Action Chiropractic

I developed sciatica during my training program for the Boston Marathon 2016. Two-​months out from the race, I quit training and took a 4 week break. Dr. Dawn Liu was recommended by a few of the runners in my running circle. I called Action Performance immediately. Dr. Dawn spent nearly an hour on my first visit. I was sweaty! Bending, stretching, squatting, and even running.
She broke down my issues. It wasn’t just sciatica. I was dealing with hip issues, tight hamstrings, weak glutes, and my form was suffering. The sciatic pain was the last straw. I was devastated with the set-​back. She started treatment (ART) immediately and had me stretching and working on my core at home. Two weeks later I was back to running short distances. I wasn’t completely healed but I was able to run with much less discomfort. The ART was targeting the deep tissue that had been stressed for so long and impossible to reach with simple stretching and foam rolling
One month later, I raced my best half marathon by more than 2 minutes. And one month after that, I toed the line at Boston! I raced my strongest full marathon even with terrible weather conditions. Most importantly, I was pain free.
I have to thank Dr. Dawn for all that she did to me physically and mentally. She knows what she’s doing! She treats the problem and she corrects the cause as well. She gave me the confidence I needed to get myself back to running and to trust in the treatment.

Dr Liu is brilliant on every level and I highly recommend any of her services! I’m a HUGE believer in Active Release Technique. It saved my feet many years ago from plantar fasciitias. I was excited to learn Dr Liu teaches ART, so I booked an appt for my shoulder pain and she blew my mind with her knowledge. She took lots of time with me and was very thorough and sweet. I’m going to her weekly now and will refer her to everyone!

I went to Dr Liu on recommendation from a friend. I play tennis and was having hip pain. Dr Liu spend about 45 minutes with me on the first visit just doing a diagnostic of my entire body — balance, flexibility, she analyzed my walk, etc.
She treats the whole body and not just the isolated symptom that you go to her for. She has taught me better posture, walking, standing, breathing, and eventually running. Best of all, I cut out sweets from my diet at the same time. I have lost 13 pounds in 3 months. Really not a major change in eating but in addition to Dr Lui’s work it all came together for a great result. Friends and family have noticed a big difference and it’s not just the weight loss. I look and feel happier and I stand taller and stronger.
It can be painful, but don’t give up! Do all of the «homework» she gives you (stretching exercises etc). You will see results. It works!

I have to say that Dr. Anna is amazing. She helped me get out of pain numerous times that was caused by a work injury. Unfortunately the accounting office and/​or staff have no desire to help me use my insurance to supplement the high cost of treatments there. They gave me the run around numerous times when I’ve asked for help with worker’s compensation and using my own private insurance. Because of this I have no choice but to look else where for my ART sessions. I will be sure to pass this bad experience along to the 3 other coworkers that use your services.

I injured my shoulder at the beginning of the year, and had an impingement in the upper part of my right arm. I experienced pain with any pushing motion or lifting weight overhead. I sought various treatments over the months that followed in the hopes of avoiding surgery: Massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments. They all did nothing for me.
Six months and over a thousand dollars later, just when I thought I was going to need surgery, my friend referred me to Action Chiropractic. After having sought so many other treatments, including with my regular chiropractor, I was quite skeptical.
After a few treatments of Active Release Therapy, Dr. Anna got my shoulder back to 100%. Unfortunately, I got so excited, I resumed using my shoulder too quickly instead of taking it easy and allowing time to heal. I had to go back for a couple more treatments, and am now back in Crossfit with no modifications. I have complete use of my shoulder and experience zero pain with any pushing motions and lifting overhead.
I can’t recommend Dr. Anna Phillips enough and have since been recommending Action to everyone, especially those who have already sought treatment without results. For anyone skeptical about the efficacy of Active Release Therapy based on the Wikipedia page, I would suggest also being skeptical about anything you read on Wikipedia. Give A.R.T. a try and find out for yourself.

