Who this is for
You came for the waves and got more than you bargained for — a rough wipeout, a board strike, a fall on the rocks, or just a back or shoulder that seized up on you. This page is for visitors who got hurt here and need to know what to do next, starting with the most important question: does this need an ER, or does this need PT?
When to go to urgent care or the ER instead
Some things need medical attention before physical therapy, not instead of it. Go to urgent care or call 911 if you have:
- Numbness, weakness, or a limb that won’t cooperate the way it should
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A head injury with any confusion, memory loss, prolonged headache, vomiting or trouble staying awake
- A suspected broken bone — deformity, inability to bear weight, or a joint that looks wrong
- A back or neck injury after a wipeout, especially with any of the symptoms above
Surfer’s myelopathy is a rare but serious spinal cord injury that shows up in people new to surfing: sudden back pain followed by leg weakness or numbness after a first or early surf session. If that happens to you or someone you’re with, call 911 or get to an ER right away — don’t wait it out.
How we can see you quickly
We know a vacation injury doesn’t wait for a convenient week. Call or text us and we’ll find the earliest time we can.
How we work
Once anything urgent has been ruled out, we treat you the same way we treat everyone: a hands-on evaluation, manual therapy and soft-tissue work where you need it, and exercise to get you moving again — scaled to however many days you have left on the island.
Keep healing once you’re home
Before you fly out, we’ll send you home with a program you can keep doing on your own.
When to book
If it’s urgent, go to urgent care or the ER first — always. Otherwise, book an evaluation or call us and we’ll get you seen.