Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT?
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Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT, Physiatrist (Physical Medicine)
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Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

98-476 Pono St Aiea HI, 96701
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About

Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist who diagnoses and treats patients at Prime Physical Therapy, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He established his private practice in 2013 and has since delivered a full spectrum of physical therapy services to a wide range of patients. The services provided at his practice include physical therapy for injury prevention, post-traumatic and post-surgical rehabilitation, athletics optimization, vestibular rehabilitation, and functionality optimization. Dr. Morigawara has an impressive professional journey that spans seven years. He specializes in all facets of physical therapy. Prior to his current endeavors, he practiced at Elam Sports O'ahu Therapy & Training (2012-2013).

Education and Training

University of Hawaii at Manoa BA Biology 2009

Univ. of Southern California DPT 2012

Board Certification

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties

Provider Details

Male Japanese
Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT
Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT's Expert Contributions
  • Exercise a Panacea. Part 1: Arthritis

    A healthy joint is like two smooth pieces of paper sliding against each other. Arthritis, or joint damage, is like adding crinkles to the papers with the friction causing pain and problems for the patient. However, even in severe cases, and even with bone on bone degeneration, having no pain with...

  • exercise

    The two most important universal tips I can give are to find something that has one aspect that is fun and enjoyable. If you are not going to continue with it, there is not as much benefit from the exercising. The second critical aspect is something that is pain free. If you have pain, you are only reinforcing the problem causing the overuse straining of the knees. READ MORE

  • Can disc hernia cause issues with hands and legs?

    If there is nerve root impingement and or irritation, the hand symptoms would normally be associated with the neck and the legs associated with the low back. It is possible for the neck to be causing both. At the same time, they could be completely unrelated to the nerves of the spine. If the pain in the thighs are only muscular, the hamstring are compensating and attempting to maintain stability. Similarly, the hand could be isolated nerve impingement in the arm. Preventative screening would be best since determining the source of the problem is the best way to fix them. READ MORE

  • What could be the reason behind mid back pain?

    Mid back pain is the most uncommon, but like all spinal pains, the most common problems are fatigue related impingement (the muscles get tired and cannot maintain the structural stability after X amount of time in the same position), and hinging mechanics placing too much strain on a spot (rather than every bone contributing a fair share, stiffness in other areas forces the extra work elsewhere). If you are having severe pain, complete alleviation to be able to do whatever you want, as much as you want with no pain, is unlikely without fixing the problems causing the compensations. I would suggest having it checked out to find what is causing the severe compensations. READ MORE

  • Can PT help with motion sickness?

    Yes, and especially if you go to someone that specializes with "vestibular therapy". The inner ear is key to the body's balance. Knowing how the eyes, inner ear, and spine work together to keep a sense of balance is necessary. Because there are so many moving parts, most people may not be able to isolate what the problem is. If the intensity of nausea is only slight, that is a great indicator that the problem is slight. However, it is still possible to have a slight problem in all three areas. If all movements are symptomatic, this would lean towards a problem being present in two, if not three, of the systems. READ MORE

  • Is it normal to have pain and swelling after an arthroscopic surgery?

    It is normal to have swelling immediately after any arthroscopic surgery because swelling is the first step to the healing process. The blood has to carry nutrients/building blocks to the injury and take away the waste products. However, it is not normal for this to last three months. This indicates something is still being damaged, and it could be something as simple as the swelling itself causing pinching (impingement). I would suggest following through with the consultation. READ MORE

  • What is electrical stimulation for?

    There are two main uses for electrical stimulation. The more common usage is a TENS unit for decreasing pain. There should be no muscle activation of any kind during this treatment. The second usage is to increase the activation of a muscle. The goal is to safely maximize the muscle contracting. Assuming there are no structural limitations, like a surgery, the goal is to increase the output to the maximal tolerance that you can comfortably handle. This is a unique experience to have something else (and potentially someone else if the therapist controls the output) control your muscles. READ MORE

  • How long does it take for an ankle ligament tear to heal?

