Founder of Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation (DSR) Method™ 
Dr. Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD
Owner, Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation, PLLC
Doctor of Transformational Learning and Change
Physical Therapist
Senior Yoga Therapist
President, Intl. Assoc. of Yoga Therapists
Biographical Statement
Vitae
Publications
Current Projects
Biographical Statement
Dr. Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD is a leader in advancing rehabilitation toward a gentle, integral (whole person) approach. He specializes in helping people with complex, chronic medical challenges. The unique combination of his expertise in movement science and exercise in physical therapy, combined with his ability to address all aspects of the human experience beyond just the physical with his yoga therapy skills brings even the most conservative client comfort. As a doctor of transformational learning and change, he assists people in negotiating and optimizing the changes needed in their lives brought on by health challenges. While certainly not curing everyone, most client´s find healing, peace of mind and improved quality of living as they discover how to transform their life while experiencing less pain and greater ease of movement.
Matt has 27 years of clinical experience in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. He received his Masters of Physical Therapy degree from
In 1988 he left the military and opened his private practice, Taylor Physical Therapy, in
Despite the material success of the practice, he was still not satisfied with the portion of his patient population he couldn't fully support. His entire clinical approach changed after a personal healing experience of his debilitating chronic back pain involving yoga therapeutics. Initially just a shrewd business move to offer yoga in the mid-90's, it would define the rest of his career by his discovering the power and gentleness of an aware, new relationship with his physical body and the imbalances of his emotional, mental and spiritual life.
Matt became a certified, advanced-level yoga therapist in 1998 and had to form his own seminar business to share the remarkable discoveries he'd made and that had never seen presented in traditional rehabilitation continuing education. Since 1998 as a national seminar presenter, Matt has taught hundreds of licensed rehabilitation professionals how to integrate mind-body science into traditional rehabilitation www.yogatherapy.com . He has authored numerous articles on yoga therapy in journals, text books and APTA publications. He has published two books, one of which is "Balance: Constructing a Firm Foundation" , an integral, cash-based program for fall prevention. Among the programs he has developed are The Titanium Club TM , a program of yoga and somatic-type movement for individuals with lower extremity joint replacements, and Spinal Rhythms TM for patients with chronic spine pain.
While working on his doctorate, in the summer of 2003 Matt sold his physical therapy practice and health club in order to pursue his vision of how rehabilitation can become more compassionate and comprehensive. Now residing in
In January 2006 he finished his PhD doctorate with an emphasis on adult education in Transformational Learning & Change thorough the California Institute of Integral Studies. The degree is a transdisciplinary study with special focus on identifying dynamic systems influences and context in educational settings. His dissertation was a case study of a prototype back school model for chronic back pain based on the action research method of collaborative inquiry to include mindfulness and yoga therapy principles.
In addition to working with clients, Matt continues to teach nationally and publish to support the advancement of rehabilitation that is both more compassionate and comprehensive.
In the Fall of 2006 at the AZ APTA Fall Conference he was the moderator and presenter for the two-day continuing education track titled Future Trends in PT. Click here for the curriculum.
In January 2007 as a medical advisor to the International Association of Yoga Therapists, he led the preconference workshop on Research Issues for the first ever Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research www.sytar.org. He also moderated the session on Yoga and Low Back Pain study, and then later presented a plenary session on Ahimsa and Risk Management principles for yoga therapists.
Matt then joined the board of directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapists www.iayt.org in Feb 2007, bringing to the board his many years of service to the organization, his business acumen, his clinical skill, scholarship, and most importantly, his vision for Yoga Therapy as the first "new" health profession of the 21st century. In february 2008 he became president of the board of directors. He is honored to assume these new responsibilities and is dedicated to preserving the heart and diversity of yoga. His roles on the board include that of president, chair of the business development services and strategic planning. In December 2007 he wrote the article summarizing the historic announcement of the Board's definition of Yoga Therapy...an important first step toward full professional recognition. In January 2008 he became the IAYT representative on the board of the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care.
