Community Highlights: Meet Angelica Alberto of Dr. Angelica LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Alberto

Angelica , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I would say my journey has been heavily influenced by these three factors: my experience growing up as a first-generation Filipina-American, my own personal health challenges, and my deep desire to help the people around me take agency back over their health and well-being,
Growing up in a Filipino household, I was always surrounded by love, community, and without a doubt, incredible food—as anyone who has ever known a Filipino can attest is one of our greatest ways of expressing our love language.
Yet, something I began to notice even at an early age was a pattern in how so many of my loved ones and people within my community were struggling with chronic conditions ranging from diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, to more severe illnesses, like heart disease and cancer. These conditions were often labeled as just “part of the aging and getting old” or “it’s in our genes.”
Since this time, I felt a strong pull to question why these health issues were so widespread and why no one was asking deeper questions about what was causing them. I wondered, “does this mean I’ll have diabetes too? Will I end up on blood pressure meds as part of getting older?” I didn’t want to accept that fate for myself or my loved ones. And when I lost two of the closest women in my life—my Tita Emie and Lola Lita—to chronic illnesses that I believe could have been prevented, my resolve to find a better path strengthened.
I decided to dive into the world of health, discovering my passion for kinesiology, or the study of human movement, which led me on my journey towards becoming a physical therapist. Yet, along this path I eventually became humbled by my own health scare, not realizing how much stress and strain I had been putting on my body. Between taking over 22 credits, juggling three jobs, extracurriculars, and caring for my family, I ran my physical and mental health into the ground. During this season in my life was when I started experiencing debilitating migraines, heart palpitations, and panic attacks leading me to go in and out of doctors’ offices who couldn’t figure out what was causing them. The same answer I was faced with after no more than 15 minute increments of face time with my doctor were medications and blaming it on my family genetics. I couldn’t help but think, “There has to be more to this than a quick prescription.”
This was the turning point that led me down my healing journey. I took a hard look at every part of my lifestyle, from my nutrition to my mindset. I studied eastern philosophies around lifestyle, the mind-body connection, and root-cause medicine. I also discovered the power of mindfulness, breathwork, and stress regulation techniques that finally helped me reconnect with my body, which all began to finally help me put words to feelings I had buried under the weight of expectations and stress I had internalized all those years up until that moment, helping me understand that my body and nervous system were running in a constant state of survival. It was this experience that truly opened my eyes to understanding that true healing goes beyond addressing the superficial symptoms—these symptoms were actually the messages our bodies send to us; often begging us to pay attention to underlying imbalances going on within.
In realizing this, I knew I had found my calling. I realized that after finally reconnecting back to my body did I finally start to heal all these symptoms, and did I actually find relief from not only my migraines, but also the ‘invisible’ symptoms that were impacting my daily life – which were anxiety, panic attacks, constant running negative thought spirals, self-limiting beliefs, all that were consuming so much of me, and it was my mission to also help others find their way back to themselves.
This is what inspired me to pursue a dual degree program at Northwestern University for Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Master’s in Public Health, deepening my knowledge of integrative lifestyle medicine and empowering others to break free from limiting health narratives. I also became a certified Integrative Health Coach to guide clients through the mental shifts needed to make lasting, compassionate changes.
In my clinical work, I encountered more patients who felt unseen, often rushed in and out of appointments. Many of them left with more prescriptions but no real understanding of their health. I realized that the care I wanted to provide couldn’t happen in 15-minute increments, nor could it overlook the bigger picture of each person’s life. This realization led me to take a leap of faith and open my own Integrative Physical Therapy practice in Los Angeles.
Today, I see patients both in-person and virtually in an intimate setting that allows us to really take a big picture look at their overall health where I look at the full spectrum of health, including lifestyle factors, nourishment, stress, nervous system regulation, and overall life quality. My vision was to build my practice to be a safe, welcoming space where people feel truly seen and heard—because I remember how much I longed for that kind of care myself.
Celebrating my practice’s one-year milestone this past October 2024, I’m grateful to have served over 100 patients in 600+ sessions. Each session strengthens my commitment to helping people reclaim their health and realize that they don’t have to accept chronic issues as “just the way it is.” I share my journey and insights through my blog, social media, webinars, and speaking engagements, hoping to empower others to connect back to their bodies and find a path to optimal health.
I am inspired daily by the resilience of my community, and my mission is to guide and uplift everyone ready to take control of their health journey. I believe our health is more in our hands than we realize, and together, we can rewrite the story of what true wellness looks like.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Looking back, the journey has been anything but smooth. From my own personal health scare—along with so many patients I’ve seen and worked with—really opened my eyes to the limitations of conventional medicine’s approach to care. The silver lining of these experiences actually fueled my “why.” What felt like one of my greatest challenges transmuted into my life’s mission to make preventative care and education accessible to the community around me. The mission involves redefining health not simply as the absence of disease, but as a state of optimal functioning and vitality.