Dr. Liu is smart with great skills and knowledge. She is more than a Chiropractor. In 2007, I went to see Dr. Liu after a minor rear ended car accident. I actually didn’t feel anything but since insurance will pay it, I told my self why not see her since her office was just 5 minutes away from my apartment. Dr. Liu ordered X-​RAY then reviewed the X-​RAY films. She was able to tell that I’m a long time laptop user and and told me to get a monitor and correct my siting position. Her practice is great too. I feel much better after only two sections. After I moved Dallas, I can’t find a comparable chiropractor in Dallas.

Made an appointment on April 20^th because they were chiropractic providers though my insurance company the person booking the appointment tried to sell me additional services which I wasn’t interested in first of all because «active release technique » or ART has not been scientifically shown to have any medical benefits.
but not only that, I just wanted Chiropractic services that they should be providing.
On April 23^rd, 3 hours before my appointment someone from the office calls me and tells me I can’t go there just for Chiropractic and told me I have to pay out of pocket above my insurance copay because it’s a package deal. I told her I didn’t want it again and she said there was no choice so after rearranging my day to see this doctor I had to cancel my appointment. I really couldn’t believe what just happened, so I called back and asked if the doctor Anna would call me back. She finally did later that day and apologized for canceling my appointment in such short notice but then proceeded to say «if you’re not interested in ART then maybe you should look for another provider»
I would be real weary about seeing Dr. Liu and Dr. Anna, they don’t seem to care about the well being of people at all. they just care about how much money they can milk out of their clients.
I work and live in Solana Beach and will definitely start spreading the word about their unethical business practices as well as make a complaint to the insurance company that lists them as a provider and the The Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

I’ve been going to Action for five years on and off for different injuries. Without fail they have been able to treat serious sports injuries and get me back into training or playing for triathlon, Crossfit, and other sports. Their methods are different from some of the chiropractors that I’ve been to, but they are the only ones that have consistently helped me heal and treated me quickly. They also offer a great military discount if you are able to take advantage of that.

Anna Phillips is good and knowledgeable. She deserves 5-​stars.
The billing or accounting staff deserves No-​stars! We were OVER CHARGED FOR SERVICES and never got a reimbursement. Finally got an itemized statement of charges and they were off by over $ 200. Contacted the office multiple times and they did not return calls or make any attempt to reconcile the billing statement. We are working with Aetna filing a formal complaint to recover the money!
CONCLUSION: Make sure you are aware of all charges your insurance will pay as well as any out of pocket expenses and confirm your bills to insure you are not billed for services you did not receive!

My first visit to Action was outstanding. I recently ended a trail run with a pinched nerve in my neck/​shoulder area. Dr. John’s active release therapy was awesome! After the first session my range of motion was back to near 100% and Dr. John showed me some exercises to prevent this injury from happening again. I will absolutely be going back to Action. Everyone was very friendly and professional. Great experience!

Dr. Dawn Liu has literally helped change my life. I was on the verge of not being able to distance run ever again after experiencing toe issues during my 2011 marathon training season. After experiencing another toe injury early in my 2013 marathon training season, I started Active Refease Technique, ART, and have noticed immediate positive results since. Dr. Dawn Liu performed a biomechanics analysis of my funning form and has made recommendations on how I should run and has been actively working with me weekly. If you have any injury concerns or chronic issues, I highly recommend Dr. Liu.

I’ve been meaning to write a review for Dr. Anna Phillips for months now!
While I’ve never been to their facility, Action was at the AFC Half Marathon Expo in 2012. I had just gotten a massive shin injury (looooooooong story) and had a bruise as big as your hand on my right shin. Action was offering free pre-​race check-​ups and I thought it might be worth it to check them out. Dr. Phillips took a look at my injury, did some drainage and recovery massage, then recommended that I pick up some k-​tape. She even did the taping for me for free!
On a post-​college budget, I can’t really afford to be visiting services like this on a regular basis, but if I ever need it, Action & Dr. Phillips are my official go-​to. Thanks!!!

