Our Team
Licensed Physical Therapists
Erin Malecha MPT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Erin is the owner and director of Blue Water Physical Therapy. A Southern California native, Erin earned her undergraduate degree at UCLA and her Masters in Physical Therapy at Cal State Long Beach. She completed her clinical training at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and Restor Physical Therapy Sports Training Center in Orange County.
Erin has dedicated her professional life to providing quality, leading-edge patient care. She has an interest in assessing biomechanics, pelvic girdle issues, postural dysfunction, musculoskeletal imbalances and return to sport. She has developed several programs designed for the injured athlete and is particularly proud of her return to surfing, return to running and yoga based therapy programs.
Erin resides in Del Mar with her family. Most mornings, you can find her surfing Del Mar local breaks and Blacks. Erin enjoys surfing, snowboarding, sailing, free diving and competing in the La Jolla Rough Water Swim with her family.
Julie Neushul MPT, DPT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Julie was born and raised in Southern California. She attended UCSB for her undergraduate degree and received her Master of Physical Therapy in 1993 from the University of Southern California. Julie has practiced in a variety of clinical settings across the US and abroad as she accompanied her husband while he pursued his career as an officer in the US Marine Corps. She has experience in outpatient and inpatient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, neurology, cardiac rehabilitation, as well as prenatal and postpartum rehabilitation.
In 2013, Julie received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine. The focus of her doctoral education was orthopedics. In addition, Julie has extensive specialized training in prenatal/postpartum rehabilitation as well as pelvic floor rehabilitation. She also has an interest in therapy programs geared toward return to swim and overhead throwing athletes (water polo, volleyball, tennis).
Julie lives in Carlsbad with her husband and their two children. She comes from a family of competitive swimmers and water polo players and can often be found treating athletes on the pool deck. Julie is an avid runner, practitioner of yoga and pilates which she integrates into her comprehensive patient treatment programs.
Madison Milici, PT, DPT, RYT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Madison grew up in Bloomington, Indiana where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Indiana University. Following college, Madison moved to San Diego to pursue her graduate degree at San Diego State University where she became a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Madi grew up performing gymnastics and cheerleading, which inspired her love for yoga. She became a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Six in 2018. Over the past few years Madi has enjoyed her experiences working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic and working for an in- home orthopedic company. Madi loves integrating yoga, movement, and function into her treatment plans. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys working with a wide range of patient populations.
Madi lives in Cardiff with her husband and mastiff, Dennis. She loves running, surfing, hiking, traveling, and hanging out at the beach.
Wendy Retzer, MPT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Wendy completed her undergraduate degree in Life Science and her Masters in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. In her career she has interacted with people across the life span from 0-105 years old. Her approach for each person is holistic, addressing their needs from the perspectives of the body, mind, and spirit. Her work has brought her into a variety of settings from in-home orthopedics, pediatrics, neuro-rehabilitation and skilled nursing.
Most recently Wendy has focused working with the active midlife/senior adult after an injury or surgery to improve their balance, mobility and strength. She also has a special interest in helping people from all ages regain their life back from chronic pain conditions, something she has experienced and recovered from personally in her life. She’s passionate about empowering people with the tools they need to take back their health so they can live a fun filled active life they deserve. Wendy is a master clinician in Total Motion Release, and has certifications in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and multiple other mind/body connection processes.
Wendy lives in Carlsbad with her husband and has two adult sons with a daughter-in-law who all live in the San Diego area. Wendy loves to travel, hike, stand-up paddle, water/snow ski, practice yoga, dance and go to music concerts with her family.
Krista Lum, PT, DPT, Cert. VRS
Licensed Physical Therapist
Krista was born and raised in Clovis, California where the intense summer heat compelled her to move farther south until she settled in the much more pleasant San Diego area. Krista completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology. Post-graduation, Krista attended San Diego State University where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Krista first developed a passion for physical therapy when working as a physical therapy aide in Santa Monica where she enjoyed helping patients return to their recreational activities. Over the last few years, Krista has enjoyed working in outpatient orthopedic clinics and using manual therapy to help patients move better. Her passion for manual therapy has led her to gain certifications in myofascial decompression, trigger point
release, and joint mobilizations. Krista is also passionate about fall prevention and is a certified vestibular rehabilitation specialist.
Krista lives in Linda Vista with her husband. In her free time, Krista enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying out new restaurants around San Diego.