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Physical Therapy - Walnut Creek

The physical therapy team at The Center for Sports Medicine - Walnut Creek is highly trained and committed to providing each individual with a customized treatment plan. You will receive a physical therapy plan tailored to your needs that will help you reach your top performance goals. Here are some of the Physical therapy treatment options we offer:

  • Orthopedics and Sports-based  Physical Therapy
  • Pilates-based Physical Therapy
  • Manual Therapy and ART: Active Release Technique
  • Dance Rehabilitation
  • IASTM (i)nstrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Sport Specific Functional Movement Analysis
  • Running Analysis

Walnut Creek Physical Therapy Team


Mari Ball, MSPT

Mari Ball, MSPT, uses her training in Pilates, TRX, and active release technique (ART) to help rehabilitate her patients. She has worked at Northwestern University and Harvard Affiliated Hospitals in acute care and outpatient facilities. She gained experience with pediatric patients at Boston Children’s Hospital and enjoyed working with the Boston Ballet Company and Olympic ice skaters. Mari has taught seminars with OB/GYNs on pre- and postnatal physical therapy. She loves all sports and is an avid skier, runner, tennis player, basketball coach, wake and snow boarder, triathlete, dancer, and swimmer. She uses all her experiences to treat her athletic patient population. Mari’s 4 son’s have grown up playing baseball, basketball, and football which has increased her experience treating athletic injuries in these type of athletes. Mari received her BS in biological sciences from UC Davis, her master’s in physical therapy from Northwestern University, and master’s from Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professions in Boston.

Mari Ball, MSPT

Mari Ball, MSPT, uses her training in Pilates, TRX, and active release technique (ART) to help rehabilitate her patients. She has worked at Northwestern University and Harvard Affiliated Hospitals in acute care and outpatient facilities. She gained experience with pediatric patients at Boston Children’s Hospital and enjoyed working with the Boston Ballet Company and Olympic ice skaters. Mari has taught seminars with OB/GYNs on pre- and postnatal physical therapy. She loves all sports and is an avid skier, runner, tennis player, basketball coach, wake and snow boarder, triathlete, dancer, and swimmer. She uses all her experiences to treat her athletic patient population. Mari’s 4 son’s have grown up playing baseball, basketball, and football which has increased her experience treating athletic injuries in these type of athletes. Mari received her BS in biological sciences from UC Davis, her master’s in physical therapy from Northwestern University, and master’s from Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professions in Boston.


Neil Claveria, PT

Neil Claveria, PT, specializes in orthopedic and neurological functional manual therapy, active release techniques (ART), and exercise training with an emphasis on the lower quadrant, as well as spine treatment. Neil has developed treatment plans for diverse and varied populations, including sports-related injuries using many modalities in addition to soft-tissue and joint mobilization/manipulation techniques. His personal interests include biking, running, photography, drumming, Quantum touch, meditation, hiking, travel, and hip-hop dance. He received his BS in physical therapy at Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines and his BS in biology at De LaSalle University, Manila.

Neil Claveria, PT

Neil Claveria, PT, specializes in orthopedic and neurological functional manual therapy, active release techniques (ART), and exercise training with an emphasis on the lower quadrant, as well as spine treatment. Neil has developed treatment plans for diverse and varied populations, including sports-related injuries using many modalities in addition to soft-tissue and joint mobilization/manipulation techniques. His personal interests include biking, running, photography, drumming, Quantum touch, meditation, hiking, travel, and hip-hop dance. He received his BS in physical therapy at Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines and his BS in biology at De LaSalle University, Manila.


Patricia Commer, DPT

Patricia Commer, DPT, specializes in musculoskeletal disorders, especially pelvic instability, shoulder rehabilitation, foot disorders, and lumbar issues in pregnancy. She has a wide range of experience, from treating athletes at all levels, to having a strong geriatric base. Patricia’s approach to therapy uses exercise-based programs and manual techniques along with taping, modalities, posture, and core stabilization. She emphasizes the importance of an individual’s role in their rehabilitation and recovery. Patricia enjoys volunteering backstage with actors and dancers at Berkeley Repertory Theater and Cal Shakes Berkeley. Her personal interests include weight lifting, jazz/hip-hop/belly dance, Pilates, hiking, volunteering, and travel. Patricia received her doctorate of physical therapy at Samuel Merritt University-Oakland.

