Performance Focused Physical Therapy in the Ahwatukee Foothills.
Work with an expert. Fix your pain. Get back to the activities you love.
Doctor Ryan’s Specialties
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Ryan offers expert care across a wide range of specialties. With advanced training and years of experience, he is committed to helping individuals move better, feel stronger, and return to the activities they love. Explore some of his key areas of expertise below:
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Dr. Ryan is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, a distinction held only 6% of all physical therapists.
He is passionate about treating a wide range of orthopedic injuries. With years of hands-on experience, Dr. Ryan is dedicated to helping individuals recover from injury, restore movement, and return to the activities they love.
His approach blends manual therapy, functional exercise progressions, and patient education, specific to each person's goals and lifestyle. Whether you're rehabbing a recent injury, recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or looking for injury prevention, Dr. Ryan provides expert guidance every step of the way.
What are Orthopedic Injuries?
Orthopedic injuries involve damage to the musculoskeletal system—bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments—often caused by trauma, overuse, or degenerative conditions. Common examples include fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations, and tendon or ligament tears.
These injuries commonly affect the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
Here is a list of the most common orthopedic conditions treated in our clinic:
Upper Body
Rotator Cuff Tear
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Shoulder Dislocation or Instability
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Wrist Sprain or Fracture
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Spine
Cervical Strain or Herniated Disc
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Low Back Pain (Lumbar Strain or Disc Herniation)
Sciatica
Scoliosis or Postural Dysfunction
Stenosis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis
Lower Body
Hip Labral Tear or Bursitis
Knee Ligament Injuries (e.g., ACL, MCL)
Meniscus Tear
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellar Tendonitis
Ankle Sprain
Achilles Tendonitis or Tear
Plantar Fasciitis
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Dr. Ryan has a special interest for helping active adults and athletes. He understands how frustrating it can be to be sidelined by injury and being kept away from doing what you love. Ryan's own struggles with chronic knee injuries, sustained during his basketball playing days, inspired him to pursue a career dedicated to helping others overcome similar challenges. He understands the body's remarkable ability to heal naturally, and he's dedicated to helping you stay active, mobile, and performing at your best in your chosen sport or activity - without relying on injections, surgery, or medication.
Here is a list of the most common sports injuries that are treated at our clinic:
Upper Body
Rotator Cuff Injury – Common in throwing and overhead sports
Shoulder Dislocation – Often from contact or falls
AC Joint Sprain – Seen in football, hockey, or cycling falls
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – From repetitive arm motions
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) – Similar to tennis elbow but on the inside
Wrist Sprain – Often from falls on an outstretched hand
Finger Jam or Dislocation – Common in basketball and volleyball
Spine & Core
Low Back Strain – From overuse or poor lifting mechanics
Herniated Disc – From compression or twisting forces
Lower Body
Hamstring Strain – Frequent in sprinting and jumping sports
Quadriceps Strain – Common in kicking sports
Hip Flexor Strain – Seen in soccer, hockey, and track
Groin Pull – Common in lateral-movement sports
ACL Tear – High risk in soccer, basketball, and skiing
MCL Sprain – From impact to the outside of the knee
Meniscus Tear – Often from pivoting or twisting
Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) – From repetitive jumping
Ankle Sprain – The most common acute sports injury
Achilles Tendonitis or Rupture – Seen in running and jumping sports
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) – Common in runners
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Dr. Ryan understands the challenges and frustrations that come with recovering after surgery. With extensive experience and a strong background in post-operative rehabilitation, he is dedicated to helping patients regain strength, mobility, and confidence. Our personalized, one-on-one therapy approach guarantees a smooth and efficient post-op rehabilitation process, carefully managing stress on your healing tissues to ensure a safe and effective return to optimal function and strength.
