Testimonials


I have experienced Lizanne’s expertise as a pelvic floor physical therapist from both a patient perspective and a referring physical therapist’s perspective.  Lizanne stands out not only for her depth of knowledge and skill, but also for her commitment to and compassion for each patient. Lizanne takes the time necessary to educate her patients and teach them how to be a part of their own rehabilitation process. The many patients I have referred to Lizanne for pelvic floor rehabilitation have had positive results and remark on the wonderful experience they have had in her care. She is at the top of her field and the go-to therapist for pelvic floor dysfunction.     
 -Gail Perry, DPT

"I came to Lizanne for chronic tailbone pain (coccydynia) that had persisted for nearly two years. In that two years, I had seen four other specialists, including a sports medicine doctor, a physical therapist, a Rolfer, and a chiropractor, none of whom could offer relief for longer than the time I was in their office. I had also been to see my GP, who led me to believe that I was just going to have to put up with the pain because “that region is tricky.”

When I finally made it into Lizanne’s office, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me. Lizanne is very thorough and takes the time to listen to understand a patient’s experience, symptoms, and concerns. Not only that, she has good intuition developed over years of helping people heal. She is an expert when it comes to disorders and pain in the pelvic floor region and has profound knowledge in how these symptoms can be tied to other contributing factors in connected areas of the body. She works with patients in order to alleviate symptoms and correct disorders in a gentle, compassionate, and skillful manner.

I went from having low-grade pain all of the time with occasional flare-ups to being virtually pain-free over the course of four months. Lizanne performed manual therapy on me and gave me a number of corrective exercises and stretches to do on my own. With every exercise, she took the time in the office to assure that I performed it correctly. She got to the root of the problem and gave me the tools I needed to correct the dysfunction and improve my well-being."

~Sarah S.

"I am 71 and have been struggling with Overactive Bladder for many years. As it was getting worse, I went to see my OB/GYN surgeon. She recommended I try Pelvic Floor rehabilitation and referred me to Lizanne. I was skeptical but did not want to have surgery or other invasive procedures.

From the first meeting with Lizanne, I felt extremely comfortable and at ease. Lizanne is very intelligent, well educated, and has a great sense of humor. She has a thorough understanding of the female body and incontinence. As she educated me, she also retrained my brain and bladder with simple procedures and biofeedback (which I loved). She taught me to relax, strengthen and change my pelvic floor. I went to see Lizanne once a week for three months, did my homework she requested and now I am no longer having problems with OAB.

To me it’s a miraculous recovery and I owe it all to Lizanne’s gentle, yet firm, guidance and therapy. I highly recommend Lizanne to anyone having any issues with incontinence."

~Sallie, Educator, Paralegal (retired)

"It is my great pleasure to tell you what a true healer Lizanne Pastore is! She is kind, gentle and caring as well as being an expert in her field. My condition was greatly improved as a result of her work with me. I would highly recommend her for any problem that requires a Physical Therapist!"

~Shelley

"I went to Lizanne because of Vulvodynia, chronic pain and swelling that I had for over 10 years. Lizanne worked so methodically, meticulously, and in a very holistic way with the pain patterns in my pelvic floor muscles. I have made incredible progress working with her and after less than a year of working with her am THRILLED to be nearly pain free."

~Katie, Consultant SF




"As a patient and physical therapist myself, I cannot recommend Lizanne's work enough. She is both competent and kind, and her treatments make a real and immediate difference in my life."

~JHL, Ph.D, and PT, San Francisco, CA


"I met Lizanne after spending a year suffering from terrible back pain. I had already seen a chiropractor, an osteopath, an acupuncturist, my primary care doctor, a pain management doctor, and 2 physical therapists! With the exception of my acupuncturist, ALL of them told me there was nothing they could do to help me, and that I needed to learn to live with the pain. I was offered drugs and surgery. In a last-ditch effort to help me, my second PT basically handed me Lizanne’s card and wished me well!

Thank goodness he did, because she is amazing. Her evaluation was by far the most comprehensive of all. Within the first few sessions of our work together I started to get better. She never once gave up on me and in fact, has helped me with other health issues not related to my disc problem. Every time I have a session with Lizanne I make progress! Her breadth of knowledge is incredible, her compassion is remarkable, and her touch is truly healing! I will forever be grateful to her!"

~Kelley, Primary Teacher

“Lizanne’s calm, grounding, feminine energy and slow approach were exactly what I needed to begin healing after childbirth. Because of my experience with Lizanne, I have a new thirst to learn about my body and feel called to help serve people learn about their own pelvic floors.”

