Valiant Physical Therapy

"I started working with Dr. Michael and Dr. Kyle about a month before running the Chicago Marathon. I had never been a runner and was training completely on my own...which unfortunately led to knee pain and poor form. I came to them desperate for help and unsure if I would make it to race day. In just six sessions, they completely transformed my running experience. My knee pain improved tremendously, and they taught me things I didn't even know existed- like cadence and proper running mechanics. It's true that no one ever really teaches you how to run, but they did! Their guidance gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence I needed not only to get through training, but to actually enjoy running. Thanks to their support, I crossed the marathon finish line proud, and in one piece! I can't recommend them enough. They are an incredible team who truly care about their patients and go above and beyond to help you reach your goals."

"I fractured the fifth metatarsal in my left foot early in the summer of 2025 and had to have surgery. The surgery went fine but after I got out of my cast it was clear I was going to need to rehab my foot due to pain and mobility issues. I happened to move into a house not far from Valiant Physical Therapy and noticed they had a sign in front that said they took insurance and worked with runners. I am not a hardcore runner, but it was one of the activities I knew I'd like to get back to after healing. I walked in to see who I could talk to and Dr. Michael addressed me right away saying it would be a great fit for what I was interested in. I got connected to the schedule and began a weekly visit that lasted about 4 months. Each weekly session was one hour and we worked very slowly, progressing with exercises to strengthen my foot, ankle, and overall balance. I got a rotating list of exercises to continue on my own and made sure to do them, so I'd be able to update Dr. Michael each week. I also worked extensively with Dr. Kyle and had a great rapport with him as well. They treated me with respect, and most importantly didn't try to push me too hard. I definitely felt like they were coaching me, giving me the knowledge to judge my own limits. I'm now able to run and jump again. I'm running at a pace I'm comfortable with and am able to exercise for a good 30 minutes on the treadmill. I feel grateful for both doctors and feel like it has been a success. Highly recommended."

"Dr. Michael has worked with 2 of our high-school aged daughters on multiple occassions. Each time he has littlerally saved their sports or dance seasons. He is able to quickly identify the issue, what needs to be done to address it and is able to, remarkably and accurately, predict the time that will be needed to fix the problem. And on top of that, he's great to work with and obviously and genuinely cares about his clients getting healthy and getting back to their activity as quickly as possible. Could not recommend more!"

"Big THANK YOU to Dr. Michael! I went to see Dr. Michael during marathon training after experiencing significant knee pain during a long run. I did an initial evaluation with Michael and he quickly diagnosed an issue with my running form and weakness in one of my major running muscles. Michael gave me guidance on how to change my running form and gave me daily strength exercises to do at home. In addition, he helped me develop a return to running plan to get back on my marathon training schedule over time without risking further injury. After the initial pain, I started to significantly doubt myself and ability to get to the start line, but Michael quickly reassured me that he felt like it was an injury that I could overcome and gave me a real path how to do it. Anyone that has experienced a physical set back during training can probably sympathize with the anxiety it creates around your ability to get back on track and complete the event. Given that Michael is an endurance athlete himself, he gave practical advice as an athlete vs. a doctor that doesn't have expertise in running that may have just said to rest without giving me a diagnosis or strategy to improve. After a few months of strengthening exercises and a major change in running form, I made it to the start line of the Chicago Marathon with legs stronger than where I started training and ultimately hit a PR 8 minutes faster than last year. Michael communicates well and checked in with me multiple times even after our last PT session to make sure everything was going well before the race. I should also mention that he also offered some extra bonus advice around fueling strategy that I found very helpful compared to what I previously did. If you are a runner and/or have aspirations for distance running and experience issues along the way during training, please don't QUIT or give up on your goals. Go and see Dr. Michael."

"Dr. Michael is the man. I came to him through recommendations from other runners and I'm glad that I did. Initially I was dealing with back pain and Dr Michael put together a return to run program for me. He was very thorough and asked a lot of questions to get a full understanding of my issues as well as my running goals. Unfortunately a few weeks in I found out I actually had a stress fracture. Dr Michael was great adjusting the plan and now I'm pain free and feel stronger than ever. He listened to me throughout the process and adjusted accordingly when necessary. I highly recommend Dr. Michael for runners of all levels - from casual to competitive."

"I began working with Dr. Michael in February after being diagnosed with tendinitis in my ankle while training for my first Ironman 70.3. He helped me go from not running at all in January to being back on my feet by April, and then guided me through a smart, steady ramp-up all the way to race day. Thanks to his expertise and personalized approach, I not only completed my Ironman 70.3 comfortably, but finished with a new PR on my run. His knowledge, encouragement, and genuine care turned a stressful setback into an incredibly positive experience. If you're a runner looking to overcome an injury or just to improve your running form and performance, I highly recommend Dr. Michael."

"Had a very positive experience with Dr. Michael. In one session, he gave me one simple exercise that helped me alleviate glute pain and helped me understand why it was happening. I ran The Chicago Marathon 3 months later. It's now 18 months after that visit, and I'm still practicing the exercise as part of my regular routine because it's that effective, and I know my body needs it!"

"I came to Dr. Michael during peak marathon training with an undiagnosed hip flexor injury, stressed and unsure if my Chicago Marathon goal was possible. Dr. Michael took the time to really listen and ask detailed questions about my recent running history, nutrition, and other life factors that could be impacting my injury. What impressed me most was his focus on my long-term health rather than just getting me to race day at any cost. The running gait evaluation was incredibly valuable - it allowed us to customize strength and stretching strategies specifically for my needs and running form. His recommendations were thoughtful, evidence-based, and tailored to me as an individual. Thanks to Dr. Michael's expertise and support, I not only made it to Chicago, but I finished strong with zero hip flexor pain during the race! I can't recommend him highly enough for runners dealing with injuries or anyone looking to improve their performance while staying healthy for the long haul."