Mae (Honolulu)
I went to Prime PT due to joint pains in my neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, fingers; feet, stiff hips and back. I had been living with all these aches and pains for years, but it was getting worse as the years went by. I didn’t know I could do anything to improve my condition. I thought it was old age and I just accepted it.
Kai and I go to the same Dojo. In one of his talks he spoke about how he wants to help the elderly people at our Dojo with his occupation. I really didn’t know if anything could help my aches and pains but when I described my condition, Kai said he can help me.
When I first started physical therapy with Kai, I really didn’t have any high expectations. But with each treatment, I learned so much about the proper methods of using my arms, hands, and body for general and specific tasks so that I wouldn’t cause more injury to myself. I was having problems with everyday tasks like cooking, gardening, and just plain moving around.
I was impressed with Kai’s knowledge of the human body and how each part functions and how the exercises showed the proper movements that would put the joints into the proper position. I was surprised that the exercises he taught and prescribed actually addressed the pain in different parts of my body and by doing them, I have less pain in my hands, wrists, arms, neck, back, feet, etc. For instance, I had such a problem with my thumbs, wrists and fingers. It was painful when I used my hands. By doing a simple exercise only once with 3-5 repetitions, that Kai taught me, the pain disappears. All of the exercises that Kai teaches work amazingly well.
I definitely recommend Kai to anyone who has joint problems. He is able to start with the basics and address a person’s problem to correct it. I know many persons who went to Kai and got much relief and improvement, including friends and relatives, young and old.
I thank Kai for making me aware that no matter how old we get, we can overcome our aches and pains and limitations with application of proper exercise and use of our bodies.
Heidi for Patty (75 years old)
Kai was my mom’s physical therapist. He was referred to us through Queen’s hospital when she was diagnosed with ALS (Louis Gehrig’s disease) at the age of 75. When insurance ran out, we hired Kai privately. No other therapist understood my mother’s medical condition and how the disease affects the human body like Kai did. Mom looked forward to her weekly visits with Kai and he was instrumental in helping her to regain some movement and strength that we thought she had lost for good. Because of Mom’s bulbar ALS she first lost the ability to speak. Her cell phone and ipad were instrumental to her ability to communicate. When her hand movement ability decreased, this was a very difficult time her and the family. Kai mentioned to Mom that it was possible to regain movement and to be able to used her phone and from there things dramatically changed for the better. There was consistency of improvement every week. People say that ALS does not cause pain, but that is not true. There is pain that comes when the disease takes over limbs, from muscle cramps, loss of movement, stiffness, and rigidity. Kai fully understood the constant changing state of mom’s body and assisted her through the process. He provided her and the family with techniques to stretch, exercise, and combat the disease. My mother who eventually became bed ridden and passed away from the disease was able to maintain flexibility, unfrozen limbs, and had no bed sores. We are thankful for Kai and the service that he provided to my mom and the family. His professionalism, kindness, and positive attitude is invaluable. I recommend him to anyone who needs physical therapy and especially those with ALS, other related diseases, and movement disorders.
Bert (63 years old)
I had experienced a lot of pain and discomfort due to having bone on bone joint contact in my left knee and right ankle resulting in a very poor quality of life meaning that I no longer could enjoy doing simple tasks such as walking and basic flexing of the joints. My PCM referred me to a surgeon specializing in knee problems. I had a procedure done on the left knee to help relieve the bone on bone contact.
After completion of the surgical procedure, I attended physical therapy sessions. Well, when that was all said and done, my knee problem still persisted. I requested a second appointment with the same surgeon for more advice. What was recommended: a total knee replacement and also to consider the same procedure on the right knee.
With these results and information, I decided to make another request from my PCM to have a second surgeon examine the situation for a second opinion, the outcome was, even with both knees replaced he was not 100% assured it would correct my problem. I knew then that my knee problem is not going away anytime soon so I had the right ankle examined by a podiatrist recommending physical therapy treatment.
Now I must decide on my plan for wellness and well-being.
Very recently my spouse had completed her physical therapy using Prime PT and she was very impressed and happy with her results. She recommended that I should look into using Prime PT and Dr. Kai Morigawara’s services.
