MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy

MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy Most athletes get injured at some point. We specialize in hands-on treatment to get you achieving your highest level of function.

Welcome to the new age of physical therapy. Trusted by professional athletes from a wide range of sports, we incorporate primitive patterns to create progressive movements.

For decades, the go-to for acute injuries was R.I.C.E.:Rest, Ice, Compression, ElevationSprained your ankle? Ice it and ...
12/05/2025

For decades, the go-to for acute injuries was R.I.C.E.:
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

Sprained your ankle? Ice it and rest.
Sounds logical.

But research shows this can actually delay healing.

THE NEW STANDARD: M.E.A.T.

M – Movement (gentle, pain-free, as soon as possible)
E – Exercise (progress to structured rehab)
A – Analgesics (natural pain relief)
T – Treatment (work with a pro for complete recovery)

Why this works: Movement brings blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to the area. It helps tissue heal properly and prevents long-term instability.

Swelling isn’t the enemy - it’s part of healing.

Rest has its place, but controlled movement leads to faster, more complete recovery.

Next time something tweaks, think movement first.

(Want the full breakdown with sources and research? Check out our blog at motusspt.com for the complete M.E.A.T. vs R.I.C.E. post.)

And if you need physical therapy in Carlsbad or Orange County, book a session with one of our experts? Link in bio!

Thank you for being part of our MOTUS family. This year gave us a lot to be grateful for, and you’re at the top of that ...
11/27/2025

Thank you for being part of our MOTUS family. This year gave us a lot to be grateful for, and you’re at the top of that list. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. 🦃🍁

Physical therapy isn’t always about fixing problems after they happen - it’s about designing bodies to perform at their ...
11/21/2025

Physical therapy isn’t always about fixing problems after they happen - it’s about designing bodies to perform at their best.

And that starts with movement intelligence.

Understanding that your shoulder pain might be coming from your hip.

Your knee issue could be how your foot hits the ground.

And knowing small compensations in one area create bigger problems everywhere else.

MOTUS approaches this with:

✔️ Assessment - figuring out how your body moves, where restrictions exist, and what’s causing compensations

✔️ Individualization - building a program designed specifically for your body, your goals, your movement patterns

✔️ Precision - teaching your body not just what to do, but when and how to do it so movement becomes efficient and pain-free

The result?

Your body learns to move differently.

Pain resolves at the root cause.

Performance improves because restrictions are gone.

The smarter your body moves, the better it performs. 💪

If you need physical therapy in Orange County or Carlsbad - link in bio to book a session!

11/18/2025

1 month post stem cells + PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) = already back to running

Partial ACL tears don’t always mean surgery.

This client chose regenerative medicine and committed to a personalized physical therapy plan - and the results speak for themselves. 🏃‍♂️

Stem cells and PRP can help accelerate healing by promoting tissue repair at the cellular level.

Combined with MOTUS targeted physical therapy, many patients avoid surgery altogether.

Progress looks different for everyone, but it always starts with the right treatment and the right team.

🔗 If you need physical therapy in Orange County or Carlsbad, link in bio!

Sometimes it’s the smallest movements that make the biggest plays.When you watch a quarterback throw a perfect spiral un...
11/14/2025

Sometimes it’s the smallest movements that make the biggest plays.

When you watch a quarterback throw a perfect spiral under pressure, you’re seeing the result of thousands of micro-adjustments working in perfect harmony.

The difference between good and elite often comes down to millimeters:

- the precise firing of a rotator cuff muscle
- the timing of a hip stabilizer
- the controlled deceleration that protects a shoulder through the throwing motion.

This is where the science of movement becomes an art.

Elite athletes don’t just train the big muscle groups everyone can see.

They fine-tune the intricate network of stabilizers and rotators that most people don’t even know exist.

These smaller, deeper muscles are the ones that control joint positioning, absorb force, and allow for explosive power without injury.

But here’s what’s important: you don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from this approach.

Whether you’re returning from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or simply want to move better in your daily life, the same principles apply.

That nagging shoulder pain when you reach overhead? It might be a stabilizer issue.

The knee discomfort on stairs? Could be a timing problem with your hip muscles.

Intentional, precise movement training isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing it right.

It’s about understanding which muscles need to fire, when they need to fire, and how they work together to create efficient, pain-free movement.

The body is incredibly complex, but when you understand how all the pieces work together, even the smallest adjustments can create dramatic improvements in how you feel and perform.

👉 Link is in our bio to book a session with our team!

11/13/2025

Every athlete’s sport demands something different.

Our job is to focus precisely on what that sport requires.

For tennis athletes, like this client, it’s all about how well you can rotate
while staying strong, controlled, and connected through every swing.

In this session, you’ll see us focus on rotational core work.

Building the strength and control that transfers power from the ground up.

For tennis players specifically, the core isn’t just for stability.

It’s what connects the lower and upper body,
transfers energy efficiently, and keeps movement smooth through every point.

By training rotational strength and control,
we’re helping build the foundation for stronger serves, quicker reactions,
and fewer overuse injuries.

That’s what keeps movement efficient, powerful, and pain-free.

🔗 If you need physical therapy in Orange County or Carlsbad, link in bio!




11/07/2025

Post-ACL rebuild for a pro football player.

Focusing on single-leg quad strength and core stability to get back to full speed.

Every movement counts: the hip, trunk, and leg all have to fire together.

This is where control meets power, and the full kinetic chain is rebuilt for peak performance.

This client is on the path to getting back on the field, stronger and safer than ever.

🔗Book a session at the link in bio!

11/05/2025

Strength is the next step after early ACL rehab.

At 7 weeks post-op, patients typically enter the strength phase.

During this stage we focus on:

▪ Controlled movements that protect your healing ligament
▪ Regaining knee stability and balance
▪ Setting up for a smooth return to higher-intensity activity

🔥Quick Tip: Quality over quantity. Small, precise movements now mean stronger, safer movement later.

If you are dealing with an ACL injury in Orange County or Carlsbad, book a session at the link in our bio!









10/31/2025

This Mater Dei basketball player is back in action while managing chondromalacia patellae.

👉 A common knee challenge in athletes who load their knees with jumping, cutting, and rapid changes of direction.

We’re focusing on building safe, controlled movement through:
▪️ Force absorption drills – teaching knees to handle impact for jumps & landings
▪️ Force propulsion – generating power efficiently for explosive movements
▪️ Deceleration training – controlling speed to reduce stress on the knee
▪️ Intro to cutting – introducing lateral movements safely to mimic basketball demands

Each drill is designed to retrain the body for sport-specific movements while protecting the knee.

Strength, control, and confidence all build together to keep her moving safely on the court.

➡️ Need Physical therapy in Orange County or Carlsbad? Link in bio to connect with our team.

10/29/2025

This client is 4 months out from a SLAP type 1 repair (a procedure that fixes fraying in the cartilage around the shoulder socket.)

At this stage, the shoulder is healing and not ready for high-load or demanding movements…yet.

Focus right now:
• Restoring pain-free range of motion
• Rebuilding rotator cuff and scapular stability
• Gradually reintroducing controlled strengthening exercises
• Preparing for more challenging functional movements in the coming months

This stage is critical. Building mobility, strength, and control now sets the foundation for safe, long-term shoulder mobility.

Love to see our Carlsbad physical therapy location in full swing!

🔗 Link in bio to book a session

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Address

100 E. MacArthur Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA
92707

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 5pm
Tuesday 6am - 5pm
Wednesday 6am - 5pm
Thursday 6am - 5pm
Friday 6am - 5pm

Telephone

+19498911325

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