I needed PT quite badly ever since I injured my left shoulder back in 2017. I've been to multiple PTs and none of them seem to fully understand my limitations and pains from my shoulder. I honestly felt lucky to have find out about Mike. He was able to pinpoint my issues almost instantly after getting me to do a few stretches and movements. We then started working right away on movements for my shoulder. I was super impressed because I've never felt the activations of my shoulder ligaments like I did with Mike. After our session, he even helped me out with my other minor issues such as my left wrist and lower back. He provided me with all of the exercises and warm ups via an app and it's super organized. I highly recommend Primetime! (I even got my wife to go here) read more

At the beginning of this year, I completely ruptured my ACL and am currently four months post-op from ACL reconstruction surgery, working to find my confidence in my day to day activities again. Before coming to Primetime, I worked with other PTs and always felt like I wasn't getting enough of what I needed to truly progress in my recovery. Mike was able to identify and address my weaknesses while providing me with workouts that complemented my stage of rehab. He was clear, precise, and patient throughout the process. After working with Mike, I finally felt like I was being pushed to my capabilities while also being guided in a way that helped me feel confident in my next steps in rehab. As an active dancer and highly active individual planning to compete in HYROX at the end of the year, having a 1-on-1 personal session was what I needed to get back on the right track. Highly recommended! read more

Dr. Michael Caringal was very attentive and dove deep into the issues I was having with my upper trap and left knee, which were very long lasting pain points. The exercises had imeddiate effects and the supplemental movements I took home have continued to help resolve both issues. He was very responsive, kind, and knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend him to anyone in need of physical therapy. read more

One in session with Mike was really helpful in addressing some nagging issues with my ankle. I'm pretty active between weight training, running, Jiu Jitsu, and the occasional dance class, so the constant movement began to put strain on my lower body. I often just dealt with the discomfort, but over time the ankle strains resulted in my other muscles having to overcompensate and make me more prone to injury. With a thorough assessment, he was able to see which muscles I was inconsistently engaging and go through different exercises to address the issues. Even though they were simple exercises, I really felt it in those underused muscles. Mike does a great job in not only assessing the issue, but also explaining and providing solutions. He follows up with a program so that you can continue recovery on your own. All bases are covered when you work with him. My personal go-to when I need PT done! read more

Primetime Physical Therapy and Performance - Physical Therapy Near Me

I've been having Achilles / calf injury from playing basketball for about 3 weeks. I'm used to recovering quickly so being out for this long made me realize I needed to see someone. I was referred to Mike by a friend and I'm so glad I went. He is thorough, kind and speaks in easy to understand manner which I appreciated. We went over brief history, goals and straight into a working. He introduced me into movements that activated things I didn't know could be activated. I've slowly introduced it into my workouts and I'm already feeling like my road to recovery has sped up due to a better understanding of what I need to do! Thank you so much Mike! read more

Mike is knowledgeable about how the body works and how to teach effectively. It was my first time having a physical therapist/personal trainer, so I was a bit picky and worried but I enjoy every moment of it. Mike adjusts all workouts to make sure my back was not too strained, but still knew how much to push me to get results I need. Whether it's your first time doing PT or you are looking for a new PT I highly recommend Mike. read more

Came to Mike for PT for a back injury over the summer. I had been to several different PTs that ultimately weren't a fit for me, and Mike was far and beyond the most attentive and knowledgeable of any I had worked with. Mike took time to understand all of my issues and painpoints, running several tests on different body parts in an attempt to find the actual root cause instead of assuming the culprit and then giving a standard plan for exercises. Everything was custom to my situation, which I really appreciated. I had been dealing with some very serious nerve pain from two herniated discs in my lumbar and I am very grateful that I went to Mike when I did. It helped me tremendously and I am still doing the exercises he recommended to me. read more

As someone with little movement in their day to day, I could feel my lower back aching more and more. I remember telling Mike, "Hey man, is it normal for my lower back to feel so much strain?" Mike immediately recommended simple stretches and to come see him if I needed more in depth training. I can't express how happy I am that I decided to sign up for a session with Mike. Before Mike, I would ignore my lower back pain and continue to work 8 hours a day at my desk. After one session with Mike, he has taught me more stretch techniques and general posture care to help me with my lower back strain. I feel lighter and more equipped to take care of my body rather than googling random stretches. He is the absolute G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time) and answered all of my questions with the utmost attention and tailored my routine just for me. You won't get this kind of care and professionalism anywhere else! THANK YOUUU MIKE! read more