My first consultation and examination with Dr. Kai with Prime PT really had a positive effect on me. He asked me about any goals I had envisioned for myself and how important they were to me. He also asked about how my quality of life has been and how long I have had these problems. He genuinely was concerned about my well-being, really listening to what I’m saying and grasping the whole concept of my situation. Now with that being said, it did relieve a lot of stress and anxiety on my behalf, knowing that he really wants to help me.
I’ve recently completed the therapy sessions with Dr. Kai. By using his highly skilled hands, he’s able to feel what needs attention to provide corrective actions. He also provided me “homework” therapy exercises to do in between appointments to improve my condition. I’m happy and very relieved to say that I avoided both knee replacements and my ankle is better and stronger. It took a lot of time, patience, and hard work but the results were absolutely amazing! My quality of life has improved 100% and I can do even the most basic thing as walking.
Lasting impressions that Dr. Kai instilled upon me, He believed in helping me and that in turn made me believe in myself, and now I have achieved my desired goals and all things are possible. I’m forever grateful and thankful in knowing I’ve made the perfect choice for using Prime PT and Dr. Kai Morigawara for making me whole again.
Anjelica (35 years old)
I started PT about six months ago, and I have been seeing physical therapists since I was about 15 (and I'm 35). In all those years I have never gotten the results that I have gotten in the last five months. Things that I thought I would never be able to do again like sprinting, jumping, and even hip work outs, I can do those things now because I was given the skillset and the ability to find and finetune, knowing what the issue is. Targeting these things is what Dr. Kai taught me. Literally, restoring my faith in my own body and my own body's capabilities to heal itself, take care of itself. But mostly that my body was never falling apart. I just needed to know what it needed.
Dr. Kai has been super special in my life for making sure that I have the faith in being able to do everyday things but also those things that I thought were astronomical like running, jumping, playing tennis, etc. I have got my confidence back with all of them because of Dr. Kai.
Knowing how to use my pelvic floor in everyday function was a big deal. No one had EVER told me how to use it and that it was such a major part of my everyday mechanical life. I have had four babies, so my pelvic floor was out of the game when I started PT. I have learned how to engage my pelvic floor and that was mainly Dr. Kai telling me, teaching me how important it is, but him also being able to recognize when I wasn't engaging or when I was fatigued. Teaching me to recognize these things is why I literally have a new body.
Camila (38 years old)
I was suffering from pain in my forearm, elbow, and triceps from my last power lifting competition. I went to see Dr Kai and after the first session I almost didn’t feel any pain. A few days later I went back to my second appointment with sharp nerve and joint pains, but after Dr Kai assessed my arm, he explained that my physical problems were healed, and I was feeling fake pain.
He led me to do just a few more exercises with the body blade and I started thinking positive, incorporating Dr. Kai's instructions, saying to myself it was not hurting.
To my surprise it stopped hurting completely on the spot.
I learned that when my body goes through pain for a while and it finds healing quick, it takes time to readjust to not feeling pain, because the brain still thinks I am in pain when in reality I am not.
Zach (26 years old)
I started physical therapy about the same time I started golfing. I was very bad at it. I shot about 136 when I first started. I also had chronic knee pain when I was golfing, swinging, etc. After a few sessions with Dr. Kai, I was able to knock off 10-15 strokes right away, within a few weeks. Dr. Kai was able to get rid of the knee pain as well, improve my form a lot, and most recently I shot below 100. So that is 37-ish strokes that have come off my golf game. And I don’t have any knee pain.
Barbara G. Melamed, Ph.D. A.B.P.P.
American Board of Professional Psychology Diplomate Certified in Clinical Health Psychology Department of Psychology/Behavioral Medicine Honolulu, HI 96859 Phone: (808) 737-7420 • Cell: (914) 393-6132
As a recent patient of Prime PT with Dr. Kai Morigawara as someone who myself does therapy, I am best qualified to recommend him to you for the best therapist one can hope to find. As I suffered restless leg syndrome (RLS) for over three years which was unsuccessfully treated by many physicians, I turned to a friend and colleague whose practice many have benefitted from. To my amazement and benefit he was able to teach me how to control the blood flow and nerve impulses with a number of manual (not medical) solutions. And in one session and lots of kindness I was cured. It has been several months and there is no recurrence. I do practice what I learned from this excellent practitioner. Don’t hesitate before it’s too late. If in pain, trauma or just depression and sleep issues call Dr. Morigawara.