Here is a list of the most common post-op conditions that are treated in our clinic:
Upper Body Surgeries
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Labral Repair (e.g., SLAP repair)
Total Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty)
Subacromial Decompression or Distal Clavicle Excision
Ulnar Nerve Transposition
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondyle) Release
Carpal Tunnel Release
Wrist or Hand Fracture Fixation
Spine Surgeries
Lumbar Laminectomy or Discectomy
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar or Cervical)
Lower Body Surgeries
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Knee Arthroscopy (e.g., meniscus repair or debridement)
ACL Reconstruction
PCL or MCL Reconstruction
Patellar Realignment or Tendon Repair
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
Hip Labral Repair
Ankle Ligament Reconstruction (e.g., Broström procedure)
Achilles Tendon Repair
Foot/Toe Surgeries (e.g., bunionectomy, plantar fascia release)
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Our Workers’ Compensation physical therapy program helps injured employees recover safely and return to work with confidence. We provide individualized, evidence-based treatment to reduce pain, restore strength and mobility, and improve function following work-related injuries or surgeries.
We collaborate closely with physicians, case managers, and employers to ensure clear communication, proper documentation, and compliance with Workers’ Compensation guidelines. Treatment focuses on functional, job-specific rehabilitation to support a safe and efficient return to work.
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Whether caused by aging, injury, neurological conditions, or surgery, balance and gait disorders can impact your independence, safety, and quality of life. Dr. Ryan is committed to helping you regain stability, coordination, and confidence with personalized treatment strategies rooted in evidence-based care.
See a list of common balance and gait disorders treated in our clinic below:
Vestibular dysfunction (including BPPV)
Dizziness and vertigo
Post-stroke gait impairments
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Peripheral neuropathy
Post-surgical deconditioning
Age-related balance decline
Foot drop
Post-concussion syndrome
Joint replacements (hip/knee)
Fall risk and unsteadiness
Muscle weakness or poor coordination
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Dr. Ryan is here to get rid of your dizziness! Many causes of dizziness, such as BPPV, can improve remarkably quickly—often within just a few sessions. Interestingly, BPPV is frequently linked to cervical spine issues. Treatment for dizziness takes a holistic approach, addressing not only balance and proprioception but also cervical range of motion, postural correction and other contributing factors to ensure comprehensive care and lasting relief.
See a list of common vertigo and dizziness conditions treated in our clinic below:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Vestibular Hypofunction
Post-Concussion Dizziness
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Dr. Ryan has helped many people overcome chronic headache issues, particularly those related to cervical spine dysfunction. Many people don’t realize that neck and upper back issues often play a significant role in triggering or intensifying headaches. Headaches can stem from muscle tension, joint stiffness, postural imbalances, or nerve irritation—especially in the upper cervical spine. These types of headaches often respond very well to physical therapy interventions that restore proper mobility, reduce muscle tightness, and retrain movement patterns.
See a list of common headache-related conditions treated in our clinic below:
Cervicogenic headache
Tension-type headache
Migraine with neck involvement
Post-concussion headache
TMJ-related headache
Forward head posture syndrome
Upper cervical joint dysfunction
Muscle tension from poor ergonomics or stress
Whiplash-associated headaches
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Dr. Ryan is there to provide empathetic support and guidance to individuals living with chronic pain. These conditions can be complex, frustrating, and often deeply impact daily function, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Chronic pain is often influenced by a combination of physical, neurological, and psychosocial factors. Effective treatment involves more than just managing symptoms—it requires a comprehensive strategy that includes graded exercise therapy, manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, and lifestyle modifications. The goal is to gradually improve function, reduce pain sensitivity, and empower patients to regain control of their movement and their lives.
See a list of common chronic pain conditions treated in our clinic below:
Chronic low back pain
Chronic neck pain
Fibromyalgia
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Post-surgical chronic pain
Chronic joint pain (hip, knee, shoulder)
Myofascial pain syndrome
Chronic tendon pain (tendinopathy)
Headaches and migraines
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hypermobility type)
Our Commitment to Our Patients
Get the care you deserve—personalized, transparent, and direct. Every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, featuring 60-minute evaluations and 40-minute follow-ups. You’ll have a customized plan, clear costs, and direct access to your provider from start to finish.
If pain or injury has been stopping you from feeling your best, we’re here to help. At Movewell Physical Therapy, you’ll receive individualized care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy—starting with a 60-minute evaluation and 40-minute follow-ups to keep you progressing. Together, we’ll help you overcome pain, restore movement, and get back to enjoying the activities that make life fun.