Meet the Expert Team Who Makes It All Possible

From total knee replacements to sports-specific rehab, workers compensation, Medicare, private insurance, and Contra Costa County patients: you will get more personal attention at Alhambra Valley Physical Therapy from our family-owned and operated staff than any other PT clinic.

Joan Arieta, RPT, DPT

Education:

University of California: BA in Physiology (Honors)
US Army - Baylor University Program in Physical Therapy: Masters in PT
Baylor University: Doctor of Physical Therapy 2008
APTA: Credentialed Clinical Physical Therapy Instructor
2016 Graston certified
2021 MFDc provider

Clinical Experience:

Experienced in hospital-based, outpatient, home health, and rehab settings.
US Army Medical Centers
Musculoskeletal screening units
Primary evaluator
Orthopedic rehab
Neurologic rehab
Chief Physical Therapist VA Martinez, 1976-1982
Established Alhambra Valley Physical Therapy, 1986
Expanded AVPT to include Pleasant Hill location, 2003

Nolan John Arieta, DPT

Staff therapist at AVPT for 19 years specializing in orthopedics with certifications in Graston, deep-tissue massage (GTS), and myofascial decompression using cups (MFDc). I have Masters and Doctorate of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of the Pacific and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, and learning is a lifelong process, I believe. I also held certifications with the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute and was a physical therapist aquatics instructor with that institute as well. We feature a Hydroworx 500 series pool where I instruct many patients per day, both hands-on in the pool as well as out of the pool with everything from geriatric Medicare patients to competitive sports-specific rehabilitation. I was also a scholar-athlete at St. Mary’s College of California on a Presidential (academic) scholarship. I played Division I baseball with the WCC, and NCAA Lacrosse, starting mid-fielder and 2000 California State champions.

Kaala Correia (formerly Cheney), DPT, MFDc

Utilizes a holistic, compassionate approach to evaluate and treat each patient/client as a Physical Therapist at AVPT. Bay Area native, Kaala was a student-athlete at Foothill High School in Pleasanton and Ohlone College in Fremont. She completed her undergraduate degree at San Jose State University then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2020 from Samuel Merritt University located in Oakland, CA. Kaala strives to provide her best for every patient and be a life-long learner. She is certified in Myofascial Decompression (MFD) and is a Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!Moves®) Certified Therapist. Kaala prides herself in facilitating goal achievements with an individualistic and creative approach in the clinic. Outside her career, Kaala’s other passions are enjoying the outdoors (hiking, biking, swimming, etc.!) as well as spending time with her family and loving Golden Retriever/Belgian Malinois mix named “Mazy.”