Patricia Commer, DPT

Patricia Commer, DPT, specializes in musculoskeletal disorders, especially pelvic instability, shoulder rehabilitation, foot disorders, and lumbar issues in pregnancy. She has a wide range of experience, from treating athletes at all levels, to having a strong geriatric base. Patricia’s approach to therapy uses exercise-based programs and manual techniques along with taping, modalities, posture, and core stabilization. She emphasizes the importance of an individual’s role in their rehabilitation and recovery. Patricia enjoys volunteering backstage with actors and dancers at Berkeley Repertory Theater and Cal Shakes Berkeley. Her personal interests include weight lifting, jazz/hip-hop/belly dance, Pilates, hiking, volunteering, and travel. Patricia received her doctorate of physical therapy at Samuel Merritt University-Oakland.


Michael Loumeau, DPT, CSCS, MTC

Michael Loumeau, DPT, CSCS, MTC, has a special interest in analyzing movement impairments and incorporating manual therapy, PNF, and Pilates in his treatment approach in order to improve patients’ movement and function. He attained his Pilates rehabilitation certification with Polestar, manual therapy certification with University of Saint Augustine, and completed a manual therapy residency with Kaiser Permanente. His personal interests include fitness training, jogging, and traveling. He received his MS in physical therapy from Boston University, a doctorate in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a fellowship in Movement System Impairments at Washington University. He has worked with varied patient populations and developed pulmonary rehab and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome rehab programs in a previous clinic in Virginia.

Michael Loumeau, DPT, CSCS, MTC

Michael Loumeau, DPT, CSCS, MTC, has a special interest in analyzing movement impairments and incorporating manual therapy, PNF, and Pilates in his treatment approach in order to improve patients’ movement and function. He attained his Pilates rehabilitation certification with Polestar, manual therapy certification with University of Saint Augustine, and completed a manual therapy residency with Kaiser Permanente. His personal interests include fitness training, jogging, and traveling. He received his MS in physical therapy from Boston University, a doctorate in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a fellowship in Movement System Impairments at Washington University. He has worked with varied patient populations and developed pulmonary rehab and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome rehab programs in a previous clinic in Virginia.


Ernie Rodriguez, MPT

Ernie Rodriguez, MPT, specializes in incorporating soft tissue mobilization techniques in conjunction with therapeutic exercises for return to sport or activity level. His mechanical engineering background helps him to problem solve various environmental and sports related issues associated with his patient’s diagnoses. He is an advocate for patient education, helping empower his patients to prevent and/or manage future injuries. He has treated a variety of sports-related injuries at the high school, collegiate, and Olympic level. During his free time, Ernie enjoys a variety of activities including fly fishing, photography, crossfit, running, hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Ernie received his master’s in physical therapy from Old Dominion University.

Ernie Rodriguez, MPT

Ernie Rodriguez, MPT, specializes in incorporating soft tissue mobilization techniques in conjunction with therapeutic exercises for return to sport or activity level. His mechanical engineering background helps him to problem solve various environmental and sports related issues associated with his patient’s diagnoses. He is an advocate for patient education, helping empower his patients to prevent and/or manage future injuries. He has treated a variety of sports-related injuries at the high school, collegiate, and Olympic level. During his free time, Ernie enjoys a variety of activities including fly fishing, photography, crossfit, running, hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Ernie received his master’s in physical therapy from Old Dominion University.


Meghann Oakes Rust, DPT

Meghann Oakes Rust, DPT, specializes in combining the principles of movement system impairment syndromes (MSI) with Pilates-based physical therapy to identify and correct impairments in movement, alignment, and performance. As a dancer since the age of 3, she has a unique understanding of movement and, along with Maitland manual therapy techniques, is able to help her patients achieve proper movement patterns and apply them to their functional and fitness activities. Meghann completed her Pilates Method Certification in 2006 and has a special interest in teaching the principles of Pilates Strengthening to young dancers and athletes to optimize their athletic performance. Meghann works closely with dancers of all ages. Meghann works with professional dance companies backstage during local performances. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, Pilates, and hiking. She received her BA in dance at UC Irvine and her doctorate of physical therapy at Washington University in St. Louis.

Meghann Oakes Rust, DPT

Meghann Oakes Rust, DPT, specializes in combining the principles of movement system impairment syndromes (MSI) with Pilates-based physical therapy to identify and correct impairments in movement, alignment, and performance. As a dancer since the age of 3, she has a unique understanding of movement and, along with Maitland manual therapy techniques, is able to help her patients achieve proper movement patterns and apply them to their functional and fitness activities. Meghann completed her Pilates Method Certification in 2006 and has a special interest in teaching the principles of Pilates Strengthening to young dancers and athletes to optimize their athletic performance. Meghann works closely with dancers of all ages. Meghann works with professional dance companies backstage during local performances. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, Pilates, and hiking. She received her BA in dance at UC Irvine and her doctorate of physical therapy at Washington University in St. Louis.