~Kevlin S., OTR

“Lizanne is a consummately competent, thorough, and knowledgeable professional. She helped me enormously with the diagnosis and treatment of my pelvic floor predicament, with patient, clear, empathic explanations, which had been either wholly absent or in condescending short supply from four previous physicians. I recommend her without reservation.”  

~Hartly F., Attorney

“She took the time and effort to figure out the exact level and type of dysfunction in my low back and spine and then worked her magic with joint and soft tissue mobilizations. By the next day, I was feeling significantly better.”

~Barb S., MPT
Co-owner of Purple Iris Healing Center

I've had both chronic and acute pelvic pain and joint dysfunction for three years, and in those three years have had occasion to see a great many physical therapists. Fortunately for me. I was recently referred to Lizanne. Lizanne is the best of the best--a physical therapist's physical therapist. She has skilled hands, a kind heart, and a listening ear. She moves and works with a quiet confidence that immediately set me at ease. I hobbled into her office in severe pain; at the end of our very first session I walked out feeling more limber and relaxed. A practitioner who uses a wide range of approaches geared to the specific patient rather than the afflicted body part, Lizanne offers integrative practice at its finest. What I most valued about working with Lizanne was her desire to help me learn how best to care for myself. With each new session, I emerged from her office not only feeling more physical ease, but with new skills to practice at home. I'm grateful not only for her extraordinary professional competence, but for her ability to provide me with confidence in myself.-Anne Goldman, writer

"After being bounced around from Internal Medicine Doctors, Rheumatologists and Physical Therapists I was finally referred to Lizanne Pastore for chronic hip, pelvic and coccyx pain. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction was diagnosed after lots of communication, a thorough exam and many tests including bio feedback. Recovery was attained through pressure point massage, stretching and education. I was able to avoid surgery and internal injections. Lizanne has a lovely way of making uncomfortable situations very approachable. I have been under her treatment for over a year and have recommended her to many friends and physicians. She has educated me on how to maintain this healthy lifestyle resulting in pain free hips for several months."
~Celeste, designer and mother



"Lizanne is so talented. She has an amazing command of anatomy, is extremely detail oriented and has the calmest and warmest bedside manner. Her calming presence makes having pelvic physical therapy, while in pain, actually comfortable! My surgeons have remarked how thorough Lizanne is and how helpful her reports are. One said that he wished all his patients could have access to her! I’m so impressed with everything Lizanne does! From my exams, my treatments, and my reports, Lizanne’s constant detective work and her tireless searching for ways to make my life more comfortable has been literally life changing for me. She helped me get through one of the toughest times in my life. Lizanne helped me understand my body, to always look for cause and effect, and become more involved in my own care. It sounds so silly to imagine; but I was used to being treated a certain way with a “female problem” that happens to be very complicated. Lizanne ultimately helped me to find my voice, learn to validate my experiences and take a much more assertive role with my health care providers." 
~Brenda C., MSW, LCSW

“Lizanne helped me tremendously after my surgery. She designed a personal rehabilitation program based on my needs, my previous level of fitness, and my time constraints at work. I thoroughly recommend her services.”

~Daniel K., MD

“Lizanne is the best physical therapist I have ever seen! She has a very comprehensive, holistic approach and a wonderful professional style. I can’t say enough good things about Lizanne!”

~Catherine K., RN, MS, ANP
Associate Clinical Professor and Associate Director, ANP Program

“Lizanne is an extraordinary therapist. She is caring, sensitive, and extremely precise. Her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of her field become evident with each and every therapy session. Her follow through with each phase of treatment made me feel confident and secure in her abilities.” 

~Vickie B.

"I have been an adrenaline-athlete my entire life. Hence, I have had many injuries requiring the care of many health care professionals from a multitude of specialties and skill-sets. Some injuries are very straight forward. A broken bone requires a cast, immobilization, rest, and then POOF! Good as new. Chronic Pelvic Pain has no straight forward, quick fix. There is no, “take two aspirin and you’ll be fine tomorrow.” This condition requires a healer that is not only well trained in the most current treatments but is also willing to think outside the box as well as treating every patient’s needs individually. Lizanne is by far one of the most knowledgeable, intuitive, well rounded health care professionals I have ever met, and I have met quite a few. I am far from being fixed but I am certain that my care is in the hands of the most qualified person for the job. Lizanne is a highly skilled healer with a kind, gentle persona."

