Meet Me

Hi, I’m Arlene!

My name is Arlene Cavan (she/her), and I’m a physical therapist located in San Francisco, California, specializing in orthopedics (the body’s musculoskeletal system) and pelvic health.

With 20+ years of physical therapy experience, my work has evolved from a deep curiosity of what makes the human body tick and how we build and maintain resilience over the years. 

My earliest experiences in physical therapy involved helping veterans with spinal cord injuries. They showed me, as a young clinician, not only their true grit and bravery but also a profound perspective on life.

I believe in the mind-body connection and that we are more complex than the sum of our parts. In this aim, I have completed training in holistic treatment approaches that focus on whole-person wellness — including craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation.

I have been intrigued with the conversation about the Sacred Feminine and how each of our ancestral lines are healing and growing more into trueness. I love Layla Saad’s saying, “Be a Good Ancestor.” I feel that I personally am trying to connect closer to nature and our roots, and I hope we humans can do so collectively if we want to prosper on a healthy planet.

Beyond my work, I am a San Francisco resident with a gentle explorer’s heart and a wanderlust for hidden gems and exotic locales. I am a daughter of a baker with a penchant for all things sweet and lovely. My own daughter and I make regular music for our living-room audience of one supportive husband and some very understanding neighbors.

I invite you to reach out to me so that we can chat about how holistic, integrative physical therapy can help you reduce your pain, improve your mobility and resilience, and get you back to living the life you want!