Kayla (34 years old)
Dr. Kai is an amazing therapist who cares about his patients’ overall wellbeing. I was referred to Dr. Kai due to diastasis recti that occurred during my third pregnancy. He listened to my concerns and helped me regain stability in my core. He empowered me to focus on form and function, correcting harmful approaches I had maintained for years. Not only did my abs come together in record time but my overall stability and movement has improved to levels exceeding my expectations. I highly recommend Dr. Kai and have shared his services with friends.
Arthur (63 years old)
Dr. Kai was my therapist after my knee replacement surgery. I have been in physical therapy before, but this experience was unique in that I had a faster recovery and didn’t put stress on my body. I thought therapy was supposed to take long and have a lot of pain after but Prime PT was so different. It took less physical energy, did not require machines, and I still had a faster recovery with no pain after therapy. Plus, I was also able to improve back and avoid surgery on my left knee. With my whole body feeling better, my golf game is better than ever! So, if you are in pain or cannot do what you want, I recommend Prime PT. Call 286-0194. Believe me, comfort and fast recovery with less pain. Try it, you will like it.
Jean (81 years old)
I had problems with both of my knees and had to live with so much pain. I read an article Dr. Kai wrote and thought it was so interesting that physical therapy can fix problems.
Dr. Kai showed me not only how to alleviate my pain, but also showed me various exercises to improve my knees. After seven sessions with Dr. Kai’s help, it really helped me to be better than before. I had so much pain trying to get up from the floor or sitting after 1-1½ hours before PT, and I had to give up a lot of gardening. Now, I can get up from the floor and can garden again. I love taking care of my orchids, so now I don’t have to stand up like an old fut thanks to Dr. Kai.
I always needed help getting up off the table after Jorei treatments, but after completing PT with Dr. Kai, I was able to get up on my own without even thinking. I was even told: “even though you’re getting older, you’re getting stronger!” Similarly, Dr. Kai helped me with my balance. Even if it is rainy, I can go out all day and feel confident on my feet.
Dr. Kai is a very caring and compassionate therapist. Thank you, Doctor, for making me feel whole again. You are truly appreciated!!
Masaaki (84 years old)
For many years, I suffered with lower back pains. Pain medications and other treatments did not give me relief from the severe pains. Through Dr. Morigawra’s treatments and correct exercises, the severe pains ceased completely. I am also able to walk without falling.
Florence (92 years old)
I was wheelchair bound and had lost hope of ever walking again. With patience and dedication Kai came to see me twice a week for 3 months until I regained the strength and stamina to walk. His magical hands and encouragement gave me the confidence to become mobile again.
Khristine (Aiea)
After working with Dr. Morigawara, I have nothing but positive things to say about him. He is very professional and thorough when it comes to therapy. I went to see him because I injured my back and right shoulder at work. I have been doing my therapy "homework" consistently and my shoulder injury has already significantly improved. I am so impressed by his professionalism and work that I would go to him again for therapy. I highly recommend him to anyone.
Dr. Morigawara is extremely knowledgeable and knows what he is doing 100% of the time. Again, I highly recommend anyone to go see him, both young and old!
Allyson (Waialua)
Kai's mastery of his craft with his keen intuition - combined, makes him an exceptional Doctor of Physical Therapy. I highly recommend him!
Allyson (Kapolei)
I was treated by Kai on two different occasions. The first time I saw him I was having extreme knee pain after completing the Honolulu Marathon. I was referred to Kai by my primary care physician to begin physical therapy treatment on my knee. I also had an MRI done on my knee which showed that I had no tear in my meniscus; however, Kai had a feeling that there was a tear based on the pain I was still feeling in the knee. He convinced my doctor to get a second opinion and sure enough, it revealed that I had a small tear in my meniscus! Fortunately I did not need surgery. With Kai’s expertise I am fully recovered and even completed a half marathon after that!
The second time I received treatment from Kai was for pain in my deltoid. I could barely raise my arm without pain. After a few sessions with Kai I learned that it wasn’t actually my deltoid that was the issue it actually was my bicep that was strained. With Kai’s treatment I am now pain free once again and able to resume my normal activities and even to the point of working out at my local gym without any problems.
I am so grateful to Kai for what he has done for me. He has knowledge beyond his years. He spent the time and taught me how the muscles work so I had a better understanding of my injuries. He also taught me exercises that I could do at home to help in my injury recovery process.