Primetime Physical Therapy and Performance - Physical Therapy Near Me

To all the weekend warriors and runners-- La Mirada finally has a Physical Therapy private practice with QUALITY one-on-one care! If you have that lingering ache you're not so sure about, want to experience your BEST when it comes to performance, or even are recovering from an injury Dr. Mike is your go - to Physical Therapist. I'm so glad a quality PT and private practice opened in this area because we definitely need it. I grew up fairly close to La Mirada but there hasn't been a lot of great resources within the health and wellness industry. I would highly recommend working with Dr. Mike! If you've read this far and are still trying to make a decision, Dr. Mike offers free consultations on his website. Book a discovery call and I will guarantee you won't regret it! read more

I can't say enough good things about Mike at Primetime Physical Therapy. I came in after a pretty scary knee issue that felt just like my meniscus tear from years ago. At first, I couldn't even walk without a brace. I tried resting it, icing, ibuprofen--nothing worked. What stood out about Mike was the private space and the focused, one-on-one attention. He really knows his stuff, and he's super friendly too. It made every session feel productive and personal, not like I was just another appointment on the schedule. I'm definitely sore after starting again (not surprising after a month of no movement), but I feel so much better equipped to get back into the gym safely. Huge thanks to Mike for helping me feel confident and capable again. Highly recommend! read more

Mike paid close attention to identifying my weak points. I'm physically active throughout the week, but I rarely do proper stretches before my recreational matches (tennis or pball) or focus on strengthening my ankle. I told him about my ankle injury from 2021, which I got from basketball. I went through surgery and physical therapy at the time, but it had been years since I'd done anything specifically to improve my ankle. Mike addressed that right away. He provided exercises and stretches that targeted both my hip and ankle strength- and as an added bonus, it was a solid workout too. He pushed me because he knew what I was capable of, and that's great coaching. Not only were his exercises helpful and tailored to me, but it's clear he genuinely cares about your improvement. He remembers details, which is incredibly thoughtful, and he knows how to make his clients feel cared for. His studio and equipment are always clean, making the visit an enjoyable experience. I remember seeing on his social media how he transformed his space into a professional setting, and seeing it in person was awesome to see. After our session, he even provided a link to the exercises we worked on that day. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of PT. Thanks for your help, Mike and the PTP team! read more

I came in for PT mainly to address some minor annoyances in my right leg. No major injury, but enough to compromise my movement. I'm pretty active--I cycle twice a week, lift weights, take dance classes here and there, work on a computer, travel for work, and also DJ/perform--so I felt like I needed a check-in to keep my body in top shape without slowing down. I see my chiropractor about once a month for regular adjustments and trigger point work. Mike's program and workout definitely aligned with the issues I've been noticing in those sessions, like the need to strengthen my inner thighs and open up my hips. His assessment was super thorough, and he was incredibly attentive and receptive to all my notes and feedback. He gave me clear tools and exercises to work on and was very encouraging throughout our session. I honestly learned a lot in such a short amount of time! By the end, I noticed a huge difference in my right hip/glute and am excited to see how the exercises help my body in the long run. I'll definitely be coming back to check in again--hopefully with some improvements to report! Thank you, Mike/PTP! read more

I came to Michael because I have been dealing with lower back pain as well as pain in my right shoulder blade. These were both long term pains that got to a point I could no longer mask. After a zoom call with Michael I had such a comforting feeling I had found someone who cared for helping me get back to a normal and more comfortable day to day life. At our actual in person visit we went through a handful of different exercises and stretch's that are easily going to be able to incorporate into my day to day. I had tried many stretches advertised by social media but felt going to a professional would be in my best interest. Boy was I right and am thankful I found Michael. After our in person session I left with a great sense of confidence and a good amount of pain relief. read more