Joyce Warren, DPT

Joyce Warren, DPT, is the physical therapy supervisor. Prior to joining the Walnut Creek staff, she was clinic director for an outpatient orthopedic, sports medicine, and work injury clinic for seven years. She has experience in orthopedics, musculoskeletal/sports-related injuries, hypermobility disorders, and dance injuries. She specializes in Pilates- based rehabilitation, and is a certified functional movement technician. Joyce has been involved in dance since starting as a student at age 3, to dancing in semiprofessional companies, as an instructor, and now as a dance medicine physical therapist. Joyce spends her spare time working with local dance companies and coaching youth club soccer and College Park HS girls soccer. Joyce received her BFA in dance and BA in psychology at UC Santa Barbara and her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Southern California.

Joyce Warren, DPT

Joyce Warren, DPT, is the physical therapy supervisor. Prior to joining the Walnut Creek staff, she was clinic director for an outpatient orthopedic, sports medicine, and work injury clinic for seven years. She has experience in orthopedics, musculoskeletal/sports-related injuries, hypermobility disorders, and dance injuries. She specializes in Pilates- based rehabilitation, and is a certified functional movement technician. Joyce has been involved in dance since starting as a student at age 3, to dancing in semiprofessional companies, as an instructor, and now as a dance medicine physical therapist. Joyce spends her spare time working with local dance companies and coaching youth club soccer and College Park HS girls soccer. Joyce received her BFA in dance and BA in psychology at UC Santa Barbara and her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Southern California.

Walnut Creek Pilates Dance Medicine Specialists

For more than three decades, the Center for Sports Medicine Clinic in Walnut Creek has incorporated Pilates Rehabilitation for promoting good health and healing to further the dreams of athletes, dancers, performers and active people throughout the greater Bay Area.


Kris Halverson MFA, CPI

Kris Halverson MFA, CPI, has been teaching Pilates conditioning and rehabilitation at the Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek since 1993 where she has worked with a wide range of client injuries, ages, and conditioning levels. Kris received a Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology from Stanford University, then a Masters in Fine Arts, Modern Dance from University of Utah. Kris also has graduate level dance studies at School of the Arts, New York University. Kris has trained in Pilates-based rehabilitation in the Dancemedicine Department at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, and is a certified Pilates instructor from Turning Point Studios. She has studied with numerous master teachers including Diana Herold, Marie Jose Blum, Michelle Larson, and Karen Clippinger. Kris began dancing at age 5 and discovered Pilates as an injured dancer in 1988. As well as performing and choreographing, Kris has taught dance in schools and studios in the Bay Area and at St. Olaf College, Mills College, and West Valley College. She enjoys traveling and hiking in the mountains and at the coast with her family.

Kris Halverson MFA, CPI

Kris Halverson MFA, CPI, has been teaching Pilates conditioning and rehabilitation at the Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek since 1993 where she has worked with a wide range of client injuries, ages, and conditioning levels. Kris received a Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology from Stanford University, then a Masters in Fine Arts, Modern Dance from University of Utah. Kris also has graduate level dance studies at School of the Arts, New York University. Kris has trained in Pilates-based rehabilitation in the Dancemedicine Department at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, and is a certified Pilates instructor from Turning Point Studios. She has studied with numerous master teachers including Diana Herold, Marie Jose Blum, Michelle Larson, and Karen Clippinger. Kris began dancing at age 5 and discovered Pilates as an injured dancer in 1988. As well as performing and choreographing, Kris has taught dance in schools and studios in the Bay Area and at St. Olaf College, Mills College, and West Valley College. She enjoys traveling and hiking in the mountains and at the coast with her family.


Mary Reid MA, CPI

Mary Reid MA, CPI, has been on staff at Saint Francis’s Center for Sports Medicine clinic in Walnut Creek since 1996. Mary trained in Pilates-based rehabilitative movement with Patrice Whiteside and Elizabeth Larkham at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in 1989 and earned her Pilates certification in 1990. Mary received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from California State University at Fullerton, and a Master of Arts in Dance from UCLA. Mary also incorporates other areas of study and influences include Ideokinesis, Laban Movement Analysis and the Bartenieff Fundamentals. She has studied with Pilates experts such as Mercy Sidbury, Marie-Jose Blom and many others. She enjoys working with patients from all walks of life. Mary has been active in the dance world, forming Mary Reid/Smaller Than Life after moving to San Francisco in 1984. She continues to choreograph and perform with Terrain, a dance and performance collective based in the East Bay.

Mary Reid MA, CPI

Mary Reid MA, CPI, has been on staff at Saint Francis’s Center for Sports Medicine clinic in Walnut Creek since 1996. Mary trained in Pilates-based rehabilitative movement with Patrice Whiteside and Elizabeth Larkham at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in 1989 and earned her Pilates certification in 1990. Mary received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from California State University at Fullerton, and a Master of Arts in Dance from UCLA. Mary also incorporates other areas of study and influences include Ideokinesis, Laban Movement Analysis and the Bartenieff Fundamentals. She has studied with Pilates experts such as Mercy Sidbury, Marie-Jose Blom and many others. She enjoys working with patients from all walks of life. Mary has been active in the dance world, forming Mary Reid/Smaller Than Life after moving to San Francisco in 1984. She continues to choreograph and perform with Terrain, a dance and performance collective based in the East Bay.


Albert Vo, PT, DPT, OCS

Certified Pilates Instructor 

Laura began her Pilates training during her sixteen year career as a professional dancer. When a lower back injury forced her to reevaluate her own conditioning, she discovered that regular Pilates training helped her to remain pain free during hectic performing seasons. In 2000, Laura’s interest in Pilates deepened when she met Lisa Goldin, who soon became her teacher and mentor. Under her supervision, Laura trained in the classical method of Pilates. Laura received her teaching certification after four years of working with Goldin. She earned additional certifications from Power Pilates in New York. Laura opened her own studio, Pilates 580, in 2005 which closed in 2020. She has also worked at Purely Pilates in San Carlos and at San Francisco Ballet training students and company dancers in Joseph Pilates’ original method. Besides teaching Pilates, Laura has been teaching ballet since she was 18 and studied dance at Boston Conservatory in Boston MA.

Albert Vo, PT, DPT, OCS

Certified Pilates Instructor 

Laura began her Pilates training during her sixteen year career as a professional dancer. When a lower back injury forced her to reevaluate her own conditioning, she discovered that regular Pilates training helped her to remain pain free during hectic performing seasons. In 2000, Laura’s interest in Pilates deepened when she met Lisa Goldin, who soon became her teacher and mentor. Under her supervision, Laura trained in the classical method of Pilates. Laura received her teaching certification after four years of working with Goldin. She earned additional certifications from Power Pilates in New York. Laura opened her own studio, Pilates 580, in 2005 which closed in 2020. She has also worked at Purely Pilates in San Carlos and at San Francisco Ballet training students and company dancers in Joseph Pilates’ original method. Besides teaching Pilates, Laura has been teaching ballet since she was 18 and studied dance at Boston Conservatory in Boston MA.


Darcy Health-Wallace MA, CPI

Darcy Health-Wallace MA, CPI, is a Sport Psychology Consultant and a Pilates Instructor at the Center for Sport Medicine in both San Francisco and Walnut Creek. Darcy was an elite level and NCAA All-American gymnast with a world ranking in Acrobatics Pair Gymnastics. Darcy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology and Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology / Sport Psychology. She is certified in Pilates based Rehabilitation and Conditioning. Darcy is currently a member of the USA Gymnastics National Health Care Referral Network providing support to athletes, coaches, colleges and club sports and she has worked extensively with NCAA college athletes at UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Jose State, with USA gymnastics, USA figure skating, and many high school athletes, professional competitors and artistic performers. She has also served as the Women’s Gymnastics Team Sport Psychology Consultant at the University of California at Berkeley for 14 years and USA synchronized swimming for 2 years. Darcy’s education, training and experience in clinical/ sport psychology and in Pilates assists athletes and teams in attaining performance enhancing mental and physical skills to reach their peak abilities in sport and life.

Darcy Health-Wallace MA, CPI

Darcy Health-Wallace MA, CPI, is a Sport Psychology Consultant and a Pilates Instructor at the Center for Sport Medicine in both San Francisco and Walnut Creek. Darcy was an elite level and NCAA All-American gymnast with a world ranking in Acrobatics Pair Gymnastics. Darcy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology and Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology / Sport Psychology. She is certified in Pilates based Rehabilitation and Conditioning. Darcy is currently a member of the USA Gymnastics National Health Care Referral Network providing support to athletes, coaches, colleges and club sports and she has worked extensively with NCAA college athletes at UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Jose State, with USA gymnastics, USA figure skating, and many high school athletes, professional competitors and artistic performers. She has also served as the Women’s Gymnastics Team Sport Psychology Consultant at the University of California at Berkeley for 14 years and USA synchronized swimming for 2 years. Darcy’s education, training and experience in clinical/ sport psychology and in Pilates assists athletes and teams in attaining performance enhancing mental and physical skills to reach their peak abilities in sport and life.

Learn More About the Center for Sports Medicine Walnut Creek

The Center for Sports Medicine Walnut Creek is conveniently located just off Hwy. 680, near the Hwy. 24/680 interchange. For more information, call us at (925) 934-3536.

Walnut Creek

Alpine Square
1777 Botelho Drive, Suite 110
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 934-3536