    The ligament takes around eight months to heal. The ligament is not the limiting factor to moving though. The limiting factor is the amount that the tendons stabilize the ankle. This is why people can resume almost any level of activity after a few days for a "low ankle sprain". If there are still problems six months ago, this guarantees that the ankle muscles do not have the coordination to hold the ankle stable. With the problem lasting this long, there could also be additional damage to other areas. If there are additional painful areas, I would highly suggest getting it assessed by a physician or doctor of PT if you are in an area with direct access to PT treatments. READ MORE

  • I'm only 23 and experiencing knee pain during exercise. Why?

    An in person assessment would be necessary to guarantee, but if you are active, the muscles are still stabilizing and protecting the joint from developing arthritis. However, overloading or inadequate maintenance and healing would be the most likely source of the knee pains. Treatments that restore the normal distribution of workload throughout the entire leg and back will allow for both alleviation and prevention. READ MORE

  • How do physical therapists interact with kids?

    For all pediatric cases, with one exception below, treatments should always be game based. A child's "job" outside of school is to play and learn from those experiences. Forcing a child to do "standard PT" is incorrect. The exception would be if they want to or benefit most from a regimented routine of exercises. READ MORE

  • Can physical therapy help my daughter's juvenile arthritis?

    Yes, physical therapy is the perfect means of not only alleviating symptoms, but preventing them from returning. However, this is dependent on correctly finding and fixing the problem (which is in turn dependent on the skill of the PT assessing and treating your daughter). Prevention is only possible when the unconscious wrong movements are completely corrected. READ MORE

  • My knees are cracking all the time - Do I need PT?

    If there is no pain, stiffness, or any discomfort then there is nothing to be worried about. The cracking (joint crepitus) is a sign of minuscule instability if you have no other symptoms. If you do have pain and especially during the cracking, then that is definitely something to be worried about. READ MORE

  • I was diagnosed with torticollis and need to go to physical therapy. What kind of treatment will I receive?

    No matter what the field, treatments that are specific to both you and the specific part of the neck are what will lead to both the best and the fastest improvements. With something like torticollis, the right and left sides of the neck are guaranteed to be different. Even from bone to bone, each segment of the neck can have astronomical differences. So if you are not getting some level of immediate improvements, the treatments are not being tailored enough to you. READ MORE

  • Will physical therapy help me with my leg pain?

    Proper physical therapy should not only allow for immediate improvements, but also give you the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent the leg pain from returning. Correct treatments apply to any field (massage, chiropractics, acupuncture, etc.). However, exercising is the only way to guarantee the muscles maintain the necessary protection/stability. Although similar changes to the muscle occur with correct treatments of any type, for most people it is only a temporary change. Periodic "maintenance" sessions should not be necessary after physical therapy so that is the added benefit to take into consideration. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Utilizing the latest treatments to maximize results; a successful treatment should have immediate improvements!Severe case specialization

Articles and Publications

  • Living Pain Free, By Kai Morigawara

What do you attribute your success to?

  • Kai had great mentors and professors in school and throughout his life. He is very self motivated and his passion is helping people feel better.

Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT's Practice location

Prime Physical Therapy Inc

98-476 Pono St -
Aiea, HI 96701
Get Direction
New patients: 808-286-0194
Fax: 808-486-0194

Practice At 600 Queen St., C-2, Honolulu, HI 96813

600 Queen St. C-2 -
Honolulu, HI 96813
Get Direction
www.primepthawaii.com

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Media Releases

Get to know Physical Therapist, Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT, who serves patients in Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr. Kai Morigawara is an established physical therapist who is currently seeing patients at his private practice, Prime PT.  Conveniently located in Honolulu, HI, Prime PT offers a complete range of physical therapy services. Featured services include physical therapy for injury prevention, vestibular rehabilitation, post-traumatic and post-surgical rehabilitation, athletics optimization, and functionality optimization. Dr. Kai Morigawara opened the doors of his practice in 2013. He has previously worked at Elam Sports O’ahu Therapy & Training in Kapolei, HI (2012-2013).