Dr. Caringal knows his stuff! I came to him with a sever leg length differential and he put a plan together to attack my weak points and see if we can fix this naturally. Before I saw Mike, I had no idea what to do or how to help. So far, so good! I'm moving better and can't wait for future visits. read more

I went to Mike after experiencing a bunch of knee pain on my runs preparing for the LA marathon. I was ready to call it quits on the entire thing because my knees felt like they were grinding. I first felt it after a 15 mile pr run, then 7 and then a 5 miler. After meeting with Mike, he was able to come up with a proper warm up routine as well as a strength and conditioning routine so that I can address the knee pain - to my surprise, all of the workouts he showed me I could do at home with zero weights and targeted the muscles in ways I've never felt going to the gym by myself. Fast forward to 6 weeks later, today I was able to complete the LA marathon and happy to say I have zero, none, nada knee pain. Mike's knowledge and expertise set me up for success and I can't recommend him enough. I've already sent a few of my friends to him. Thanks again Mike! read more

I recently had my second shoulder surgery through workers comp and was sent elsewhere to complete my physical therapy. During my recovery, there were several week long gaps of not actually being able to get any physical therapy sessions due to workers comp being a headache. I researched online and found Coach Mike's physical therapy center. I reached out to him and told him my situation. Mike welcomed me into his gym with open arms knowing my unusual scenario with the possibility of having to relocate at any moment. I've only saw Coach Mike for two physical therapy sessions and been to my previous physical therapy center a total of twenty-four times. Coach Mike leveled me up with reduced pain and improved movement in just those two sessions than I've had at the previous physical therapy center. The at-home workouts Coach Mike had me do were challenging and organized unlike the other physical therapy center I was going to. The one-on-one communication with Coach Mike is also important as I wasn't able to communicate with any of my physical therapist from my other physical therapy center until the next time I saw them. I'm thankful for having Coach Mike in my corner because without him I would probably be far behind in recovery. I truly do recommend Coach Mike for physical therapy because he actually cares about his patients. Thank you Coach Mike. read more

Dr. Michael has helped me identify issues with my movement patterns and address the root of the cause, rather than just masking the pain. This approach that he has for injury rehab is unique and detail oriented, when compared to run-of-the-mill physical therapy. Often times I see physical therapist doing cookie cutter programs because of how many patients they're responsible for and their limited availability to address the real cause of pain. However here at Prime Time, I got an individualized care plans focused on my needs, weaknesses, and imbalances. I look forward to continuing my progress here and getting to the next level. Thank you Dr. Michael for being welcoming and making my rehab process an encouraging journey. read more

I grew up with Mike and we've been friends for a long time. I have seen the journey from a PT student, countless hours interning, graduating, working at the hospital, and developing as a trainer. My background in athletics: I run marathons (recently qualified for Boston), ran an ultramarathon (100 miler), train/compete in jiu jitsu, ran Hyrox men's pro and have been working out for most of my life. I am a lifelong student and always willing to learn more. I started training with Mike regularly starting last year. His background as a physical therapist, former dancer, and being certified in kettlebell training caused me to seek him out personally. What I'm looking for in a trainer is someone that will help me improve athletic performance, increase explosiveness, and push my body safely, because I tend to push past limits and deal with the consequences later. Training with him has had a direct impact on increased strength, power, control, and mobility. Compared to training by myself, he's added more structure and the ability to train smarter, not just harder. If anyone reading this has been looking for a trainer that can help them with functional fitness, athletic performance, while having the educational background of a physical therapist, Mike is an excellent choice. I highly recommend booking a session to see for yourself how he can take you to the next level. read more

I had a great session with Mike. I went in for an assessment and we addressed the back and neck pain I was having. Mike was very patient, thorough, and made sure he got an accurate understanding of my everyday movement habits before we even started anything else. We went step by step with exercises that could help with the pain. After each exercise, we revisited the areas that we worked on to check the progress. It was great and I definitely noticed improvement, even after a few exercises. Thank you again!! read more

My normal training regimen consists of solo-driven weight training. Training with Mike was my first experience working with a trainer and it was amazing! What I love about Mike is that the programs he taught were dynamic, engaging, and challenging, all while he gives you the guidance and motivation to push through it all. If you're looking for physical therapist to hel with injury recovery, or someone to help guide you to a better physical condition, Mike is definitely your guy! read more

