Alison Thompson, LCSW

Dr. Michael Zabala Aquino is a licensed physical therapist with a focus in orthopedics and pelvic health. He attained his BA of Sociology at UC Santa Barbara and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Chapman University in Irvine, California. Due to his own personal experience with chronic chest and pelvic pain and the lack of guidance and help he was given, Dr. Aquino pursued further specialized training in complex chronic orthopedic and pelvic pain conditions in order to provide others suffering from complex chronic pain conditions with optimal, evidence-based care. 

Dr. Aquino underwent a chronic pain mentorship at Rehab Specialists Inc., a clinic affiliated with the multidisciplinary chronic pain program at the California Pain Medicine Center where he worked with conditions such as CRPS, severe chronic low back and neck pain, amplified pain syndrome, and chronic pelvic pain conditions. He went through further mentorship with the Modern Pain Care group, where he received tutelage from a variety of healthcare providers that specialized in a modern evidence-based approach for the treatment of chronic pain. Concurrently, he completed the Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification program through the International Spine and Pain Institute, a program developed by Adriaan Louw, Phd, a leader in research for the treatment of pain. Dr. Aquino loves to share his knowledge in pain with his patients and the general public through teaching pain workshops and lectures.

Dr. Aquino also provides inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community and has a background and specialized training in providing inclusive care for this population. He received further education specifically in preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative physical therapy care for the transgender and gender non-binary population.

 Dr. Aquino practices through an affirming, positive approach that is rooted in body positivity. He believes optimal health is attained through a collaborative effort between the patient and their healthcare provider. His philosophy of clinical practice involves taking an active approach, centered around reclaiming your health through movement and lifestyle modifications in order to decrease your pain and improve your function.  He views the health of his patients and clients holistically by addressing not only the physical factors, but psychological, social, and environmental factors that can also affect a person’s pain experience. His goal is to not only improve your health, but to provide you with tools and knowledge that will allow you to be independent in managing your health.