During the winter of 2008 he collaborated with Matthew Sanford and The Courage Center of Minneapolis in ground breaking research to create the first mind~body rehabilitation center in the country. The fully funded 10 week research project was successfully completed and now awaits funding for Phase II in the Fall of 2008.
In May of 2008 Matt was invited to be a professional advisor to the Wellness Community of AZ bringing his expertise in PT, wellness and yoga therapeutics. He was part of a symposium of a 10 person panel of professionals designing plans to establish exercise protocols for people in cancer treatment. The panel included Chris Carmicheal (Lance Armstrong's trainer), Mitch Golant, Phd, VP of Research of Wellness Community National, and Mayo researchers.
For a more indepth understanding of how Matt understands his relationship with patients and how the healthcare system needs to change, you are invited to read through this extended interview with this physical therapist/yoga therapist/ Doctor of Change at www.dynamicsystemsrehab.com/fork.htm .
Contact Info for Dr. Taylor :
Phone: 480-699-4867 Email: matt@myrehab.com
Vitae
Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, RYT
| Objective | Introduce patients and healthcare professionals to the benefits and applications of Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation Method™ in an integrated healthcare model for the 21st century. |
| Experience | Present Owner of Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation Clinic - Scottsdale, AZ Developing the Matthew J. Taylor Institute . Consults with various rehab clinics on complex patients. 1999- present Owner of Dynamic Systems Seminars Lectures extensively across the country in numerous venues/conferences. 1989-June 2003 Taylor Physical Therapy & Fitness Galena, IL - Grew from single PT and part-time aide to staff of 16 in a town of 3500 with the only stoplight in the county. - Pursued holistic health interests beyond our traditional healthclub environment to include various complementary and movement therapy training. Specialized in wellness programming for individuals with chronic pain and disability. 1981-1988 US Army Physical Therapist Multiple Sites |
| Education | 2006 Doctorate, PhD. California Institute of Integral Studies in Transformational Learning & Change; Dissertation topic: Development of a participatory back school model. 1998 Integrative Yoga Therapy San Mateo, CA - Certified Advanced Yoga Therapist. 1981 Baylor University San Antonio, TX - Masters of Physical Therapy 1980 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL - Bachelors of Science, Psychology |
Publications
Please contact us about obtaining reprints or purchasing copies of the following publications by Matt.
* - denotes books available for sale in the resource area.
** - denotes reprints available for sale in the resource area.
Taylor, MJ "Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation: Prototype Yoga-based Physical Rehabilitation Clinics" Somatics, Vol 15:3; 22-27.
Taylor, MJ “Addressing Systems at Every Level” IMPACT, APTA Private Practice, April 2007: 12-15.
Taylor, MJ “Research and the Feldenkrais Method: Sharing a Different Vision with the World”
"Conversations in Complementary and Alternative Medicine."
Taylor, MJ "Yoga Therapeutics: An ancient practice in a 21st century setting." In C. Davis, Complementary Therapies in Rehabilitation: Evidence for Efficacy in Therapy, Prevention, and Wellness, 2d ed.
Taylor, MJ "Yoga For the Elderly: Geriatric Yoga Therapeutics" GeriNotes, APTA Geriatric Section, Jan 2001. 
Taylor, MJ "Yoga Therapeutics in Neurologic Physical Therapy: An Ancient Practice in a 21st Century Setting" Neurology Report, APTA Neurology Section, Jun 2001.
Taylor, MJ "Putting the Movement System Back in the Patient: An Example of Wholistic Physical Therapy" Orthopedic Physical Therapy Practice, Vol. 12, #2, 2000; pp 15-20.
Taylor, MJ "Yoga Therapeutics: An Ancient Dynamic Systems Theory" Techniques in Orthopedics, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; Volume 18(1): 2003; 115-125.