Review for Primetime Physical Therapy I came to Primetime with a painful shoulder injury that was really limiting my daily life. I had tried other therapists before, but nothing worked--until I met Mike. He took the time to understand my situation and created a personalized plan that actually got results. Now my pain is almost gone, my mobility is back, and I feel stronger than ever. Mike truly cares about his patients, and it shows. I highly recommend Primetime Physical Therapy if you're looking for real, lasting improvement. read more

I have never seen a physical therapist more dedicated and passionate in his craft. Physical therapy requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of movement and rehabilitation that I believe Mike possesses. He takes the time to truly educate his patients and explain in detail what is going on with their case. Most importantly, he passes my three tests: 1. He is down-to-earth and someone I can easily converse with. 2. I would send family members to him for care. 3. His pursuit of excellence in his craft and patient care is unrivaled. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

I started my recovery process on my own as soon as I felt strong enough to return to my physical activities, but reached a point where I wanted more than what I can teach myself. Around that time, I met Mike and saw an opportunity to elevate my health and target areas I couldn't fix alone. I was experiencing loss of mobility, low strength, and constant discomfort around my joints due to an autoimmune condition. I've tried a number of doctors and approaches that Im glad I took, however, did not help my situation. I notice that Mike is attentive and thoughtful of how to approach his patients while considering their needs while offering his professional guidance. My most recent achievement working with Mike is immediate fluid-ness and improvement in areas I lacked flexibility and experienced discomfort in. Thanks Mike for helping me get regain my strength and confidence back read more

What I usually do to stay active is run. I currently run about 4-5x a week. I also enjoy occasionally playing basketball and lifting weights. I started coming to physical therapy because I had a foot injury that wouldn't go away while training for a marathon. My injury had gotten to the point where I stopped running for about 2 weeks, so I'd say it was pretty bad. After resting those 2 weeks, it still was lingering. Before coming to Mike, I had tried to rest and also tried a few exercises here or there. Mike is different because he lays it out simply and gives you a concise plan. There's no beating around the bush or trying things out a couple times to see if they work. He knows what's wrong, tells you what to do to get better and tells you how often to do it. Now I feel great! After doing his plan for a couple of weeks, I now have no foot pain when running. I'm back to my marathon training and also feel more confident knowing I have the tools to not re-injure myself! Mike is the best and passionate about what he does. You won't regret putting your trust in him! read more

I started to experience shoulder discomfort a few months ago and tried to get through my daily activities, sports, and work outs pushing through it; however, it has become more prevalent and distracting within the past two months. I tried to rest more, stay at my current load of weights I was lifting, and work on shoulder mobility but I didn't notice much improvement. Luckily, I found Primetime PT! First off, my initial evaluation was 8am on a Sunday - Mike was willing to take time out of his weekend, early in the morning, to help me out - which is not something you can often find in this industry. Not only did we meet in person for the evaluation, but he also scheduled a 15-minute virtual meeting beforehand to get to know more about my discomfort/pain, work out schedule, activity level, and more so when I went in he already had some background information. He thoroughly explained the activities he had me perform during the evaluation session: demonstrating them first, allowing time for me to ask questions, providing feedback on my mechanics, and checking in regarding how my shoulder felt. Mike provided great 1-on-1 care, giving me his undivided attention the whole time. Later than evening, I was provided with a recap of our session and an exercise program that addresses the areas that we went over to improve my shoulder, as well as a check-in message the following day. I've had two work outs since my evaluation and my shoulder has not bothered me through either one and I have definitely become more aware of my mechanics throughout my exercises. If you are experiencing any pain and/or discomfort, or even just want to work on enhancing your mechanics for better performance, I highly recommend checking out Primetime; you will be in good hands! read more

I came to Mike after I hurt my back squatting incorrectly, and it was really affecting my workouts and the way I was walking and moving in general. I tried resting and stretching on my own, but the pain was consistently there. I was able to get an in depth look from Mike and he really took the time to understand my injury and worked with me on a plan that not only relieved the pain but also helped me move better overall. Now, I'm back to squatting without pain and feeling stronger than ever. He is very detail oriented and continues to check in to make sure I'm functioning well with any new exercise regime I'm following. I'm so thankful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a movement expert to fix an injury or even for any preventative care or conditioning! :) read more

