Greiner Physical Therapy

Dr. Matt Messner

PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

I grew up in a small town in Bergen County, New Jersey, where I played baseball, wrestling, and football. After graduating high school, I pursued my B.S. in Biology at Salve Regina University while simultaneously playing football, being named team captain my senior year. Upon graduation from Salve, I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware. I then moved out to Long Island in early 2024 to live with my fiancé and begin my career as a physical therapist!

Starting in early 2024, I have been working full time as a sports and orthopedics physical therapist, working with all sorts of athletes from the weekend warrior to professionals! I also served as a group fitness instructor as well as a personal trainer. My dual certification as a Doctor of Physical Therapy as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) allows me to understand the entire spectrum of returning to sport from an injury, from corrective exercises to programming high-performance programs!

Core Values:

The core values that drive me in life are: family, integrity, hard work, and devotion to others.

Here at Greiner Physical Therapy, I specialize in athletic populations and return-to-sport exercise progressions to ensure the athlete is confident in their ability when returning to their sport.

Patients must be open and honest in their communication about how their treatment sessions are going, including performance of home exercise programs, in order to ensure the plan of care can properly be progressed or modified as needed. They must also ensure they perform their home programs for optimal outcomes.

I enjoy treating postoperative conditions such as ACL reconstructions, hip and shoulder labral repairs, as well as rotator cuff repairs. Other conditions I enjoy treating are low back pain, ankle sprains, and Achilles tendinitis.

I like working here because I thoroughly enjoy the 1:1 treatment model of Greiner Physical Therapy. I believe that the 1:1 model allows for better care, as both the patient and provider are able to get to know one another on a deeper level, which improves communication, adherence to home programs, and better results overall.

What is Dr. Matt Reading/Watching/Listening To?

  • Percy Jackson (Book)
  • Kingsman: The Secret Service (Movie)
  • Giants Nation Show (Podcast)

When not working, I enjoy spending time with family, golfing, lifting weights, and going to the beach.

Patient Testimonials

I cannot say enough great things about my experience at Evolution Fitness – Physical Therapy. I worked with Matt Messner over the course of a few months to rehab from a running injury that left me feeling like I would never be able to go back to the sport in the same way again. Every time I walked in the doors Matt had a newly tailored routine for me and I left feeling so strong every time. He had exercises prepared that would not only strength the area that I had injured, but prepare me to go back to the sport even stronger. Matt created a back to running program for me to implement on the days that I wasn’t in PT and we checked in weekly to progress further. After the 4 months that I spent with Matt in Physical Therapy, I left feeling stronger than I ever have. The 1 on 1 sessions really give you the personalization & attention that I was missing in my previous physical therapy clinic. I hope to not get injured again, but know if it does happen, I wouldn’t go anywhere else but here! Thank you Matt!!

Patient Testimonials

I’ve been to several physical therapy facilities for my ACL surgery rehab, but none compared to the care I received from Matt Messner. After three ACL surgeries, I didn’t think a return to sport was possible, but Matt helped me rebuild both my strength and confidence. He’s thorough, knowledgeable, and provided me with exercises that truly made a difference. I highly recommend Matt to anyone looking to get back to their best self.

Patient Testimonials

I recently completed my physical therapy sessions with Matt and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Matt took the time to thoroughly assess my condition and tailor a treatment plan specifically for me. He always explained each exercise and its purpose, which helped me understand my recovery process better. I noticed a significant improvement in my mobility and pain levels. Matt also provided valuable advice on maintaining my progress at home, which I found very helpful. Overall, I would highly recommend!