Get Smart, Get Strong
Get Your Life Back
Tired of back pain that keeps coming back and short-term ineffective treatments? We help our clients identify triggers to better understand their unique problem, and build the fitness and lifestyle habits needed to finally break the pain cycle.
What is Low Back Habit?
It’s the best of healthcare and fitness coaching designed specifically around the problem of chronic low back pain. Our clients come to us looking for a different approach to physical therapy. They’ve been burned by the existing healthcare model, 15-minute appointments, and a lack of results. They’re ready to gain deeper insights into their problem, and invest in a long-term solution.
Face-to-Face or Digital
Get a plan that works around your life. Matt works with clients in-person in his home gym in Tacoma, WA, or virtually via video call. If a mix of the two sounds best, that can be arranged. Typical plans of care last 12 weeks.
The Evaluation
A 90-minute evaluation that includes a comprehensive history, and movement exam. We'll strategize ways to reduce pain immediately, and talk about the long term approach of building tissue tolerance.
Weekly Programming
"Programming" refers to the specific habits, modifications or exercises you'll do to break the pain cycle. We'll keep track of this on a shared document, and much of the magic of rehab occurs through the act of writing things down and noticing patterns.
Feedback & Check-Ins
We'll meet regularly (F2F or digital) to assess progress and tackle challenges as they arise. You'll also have the option to submit exercise videos between sessions for extra guidance.
Rehabilitation
My mission is to provide a higher level of care for those with chronic or recurrent low back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Common Diagnoses
● Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis
● Herniated Discs
● Spinal Stenosis
● Sciatica and Radicular Pain
● Sacroiliac Joint Pain
● Spondylolisthesis
● Muscle Imbalance and Strain
● Post-surgical: Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion
Rehabilitation
Yes, I'm extra passionate about helping those with low back pain, but I am trained to assess and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including
Low Back Pain
● Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis
● Herniated Discs
● Spinal Stenosis
● Sciatica and Radicular Pain
● Sacroiliac Joint Pain
● Spondylolisthesis
● Muscle Imbalance and Strain
Knee & Hip Pain
● Hip osteoarthritis
● Femoroacetabular Impingement
● Knee Osteoarthritis
● Meniscus Tears
● Labral Tears
● Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Neck Pain
● Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis
● Herniated Discs
● Spinal Stenosis
● Cervical Radiculopathy
Ankle Pain
● Plantar Fasciitis
● Achilles tendinopathy
● Ankle Sprains
● Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Pain
● Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
● Rotator Cuff Injuries
● Labral Tears
● Shoulder Instability
● Tennis Elbow
● Golfer’s Elbow
● Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Post-surgical Rehabilitation
● ACL reconstruction
● Total Joint Replacement (Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Ankle)
● Fracture with open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF)
● Lumbar discectomy, laminectomy, fusion
How It Works
Typical 12-week Plan of Care
Phase 1: Getting Started
- Submit a message using the contact form on this site.
- Matt will contact you to set up a 15-minute introductory call to answer any questions you may have.
Phase 2: Pain Control
- After the evaluation, the initial focus for most people is reducing pain and getting back to daily life activities.
- After the evaluation, it’s all about learning about back pain *Get Smart!* You’ll learn about triggers, pain science, tactics and strategy to get control of your pain and back to daily activities again.
Phase 3: Build Strength
- Once pain is under control, it’s time to *Get Strong* and resilient. This is where targeted exercise can help you avoid flare-ups and build confidence.
Phase 4: Build Resilience
- You’ve got some momentum now! It’s time to condition your back for whatever life throws at it. *Get Your Life Back* This is about an anti-fragile mindset, but you have to earn it.
Rehabilitation
Yes, I'm extra passionate about helping those with low back pain, but I am trained to assess and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including
- Low Back Pain
- Knee & Hip Pain
- Neck Pain
- Ankle Pain
- Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Pain
- Post-surgical Rehabilitation
Benefits
Get Smart, Get Strong, Get Your Life Back
Work with a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Matt is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist who has undergone additional fellowship training in his field. Treatment and advice is based on the latest evidence. Most importantly, he's suffered with chronic low back pain himself and understands how impactful this problem can be on your life.
Remove the Triggers, Get Fit, and Develop Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Low Back Pain is complicated. We first help you identify the triggers in your life that are causing pain and eliminate them.
Chronic pain often revolves around unhelpful habits, thoughts and fears. We will explore and challenge those habits, and hold you accountable for the change.
It’s Convenient
We can connect face-to-face or virtually. Keeping track of exercise is a breeze with shared documents, and you'll even have the option of receiving video feedback on exercise or ergonomic setups. Best of all, you can ask questions anytime via txt msg or phone.
Quality & Access
Matt only works with a small handful of clients at a time. You’ll receive unmatched quality of care, communication, and a tangible path forward.
Why Choose Me
- It helps to have a guide that’s been there before
- I will challenge you and hold you accountable
- I will equip you with tools to self-manage your condition
- You will grow and experience a higher level of care
Why Choose Me
- It helps to have a guide that’s been there before
- I will challenge you and hold you accountable
- I will equip you with tools to self-manage your condition
- You're tired of boring rehab exercise, or pain that keeps coming back
- You will grow and experience a higher level of care
What Customers Say
We help you develop a plan, stay accountable, and measure progress along the way. Communication is everything.
Ready to take the next step?
Take the first step—contact us now and reclaim your freedom of movement.
Feel great and perform your best.
This is not your ordinary physical therapy visit… working with me is like having a personal health coach at your side who gets to know you and supports you along the journey. I tailor my treatment approach to your personal goals and experiences. But my philosophy will always remain the same: to create a positive movement experience for the body and mind, build confidence and strength with consistent exercise programming, and to give my clients power over their musculoskeletal health.
Resources
What Good Cash-Pay Physical Therapy Looks Like: A Guide to Quality Care
In recent years, cash-pay physical therapy has become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking high-quality, personalized care. Unlike traditional insurance-based practices, cash-pay
FACTS ABOUT LOW BACK PAIN Your physical therapist wants you to know
Low Back Pain is Extremely Common 80% of adults will experience low back pain in their lifetime, and 30% of adults have back
Taking Control of Your Chronic Back Pain: The Life-Changing Benefits
Chronic back pain can feel like a constant, unwelcome companion—affecting everything from how you work to how you sleep and even how you
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: Regaining Strength and Mobility After Major Surgeries
Overview: Undergoing surgery, whether it’s for a knee replacement, spinal fusion, or shoulder repair, is just the first step on the road to
The Connection Between Knee, Hip, and Back Pain: What Your Body is Telling You
Overview: Did you know that your knee pain might be related to your lower back discomfort? Or that a hip issue could cause