Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy in Portland: Get Back on Your A-Game

Recover faster, move better, and feel stronger with personalized physical therapy.

Personalized Physical Therapy in Portland

At SportsLab PDX, we bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and movement excellence. Our expert team provides one-on-one, evidence-based care designed to help you recover faster and stay active for the long term.

Conditions We Treat at Our Portland PT Clinic

We identify the root cause of your pain and build a custom roadmap back to the activities you love—whether you’re dealing with an acute injury or persistent limitations.

Sports Injuries and Athletic Recovery

We treat muscle strains, ligament tears, and overuse injuries for climbers, runners, soccer players, and other professional and non-professional athletes.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Navigate your recovery with confidence through our structured post-op protocols for ACL repairs, joint replacements, and shoulder surgeries.

Joint Pain (Knee, Hip, and Shoulder)

Our therapists address joint dysfunction by focusing on strengthening the surrounding muscles to relieve pressure and restore movement.

Chronic Pain and Mobility Issues

With a program that addresses both the physical and neurological aspects of movement, we help restore range of motion and rebuild your confidence in everyday activities.

Our Physical Therapy Approach

We believe that rehabilitation should be collaborative, transparent, and driven by results. By combining high-touch manual care with high-tech sports science, we eliminate the guesswork from your recovery.

Manual Therapy

Our hands-on approach involves skilled techniques like joint mobilization, soft tissue release, and myofascial work to reduce pain and improve circulation.

Therapeutic Exercises

We prescribe specific movements designed to load your tissues safely and build resilience. Each exercise is tailored to you and the specific demands of your activity or lifestyle.

Collaborative Team-Based Care

Our physical therapists work alongside chiropractors, massage therapists, and strength coaches, all under one roof, ensuring your care plan is seamless and every specialist is up-to-speed on your goals.

Objective Progress Tracking

We use force plate analysis, video movement assessment, and performance testing tools to measure your strength, power, and movement patterns in real time. This data-driven approach lets us adjust your program with precision—so you know exactly where you are and where you’re headed.

Patient Education

We empower you with a deep understanding of the “why” behind your treatment plan. We’ll equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to manage your health independently and avoid re-injury. 

Meet Our Physical Therapists

Our experts in training and rehabilitation blend compassionate care with objective data to help you recover, train, and perform with purpose.

Matt Walsh

Physical Therapist

Jake Stout

Physical Therapist

Taylor Eckel

Physical Therapist

Evan Price

Physical Therapist

Zach Shaver

Physical Therapist

Return to Play and Peak Performance

Bridging the Gap to Competition

Recovery doesn’t end when the pain stops; it ends when you’re back on the field, court, or trail. Our Return to Play training programs ensure you have the power, agility, and confidence to perform at 100%.

Sports-Specific Testing

Using our performance testing tools, we put you through the specific rigors of your sport to make sure your body is truly ready for the demands of competition.

Injury Prevention for the Long Game

We equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to manage your health independently and avoid re-injury.

Why Choose SportsLab for Physical Therapy in Portland

Deep clinical expertise. Our therapists are highly trained and experienced in the science of physical rehabilitation.

Compassionate, client-centered approach. You have our full attention and care—every treatment plan is tailored to your goals, needs, and feedback.

A full support system. We work together as an integrated team to ensure you get the best possible care at every step.

Insurance and Payment Options

Nearly all of our therapists are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and First Choice. Learn more about our in-and-out-of network options.

What To Expect At Your First PT Visit

Complete Intake Forms

Please complete your forms 48 hours before your visit so we can be prepared to take care of you as best possible.

Receive an Initial Evaluation

Your therapist will listen to your story, assess your movement, and identify the root cause of your symptoms (not just where it hurts).

Measurements What Matters

We use objective data to establish your baseline, giving both you and your therapist a clear starting point for your progress.

Get Your First Hands-On Treatment

We want you feeling better immediately, so whether it’s manual therapy or rehab exercises, we’ll get real work done on day one. 

Go Over the Plan of Action

We’ll map out your road to recovery together so you know exactly what to expect in the weeks ahead. We might see you 2x/week or follow up in 6 weeks – whatever your care needs. 

