Rehabilitation is a process.  And processes take time. In today's world we want everything fast. But remember what happened to the hare? You may feel like you're hanging on for dear life....but relax.  You will make it. It's all in your perspective. Trust me. I've been there.  And will help you through to the other side.

"Shelli is, without a doubt, the most gifted hand therapist in Southern California.  she is one of the few who is allowed into complex hand surgeries to observe the surgery as she is the one doing the rehab. I have had to have my dominant hand operated on three times.  Twice, she was the one that diagnosed it had probably been set wrong.  She observed the very complex fixing of the other surgeries and did the rehab after the surgery.  I now have pretty good function of my hand.  It will never be 100% because some bone was removed and tendons put in.  

One of her specialties is the creative making of splints for almost any injury.  On the market, there is only one size fits all type of splints. she makes incredible splints on the spot and adapts them easily as the rehab progresses.  She is the turn to gal for many of the best orthopedic surgeons who do not own their own PT clinics.  She is basically, in love with medicine and loves problem solving and has an extraordinary gift for understanding the hand and all the mechanics of making it work. If there were ten stars, I would give her that rating in her abilities to do excellent rehab in hand, arm and shoulder therapy.  I have sent numerous clients to her and they all come back with the same report: excellent, wish I had found her sooner.  Start with Shelli and your recovery time will go more smoothly. She is punctual and values the time of others as well as her own.  She has published many articles on specific hand therapy  issues." Cathy C   

If I could give Shelli 1000000000000000 stars I would- she's saved my life. After having 2 surgeries and still being in pain for 1 1/2 years, I still suffered from nerve issues, arm pain, and migraines. Thankfully I met Shelli and she had been incredible. She was the first person to work everything but my arm (1. I couldn't handle people touching my arm 2. She explained that everything is connected and you need to treat around the problem area to loosen everything up).

She also was the first person to believe that migraines were caused from the injury. She kept encouraging me to be persistent on having the doctors order an mri of my back/ neck. Sure enough, several areas of my back/ neck were affected as a result of my injury and have symptoms that cause the pain I've been suffering from.

Shelli's Rolfing technique has truly been a miracle. I've seen significant progress. She is so strong, i feel like I'm getting spoiled with a deep tissue massage! She even takes before and after pictures after the sessions to compare ! No photoshop necessary!

Shelli is a true gem. Not only is she the most knowledgeable OT/rolfer around, she is an incredible human being. She treats everyone like family and is so caring, positive and takes the time to listen to you !!!

Thank god for Shelli ! Bill B.

"I have been seeing Shelli for many years now.  She was recommended to me by a hand surgeon with whom I consulted regarding a chronic shoulder injury and decided not to go through with the surgery.  The surgeon spoke highly of Shelli's skills so I decided  to give her a try.  I haven't quit her services since then.  In addition to the work on my shoulder and arm, Shelli visited my office and completely rearranged my workspace and ordered a special chair for me so that the 12 hours of computer work a day wouldn't be so hard on my body.  Shelli's an occupational therapist/hand therapist by profession but she also provides a form of 'rolfing' that has helped my back pain as well.  The 'treatment' hurts, but it sure feels good afterwards.  The most amazing thing to me is that when I walk into her office, Shelli can tell which body part needs work just by the way I'm walking or holding my head and shoulders.  I'm not a professional judge of he OT skills but she has certainly helped me.  I'd recommend her highly and have done so to many people."  Barbara M.   

"Shelli is amazing! I began working with her over a year and a half ago to address multiple areas of pain I'd been experiencing as a result of my work environment. Shelli came to my office - actually to 3 different offices - and helped me make appropriate medication to help relieve the strain of repetitive motion and improper body position. The changes I've made because of her suggestions have significantly improved the pain in my elbow, neck & back.

Additionally, her "gentle" rolfing techniques of deep tissue massage and release alays results in my leaving her office nearly pain free and relaxed.  My only complaint is that I can't make it in for treatments with her more frequently!

If you're experience pain from repetitive motion or improper workplace ergonomics I would definitely recommend a call to Shelli-you'll love the results! "  Louise O

"Shelli is an outstanding hand therapist who is highly respected in the hand community.  Her specialty is working with patients who have not responded to therapy elsewhere. Shelli looks at the whole body and the effect of muscle balance and posture as it relates to the injury.  She is an excellent teacher who can effectively share her knowledge with both patients and other therapists. I would not hesitate to highly recommend her."  Joanne W.

"Shelli is respected as one of the best Hand Therapists in San Diego. She has been a hand therapist for over 20 years and is very well respected in the therapy community. Shelli is very skilled with the complicated hand injuries and a great teacher as well.  I would recommend her if you need a hand therapist. " Leslie A.  

"If you need a hand therapist, Shelli is the best option! I had three surgeries in my left wrist and a lot of pain, but thanks to her my wrist is much better! And I can use my hand again! I met her a long time ago and now I feel like she is part of my family.  I highly recommend her."  Vanessa N.  

Our son plays baseball and has always physically grown at a fast rate, reaching 6 feet at age 13.  As a result, he's always experienced back pain, tight calves, and body alignment issues.  For the past two years Shelli has worked to correct his anatomical alignment and relieve his pain and muscle tightness.   Shelli possesses encyclopedic knowledge of human anatomy and muscle function and customizes exercises for one's unique conditions.  She also has a fantastic personality.  She takes time to get to know her clients encouraging them to talk about their work, pastimes, and even current events.  She really wants to get to know you as a person and not just a client.  Our son looks forward to these sessions and feels great rapport with her.  He eagerly talks about school, sports, and friends while Shelli completely listens and professionally focuses on her work.   He is still enduring physical growing pains, but can always count on Shelli's physical therapy sessions to help him feel better and improve his athletic performance.  The sessions with her have been a great investment for our son's overall well-being.  Please see Shelli if you need a caring and knowledgeable physical therapist.  We highly recommend her! Barb D.