~Joe H., Flooring Installer

“When I first met Lizanne I was in pain daily. Worse, I was unsure I would ever get any better. I was feeling depressed and defeated. Lizanne gave me realistic answers to my questions about my prognosis and my challenging injury and let me know I could improve. Now, a year later, I have achieved a level of healing I hadn’t thought possible. I would not have achieved my current level of health without her.”

~Gwen E. EdD
Dental Hygienist, Associate Instructor

“Lizanne has an uncanny ability to look within you and grasp the root of your problems. She uses the feedback from your body to isolate problems that other health care professionals might miss just by listening to you describe your complaints. Her assessment and treatment allowed me to continue playing the drums when other professionals had given up on me.”

~Pat O.
Professional Musician/Drummer

“Lizanne was very thorough and attentive in treating my condition. She worked diligently to help me improve and decrease my symptoms and designed an exercise program for me to follow. Lizanne’s dedication to treating my condition helped me to recover quickly and restore my life to normal.”

~Stephen
IT Professional

"Lizanne treats the whole person looking at body and mind in an all-encompassing way. She is brilliant. She is incredibly kind and compassionate. I love how creative she is finding innovative ways to treat complicated conditions always working with the patient to find the best solution. Lizanne is a gifted clinician with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. You will not find a better therapist and healer. She truly cares about her patients. What a gem."

~Lisa, RN

I have been working with Lizanne for almost 15 years, starting with her hands-on help with the full recovery of the use of my left arm after breast cancer surgery. In addition, I have congenital hip dysplasia, which has led to multiple operations, including two hip replacements and one knee replacement. Along the way, I have benefited from Lizanne's skill in releasing tissues that are too tight to stretch on my own and her training in a wide variety of physical systems. She has gone deeper than any other therapist I have met in my long life of recovery from surgery. I trust her with my body - and recommend her heartfelt, and intelligent way to anyone in any kind of pain.

~Rev. Susan O'Connell

“I started seeing Lizanne when I developed repetitive stress injuries of both hands. I am a physician-scientist and I type for hours to produce papers and grants. My hands are no longer numb thanks to Lizanne’s treatments. In addition, with her instructions and ongoing care, I have been able to continue my research. I find that by maintaining my physical therapy visits with Lizanne I do not have sustained problems.”

~Jeanine W.K. MD
Professor of Anesthesia and Medicine, Vice-Chair Dept. of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
Senior Investigator, Cardiovascular Research Institute

"I was recommended to Lizanne Pastore by a pelvic floor instructor in a class I took in Oregon, being a PT myself. Her confidence and expertise were evident when she helped my teenage son navigate the "maze" of gastro-intestinal rehabilitation after a challenging illness and abdominal surgery. She was also very kind, thorough and able to put my teenage son at ease, considering the very intimate body part involved in pelvic floor rehabilitation. In a few sessions she was able to establish a routine that helped my son to have the understanding and the tools to manage his problems. I highly recommend Lizanne Pastore."

~Stefania D, Physical Therapist

"I originally had the good fortune of working with Lizanne on my overly tight pelvic floor.  If not for her healing ways, I dare not think about what would have happened.  Her laidback and caring manner on all things pelvic, put me immediately at ease (not an easy feat, as many know dealing and healing your pelvis can bring stuff up).  Lizanne was always gentle, took the time to explain EVERYTHING in a manner that was easy to understand and was very encouraging in the ways of self-healing.  She was all about empowering me to be as involved in my recovery as I wanted to be.  She even got my husband involved in the process, which really helped my marriage. Now that I have many tools to keep my pelvic floor happy, I still consult with Lizanne whenever I have a question that I cannot easily answer.  I have gone on to teach yoga and breath awareness to anyone that will listen.  What I learned from Lizanne was invaluable and I cannot thank her enough."

~Leslie H., Pelvic Floor Yoga Instructor

"Coming out of a difficult hospitalization and multiple abdominal surgeries, I was left with issues relating to constipation and abdominal pain.  I was originally hesitant to see a PT for "pelvic floor" issues, being an 18 yo male, but Lizanne quickly dispelled my misgivings with a comprehensive assessment and targeted techniques for me to do at home.  She was professional yet approachable, answering all my questions and recommending strategies about eating and colon massage that have made a drastic improvement in my life so far.  Lizanne was one of the first professionals I met post-op that truly understood my issues and was an excellent guide, teaching me skills that I still use today!" 
~M.L., 19-yo UC Berkeley student
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