About Lori Malkoff, MD, MPH

Gentle, Science‑Based Pain Relief Rooted in a Lifetime of Movement

I’ve spent nearly 40 years helping people reduce pain, improve movement, and feel more at home in their bodies. My approach blends the precision of medical training with the gentleness and intelligence of the Feldenkrais Method — a neuroplasticity‑based process that teaches your body to move with more ease and less strain.

I founded The Feldenkrais Center of San Diego to offer something different from traditional medical care: a calm, supportive space where people can learn to move comfortably again — without force, pain, or invasive treatments.

A Unique Approach to Pain Relief

The Feldenkrais Method is not part of standard medical school or residency training. It requires a rigorous, accredited four‑year professional program focused on movement science, learning theory, and hands‑on guidance.

I completed my Feldenkrais Teacher Training under Dr. Mark Reese, PhD, and became certified to teach and practice the method in 1998. Since then, I’ve helped thousands of clients — seniors, athletes, children, and people with chronic pain — rediscover comfort and confidence in their movement.

My work is gentle, safe, and grounded in the latest understanding of how the brain and body learn.

Medical Expertise and Lifelong Learning

My path has always been shaped by curiosity and a love of learning.

  • Accepted into UC Irvine’s Pre‑Med program at age 16

  • B.S. in Biological Sciences, UC Irvine — cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

  • Medical Degree (MD), UC Irvine School of Medicine

  • Post‑doctoral training in Family Medicine at UCLA

  • 22 years practicing Family Medicine

  • Master of Public Health (MPH), San Diego State University

  • Advanced training in physical medicine, rehabilitation, neuroscience, psychology, and nutrition

  • Certified Health & Fitness Instructor, American College of Sports Medicine

I am one of the very few medical doctors in the United States who is also a certified Feldenkrais Teacher and Practitioner.

My background allows me to bridge the best of both worlds: the clarity of medical science and the transformative power of gentle, intelligent movement.

Feldenkrais Method and surfing

A Life Rooted in Joyful Movement

Movement has always been part of who I am.

I grew up in San Diego as an age‑group swimming champion and later became a nationally ranked athlete in swimming, water polo, and surfing while attending UC Irvine. Today, I still love surfing, swimming, golfing, and exploring new places around my hometown.

This lifelong connection to movement shapes the way I help others — with respect, curiosity, and a deep belief in the body’s ability to learn and change.

Why Clients Choose the Feldenkrais Center of San Diego

  • Nearly 40 years of pain‑relief experience

  • One of the few MD‑trained Feldenkrais practitioners in the U.S.

  • Gentle, safe, non‑invasive approach

  • Personalized, one‑on‑one sessions

  • Evidence‑informed, neuroplasticity‑based method

My goal is simple: to help you move with more comfort, ease, and confidence — at any age and any stage of life.

Ready to Feel Better?

If you’re ready to reduce pain and move with greater comfort, I’d love to help. Schedule a gentle Feldenkrais evaluation today.