Sometimes you have to fall in order to learn how to get back up right ?!
Dr. Dawn sure knows how to work her magic !!! I’ve undergone ART (Active Release Technique) before, but from a different practitioner. I was already a believer of the practice since it worked for me in the past. ‘ART’ gave me hope and confidence to start running again.
My left knee has been bothering me ‘on and off’ for the last year and a half or so. With all the therapy work that I’ve gone through, I believe both ‘ART’ and biomechanical rehabilitation have helped the BEST.
I met Dr. Dawn through my running group. She offered a ‘free’ consultation and I was not pressured to sign-​up with her before, during, or after. She left it all up to me to decide and commit on my own time and convenience. Since my only concern was the cost and my insurance can only cover so much, I had to seriously decide on which practitioner would be the best fit for me (both short and long term).
After my initial consultation, I must say my knee hasn’t felt this pain-​free (knock on wood) in awhiiiiile ! Uphills/​downhills used to be a problem, but lately it hasn’t been bothering me. Yay ! The uncomfortable sharp pain seemed to magically disappear.
How could that be after just one session ?
She worked on my leg muscles emphasizing on my hamstrings and areas of tightness. It sure was painful and at times I thought I’d end up with bruises from all the applied pressure. A few rotations here and there and she wanted to see me run before and after to feel the difference. She suggested a few tweaks in my form and landing as well. Wow ! What a difference ! Running felt almost effortless. That’s a PLUS, especially for long distance runners such as myself.
Dr. Dawn also has a SD Meetup group that consists of group runs and meetings regarding sports injury prevention and proper running techniques. Her practice is close to home and meetups are sometimes scheduled in and around my area as well.
Dr. Dawn really seems to care about her work and the well-​being of her clients. She has educated me and continues to do so. I feel confident that her expertise and guidance will help me through a pain-​free active lifestyle.
Dr. Dawn also specializes in chiropractic, acupuncture, and various sports injuries. Check her website and make an appointment. Highly recommend her !

I’ve been in treatment for frozen shoulder with Dr. Dawn for 3 weeks and am feeling so much better, I just have to Unilocal about it.
I started having pain in my left upper arm in July 2010 and thought it was from working out, so I took a break to heal up. The pain got worse despite the rest and I went to my primary care doc, who diagnosed me with a shoulder impingement & said nothing could really be done about it except to take anti-​imflammatories for the pain. I tried massage, other chiropractors and physical therapy with my HMO, but was still in near constant pain and thinking that I would never get better.
I found Action Chiropractic after doing an Internet search for shoulder impingement treatment and made an appointment. The office staff was very pleasant to deal with and got me in quickly. Dr. Dawn took an extensive history and studied the range of motion I had in my left arm from many different angles and positions. She diagnosed me with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) and told me about A.R.T. (active release technique) therapy. She was honest and said the treatment would be very painful, but that my range of motion would be restored and I would be pain free within about 10 sessions.
She was NOT kidding about the painful treatment! At some points, it hurts so badly, I’m not sure if I can stand anymore. She really knows what she’s doing though, and does all she can to make it easier and talk me through the pain.
I noticed a difference after the very first session, and now after 4 sessions, there has been a HUGE improvement in both my range of motion and pain level. I am no longer in constant pain, and am able to exercise again and sleep through the night. I don’t have total range of motion back yet, but I’m getting there quickly under Dr. Dawn’s care.
Give her a try if you’re having chronic pain and haven’t gotten any relief from other techniques.

Went to Dr. Liu for some chiropractic work after I was in a hit and run accident where I got rear ended. After just a few sessions, I am feeling hugely better. Not only has she been working on the whiplash from the accident, but she has also loosened up and «cleared up» tension that’s been around for as long as I can remember.
Don’t let her small size fool you. She is a powerhouse and knows what she’s doing!
Get to her fast if you want relief from what ails you structurally.