Our Staff
Owner, Physical Therapist
Lee Howard PhD, PT, ATC, CSCS
Lee Howard graduated with a Masters Degree with an emphasis in physical therapy from Old Dominion University in 1995. At that time he began specialized training in spinal rehabilitation and sports medicine. Using a variety of soft tissue and joint mobilizing techniques, as well as unique corrective exercise programs he has successfully helped thousands of athletes and non-athletes achieve their goals of reducing pain, improving strength and restoring functional mobility.
In 1999 he received his Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and subsequently served as the NC State Director from 2001-2004. He also received his Athletic Training Certification from the National Athletic Trainers Association.
In December of 2005 Lee received his Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research focused on how the body compensates during athletic activities after knee or ankle injury.
He has been an invited guest speaker from the following organizations: American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainer's Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His lecture interests include lower extremity malalignment, spinal stabilization, plyometrics, corrective exercise and assessment of functional deficits limiting maximum performance.
His 17+ years of experience in general orthopaedic rehabilitation, sports medicine and expertise in strength and conditioning has made him the physical therapist and strength coach of choice for first team all ACC athletes (field hockey, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer), NCAA National player of the year award recipients and several athletes from the NBA, NFL, Champions Tour, NASCAR, World Champion Kick boxers, National level Gymnasts and more.
He has been an invited guest speaker from the following organizations: American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainer's Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His lecture interests include lower extremity malalignment, spinal stabilization, plyometrics, corrective exercise and assessment of functional deficits limiting maximum performance.
In his spare time Matt enjoys working out, running (3 half-marathons in the last 3 years) and playing tournament tennis in events such as the NC state competition this past November, 2011.
Physical Therapist
Matt Zwilling, MPT
Matt graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2006. In 2009 he completed his Master's in Physical Therapy at Winston Salem State University. His specific physical therapy interests include orthopedics and sports medicine with an emphasis in spinal and extremity manual therapy and corrective exercises to reduce pain and restore normal mobility and strength to patients. He also has experience in aquatic therapy, acute care, and geriatric care giving him a well rounded approach when customizing care plans across all age and activity levels.
In his spare time Matt enjoys working out, running (3 half-marathons in the last 3 years) and playing tournament tennis in events such as the NC state competition this past November, 2011.
Natalie Mansson, DPT
Natalie graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University in 1998. In 2005 she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arizona School of Health Sciences.
Becoming a physical therapist was a natural progression from working as a trainer at a gym and competing as a natural bodybuilder in her late teens and early twenties. Natalie has worked in many therapy settings, including outpatient, acute, rehab, and skilled nursing. Her strongest interest is in outpatient therapy, which she is happy to return. She especially loves working with patients returning to function after joint replacement surgery, along with a strong intrigue in manual therapy and teaching proper body mechanics for back and neck patients. She has a favored interest in physical wellness that also extends beyond resolution of injury into improvement in physical fitness and body composition. Natalie is also certified as a personal trainer for Metabolic Effect and as a nutritional counselor.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Benjamin "Ben" Cooper, PTA, CSCS
Ben graduated from Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, MI in 2008. His specialty is in outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine and enjoys using a hands on approach combined with corrective exercises to maximize patient outcomes. In February of 2009 he earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Prior to working in physical therapy, Ben worked as a NSCA personal fitness trainer from 2005-2008 with a background in high school athletics group training. In his spare time Ben enjoys weight training, running, and biking.