Taylor, MJ "Risk Management: Conscious Ahimsa” Intl J of Yoga Therapy, 2004.
Taylor, MJ "Addressing Systems at Every Level of Rehabilitation" IMPACT, Private Practice section of the APTA, May 2007, 12-14.
Taylor, MJ (2005) "Osteoporosis: An
Taylor, MJ (2006) "Harvesting the full potential of group yoga therapy classes" Intl J of Yoga Therapy, 16: 33-37.
Kepner, J.,
Taylor, MJ "Thy Kingdom Come: A Youth's Wholistic Path to Christ" Embug Publishing, Galena, IL; 2001. *
Quoted in Articles
Lisette Hilton did a wonderful article for TodayinPT in November 2008. You can access the article at this link. Thank you Lisette!
Matt is featured in the APTA's "PT Magazine" April 2008 edition in an article on incorporating yoga and physical therapy. His > 10 yr history teaching yoga to rehab professionals and international leadership as president of the Intl Assoc of Yoga Therapists demonstrated the unique overlaps between the professions. You can read the article here.
A short article in LA Yoga Magazine Sept 2007 Teachers Addition titled "Therapeutic Teaching" by John Kepner, Exec Dir of IAYT makes mention of the safety issues I have championed as both an advisor and board member. Click here to view the article.
An important article by a colleague of mine, Dr. Kelly McGonigal, PhD of Stanford. Kelly is also the editor of the Intl Association of Yoga Therapy Journal, so we've worked together for years. In a conversation last winter we were discussing how modern life continues to strain the fabric of personal human interaction and social bonding. Out of that conversation she wrote this to include some of my experience with the topic as it relates to our health. Be sure to pass it on to others as she has given me full copyright permission to share.
In March 2007 LA Yoga magazine Felicia Tomasko wrote about the increase in yoga injuries. You can read the article at www.myrehab.com/yogainjuries.pdf
Sept/Oct 2006 Issue of Arthritis Today magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation
/atoday.pdfA feature article that ran on my practice in a local magazine, Desert Paradise 2004. The author is a wonderful lady full of life and excited about the DSR concept: Myra Richman of www.myragards.com To read the article click /desparadise2005.pdf
Current projects
Current projects/affiliations
Past Community Positions
Awards
Current projects/affiliations
President, Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation Clinical Services - Scottsdale, Arizona
Moderator of www.dynamicsystemsrehab.com , an online learning community under construction for professionals.
President, Dynamic Systems Seminars, an international continuing professional education provider.
Member, APTA, Orthopedic and Private Practice sections.
President and Board Member, International Association of Yoga Therapists www.iayt.org .
Board member, Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care
Member, The International Pelvic Pain Society http://www.pelvicpain.org/
Registered Yoga Teacher, +500-hr, Yoga Alliance Registry.
Professional Advisor to the Arizona Wellness Community http://www.twccaz.org
Expert witness in the field of health club/yoga safety and risk management.
Past Community Positions
Adjunct Faculty Clarke College Physical Therapy Program 1997-2003.
Past President, 2002-2003 Galena Rotary Club; 90-member club; club received the Governor's Citation.
Past Chairman, Board of Directors, Jo Daviess County Workshop Inc. for Individuals with Disabilities, Six years service 1995-2001.
Charter member, JDWI Foundation, Galena, IL 2002-2003.
Founder, Tri-state Area Yoga Teachers association, July 2001 - May 2003.
Member, Jo Daviess County Senior Task Force, 2001-2003.
Jo Daviess County Relay for Life, Gold level sponsor and team, 1998-2003.
Member, Galena Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, mid-90's.
President, St. John's Parish Council, Hanover, IL 2001.
Awards
"Best of the Best" in new programming from Illinois Association of Rehab Facilities: Wellness for Individuals with Disability 2000.
"Significant Contributor" award from the Jo Daviess Workshop Inc. for wellness programming 2003.