Meet Dr. Charles Gilligan
Charles Gilligan, DPT, CSCS | TPI Certified
I became a physical therapist because I've always been fascinated by how the human body moves — and why movement changes when someone is dealing with pain or injury.
My background combines physical therapy, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and movement analysis. Before becoming a physical therapist, I studied physics and gained experience using 3D motion-capture technology to analyze athletic movement and biomechanics. That interest in understanding movement has continued to shape the way I practice today.
I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Sacramento State and am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). My clinical experience has included orthopedic rehabilitation, sports performance, post-surgical care, and working with athletes ranging from recreationally active adults to Division I and professional baseball players.
At Montecito Physical Therapy, I work with one patient at a time for a full 60-minute session. Rather than focusing only on the area that hurts, I assess how the body is moving as a whole, treat what we find, and reassess to see what actually changes.
My goal is simple: understand what may be limiting you, help you move better, and get you back to the activities you care about.
Outside the clinic, you'll usually find me golfing, playing basketball, staying active, or spending time outside with my dog, Deebo. I believe staying active should be a lifelong pursuit — and that's something I try to help my patients continue doing.