Simpson & Associates

Pros: Clean space (450 Sutter), and a good physical therapist (Ricardo/​Rick)
Cons: THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. How is it possible in any business after 1990 to not accept credit cards? You have to pay cash, get a receipt, and then submit for reimbursement with your Flex Account, all of which can take a month to collect.
For me, the credit card thing is a dealbreaker. If Ricardo worked at another office I absolutely would continue going to him, but his good work does not outweigh the inconvenience of payment. I believe there are other PTs in the area that can get the job done and take my Flex Spending card for a convenient and enjoyable experience.

Friendly, knowledgeable, professional. This was my first experience with PT. I hope I don’t need it again, but I will definitely go back there if I do.

Drove over from alameda through morning rush hour traffic to get to my appointment that was made by his receptionist the day before. She checked my insurance and never called to cancel my appointment or anything. Walked in place morning of appointment. She wasn’t there but the pt was and told me sorry we don’t take that insurance. I explained I confirmed twice with the receptionist beforehand! I have to leave for Denver today and needed some exercises to do while I’m there for 3 months, so the dr will do the hip surgery I need when I get back. Thanks for wasting 3 months of my time. Now I have to do the pt when I get back in three more months adding two more months to the docs decision.
If your receptionist fucks up just give the patient a free assesment

I sprained my ankle in volleyball a few months back and since then I’ve been dying to get back into the game. Can’t comment on the other physical therapist, but personally I know for a fact that Ricardo/​Ric/​Rick (?) = best therapist. He’s extremely nice and helped me regain a lot of mobility/​flexibility in my ankle. Ric’s pretty chill; I didn’t get any disinterest vibes at all. If you’re willing to have friendly conversation you’ll find that he cares for his patients. Just don’t be a dick and you’ll do fine.
My «homework» exercises did their job, it’s been 3 – 4 weeks and I’m almost 100% with little pain and stiffness. Throughout my visits I felt pretty comfortable knowing that he’s played a lot of sports before (including volleyball!) and has had sprains and various injuries himself, so I could rest assured that I was in good hands. I always feel better when someone’s gone through what I’ve been through and is able to relate as well as treat.
Honestly for those complaining about the age of the building/​equipment/​blahblahblah, it’s not that bad. Yes you can tell the building is kinda old, but so what? That doesn’t affect the quality of care. You’re here for the expertise, not for über pretty décor. Ric knew his stuff and I’ve had nothing but good experiences coming here. Go Ric.

My husband and I have both received PT from Simpson and Associates. They provided excellent service, very caring and professional. The office on Ocean Ave. is simple with no bells and whistles, however Mr. Ricardo Wray provides the best quality of physical therapy. It’s such a lovely treat to have Mr. Ricardo and the office manager personally greet us and wish us a good day.

I am truly surprised at some of the negative reviews here. The office is simple and bare bones, but that doesn’t bother me. I don’t judge a book by its cover. I want healing and pain relief! Jim Simpson isn’t very talkative, which some may equate with being rude or gruff, but he is not. He knows his stuff!
Over the past 20 years, I have injured my left shoulder 5 times. I’ve been to numerous physical therapy sessions. It has never healed, and the orthopedic surgeon wanted to do surgery. I did not want that!
I was referred to Jim Simpson by a friend. I was doubtful he would be able to help since I had suffered for so long. He developed a very comprehensive and specific set of exercises, slow progression to slowly build strength. He knew when I was able to advance and when I needed to back off. Of course, I had to do the work to improve. I faithfully did all the exercises daily, and the pain and range of motion definitely improved. It’s still not perfect as I have multiple micro tears from my injuries, but he got me to be as good as I can get!
I highly recommend Jim Simpson for your physical therapy needs.

at the Ocean Ave office Rick the therapist spent less than a minute actually adjusting me. had a disinterested attitude while showing me a few excercises to do at home. offices shabby, the one peice of equipment in the room looked like it came from the 1950s.

Horrible.
I asked how much it would cost when I called but could not be given an amount, I asked again when I came to my appt. I never got an answer, only the assurance that my insurance would cover it. I said I wasn’t so sure, could he let me know. Still had no answer when I left.
I was in the «treatment room» for 20 minutes. There was no hands-​on treatment, JS spent most of the time in the office, probably trying to find out what my insurance would cover. He drew stick figure exercises of what I should do to alleviate knee pain, and left me in the room alone to do them.
His office is now sending my account to collections for $ 190. I offered to pay them what I would have paid a PT friend to treat me: $ 60. And her treatment would have been comprehensive, as it has been for my daughter. No response from his office. What did he charge my insurance? $ 300+.
Why did I go to him in the first place? Because UCSF Family Practice had him on their sheet of referred PT’s.
SO — no up-​front quote on cost, no treatment, a sheet of hand-​drawn stick figure exercises, 20 minutes left virtually alone, and being charged $ 190.
NO STARS, NEGATIVE STARS.

