top of page

MEET YOUR THERAPIST

Dr. Leada Malek, PT, DPT, CSCS, SCS

sfbayareaphysicaltherapistbrandphotoshoot-63_edited.jpg

Dr. Leada Malek is a licensed physical therapist and board-certified sports specialist located in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is one of the 9% of therapists in the US who are specialized in sports therapy.  Dr. Malek serves as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor at Samuel Merritt University and is the author of the ‘Science of Stretch' (2023), published by DK Books. She is on Elle Magazine's Beauty Advisory Board as their sole Physical Therapist Expert and consults for global brands. Her professional insight has been featured in numerous outlets including U.S. News, Oxygen, Women’s Health, GQ, Men's Health, Glamour, Shape, and TIME.

 

Dr. Malek received her doctorate degree from Samuel Merritt University and completed her bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco in Exercise & Sport Science. She completed her graduate internship with Stanford University's varsity athletics and has since continued to work in the outpatient setting treating a variety of patients, including professional dancers and NFL, MLB, MiLB, and Ironman athletes.

 

Dr. Malek uses a combined approach of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise to help her patients move better, perform better, and compete again. She is passionate about using a variety of modalities, including IASTM and myofascial decompression, to get creative with her care. She believes in retraining the body as a whole, and not just the area of discomfort. She has worked with patients of all ages and has treated professional dancers, athletes, weekend warriors, and young athletes. She is also fluent in Farsi and Spanish. In her spare time, Dr. Malek enjoys creating art, spending time with her family, and cheering on the Golden State Warriors!

​

Exercise is medicine. Skilled physical therapy is right for you whether you want to start moving more, move again, or move better.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

  • California Licensed Physical Therapist

  • Board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

  •  NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

  • Exos Performance Specialist (XPS)

  • Myofascial Decompression Certified (MFDc) Level I

  • Certified Emergency First Responder (CA EMS Authority)

  • Certified Epinephrine Auto Injector (CA EMS Authority)

  • CPR/AED Certified (American Heart Association)

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

  • APTA Sports and Orthopedic Sections Member

  • National Strength and Conditioning Association

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine

bayareaphysicaltherapistbrandphotos-23.jpg
DSC02165.jpg

APPROACH

Movement is life. Without movement, life is unthinkable. -Moshe Feldenkrais

During your first visit, your physical therapist will listen to your story and get to problem-solving. Together, you will come up with a plan for your rehabilitation that works for you. You will receive one-on-one time and undivided attention throughout the entire visit and leave having a better understanding of your situation. Your rehabilitation plan will be evidence-based and suited to your learning style and geared toward teaching you about navigating your physical condition with a more positive mindset. Visits are offered in a variety of times and packages so you have the power to choose how much and when, and your therapist is available by email at any point you may need along the way. Regain your independence from pain, boost your confidence, and take control of your body again—because you deserve to live a life doing things you love to do.

bayareaphysicaltherapistbrandphotos-92 (1).jpg

MISSION, VALUES, & VISION

MISSION

To connect with and empower people so they can continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent or recover from injuries in order to do what they love.

​

VISION

To be a professional resource for patients and clients accessible anywhere.

​

VALUES

Quality & Excellence: Evidence-based practice delivering premier levels of patient care.

Commitment: One-on-one time with a physical therapist for more personal attention, with you through your whole recovery process.

Integrity: Respect, honesty, and empowerment of patients and clients.

