Fix the pain
*this is where most traditional physical therapy sessions stop
Identify and fix the root cause of the pain
Teach you how to stay pain-free and moving well for life
We help active people solve their pain problems for good, optimize their movement, and get back to doing the things they love to do. We specialize in treating joint, muscle, and nerve related pain.
We work to optimize your movement, focus on strength and conditioning, and help you reach your full potential no matter what your sport is.
With a detailed treadmill running assessment combined with mobility and strength testing, we optimize your running skill, power, and efficiency.
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, 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.
Carrie Cantrell, Client Care Coordinator, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She began her career in Phoenix, AZ working in the education sector before transitioning her focus to the wellness and healthcare space. She has experience engaging with both business and consumer clients, using her knowledge in client management to focus on programs and activities focused on helping people improve their physical and emotional wellness. Her claim to fame is having competed in the softball Little League World Series! She makes her home in the mountains of WV and is an active mom to a teenage son and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her son play soccer, hiking, traveling, and growing a variety of vegetables in her raised bed gardens.
Jen Shan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, earning her degree from the University of Southern California. She found her love of physical therapy during her time in the sports medicine internship program at UCLA, where she worked on rehabilitation programs for UCLA basketball, beach volleyball, and track & field athletes. Not only did she love the science behind human movement, she also loved the joy she saw in her athletes when they could finally get back to participating in the sport they loved. Jen has extensive experience in post-operative and conservative rehabilitation of sports related injuries in active populations, but regardless of diagnosis, she prides herself in being her patients proudest (and loudest) cheerleader throughout rehab! She believes the ability to move your body is one of the greatest and most under-appreciated gifts in this world, which makes her feel blessed to help people get back to pain-free motion. On the weekends, you can catch Jen listening to live music, travelling, navigating the great outdoors, skiing, and golfing.
a week ago via Google
I am so happy to have found Athletic Lab! I came in nervous and unsure about my recovery but Lauren set up a game plan for me and in our first meeting I was so relieved to see a path forward. In the following weeks, my body feels great! I love having the patient portal and having videos for all my stretches and exercises. I have seen and feel such an improvement and change in my body. So thankful for Athletic Lab!
2 months ago via Google
i have had the pleasure of working with Lauren for the past year and a half. I am an avid runner and before i started training i frequently had back and hamstring pain. Lauren incorporated flexibility training and strength training into my program and my running has improved significantly and my pain has diminished. i have definitely seen improvement in my strength and more stability in my core. Not only has the work helped my body but each workout is a lot of fun as well as a challenge. I feel lucky to have found Lauren!
3 months ago via Google
Athletic Lab has been a wonderful partner to get me back and stay healthy for my sport. I was looking for an expert PT in sports, as I got injured in my rotator cup and needed some specific treatment to get me back in performance. After a professional and detail assessment, Athletic Lab came up with a plan and quickly I was without pain and playing back my sport. My experience with them has been wonderful and I would recommend to athletes and/or people in general. I appreciate the constant attention to details and the evolution of my training program… from addressing the pain first to then the strengthening part. Super recommend.
a week ago via Google
Went to Athletic Labs for patella-femoral pain syndrome in my knees. While I was getting treatment there over the course of 6 weeks, I sprained my MCL. I worked with Lyssa and she was incredible. She helped with both issues and adapted the sessions to fit my needs. We ended up extended my time there another 6 weeks due to the second injury. When I originally started, I couldn’t sit at my desk at work without being incredibly uncomfortable. I couldn’t do any impact workouts and was constantly in pain. With my MCL sprain I wasn’t able to straighten my leg or move it much at all. We did medical massages and Theragun until I was able to move into strength training. My improvement has been miraculous and I am now speed walking on an incline and back to most of my regular workouts. The trainers here are also amazing. I would talk with Lyssa about my weekend, friends, work, etc and the time would fly by. Genuinely going to miss it and highly recommend this place!
2 months ago via Google
I did 5 sessions with Lauren to build strength and endurance without injuring myself given an existing lower-back pain issue. I couldn't recommend her more. She is exactly the supportive, encouraging, and down-to-earth type of trainer I needed to build my confidence in getting stronger. My fiance recommended her and Athletic Lab to me after going there following an injury and I'm glad he did. Absolutely planning to do more sessions in the future, very much worth it!
We offer free 15-minute phone consultations to help you decide if Athletic Lab is right for you and answer any questions you might have.