I was very disappointed with my therapy visits. I went there with back problems. 0n my first visit he tells me I can’t lift weights or do certain strength exercises, but I can still use my elliptical and ride my bike.
Then on my second visit, I ask if I can get a massage. They say it is not covered. I think.hmm. I know I read that it was covered in my insurance contract. So I do further investigation. It turns out that I am covered. So the insurance company calls and faxes a letter informing them of my plan. When I get there on my 3^rd day, he still refuses to give me a massage, saying how it is not covered, even after receiving the letter and the call! Really strange. Then he says I can stay or go. It was very awkward, so I stayed like a fool! Also he says to me, if I want a massage you can pay extra. Why would I pay extra, when I pay tons of money to my insurance company and it’s covered under my plan. It’s already payed for! He waits to dump this on me when I finally get called into the room after waiting a half an hour.
I go on to tell him, my back is not better, maybe worse. I tell him how I think the bike is not good for my back. He says, I recommend people ride a certain type of bike, not the one you are riding. Are you kidding me! He says, have you been riding the bike this whole time. f course I have. And I told him that from the beginning.
After I leave, I immediately call my insurance company. To sum the story up. Massages are covered. Simpson and ass. just did not want to call my health group and get it approved. So they tell all their patients that belong to this health group that they are not covered. That is wrong.
I can’t believe they are doing this! That is wrong! I hope if this happens to anyone else, they won’t tolerate it and find someone else who actually wants to help them feel and get better.

Jim Simpson is the best physical therapist in town, if not the Bay Area. I cannot say enough him and his staff. They are professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and to the point. If you have an issue with any part of your body, Jim’s focused analysis will likely uncover what it is, and then his exercise and therapy routine will help you recover.
I have exercised generally at Simpson Associates and referred many people to him, those suffering from general back pain to lingering sports injuries to major ski accidents (torn ACL). Jim and his staff have worked diligently with all of us and treated us to recovery. I would trust anything with Jim and would refer anyone to him.
Also, Jim was the PT for many of the stars of Warriors, 49ers and Giants of the 1960’s and 1970’s (Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Nate Thurmond, Joe Perry, etc). Ask him to see a signed photo. ..

See the overwhelmingly negative reviews on Simpson & Associates under Unilocal reviews for them under «Simpson James C Physical Therapist» at the 450 Sutter Street office.
I rate this place zero stars and have detailed my criticism based on numerous criteria in my writeup of the Sutter Street and the Ocean Avenue offices. Although I agree with «Bert M.“‘s review here the problems I perceived at this place of business are far beyond and deeper than that. If Unilocal exists it’s to alert customers about possible problems they might encounter at places like this.

I’m not as concerned with the status of the furniture as I am the quality of care. Ricardo Wray treated my son’s back injury and provided a comprehensive series of exercises that have improved his current condition and will strengthen him and prevent future sports injuries. His approach seems to be providing immediate relief with an eye on long-​term health, and giving the patient the tools they need to progress on their own rather than have to come in every week. His manner was very professional yet approachable and I highly recommend him.

Hmm.
Chipped, dark wood furniture with mystery stains on the threadbare seats. Wall clock that was even considered ugly in the 1970s when it was made. Grungy berber carpet worn thin in a path from the door to the check-​in window. Check-​in window made out of that wavy glass from mid-​century bathrooms. Faint smell of antiseptic and mold. Two really, really old people.
Did I somehow wander into my grandparents’ basement on my way to the physical therapist’s office?
Unfortunately, no. If I had, there would have also been freshly baked cookies.
The facilities of this office are terrible. The hospital gown I was given to put on was, quite literally, so worn that it was transparent in some very key places. The girl behind the check-​in desk kept the patient window closed and texted her friends, making it necessary for me to knock on the glass as though I were trick-​or-​treating.
But, singles sit up and pay attention. The «Associates» part of the team is a tall, dark, and muscular type. I’m pretty sure there’s no better way to pick up a hot PT than listening to some really bad light rock playing through those built in wall speakers from high school while you’re showing off your naughty bits through a decades-​old hospital gown.
If that’s not your dream date, skip it. My grandparents could do a better job making someone feel welcome. And they might be better at physical therapy, too.