Hello!
My name is Clarissa Annarella (née Aguirre) and I am a licensed and board certified physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. I particularly love working with children ages 0-2 years old because this is when the biggest changes happen - personalities develop, crawling and walking begin, speech flourishes, and play explodes.
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I live in Yorba Linda with my husband, Donald. In my rare free time, I love to go on walks, swim, coach swim, try new foods, eat ice cream, and run Spartan races.
My Story
A native of Orange County, California, I am so excited to provide my hometown community with pediatric physical therapy services. My passion for physical therapy began when I was 8-years-old receiving physical therapy for a knee injury that required multiple surgeries and intensive rehabilitation. My physical therapist, Iona, supported me, and especially my parents, through a hard, traumatic process. Now, I would love to do the same for other families as I know the tremendous positive impact a therapist's care can have on a child.
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Why Physical Therapy? I grew up a very active child, participating in many sports and eventually coaching swim for close to 10 years. While coaching, I discovered that I loved teaching children how to move their bodies and interacting with the swim team families. I also loved science, including physiology and anatomy, and always pictured myself in the medical field. Physical therapy was a great option to combine my love of medicine with my passion for moving my body and educating children on how to move theirs'. I also LOVE being able to connect so closely with my families while seeing them on a weekly basis.
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I obtained my undergraduate degree in Human Biology with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology from Stanford University, where I gained a strong appreciation for the resilience of the human body. I then travelled across the nation to obtain my Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Columbia University. But, right after graduation, I had to return to the beautiful OC!
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​Why "Good & Enough?" - While studying at Stanford University, I strived to achieve perfection and never felt like I was "good enough" despite thriving in my classes and working three jobs. Then, I met with a positive psychology professor and he told me to reframe my thinking - to describe myself and my abilities as "good AND enough." And, this stuck with me. I wanted to build my physical therapy practice around the idea that every kid and family I see is good and enough. That no matter a child's diagnosis or abilities, the child is good and enough.
My Specialty Training and Experiences
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Now in my third year as a pediatric physical therapist, I have continued to expand my knowledge to optimize patient care. I am certified in Total Motion Release (TMR) Level 1 - a technique utilizing nonpainful stretching and movement to target other tight areas of the body. TMR is great for babies experiencing increased body tension, torticollis, or reflux and constipation. I am also certified in Dynamic Movement Intervention Level A (DMI) - a technique that challenges a child's body to motor plan in new ways and take advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity to improve mobility. DMI is especially great for improving postural control to optimize sitting, standing, and walking. I plan on taking DMI Levels B and C very soon to broaden my knowledge and provide even better care to my patients.
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I am trained in integrating primitive reflexes - a vital skillset when working with the infant and pediatric populations. I also have experience with serial casting, aquatic therapy, scoliosis, and Rifton adaptive equipment.