Rate My Professor Matthew Dick

Matthew Dick serves as Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Director of the School of Physiotherapy Clinics at the University of Otago. He holds a Master of Physiotherapy (Manipulative Physiotherapy), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2003), Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Postgraduate Diploma in Physiology, and Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Physiology, all obtained from the University of Otago, where he commenced his Health Sciences studies in 1997. Following graduation, Dick worked in private practice and traveled before joining the School of Physiotherapy Clinics staff in 2007. During this period, he managed physiotherapy services at the Unipol gym, supporting injury recovery, and completed postgraduate studies focused on shoulder mechanics and rehabilitation. These experiences enhanced his clinical practice and prepared him for leadership roles, including his appointment as Acting Director of the Dunedin Clinics in 2019, progressing to his current directorship. As a clinical supervisor and laboratory tutor, he oversees undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing to their practical training. He operates from the School of Physiotherapy satellite clinic at Unipol gym, delivering evidence-based diagnostic and treatment services.

In his clinical practice, Dick leads a team committed to high-quality physiotherapy care for the community and student training support. His special interests lie in functional analysis and shoulder injuries, exploring connections between functional movements and patient pain or injury experiences. He collaborates with the Faculty of Dentistry to assist individuals with temporomandibular joint disorders and jaw pain. Additionally, Dick provides physiotherapy services to the University of Otago rowing club, local high school squads, regional teams, and High Performance Sport New Zealand rowing athletes, applying movement pattern analysis tailored to the sport's demands. He teaches PHTY543 Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy. Dick participates in research initiatives, including studies on chronic overlapping pain conditions, the role of cervical spine in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, and interdisciplinary care pathways for temporomandibular disorders. His contributions include co-authorship on conference presentations and proceedings: Galea et al. (2024) on neck rehabilitation post-concussion (IFOMPT poster); Galea et al. (2023) same topic (NZMPA proceedings); Falling & Dick (2022) on temporomandibular disorders pathway (New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy).