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Santa Monica's Premier Physical Therapy and Performance Training Center Using precision in our evaluation and treatment supported by science, we deliver results. Schedule a Consult

Physical Therapy and Performance Training

Physical Therapy

We emphasize a scientific approach to physical rehabilitation, health, and wellness. Our unique concierge model allows for precision in diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plans that are developed by an expert in the field of physical therapy and focused on your needs and goals. One on one sessions at Athletic Lab will not only address your pain, but resolve the underlying mechanical issues, unlock your movement efficiency potential, and get you better, faster.

  • Orthopedic injury rehabilitation
  • Post-Operative care
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
  • Sport-Specific rehabilitation

Performance Training

Everybody has the ability to move like an athlete. We will help you get there. With a thorough assessment followed by comprehensive and individualized programming, we capitalize on your athletic potential. We provide you with customized, data-driven solutions for optimized movement and performance. Let’s find your competitive edge.

  • Flight Lab Running Program
  • Ace Lab Tennis Program
  • Hit Lab Volleyball Program

Our Results-Driven Process

01

Fix the pain

*this is where most traditional physical therapy sessions stop

02

Identify and fix the root cause of the pain

03

Teach you how to stay pain-free and moving well for life

About Us

Lauren Freitas

Lauren Freitas, Co-Founder of Athletic Lab is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She has been practicing in the outpatient orthopedic setting since graduating from the University of Southern California with her DPT degree in 2014. She is trained in Selective Functional Movement Assessment and Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, and has done over 200 hours of continuing education courses including assessment of running biomechanics, treatment of upper body injuries in the overhead athlete, foot and ankle assessments and treatments for novice and elite runners, and chronic pain management. She has worked with multiple beach volleyball leagues and fitness studios in the Santa Monica area, educating players and athletes on injury prevention and integrating the science of physical therapy into the fitness realm. When she’s not working, you can find her on the beach playing volleyball and running, or in the mountains hiking and snowboarding.

Lyssa Cleary

Lyssa Cleary, Co-founder of Athletic Lab is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). She graduated with her doctor of physical therapy from the University of Southern California in 2014 and went on to complete USC’s orthopedic residency program in 2015 where she worked with sports medicine physicians and specialized in treating patients with orthopedic related injuries, including headaches. She has presented internationally, nationally and regionally on the topics of interdisciplinary migraine treatment, neck pain/headaches and analysis/treatment of movement dysfunction as it relates to specific athletic populations. She is trained in Blood Flow Restriction Therapy and has taken continuing education courses to hone in on assessment of running biomechanics, treatment of running-related injuries, foot/ankle assessment/ treatment strategies for the runner and beyond, as well as shoulder pain management. Currently, she teaches at USC in the graduate school department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy in addition to seeing clients at Athletic Lab. She loves living in Santa Monica, embraces the ease at which it allows for her to live an active lifestyle, and looks forward to helping her patients return to one as well.

Julia Patterson

Julia Patterson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She started her physical therapy career after graduating as a Physical Therapist Assistant from the University of Cincinnati in 2016. She immediately started working in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine while she completed the PTA to DPT Bridge program at the University of Findlay. This allowed her to gain 5 years of clinical experience working with athletes of all ages prior to graduating with her doctorate degree in 2021. She worked in outpatient orthopedic clinics in Colorado and Las Vegas before settling in Santa Monica. She has completed extensive continuing education courses in sports biomechanics, Blood Flow Restriction, treatment of overhead athletes and Masters athletes, Graston method, and Redcord suspension training. She takes a whole-body assessment and treatment approach to maximize patient performance and minimize compensatory strategies. When she isn’t seeingclients at Athletic Lab, you might find her teaching a Pilates class or taking advantage of all theoutdoor activities readily available in Santa Monica. She enjoys getting into the mountains for hiking, trail running, and rock climbing adventures and into the ocean for open water swimming.

