Matteo Vertucci's path to becoming a physical therapist is deeply rooted in his personal experiences as an athlete and his journey through injury and recovery. His passion for physical therapy ignited at the age of thirteen, following a major Core Muscle Injury (CMI) that sidelined him for over eight months. This injury, occurring during a pivotal time in his soccer career with the Youth Academy of AS Roma, had a profound impact on his life and career aspirations.
Matteo's upbringing in Rome, Italy, and his subsequent recruitment to play for IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida, highlight his early dedication to soccer. After playing at IMG for 1.5 years and graduating from high school, he continued his soccer journey on a full scholarship at Towson University, where he played Division I Soccer. His experiences overcoming personal injuries have been instrumental in shaping his approach to physical therapy, particularly in understanding the biological and psychological aspects of recovery.
Matteo's academic background includes an Undergraduate Degree in Exercise Science from Towson University, which he completed between 2009 and 2013. He then pursued a Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from 2017 to 2020. This educational journey provided him with a solid foundation in physical therapy principles and practices.
His professional experience in physical therapy began in 2020 at CAO Mid-Atlantic Sports Therapy and Rehab, a general outpatient orthopedic clinic. Since 2021, he has been working at True Sports Physical Therapy in the Timonium-Lutherville location, specializing in sports physical therapy. Matteo's coaching experience also includes stints as a head soccer coach at various schools and clubs, including Saint Paul's, Friends School of Baltimore, and Pipeline Soccer Club, where he currently serves as the 2013 Black Head Coach.
Matteo specializes in lower extremity injuries, particularly focusing on hip, knee, and ankle injuries, as well as CMI (Core Muscle Injuries) and low back pain. He has a special interest in treating athletes in soccer and lacrosse. His expertise is further enhanced by his certifications as a Dry Needling Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He has also collaborated with Sweat Performance Soccer Strength Coach Specialist Danny Sheargold to introduce a Strength and Conditioning Program and Injury Prevention for elementary, middle, and high school athletes.
Matteo Vertucci's journey from a talented young soccer player to a skilled physical therapist is marked by his passion for sports rehabilitation and his dedication to helping athletes overcome injuries and improve performance. His unique blend of personal athletic experience and professional expertise positions him as a compassionate and knowledgeable practitioner in the field of sports physical therapy.