As I held this belief close to my heart, another struggle was trying to navigate the world of westernized healthcare, where people were accustomed to only being seen by a doctor when something was wrong, as opposed to prioritizing preventative measures towards reducing their risk for chronic, preventable conditions.
After working in several types of traditional PT settings, I finally took a leap of faith and made the decision to open up my own practice rooted in this belief. A place where patients are supported to not only get out of pain, but are empowered to get back to doing activities they never thought they would be doing again. Despite how much uncertainty and fear I felt, every time I see my patients today getting better not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and even in the way they show up in the world around them I am reminded that this wild ride down the path less chosen was all worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Currently, I am a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, holding a Master’s in Public Health and certification as an Integrative Health Coach. I went to California State University, Northridge for my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology Exercise Science and Northwestern University for my Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Master’s of Public Health. Today, I run a private integrative physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, where I work one-on-one with clients to address not only their physical symptoms but also the lifestyle, nutrition, and emotional factors that play a huge role in their health. I work with busy professionals, athletes, and anyone seeking to optimize their health, helping them break free from years of chronic neck pain, tension headaches and migraines, lower back pain, low energy levels through my comprehensive approach to care.
What patients have shared that sets me apart is my holistic, personalized approach. I believe true healing involves treating the person as a whole, not just the symptoms. In each one-on-one session, I dive deeply into understanding each client’s unique needs, goals, and lifestyle. Together, we work to uncover root causes, build sustainable habits, and create individualized treatment plans that feel manageable and empowering—not overwhelming. My goal is to help clients reconnect with their bodies, find relief from pain, and transform their health in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with their lives.
What excites me most about this work is seeing my clients not only improve physically but also become more connected to themselves. Many come to me with long-standing pain or health challenges they’ve learned to live with, and watching them make breakthroughs—both physically and mentally—is incredibly rewarding. I love the creativity involved in developing individualized programs that align with each client’s unique needs and goals, whether it’s improving mobility, reducing stress, or building healthier habits.
Outside of my one-on-one practice, brand-wise, I’m most proud of creating a space that feels both safe and empowering for clients. My brand is all about making integrative, whole-person healing more accessible and approachable, which fuels my passion for educating the community on integrative health principles. I share free resources through my blog and social media channels, offering insights into holistic health, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes. In addition to my clinical work, I’m expanding my reach by developing webinars, hosting events, and pursuing speaking opportunities in the upcoming year. My mission is to help people realize that true wellness is within reach and that by reconnecting with their bodies, they can take charge of their health and lead more vibrant lives.
My offerings include private, 1-on-1 sessions either in-person or virtual, for at least 60 minutes, which are designed to empower clients with the knowledge and tools to maintain their progress long after our sessions end. This isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about creating lasting health and helping each person live a more vibrant, fulfilling life. If you’re ready to experience a personalized, integrative approach to healing, I’d love to connect and support you on your journey.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
COVID years taught me a profound lesson about the essentials in life. I believe the universe—or whatever higher power you connect with—has a way of stripping away everything until we are left to confront what truly matters to us. That time, which honestly still feels like a surreal fever dream (or maybe fever nightmare, to be honest!), brought me to a clear understanding of my top priorities: my health, the health of my loved ones, and a purpose that serves as my North Star, guiding me through even the darkest times.
One of the biggest realizations I had was the importance of nurturing not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. During COVID-19, I was in the middle of my second year of PT school, and I had never experienced such a period of isolation, uncertainty, and sense of darkness that felt so overwhelming, but you still had to continue to keep on with all your daily activities. Going through COVID was a level of vulnerability I hadn’t encountered before with myself, yet it also taught me how essential it was to harness and prioritize the right resources, tools, and guidance to take care of my own health. Because in taking care of myself was I also able to take better care of the people around me.
Lastly, this time also made me realize the importance of checking in your people. Even fast forward to today, you never know who may be fighting their own silent battles, so take a moment to either simply send a message out to the people in your circle ever so often, and do not be afraid to share your story with courage and vulnerability; because it is through our authentic stories where we are able to truly connect and build community with one another.

Pricing:

• prices vary contingent on patient’s needs (free 30-minute virtual assessment provided to readers!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://angelicaalberto.com
• Instagram: @dr.angelicaalberto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelica.alberto.9/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.Angelicasays

Image Credits
Curtis Jesta