Testimonials

Sarah Noble I cannot say enough wonderful things about Lauren and my physical therapy experience . I am an avid runner and injured my back while training for the LA marathon. The first time I met Lauren, she did a running analysis and strength assessment and she diagnosed my problem immediately. She developed a strengthening and running program for me and worked with me hand-in-hand to get me back on the road. At the end of it all, she was literally waiting for me at the finish line of my marathon.
After my most recent knee injury, I knew I had to work with Lauren again. Again, she correctly diagnosed my issues and came up with a comprehensive training plan. I'm a few weeks into my new program, and am pain-free and feeling stronger than before. Sarah Noble Marathon Runner Antonio Neves I cannot speak highly enough about Lyssa and the work I did with her to recover from my knee surgery. As a former college athlete, I have high expectations when it comes to rehab and training; Dr. Cleary delivered. I looked forward to fitting these appointments into my already busy schedule because I knew I was going to be pushed to my full potential and also be treated with care and understanding. I had no doubt I was going to get back to being able to play with my kids, work-out in the gym, and go for a run as quickly as possible without any corners cut. I’m even convinced I came back stronger than I was prior to my injury. If you are looking for a diligent, energetic, and best-in-the-business physical therapist, go see Dr. Cleary!
Antonio Neves Author Johnny I’m what you would call the weekend warrior—out on the basketball courts or volleyball nets each Saturday. I originally came to Lauren for a shoulder injury that was keeping me sidelined. After just a few sessions, I was already feeling better and stronger. We worked on exercises specific to the activities I was trying to get back to and within 2 months I was back on the courts. Several months later, a knee injury brought me back into the clinic and Lauren was able to not only diagnose my injury but get to the root of why I got injured in the first place. She measured my leg strength and I learned that there was a muscle imbalance between my hips and knees. She developed a strengthening and core stabilization program to address the weaknesses and got me back to doing what I love to do. I can’t recommend Lauren enough! Johnny Chaser of glories past Ramsey R If you’re an athlete, it’s only a matter of time until you deal with an injury. Having torn my oblique and gone through ACL reconstruction surgery, I’ve worked with several physical therapists. Lyssa and the Athletic Lab team truly set themselves apart from the rest. I worked exclusively with Lyssa for over a year through my ACL rehab and could not be more pleased with the results. After only 6 weeks, I was riding my bike outside again. A year later, I’m back on my skis, surfing and climbing at a high level. Thank you Lyssa and the Athletic Lab team! Ramsey R Skier/Surfer/Climber Michael VanDeventer Working with Lauren was brilliant from start to finish. I came in with a labral tear in my left shoulder from a surfing injury. I was told by two doctors that I would need surgery based on the MRIs. Lauren came up with game plan which involved manual therapy and a specialized exercise program to strengthen the rotator cuff and my shoulder girdle. After 3 months, I was back in the water and able to do everything that I wanted. Lauren went above and beyond to come up with specific exercises and modalities to get me healed and fit again.
Besides being an excellent physio, Lauren has brilliant energy and was uplifting in a difficult time for me. Since getting my shoulder right, I sustained a knee injury from a football match. Lauren was able to diagnose my knee pain and come up with a treatment plan remotely as I was not in LA at the time. I am very grateful to Lauren getting me healthy again, and also teaching me some preventative measures to keep me on my board.
Michael VanDeventer Surfer

Sarah Noble I cannot say enough wonderful things about Lauren and my physical therapy experience . I am an avid runner and injured my back while training for the LA marathon. The first time I met Lauren, she did a running analysis and strength assessment and she diagnosed my problem immediately. She developed a strengthening and running program for me and worked with me hand-in-hand to get me back on the road. At the end of it all, she was literally waiting for me at the finish line of my marathon.
After my most recent knee injury, I knew I had to work with Lauren again. Again, she correctly diagnosed my issues and came up with a comprehensive training plan. I'm a few weeks into my new program, and am pain-free and feeling stronger than before. Sarah Noble Marathon Runner Antonio Neves I cannot speak highly enough about Lyssa and the work I did with her to recover from my knee surgery. As a former college athlete, I have high expectations when it comes to rehab and training; Dr. Cleary delivered. I looked forward to fitting these appointments into my already busy schedule because I knew I was going to be pushed to my full potential and also be treated with care and understanding. I had no doubt I was going to get back to being able to play with my kids, work-out in the gym, and go for a run as quickly as possible without any corners cut. I’m even convinced I came back stronger than I was prior to my injury. If you are looking for a diligent, energetic, and best-in-the-business physical therapist, go see Dr. Cleary!
Antonio Neves Author Johnny I’m what you would call the weekend warrior—out on the basketball courts or volleyball nets each Saturday. I originally came to Lauren for a shoulder injury that was keeping me sidelined. After just a few sessions, I was already feeling better and stronger. We worked on exercises specific to the activities I was trying to get back to and within 2 months I was back on the courts. Several months later, a knee injury brought me back into the clinic and Lauren was able to not only diagnose my injury but get to the root of why I got injured in the first place. She measured my leg strength and I learned that there was a muscle imbalance between my hips and knees. She developed a strengthening and core stabilization program to address the weaknesses and got me back to doing what I love to do. I can’t recommend Lauren enough! Johnny Chaser of glories past Ramsey R If you’re an athlete, it’s only a matter of time until you deal with an injury. Having torn my oblique and gone through ACL reconstruction surgery, I’ve worked with several physical therapists. Lyssa and the Athletic Lab team truly set themselves apart from the rest. I worked exclusively with Lyssa for over a year through my ACL rehab and could not be more pleased with the results. After only 6 weeks, I was riding my bike outside again. A year later, I’m back on my skis, surfing and climbing at a high level. Thank you Lyssa and the Athletic Lab team! Ramsey R Skier/Surfer/Climber Michael VanDeventer Working with Lauren was brilliant from start to finish. I came in with a labral tear in my left shoulder from a surfing injury. I was told by two doctors that I would need surgery based on the MRIs. Lauren came up with game plan which involved manual therapy and a specialized exercise program to strengthen the rotator cuff and my shoulder girdle. After 3 months, I was back in the water and able to do everything that I wanted. Lauren went above and beyond to come up with specific exercises and modalities to get me healed and fit again.
Besides being an excellent physio, Lauren has brilliant energy and was uplifting in a difficult time for me. Since getting my shoulder right, I sustained a knee injury from a football match. Lauren was able to diagnose my knee pain and come up with a treatment plan remotely as I was not in LA at the time. I am very grateful to Lauren getting me healthy again, and also teaching me some preventative measures to keep me on my board.
Michael VanDeventer Surfer

Contact Us

Located at

530 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 109
Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 220-0365

info@athleticlabpt.com

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