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:

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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)

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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)

Contact Us

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.

Does this sound like you?


Contact us
A panoramic view from a mountain overlook showing a desert landscape with rocky terrain, cacti, rolling hills, and distant city or residential areas under a cloudy sky with sunlight breaking through.