Do I Need a Doctor Referral for Physical Therapy in Torrance?

Whether you’re crushing a WOD, refining your golf swing at the range, or logging miles along the South Bay coastline, the last thing you want is to be sidelined by pain. When a nagging ache in your shoulder, hip, or knee starts to slow you down, the traditional healthcare system often creates unnecessary barriers. You might assume you need to wait weeks for a primary care appointment just to get permission to see a specialist.

At The Movement Schopp, we understand that for dedicated athletes, every day spent on the sidelines is one too many. The good news? In California, you can take control of your recovery immediately.

Direct Access: You Don’t Need a Referral for Physical Therapy in California

If you’re an active individual in Torrance, here’s what you need to know: California is a Direct Access state. This means you can begin physical therapy in Torrance without a doctor’s referral. Under California law, you can receive evaluation and treatment from a licensed Physical Therapist for up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever comes first.

This law empowers you to take immediate action on your health and recovery. Instead of waiting for a gatekeeper to sign paperwork, you can go directly to movement specialists who understand biomechanics and athletic performance. If your recovery requires care beyond that initial 45-day window, your therapist will coordinate with your physician to continue your plan of care.

Why Everyday Athletes Benefit from Direct Access Physical Therapy

Direct Access isn’t just about speed—it’s about getting the right care at the right time. At The Movement Schopp, we combine immediate access with exceptional quality. When you skip the referral line, you receive 1-on-1 sessions exclusively with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We don’t use aides or assistants, and your doctor’s attention is never divided between multiple patients.

By accessing care the moment you feel a tweak or persistent ache, you can prevent a minor issue from becoming a season-ending injury. Our comprehensive biomechanical assessments look beyond your symptoms to identify the root cause of your discomfort. This proactive approach keeps you moving safely while others are still waiting for callback from their doctor’s office.

The Movement Schopp Difference

Our physical therapy clinic in Torrance stands apart because we specialize in treating everyday athletes who refuse to accept “just stop” as medical advice. We provide:

• One-hour, 1-on-1 sessions with Doctors of Physical Therapy
• Sport-specific treatment plans tailored to your goals
• Performance optimization, not just pain relief
• A “Modify, Don’t Stop” philosophy that keeps you training
• Over 250 five-star reviews from South Bay athletes

Specialized Physical Therapy for Torrance Athletes

We don’t believe in generic, cookie-cutter exercises. Your body is a high-performance machine, and your therapy should reflect the specific demands of your sport.

CrossFit Physical Therapy in Torrance

CrossFit involves high-intensity, functional movements that demand immense stability and mobility. Our CrossFit physical therapy focuses on the mechanics of Olympic lifts, overhead squats, and high-rep gymnastics movements. We analyze your form to understand why your back hurts during deadlifts or why your shoulder pinches during pull-ups, providing targeted interventions that keep you in the box and off the couch.

Golf Physical Therapy in Torrance

Golf requires precision and rotational power. As TPI-certified specialists, our golf physical therapy service helps identify physical limitations affecting your swing. Whether it’s lack of thoracic mobility or hip instability causing swing faults, we help you build a body capable of repeating a powerful, pain-free swing for all 18 holes.

Running Physical Therapy in Torrance

Running is repetitive by nature, meaning small imbalances can lead to significant problems. Our running physical therapy includes comprehensive gait analysis to identify inefficiencies that cause shin splints, runner’s knee, or IT band syndrome. We help you modify your stride and strengthen your foundation so you can increase mileage and pace without fear of breakdown.

Keep Training While You Heal: Our Performance-Driven Approach

The most frustrating advice an athlete can hear is “just stop.” At The Movement Schopp, our philosophy is Modify, Don’t Stop. We are a performance-driven clinic, which means we want you to continue training while we address your injury.

Instead of prescribing rest and ice, we work with you to adapt your training program. We might:

• Modify your squat depth temporarily
• Adjust your running intensity or volume
• Change your grip on the golf club
• Substitute movements that don’t aggravate your injury

This approach maintains your fitness, supports your mental health, and ensures that when you’re fully healed, you haven’t lost the hard-earned progress you’ve made in your sport.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your initial visit at The Movement Schopp is 60 minutes of focused, 1-on-1 time with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. During this session, we:

• Conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause of your pain
• Perform sport-specific assessments (TPI Golf Screen, Running Gait Analysis, Barbell Movement Analysis)
• Begin treatment immediately
• Create a personalized plan to solve your problem and optimize your performance

At the end of your first visit, you and your doctor will discuss your best course of ongoing treatment, typically 8-12 sessions over three months. All follow-up appointments are one hour long, and we typically see patients once weekly to ensure consistent progress.

Common Conditions We Treat in Torrance

Our Torrance physical therapy clinic successfully treats a wide range of movement-based injuries, including:

• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff pain
• Lower back pain and disc issues
• Hip pain and labral tears
• Knee pain, including runner’s knee and meniscus injuries
• Ankle sprains and Achilles tendonitis
• Elbow pain and tennis elbow
• Post-surgical rehabilitation

We also provide injury prevention programs and performance optimization for athletes looking to take their training to the next level.

Taking the First Step Toward Peak Performance in the South Bay

Living an active lifestyle in Torrance, Redondo Beach, or Manhattan Beach means your body needs to be ready for anything. You shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of medical appointments just to get help with a movement-based problem.

With over 250 five-star reviews, The Movement Schopp has become the trusted destination for South Bay athletes who value expert, 1-on-1 care. We help you solve the root cause of your pain and optimize your performance so you can live the active, unrestricted life you were meant to lead.

Start Your Recovery Today—No Referral Required

Ready to stop the nagging pain and start performing at your highest level? You don’t need a referral to begin your journey back to peak performance. Whether you’re looking to hit a new PR in the gym, shave strokes off your handicap, or set a personal best on your next run, our Doctors of Physical Therapy are ready to guide you.

Don’t let bureaucratic barriers keep you from the care you need. Take advantage of California’s Direct Access laws and schedule your comprehensive evaluation at The Movement Schopp in Torrance today. Contact us to discover why our performance-driven approach is the gold standard for physical therapy in the South Bay.