Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sidjonn Regala PT, DPT.
Dr. Regala, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a Filipino American born and raised in Abilene, TX. I went to college at Texas Tech University and Hardin-Simmons University. I played baseball in college during my undergraduate years as a pitcher. I was an active member of Alpha Chi National College Honors Society, Gamma Beta Phi National Honors Society (community service society), Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for humanity, Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics honors society), member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and helped with coaching baseball. For my undergraduate studies, I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree with a Minor in Mathematics.
I got my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree and performed my clinical rotations and internships in Texas and California. Three of the clinical rotations were performed at Scripps Mercy Hospital, Palomar Medical Center, and Ranch Physical Therapy in San Diego. I got to choose where I wanted to perform my clinical rotations. San Diego was my first choice of places because I have my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who live here. I also developed a passion for surfing and wanted to get as close to the ocean as possible. San Diego has always been a second home to me since I was a child. My parents are originally from the Philippines, and my brothers, sister, and I are first-generation Filipino Americans born in the United States. My family and I would take vacations to California every year to visit family. Therefore, this place would be a great place to find my first job as a PT and find a new home. My mom is a nurse and my late dad was an engineer. My first major was in computer engineering when I started as a Freshman in college. I changed my major to pursue a degree in physical therapy because I knew I could not sit in a cubical all day long in front of a computer with very little personal interaction.
With physical therapy, I knew I would be active, have plenty of personal interactions, and would help people directly with instant results and rewarding effects daily. I started my career with an internship and then eventually a full-time position in 2009/2010 at Water and Sports Physical Therapy. During my time so far at Water and Sports Physical Therapy, I have gotten specializations and certifications in the field, including becoming a Vestibular Rehab Specialist, Spinal Manipulation Certification, Selective Functional Movement Certification Level 1 and Advanced, Myofascial Decompression Certification, Running Biomechanics Certification, PRI Myokinematics Certification, PRI Postural Respiration Certification, Hawk Grips IASTM Certification, Foot Mechanics Certification, and Stick Mobility Certification.
I also worked as a physical therapist for the San Diego Padres in the 2015 and 2016 baseball seasons. Furthermore, I helped with being one of the clinicians for the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby and All-Star game in July of 2016. I have a passion and enjoy working in the community of San Diego to help with their health and overall well being. I currently work at the WSPT Carmel Valley location in the Scripps Medical Building. This is an outpatient orthopedic clinic with client from pediatrics, geriatrics, post-surgical clients, traumatic injury clients, athletes, neurological, and general pain clients are all treated. Outside of work, I enjoy being active with exercising, playing basketball, surfing, running, riding bikes, and spending time with family. I am also active in helping and volunteering for Life Rolls On. I am married to my wife for three years so far. We enjoy being active, hiking, spending time at the beach, exploring new places in San Diego, discovering new restaurants, and traveling around the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the first and biggest struggles I had to go through along the way was dealing with the death of my father due to fighting leukemia in 1999 when I was 14 years old. This experience forced me to deal with life in a different way. As a kid, I would look up to my dad, rely on him, and take in all of his advice. With my dad gone, I had to mature faster than normal. I became more humble with most aspects of life and knew that I had to focus on the most important things in this world, which was helping others. I also knew that I had to help my mom because, after this event, she was a single parent who had to raise four kids and put them through college. There are more responsibilities as a family member to step up and help out as needed when there is only one parent. Not having my dad around to help with advice caused me to work harder, study more, and grow more as an individual to become independently competent.
Another event that I had to struggle with along the way was dealing with a severe injury my mom went through with a car accident. During this time, I was out of town at Texas Tech University. After my mom was in a severe car accident, I decided to move back home to Abilene, TX to help out. Even though I count this as a struggle, it was more of a blessing in disguise. Moving home and transferring to Hardin-Simmons University allowed me to change my major from engineering to biology and pre-physical therapy. HSU was one of the only schools in Texas during that time that offered a doctorate degree in PT. Therefore, I contribute this event to where I am now with becoming and doctor of PT. I developed more of a passion for PT when I took my mom to her doctor’s appointments and observe her PT treatments. Doctors told her that she would only make an 80% recovery after her accident and having all of her injuries. With her hard work in physical therapy, she was able to accomplish a 100% recovery. I became more of a believer in the profession.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Water & Sports Physical Therapy – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Water and Sports Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic clinic that helps client of all ages, injuries, pain, and dysfunctions. The company is known for land and aquatic PT treatments, manual therapy, research and evidence-based practice, modalities, and treatments of the body as a whole. I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy at WSPT. My specialties and certifications include: Vestibular Rehab Specialist, Spinal Manipulation Certification, Selective Functional Movement Certification Level 1 and Advanced, Myofascial Decompression Certification, Running Biomechanics Certification, PRI Myokinematics Certification, PRI Postural Respiration Certification, Hawk Grips IASTM Certification, Foot Mechanics Certification, Stick Mobility Certification, CPR Certification. I also worked as a physical therapist for the San Diego Padres in the 2015 and 2016 baseball seasons. Furthermore, I helped with being one of the clinicians for the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby and All-Star game in July of 2016. I currently work at the WSPT Carmel Valley location in the Scripps Medical Building. This is an outpatient orthopedic clinic with client from pediatrics, geriatrics, post-surgical clients, traumatic injury clients, athletes, neurological, and general pain clients are all treated. This company treats clients and employees as family. The company prides themselves on ethics, doing all things the right way, caring for others, lending a helping out, and treating each client as an individual. What sets us apart from others is the evaluation skills of differential diagnosis of finding and treating the source of the issue instead of treating the pain. Clients get better quicker and faster with proper evaluation and differential diagnosis.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future is to continue with growing in the company and making a greater impact in the San Diego community. There are always ways to help, whether it is in the clinic or outside of it. The inevitable is that there is always someone in need of help. And if we work as individuals, as a team, as a company, and as a community, we can make a big difference. This plan extends from helping San Diego as a WSPT clinic from south San Diego to North County.
Pricing:
- WSPT accepts major insurance plans
- We accept most PPO insurance and some HMO, Medicare, Workers Comp, Liens
- Call 858-488-3597, Option 1 for self-pay and cash pricing due to options and changes
Contact Info:
- Address: 12395 El Camino Real Suite 111
San Diego, CA 92130 - Website: www.waterandsportspt.com
- Phone: 858-488-3597, Option 1
- Email: info@waterandsportspt.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/WaterandSportsPhysicalTherapy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WaterandSportsPhysicalTherapy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wspt1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/water-and-sports-physical-therapy-san-diego-24?uid=0gvetX-CZwk85wvHU_gJ5A&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Image Credit:
Andy Anderson
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