from fully recovering and enjoying your life?

  • Has your medication stopped reducing your pain?

  • Are you in the midst of a symptom flare-up or reinjury and just want to get back to normal?

  • Do you feel alone and unheard because doctors say your pain is just “in your head”?

  • Are you exhausted and afraid your pain will never go away?

  • Have you lost hope of ever having sex + intimacy with your partner again?

  • Are your symptoms keeping you from being able to work, see friends, travel, or exercise?

Physical therapy can help you recover faster.
I specialize in these areas.

 

Pelvic Health for All Genders

Sexual pain or dysfunction, bladder issues, chronic UTIs, strengthening & resilience before and after surgery

Female Pelvic Health

Bladder leaks, endometriosis, vaginismus, vulvodynia, period cramps, prenatal/postpartum, diastasis recti, prolapse

Male Pelvic Health

Erectile issues, groin pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder problems, or pain with sex, sitting, or cycling

Neurovascular

Pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, neurogenic / neuropathic pain, thoracic outlet syndrome

 

Joint + Soft Tissue

Arthritis, chronic sprains and strains, impingement, repetitive-use injuries

Digestion

Bloating, constipation, IBS, abdominal pain, SIBO, hiatal hernia/GERD

Head + Neck

Headaches, migraines, TMJ issues, sinus pain, jaw pain, trouble swallowing pills

Spine

Scoliosis, stenosis, sciatica, radiculopathy, degenerative disc/joint disease, sacroiliac (SI) joint issues

 

Ready to relieve pain, restore your range of movement, and get back to your normal activities?

 

 You can get better — it’s never too late.
And I’m here to help.

 
Arlene Cavan, PT, DPT, sits on a windowsill in her office and smiles at the camera.

Arlene Cavan, PT, DPT

Hello and welcome!

I’m Arlene Cavan, PT, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy who uses a holistic, integrative approach to treating musculoskeletal issues in the pelvic floor and the whole body.

To help my clients recover and build up their personal resilience, I offer a deep toolbox with many different techniques and resources so that we can create a custom care plan that’s right for YOU.

As a compassionate provider with a gentle and caring presence, I listen to your unique needs, goals, and preferences. I enjoy working on “complex” cases, getting creative, and thinking outside the realm of traditional treatment methods.

I believe in giving my clients the tools to tune into the nervous system and emotions, retrain the body’s movement patterns, and expand into full-body mindfulness. Another important key to managing pain is building community connections that bolster us for the longer term.

I want you to know:

  • If you’re in the middle of a flare-up or a reinjury…

  • If you’ve ever been told by a doctor that your pain is “all in your head” because everything “looks fine”…

  • If your social life, exercise routine, or ability to work or travel is dwindling because of muscle or bladder issues…

  • If intimacy with your partner has been put on hold due to pain…

…I’m here to help you.

You can recover. It’s never too late to start.

I want you to feel supported and informed in your healing journey, and to feel hope again in your body’s innate healing potential.

If you have questions, I invite you to set up a free phone consultation. Or, book now if you’re ready to make your appointment and start on the path to recovery. I’ll see you soon!

Start feeling better right away.
Here’s your action plan.

 

It’s easy to book your appointment with the online scheduler and then add it to your calendar.

Attend your session and receive a customized treatment plan so you know exactly how to recover.

Leave feeling heard, supported, and empowered, knowing that you can get your life back!

Choose the appointment type that’s right for you.

  • Arlene Cavan works with a patient on balance and alignment.

    In my office

    Overwhelmed by noisy, bustling PT clinics? Me too. That’s why I see patients one at a time in my peaceful, cozy office in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood. You deserve to relax and not feel rattled or rushed.

  • A residential street in San Francisco with colorful buildings.

    At your home

    You can have physical therapy in the comfort of your own home. I offer home visits within San Francisco city limits. Ideal for new parents, busy executives, public figures, and anyone recovering from a recent surgery.

  • A person with long hair in braids sits sits next to a window and looks at a laptop.

    Virtual

    Telehealth + virtual coaching appointments can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Ideal for folks with kids, busy schedules, or compromised immune systems — or anyone located outside the Bay Area.

See what my patients are saying

There’s a reason people are raving! See more reviews on Yelp and Google.

I have worked with other PTs in the past, but I can say that Arlene is amazing. She listens carefully to her patients and understands what they are going through. Many PTs will just repeat the same techniques over and over, but Arlene is able to develop a plan that leads to real recovery. I would highly recommend her for your PT needs. She cares about what she is doing and treats her patients with understanding, compassion, and patience.

— S.K.

 

When I first reached out to Arlene, I had been dealing with pelvic pain symptoms for 6+ months. Multiple rounds of antibiotics didn't relieve my pain, and I had lost much hope of a recovery. Arlene brought a holistic approach to dealing with my symptoms with a combination of minor lifestyle changes and physical therapy. After about four months, I felt over 90% back to my prior self and experienced a significant improvement in my quality of life. I highly recommend Arlene!

— T.S.

 

Arlene is phenomenal, and sessions with her are like magic. I was experiencing periodic recurring lower back pain for a year or so when I first started working with Arlene. She diagnosed the issue and possible causes, worked with me to develop a stretching and strengthening plan, and applied direct bodywork to help correct the issue. Within a surprisingly short amount of time, after a set of sessions and following the exercise routines she recommended, the pain subsided, and I've been pain-free since. I would work with Arlene daily if I could!

— R.B.

 

Integrating multiple whole-body and mind modalities, Arlene is highly skilled in pelvic pain treatment, and, importantly, she is caring, responsive, and compassionately attuned to the patient experience.

I came into the clinic during an excruciating level of distress, barely able to walk, stand, or sit. After two sessions with Arlene, my pain had decreased significantly, my emotional state had improved, and I was able to return to daily activities. With continued treatment, my pain is minimal and has stabilized at a level that's allowed me to get back into life again, with greater self-management skills that I've developed with Arlene's guidance.

— W.B.

 

I first came to Arlene for foot PT following the last of four surgeries. I was apprehensive and highly anxious, but Arlene was both kind and patient as she guided me into feeling comfortable working with my foot, and that trust has been invaluable in my recovery. She helped me with range of motion and quality of movement, desensitizing traumatized areas, working through stiff tissue, and retraining things like walking correctly. Not only did she help me recover from that surgery, but my progress went well beyond what I had expected after many years of issues.

I therefore felt hopeful in contacting Arlene again a few years later to help me with flexibility, sensitivity, and muscle control to work back up to being able to do recreational ballet.

I believe that Arlene’s compassion, knowledge, and holistic approach to health and wellness really sets her apart, and I would recommend her services to anyone in need of great PT!

— S.C.

Frequently asked questions

Arlene works with a patient in her office, located in San Francisco’s Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood.

 

If you’re ready to overcome any of these issues, physical therapy can help.

Digestion issues: Bloating, IBS, constipation, SIBO, abdominal pain, GERD

Muscle & joint issues: Chronic pain, sprains, strains, arthritis, pinched nerves

Head + neck issues: Headaches, migraines, TMJ problems, sinus pain

Pelvic floor issues (all genders): Bladder leaks, endometriosis, IC, recurrent UTIs, painful sex

Recovery issues: After surgery, illness, a bad fall, or a repetitive-use injury

Spine issues: Scoliosis, stenosis, degenerative disc/joint disease, sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction

 

You can recover, and you can start now.
I’ll be with you every step of the way.