Mike an amazing therapist that takes his time during evaluation, thoroughly figures out what the problem is and creates a comprehensive plan to get you better. Mike helped me rehab my foot and get back to running again. I'm so thankful!! read more

LOVED MIKE AS MY PT. I got into a car accident a while back, and even after doing PT back then, I still felt... off. My hip locks up when I'm sitting for too long and when I'm in the gym I lack the confidence to push any of my leg workouts. Mike hooked it up . First off, he actually *listens*. When I told him I play disc golf as nerdy as that is he wanted to tailor the exercises to mimic my throws and stretches. No cookie-cutter routines i could tell he thought out my Care through out my treatment . Plus, he threw in core work I didn't know I needed and showed the importance of the Joints and muscles away from the hip that I needed to strengthen Sessions were no joke--Mike doesn't mess around--but he kept it fun and kept me laughing. And i came out of my PT sessions sweating . My hip's way smoother, and I've got a solid plan to keep getting stronger. Seriously, if you want a PT who feels more like he cares and who knows his anatomy, Mike's your guy. 10/10 read more

I had a great experience working with Mike. After a cycling class left me with limited knee mobility and discomfort while walking, Mike was instrumental in helping me restore my range of motion and get back on my feet. He's incredibly professional, attentive, and clearly passionate about what he does. Highly recommend for anyone looking for personalized, effective care. PS: He has a great playlist too! read more

Decided to train for a half marathon so I wanted to get my body right and I'm so glad I went to Mike for a consult! Discovered new strengths and weaknesses and came up with a plan to balance myself out. I felt super comfortable during our appt and learned new exercises that made me use muscles that I never knew I needed to use before. I was definitely sore the couple of days after but felt the difference when incorporating the new exercises in my normal gym routine. Highly recommend! read more

Coach Mike is the best! I've worked with other trainers before but it's always been based around body building. Mike exposed my lack of hip mobility which unlocked a whole new world of fitness for me. Since training with Mike I can really feel the difference in the way I move. Some of the aches and pains I had is going away! His facilities are all new and clean. It's just a pleasure to work with him. read more

As someone who works in the fitness industry, Mike has an incredible eye for designing sessions to help you look, feel, and stay strong in your day to day life. After our first session, my body felt activated to take on the day, but I knew the soreness would kick in the next day (Spoiler Alert: It did). And as someone who fears kettle bells, Mike did an excellent job of breaking down the movement so I felt confident AND safe when working with the heavier weights! If you are looking for someone who not only helps you reach your short term fitness goals, but provides you with the tools to be able to do what you love for a long time, Mike is the guy for you! read more

I highly recommend Primetime. I was having nagging lower back pain from golf and running. I tried all of my usual stretches, but nothing really helped. Mike gave me a few exercises and within weeks, I was feeling great. Since then, I have shot my lowest golf round, ran some of my fastest times, and avoided reinjury. He really personalized the service and gave me the time and care I needed. I would definitely go back! read more

I started PT with Mike a few weeks after I was diagnosed with a SLAP tear. Along with managing the pain, I was concerned that I could not participate in the activities I enjoy, such as softball and CrossFit. Mike is attentive and has helped me regain my confidence. His approach addresses multiple facets of fitness and recovery, including strength and power. I was unfamiliar with power training, but this was the most powerful element, along with a thorough warm-up, that I walked away with. I also appreciate his understanding and receptiveness of the body as a kinetic chain (what may be presenting as shoulder pain may result from something else.) Overall, I have had a fantastic experience. My pain has reduced, my strength has increased, and I feel stability in my shoulder. I couldn't be happier!! read more