Image by freestocks

QUOTES, PUBLICATIONS, & PRESS

  • TIME: Best Weighted Vests (2024)

  • MindBodyGreen: 2024 Movement Forecast (2023)

  • Everday Health: 5 Pickleball Injuryes and How to Avoid Themi

  • CBS Mission Unstoppable: Life of a Sports PT (TV Show Dr. Malek feature) (2023)

  • Yoga Journal: Your Body is not Perfectly Symmetrical (2023)

  • Women's Health: 8 Benefits of Cold Plunging (2022)

  • Shape: When Lower Back Pain After a Workout Is a Concern (2022)

  • Shape: What is Bilateral Training? (2022)

  • Oxygen Magazine: 10 Things You Should Know About Foam Rolling (2021)

  • Glamour: The 20 Best Workout Shoes for Women, According to Fit Experts (2021)

  • The Optimal Body Podcast: Episode 93; Addressing the Root Cause of Pain & Treatment with Dr. Leada Malek (2021)

  • Prevention: 7 Best Massage Guns to Relieve Muscle Pain and Soreness, According to Physical Therapists (2021)

  • Popsugar: Athletes May Benefit From CBD Cream Over Ingesting Oil (2021)

  • Well+Good: Dr. Malek Feature | This Is Why Your Muscles Tingle When Stretching and How To Prevent It (2021)

  • Refinery29: Doctors and the Pandemic (2021)

  • GQ: How to Work on Laptop Posture (2021)

  • Women's Running Magazine: How to Foam Roll Properly (2021)

  • Bustle: Experts Say These Are The 36 Most Effective Home Fitness Products On Amazon Under $40 (2021)

  • BeachBody: 5 Morning Stretches to Start Your Day (2021)

  • Byrdie: 7 Exercises for Working Out On Your Periods (2021)

  • Authority Magazine: Dr. Malek Feature | How Anyone Can Build Habits For Optimal Wellness, Performance, & Focus (2020)

  • Popsugar: These Are the 14 Low-Impact Isometric Exercises Trainers Recommend to Build Strength (2020)

  • Women's Health: Can Ice Baths Benefit Your Workout Routine? Here's What To Know (2020)

  • Popsugar: Dr. Malek Feature | This 25-Minute Leg Workout Is Designed For Those With Knee Pain (2020)

  • Popsugar:  Dr. Malek Feature | These Positions and Breathing Techniques May Be the Key to Relieving Your Back Pain (2020)

  • Fitbit: 5 Stretches to Help Counteract the Effects of Sitting (2020)

  • Popsugar: Dr. Malek Feature | We’re Adding These PT-Approved Mobility Exercises to Our Morning Routine ASAP (2020)

  • University of San Francisco News: Dons Give Back (2020)

  • BeachBody: 10 Leg Stretches for Increased Flexibility (2020)

  • VoyageLA Magazine: Meet Dr. Leada Malek (2020)

  • Fox19 Live: Prevent Pain Associated with Cold Weather (2020)

  • Apartment Therapy: What Doctors Keep In Their First-Aid Kits (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: Should I Run With Ankle Weights? (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: Should I Walk With Ankle Weights? (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: Should I Work Out With Ankle Weights? (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: How to Reduce Muscle Knot Pain With Massage (2020

  • Shondaland: How to Talk Yourself Into Exercising When You Can’t Even (2020)

  • BeachBody: How to Work Out With A Knee Injury (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: These Expert Tips For Pain-Free Hiking Will Keep You on the Trails All Season (2020)

  • POPSUGAR: Running on Concrete Could Irritate Joint Issues — Here's Why Softer Surfaces Win (2020)

  • LIVESTRONG: 6 Walking Mistakes Making Your Stroll Way Less Effective (and Enjoyable) (2020)

  • New York Magazine - The Strategist: "Best Fitness Fitness Trackers for All Types Activities" (2020)

  • FabFitFun: "How to Do an Ice Bath" (2020)

  • CreakyJoints: "6 Gentle Stretches to Relieve Stiffness from Driving with Arthritis" (2020)

  • MyFitnessPal: "What Counts as Moderate-Intensity Walking?" (2020)

9I2A5615.jpg

Addressing the Root Cause of Pain & Treatment | The Optimal Body Podcast Feature

​

Listen to The Optimal Body Podcast Episode 93 to learn more about Dr. Malek's approach to physical therapy, sports injury recovery, and patient care as she speaks with The Optimal Body Podcast hosts Dr. Jen Esquer and Dr. Domenic Fabroni! 

bottom of page