"Shelli is great! She came to my place of work got the ergonomics situated out and then started therapy.  I highly recommend her."  Genevieve C. 

Shelli is truly the best!  Not only is she a terrific OT, but she genuinely cares about you as an individual.  I broke three of my fingers at the knuckle and with her help I have total function back. No crooked fingers or bumps!  

She made splits and other casts right there which were completely custom to my situation and treatment path.  She truly cares about her patients and you know she has your best interest at heart.  Coming into appointments, she would greet me with a, "so I've been thinking ...", which is awesome to know that you're not just an appointment in her book, she is thinking about your treatment not just during the your scheduled block. Dianne M.

I had tendonitis/tennis elbow symptoms for over 6 months that wouldn't go away even after multiple cortizone shots and wearing a tennis elbow strap. Shelli did a complete evaluation - measured my strength and mobility in both arms and assessed my posture. She even asked for pictures of my workspace and we discussed my physical activities to try and determine what repetitive movements could be contributing to my pain. She taught me exercises and stretches to help rehabilitate and strengthen my arm. She treated my whole upper body using structural integration. At the end of my 60min treatment, she showed me how to use kinesiology tape for my elbow & even sent me home with templates so I could tape myself up in the future! After a few visits, my symptoms were gone! Thanks to Shelli, I've been pain free in my arm for over 8 months now! Anthonette P

Shelli is a great Occupational Therapist.  I am a runner and triathlete (amateur of course) and she has treated my lower back issue many times for about 4 years now.   She is an extremely knowledgeable OT.  She knows the muscles of your body and is very technical, and assertive in her treatment. Dennis B.

Shelli was recommended by a friend with wrist issues.  I have seen the chiropractor who referred me to a massage therapist.  Massage is great but I still would feel issues a few days later.  I figured I should go to Physical Therapy.  Went to a handful of PT sessions but it seemed like a mini workout lesson.  Then I met Shelli- She is a miracle worker.  She took photos of pre and post treatment to show me the differences in my posture.  Shelli asked me if I had been in a car accident - it was years ago but she knew exactly where I had been injured.  She assigns 'homework' and we have been working on a plan to even me out- I'm already feeling less crooked.  She addresses the whole body from head to toe to cure the issue. Angela D.

I have had pain on my right hand for the past two years as a result of working with computers. In my mind, I thought I will have to live with the pain for the rest of my life until I was referred to Shelli. To be honest, I am quite surprised with the result of my therapy. I had seen several doctors and therapists in the past and I had lost hope. She is the only one who pointed me to the source of my problem and this I the first time that I am seeing result. My pain is much more manageable. In fact, I am starting to forget how painful it used to become when spending more the a couple of hours behind a computer.  

She is very knowledgeable and above all, she truly cares about her patient. Without a doubt I would recommend her and I feel lucky to have found her. M.a.

Shelli is the best physical therapist. She has helped me tremendously. I would highly recommend her. She suggested that I needed an MRI and it's a good thing. Thanks to her knowledge, and the doctor agreeing with her, I'm on the right path to recovery. I may need more therapy soon and I hope that it can be with her. Bravo to you Shelli. Job very well done. Debra H.

What can I say about Shelli except that she is the best Physical Therapist. I had probably seen about 3 other therapist within a two year span, and I had gotten no relief in my pain and my shoulder was just getting worse.
I started therapy with Shelli right after my surgery and although it was very painful for me to move my shoulder, Shelli made sure I got the right kind of the therapy. She helped me so much, she was always so positive even when I wasn't. She even went to a follow-up doctors appointment with me, I will forever be grateful to Shelli. Shelli taught me many home exercises that I still continue to do everyday.
If I ever need to have therapy again Shelli will be the first person I call.
Thank you Shelli!!! Rosalinda F

• Occupational Therapist - B.S. 1985   Temple University
• Charter Member American Society of Hand Therapist - 1988
• Certified Hand (& upper extremity) Therapist - 1991    Hand Therapy Certification Commission
• Certified Ergonomic Evaluator - 1995  Back School of Atlanta
• Certified Structural Integration & Postural Re-education Practioner -2000
• California License with PAM Certification - #7331
• PGAP Certified

Shelli has published literary and research articles discussing posture, postural effects on hand function, RSI, workstation evaluation, work retraining programs, tendon transfers, and chronic pain/RSD/CRPS.  She has provided ergonomic consultations for graphic design studios; administrative assistants; photographers; computer programmers; and recently specialized in computer workstation evaluations for the self-employed home-based business. 

Here is a link to an article Shelli wrote about RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) and CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome):  

http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/Historical-Implications-2.aspx

Shelli is well known and respected in the rehabilitation community both locally and nationally.  For over 28 years she has been involved in teaching educational seminars for therapists and the public.  She has spoke to such organizations as Rotary and Lion's Clubs; insurance carriers' risk and case managers groups; workers' compensation nurse case managers; Occupational Medicine groups; and local and national therapist groups.

Shell has participated on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Hand Therapists and locally for the San Diego Occupational Therapy Association. She has been involved in community organizations as a board member for Pacific Youth Soccer League and the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, and the La Jolla Presbyterian Church Children's BOD and Youth Choir.