Cover Home Based Exercises and Movements

You’ll leave with a clear set of exercises to practice at home to keep your momentum going between visits. This is where real change occurs!

Ready To Start Your Physical Therapy?

Your recovery starts now. Let’s get you moving and performing your best with evidence-based, high-level clinical care.

FAQs About Physical Therapy

Do I need a referral to start physical therapy?

In Oregon, you have “Direct Access” to physical therapy, meaning you can typically be evaluated and treated without a doctor’s referral. However, some specific insurance plans may still require a referral for reimbursement, so it is always a good idea to check with your provider or our front desk.

The goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain, not increase it. While some manual techniques or new exercises may cause temporary soreness (similar to what you might feel after a workout), our therapists communicate with you constantly to stay within your comfort zone and ensure the treatment is effective.

Your initial evaluation typically lasts about 60 minutes (90 minutes for Matt) to allow for a comprehensive assessment and the creation of your treatment plan. Follow-up appointments are also 60 minutes, always 1:1 with your therapist. 

We recommend wearing comfortable, athletic clothing that allows you to move freely. If we are treating a specific area like a knee or shoulder, please wear clothes that allow easy access to that joint, such as shorts or a tank top, along with supportive athletic shoes.

The frequency and duration of your care depend entirely on your specific injury, your baseline fitness level, and your personal goals. After your initial evaluation, your therapist will provide a customized roadmap, though most patients see significant improvement within 6 to 12 visits.

Yes, most major insurance plans cover physical therapy, though coverage levels and co-pays vary by provider. We are happy to help you verify your benefits before your first appointment so you have a clear understanding of your expected costs.

Many patients experience some level of relief from their symptoms after their first session, due to manual therapy techniques. However, lasting physiological changes—like building strength and improving mobility—typically take 4 to 6 weeks of consistent treatment and home exercise.

Physical therapy is effective for a wide range of issues, including sports injuries, chronic back and neck pain, post-surgical recovery, joint arthritis, and balance disorders. Essentially, if a condition affects your ability to move or perform daily tasks, physical therapy can likely help.

Absolutely! We want you to feel comfortable and confident in your care. If you have worked with one of our therapists before or if you’ve had a specific team member recommended to you, please let us know when you schedule your appointment, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

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Matt Walsh

Physical Therapist

Matt is in network with select plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Moda, and First Choice. January 1st, 2027, Matt will be completely out of network with insurance, only available for self-pay physical therapy.

Matt Walsh is an Australian-trained physiotherapist with 37 years of clinical experience in sports and orthopedic PT.

Jake Stout

Physical Therapist

Jake is In Network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans,  Moda, Aetna, Cigna, First Choice, and Medicare.

Taylor Eckel

Physical Therapist

Taylor is in network with most of the following plans: 

Aetna
Regence/BCBS
First Choice
MODA (Connexus, Synergy and Affinity groups)
Medicare

Evan Price

Physical Therapy

Evan is in network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield, Moda, Aetna, Cigna, and Medicare.

Evan’s home is Vancouver WA, having moved here from southern Ohio in 2017. After attending Ohio Northern University to receive his Bachelors in Exercise Physiology he continued his DPT education at the University of Dayton.

Zach Shaver

Physical Therapist

Zach is In Network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Moda, Aetna, Cigna and Medicare.

Zach is passionate about helping active individuals—from weekend warriors to professional athletes—get back to doing what they love, stronger and more resilient than before.
His approach goes beyond treating pain. Zach takes time to understand each person’s goals, story, and performance demands, then builds a plan grounded in evidence-based practice and real-world application. Whether it’s returning to competition after injury, rebuilding strength after surgery, or unlocking new levels of performance, he helps people bridge the gap between rehab and full return to sport.
Zach completed his Sports Physical Therapy Residency with Providence, where he worked closely with collegiate and professional athletes—including members of the Portland Thorns—and served as a teaching assistant in Pacific University’s orthopedic lab. He has presented at conferences on topics such as hip rehabilitation and athlete return-to-play strategies and has a special interest in post-operative rehabilitation, particularly ACL recovery, as well as working with rock climbers.
At his core, Zach is driven by curiosity and collaboration—combining science, technology, and individualized care to help people move better, perform better, and feel their best.