Our Team

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Bio

Dr. Mark Shulman, DPT, CMPT, CSCS has worked in Physical Therapy since 2005 when he started as a Physical Therapy Aide in an Outpatient clinic. Since then he has continued to progress his practice and gain experiences in multiple treatment settings. Dr. Shulman started “The Physical Therapy Effect” to continue his goal of providing quality one on one care to the patients he works with.

Mark studied Physical Therapy at Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts where he graduated Magna Cum laude with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010. While completing his degree for his DPT, Dr. Shulman also earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Credentials from the NSCA. He has taken multiple advanced training courses to become a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Dr. Shulman is currently a Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the America Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Mark maintains an active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Within the San Diego community Mark has set up multiple injury prevention clinics for high schools around the county. Mark is the Physical Therapist for Cali Coast Elite All Star Cheer Gym as well as the head of their sports medicine team. He provides volunteer Physical Therapy services to events such as Bike MS: Bay to Bay.

When not in the clinic Mark enjoys outdoors activities including sports like flag football, cycling, skiing and golf. He also can be found at dog beach with his dog “Matilda.”
Bio

Allison has been working as a physical therapist since 2009. Initially working outside of Boston she moved to San Diego after two years of working as a traveling Physical Therapist. Once she settled in San Diego Allison returned to working in an outpatient setting at The Physical Therapy Effect in 2014.

Allison studied Physical Therapy at Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts where she graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2009. In the time since graduation, Allison has pursued new learning opportunities for orthopedic manual Physical Therapy as well as advanced training classes in Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, which she puts to use as the lead Physical Therapist for The Physical Therapy Effect’s Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Program. She is also working towards her PRPC, Pelvic Rehab Practitioner Certification.

When not in the clinic Allison enjoys spending her free time traveling or outdoors either running, hiking, playing soccer or skiing. She enjoys volunteering for local road races and events as well as working with local charities such as the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation. She can also be found walking her French Bulldog “Jax.”
Dr. Cristina Valenzuela, PT, DPT, OCS, has been a Physical Therapist since 2015. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, San Diego, with a B.A. in Human Development. She then went on to study at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where she earned her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.

Cristina returned to her native Sand Diego after working as a Physical Therapist for two years in Indio, CA. During this time, she completed a residency in orthopedics and is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Dr. Valenzuela also maintains an active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association.

Growing up, Cristina was involved in multiple sports, but soccer has always been her primary passion. Her love for sports is what fueled her decision to pursue Physical Therapy as a career. She values one-on-one, quality patient care and is passionate about injury prevention in athletes of all ages. Through her work as a Physical Therapist, Dr. Valenzuela hopes to get involved in the community and become a sought out Physical Therapist for individuals in San Diego County looking to improve their function, movement, and overall performance.

Outside the clinic, Cristina enjoys outdoor activities, such as playing sports, going to the beach, and kayaking. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and enjoying all that San Diego has to offer.

“I work from the heart and believe in blending skillful techniques and intuition to assist with restoring wellness, harmony, and tranquility in the mind, body, and soul.”
Bio

Jil works as the Marketing Director for The Physical Therapy Effect and as an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified personal trainer with over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry, and has worked at The Physical Therapy Effect since its inception in 2013.

She specializes in functional, full body strength and endurance exercise programs designed to meet ones specific health and fitness goals. Whether your goal is to lose a few pounds, strengthen, tone, improve functional movement, increase flexibility, or all of the above, Jil can work with you one-on-one to achieve these goals.

Jil has a unique ability to work with a diverse clientele at any fitness level, including special populations, older adults, and clients recovering from injury or surgery. She earned her Professional Certificate in Fitness and Exercise Science from UCSD Extension in 2005, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Ashford University in 2013. Jil continues to educate herself annually through ACE’s Continuing Education Programs to help keep her clients up to date on the newest health and fitness information and trends.

Whatever you may need at The Physical Therapy Effect, Jil can help!
A personal healing journey, Hawaiian heritage and culture led Julissa to a path of massage therapy. She has been a massage therapist since 2006. She has worked in many spas and clinics, instructed anatomy and massage, worked with doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Her intuition is incorporated with Aromatherapy and essential oil applications, Deep Tissue, Lomilomi, Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, Reiki, Sports, Swedish, Trigger Point Therapy and more to focus on specific needs, therapeutic injury care, and relaxation. Trained in the home of the Ironman World Championship, she has worked with numerous athletes. She is also educated in Pohaku Wela (Hot Stone), Prenatal to relax, relieve and/or to encourage labor, and spa treatments. She continues to expand and grow with experience and continuing education.

In her play time, you’ll find her laughing, skipping, stretching, or climbing, hanging, and diving from silks. She is an aerial student, mainly aerial silks but occasionally dabbles in other aerial apparatuses.

“I work from the heart and believe in blending skillful techniques and intuition to assist with restoring wellness, harmony, and tranquility in the mind, body, and soul.”

PT Effect Staff

Dr. Mark Shulman DPT, CMPT, CSCS

Owner / Doctor of Physical Therapy

Dr. Shulman started “The Physical Therapy Effect” to continue his goal of providing quality one on one care to the patients he works with.
Dr. Allison McKay, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Dr. McKay studied physical therapy at Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts where she graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2009.
Dr. Cristina Valenzuela, PT, DPT, OCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy

“I value one-on-one, quality patient care that addresses the body’s ability to function as a coordinated whole.”
Jil Harris, ACE, CPT

Personal Trainer / Receptionist

Exercise should be a lifestyle, not a chore. Let me show you how to enjoy working out and reap the benefits of improving your health.
Julissa Amina, CMT

Massage Therapist

“I work from the heart and believe in blending skillful techniques and intuition to assist with restoring wellness, harmony, and tranquility in the mind, body, and soul.”