Dr. Morigawara acquired his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in 2009. He then completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012 in the Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Division at the University of Southern California. Dr. Morigawara  subsequently pursued and received his board certification in Physical Therapy with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. As of 2016, all physical therapists receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapist educational program before taking the national licensure exam that allows them to practice.”

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    There are several specialties of physical therapy. Although it’s a well-known field by many professionals, it’s usually overlooked by the public. Below are some of the common types of physical therapies:Orthopedic Physical TherapyPhysical therapists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders....

  • Why Lateral Epicondylitis is Called Tennis Elbow

    Lateral epicondylitis is a condition of the arms that creates pain around the elbow joints. The condition may be a result of a number of causes, but it is typically from overuse of the elbow. However, it may take some time before lateral epicondylitis starts showing intense pain; it may be up to one...

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  • What Causes Back Pain?

    Back pain is a painful condition that can stop you from carrying on with your normal duties. It is impossible for a normal person to stay still at all times; every now and then we find ourselves either bending, stretching or twisting. Tests and DiagnosisDuring the first visit to your doctor, a...

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    Present moment awareness, deep relaxation, and gentle movement can help an individual discover and observe his or her reactions to stressors, such as pain or the emotional devastation of being diagnosed with a chronic illness. This understanding can lead to changes in thought and body awareness that...

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Nearest Hospitals

PALI MOMI MEDICAL CENTERl

98-1079 MOANALUA ROAD AIEA HI 96701

98-478 Pono St, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
Head southwest on Pono St toward Ponohana Loop
0.5 mi
Turn left onto Moanalua Rd
0.8 mi
Turn right onto Pali Momi St
282 ft
Turn right
66 ft
98-1079 Moanalua Rd, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

1.4 miSee direction

KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALl

3288 MOANALUA RD HONOLULU HI 96819

98-478 Pono St, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
Head southwest on Pono St toward Ponohana Loop
0.5 mi
Turn left onto Moanalua Rd
1.0 mi
Turn right onto Honomanu St
0.2 mi
Turn left onto HI-99 E
0.1 mi
Slight right onto HI-78 E/I-H-201 E (signs for Honolulu/Interstate H1 E)
2.0 mi
Take exit 2 toward Red Hill/Moanalua Valley
0.3 mi
Continue onto Moanalua Rd
0.5 mi
Turn left onto Ala Napunani St
472 ft
Sharp right onto Ala Aolani St
384 ft
Turn right
0.2 mi
Turn rightDestination will be on the right
302 ft
3288 Moanalua Rd, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA

5.0 miSee direction

KUAKINI MEDICAL CENTERl

347 NORTH KUAKINI STREET HONOLULU HI 96817

98-478 Pono St, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
Head southwest on Pono St toward Ponohana Loop
0.5 mi
Turn left onto Moanalua Rd
1.0 mi
Turn right onto Honomanu St
0.2 mi
Turn left onto HI-99 E
0.1 mi
Slight right onto HI-78 E/I-H-201 E (signs for Honolulu/Interstate H1 E)Continue to follow I-H-201 E
4.9 mi
Merge onto I-H-1 E
1.3 mi
Take exit 20B for HI-98 E toward Vineyard Blvd
364 ft
Continue onto HI-98 E/Olomea StContinue to follow HI-98 E
0.7 mi
Turn left onto ʻAʻala St
0.2 mi
Continue onto Stillman Ln
0.1 mi
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381 ft
347 N Kuakini St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

9.1 miSee direction

THE QUEENS MEDICAL CENTERl

1301 PUNCHBOWL ST HONOLULU HI 96813

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You have arrived at your destination, on the left

3753 ftSee direction

KUAKINI MEDICAL CENTERl

347 NORTH KUAKINI STREET HONOLULU HI 96817

Head northwest on Kawaiahao Street 207 ft
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You have arrived at your destination, straight ahead

1.8 miSee direction

STRAUB CLINIC AND HOSPITALl

888 SO KING STREET HONOLULU HI 96813

Head northwest on Kawaiahao Street 207 ft
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3233 ftSee direction