After a recent knee injury of a total knee replacement, I saw an orthopedic doctor and the orthopedic surgeon who performed the total knee replacement (2009). X-rays found no structural damage however, neither doctor prescribed physical therapy. I took matters into my own hands with my family recommending Dr. Mike Carnagal (Primetime Physical Therapy). I've had numerous surgeries over the last forty years followed by physical therapy and my experience with Dr Carnagal was excellent. He explained his plan for me, evaluated my limitations with exercises, and provided physical therapy exercises with his plan. I left with confidence, knowing that my injuries would improve as long as I follow his plan. Within a few days I felt a huge improvement walking up and down stairs. I feel that as long as I continue with Dr Carnagal's PT plan I'll be back on the handball court and golf course soon. Thank you Dr. Carnagal. read more

I had a very weird and hard sprain injury on my foot. It got crushed and my whole foot was messed up, but the part I was worried about was the center of my foot. It was kinda hard to build strength and I didnt want this injury to last my whole life. I wasnt sure how to go about this; wether or not to put weight on it or let is rest until completely healed. Mike helped me understand my limits and how I should go about this, along with showing and helping me through a good bit of exercises that helped me build strength. He was very personable and seemed to know exactly what I needed. read more

I reached out to Mike for help after struggling with sudden hip pain after jumping in a weird way during work. It didn't hurt right away, but it soon started to get worse. It also wouldn't go away despite resting and hip stretches. The pain was so bad that I couldn't sit for long periods, and when I got up from sitting, it felt sharp and unbearable. Mike quickly identified the root cause and provided a plan that not only got rid of my pain but also strengthened my hips and legs. He also did a great job explaining how the progressive exercise program would help minimize that same pain from coming back. Now, the pain is completely gone and hasn't come back. Plus, I can play with my daughter without any restrictions! If you're stuck with any sort of nagging pain and have yet to find a solution, I highly recommend reaching out to Mike at Primetime Physical Therapy & Performance! read more

I've spent years training my mind/body to be sharp--running multiple marathons in just a few years and even completing an Ironman 70.3. But in April 2023, everything changed when I ruptured my Achilles, forcing me to start over from square one. My recovery journey has been long, and while I received some assistance through my insurance and past PT experiences, they always felt lacking in care, attention, and the specificity I needed--especially with my goal of returning to marathon running. I was stuck in this long, frustrating process without many answers on how to truly recover and regain my performance. I tried doing research and recovery work on my own, but nothing compared to the guidance of a knowledgeable expert. That's when I discovered Mike at Primetime Physical Therapy. After just one session, I felt the difference--someone who was actually paying attention, understanding my goals, and providing a clear, structured plan to get me back to running marathons. I realized that my ultimate goal isn't just to complete another marathon--it's to build a system for long-term success and injury prevention. If you're serious about your recovery and performance, Primetime Physical Therapy is the place to go. Highly recommend! read more

I came in for runner's knee that had been bugging me for a while, sharp pain under the kneecap, like a 6/10 every time I went on a moderate run. Also ankle mobility from mult ankle injurie. I tried stretching, foam rolling, even cutting back on leg days, but nothing really worked. After just one session, the pain dropped to like a 2/10, which honestly blew my mind. What stood out is how dialed in and specific Mike was, it wasn't just generic exercises, but stuff that actually addressed the root cause of everything. I felt listened to the whole time, and Mike explained it all in a way that made sense. I've already been able to get back into training with way more confidence. Grateful for the help and would 100% recommend to anyone dealing with something similar. read more

Dr. Mike, all I can say is thank you for real. I've been dealing with chronic knee pain that was limiting me from volleyball for the past couple of years. I tried going to PT at Kaiser and went for 5 sessions but I felt too limited with time and wasn't progressing that well. When I met Mike, he was super informative about what I may be dealing with in terms of timeline and processes for getting back to volleyball. I knew I had to schedule an appointment with him. 3 sessions in and I'm already jumping with significantly less pain. I would say going from like a 7/10 jumping to now 2-3/10. I was honestly shocked that I feel this good already. He gave me a plan and routine thats definitely different than Kaiser but I have been keeping with and honestly if it wasn't for his communication I probably wouldn't be as on top of it as I am. I'm looking forward to seeing how I'll be by the time I'm done with our sessions together. I'm already feeling way better than when I was going to Kaiser and looking forward to seeing how it'll be to hit the court after the next 3 sessions together. Thanks Dr. Mikecheckk! read more