I can’t say enough about Core Performance PT, with the professionalism and care taken by the physical therapists and their aides in helping patients like myself to recover full use of an injured joint.  Dr. Adam Javate was my physical therapist at the Irvine location but twice I worked with Dr. John Kwon who is equally as knowledgeable and helpful.   I started PT before surgery to repair a fractured shoulder with avulsion (displacement) and a partial rotator cuff tear and then, a few weeks after the surgery, returned for several months of progressively more intensive PT.  Thanks to the patience and skill of staff members at Core Performance, my recovery was quicker and more complete than expected by my surgeon.  The shoulder is a complicated joint that requires stretching, manipulation and strengthening in many different directions to regain full use, but this team understood the challenge well enough to guide me, progressing from passive to active, more and more challenging exercises, to maximize my rate of improvement.  (And yes, I did my homework!)  I am happy that I signed up for a facility that uses manipulation/mobilization, which made a tremendous difference in improving the range of motion in my shoulder.  I have heard patients from other PT facilities complain of pain or regression after being pushed too hard, too fast.  That never happened to me, as the staff listened and understood my tolerance level and what movements presented an extra challenge.  For example, with the shadow boxing exercise, they left it up to me to increase the weights whenever I felt ready.  In addition to Adam, I especially want to thank Emily, Lena, Chloe, Nicole and Rylan, the aides who most often coached me through my exercises, correcting my form as needed. I felt that Core Performance PT treated me as a whole person, not just an injured shoulder.  My exercises included core strengthening (who doesn’t need that??) and, when I complained of hip stiffness, they added exercises to target that area.  When I came in one day in the midst of a vertigo episode (BPPV), Dr. Javate and Kelly, one of the students, guided me through the repositioning Epley maneuver.  I also want to thank Dr. Martin Bui at the Newport Beach location who made time for my pre- and post-op evaluations (and welcome massages!), allowing me to begin focused physical therapy right away.  Great staff, including Rachel who manages the front desk in Irvine and another helpful student, Stephanie, plus well equipped facilities!  You are the best, Core Performance!