Our mission is to help you become a more functional you.
We offer a wide range of physical therapy treatments to help you achieve efficient function.
Functional Manual Therapy®
Functional Manual Therapy® is a specialized form of hands-on physical therapy developed by the Institute of Physical Art. This holistic approach emphasizes restoring efficient function by quickly identifying the primary mechanical, neuromuscular and motor control dysfunctions contributing to pain/symptoms. We provide highly skilled treatment in one-on-one sessions for the best possible outcomes. You deserve the best!
Pelvic Floor Therapy
As many as 1 in 4 people suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). While common, pain and incontinence are not a normal part of aging! Common diagnoses include, but are not limited to, urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, interstitial cystitis, pain related to pregnancy or post-partum. Don't let PFD run your life! Call today for an evaluation.
Visceral Manipulation
Gentle, hands on techniques to assess and treat the organs (viscera) to create structural and functional balance of these organs within the body especially as it relates to function. Address attachments and restrictions of the fascia and ligaments of the vascular, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Learn more here!
Therapeutic Value of Visceral Manipulation
Neural Manipulation
Assessment and treatment of restrictions throughout the nervous system and their adjacent tissues to improve function of the nerve and all the tissues it innervates. Reasons to seek Neural Manipulation even beyond just nervous system disorders and paresthesia, include- sprains, strains, inflammation, migraines and trauma. For even more Information
Therapeutic Value of Neural Manipulation
Sports Rehab
We treat acute, chronic, pre-and post-surgical injuries in all age groups, from children to elite athletes. Utilizing our one-on-one, individualized manual therapy sessions, we not only get you back to sport, but can enhance your skills and optimize performance.
Prehabilitation & Wellness
Are you at risk for injury? Getting hurt costs money and time, and takes you away from what you love. Come in for an evaluation to learn your risk level and how to maintain the healthy lifestyle you work so hard for.
Conditions We Treat
Head, Neck and Jaw
- Headaches and migraines
- Neck pain
- Cervical stenosis
- Arthritis
- Disc herniation
- TMJ
- Nerve pain
- Concussion
Ribcage and Lumbar Spine
- Rib pain
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Nerve pain
- Mid back pain
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Muscle strain/sprain
- Chronic back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Degenerative joint disease
- Sciatica
- Instability
- Spondylolisthesis/Spondylolitis
- Abdominal pain
Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand
- Muscle strain/sprain
- Rotator cuff tear or surgery
- Subluxations and dislocations
- Nerve pain - numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Scapular dyskinesis
- Frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer's elbow (Medial epicondylitis)
- Carpal Tunnel
- Hand pain, post-surgery, fractures
- TFCC injury
Hip, Knee, Foot and Ankle
- Labral tear
- Hip snapping
- Hip impingement
- Bursitis
- Piriformis syndrome
- IT Band syndrome
- Muscle strain/sprain
- Meniscal tear
- Arthritis
- ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL injury
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Shin splints
- Ankle sprain
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Foot pain
- Bunions
- Morton's neuroma
Pelvic Floor
- Urinary incontinence
- Fecal incontinence
- Pelvic pain (male and female)
- Endometriosis
- Dysmenorrhea
- Painful intercourse (Dyspareunia)
- Vulvodynia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Constipation
- Vestibulitis
- Interstitial cystitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Postpartum/pregnancy-related pain
- Prostatitis
Other Conditions
- Chronic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Posture/ergonomic training
- Body mechanics/lifting
- Sports-related injuries
- Wellness exam
- Conditions not successfully treated by "traditional" PT
Don't see your condition on the list?
Functional Physical Therapy in St. Rockville. All rights reserved.
Created by DearDoc.
Dr. Gabriela A. Van Sickle
PT, DPT, CFMT, WCS
Gabriela completed an accelerated program at Simmons College in Boston, MA. She received a BS in Exercise Science with a minor in psychology and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy with Distinction in 2013. After graduation, Gabriela moved to Richmond, VA, where she completed a two-year residency program through the Institute of Physical Art. In 2015, she sat for the rigorous Functional Manual Therapy ® certification exam, passing with honors. After completing CFMT, Gabriela began taking pelvic floor classes through Herman and Wallace and expanded her treatment to male and female patients with pelvic pain, pain with sexual intercourse, colorectal dysfunction, post-partum, and urinary and fecal incontinence. In 2018, Gabriela passed the rigorous pelvic health certification exam through the American Physical Therapy Association.
In 2017, Gabriela and her husband, Matthew Van Sickle, opened Functional Physical Therapy, LLC, to provide one-on-one, individualized care for those with musculoskeletal, neurological, and pelvic floor disorders. Together, Matthew and Gabriela apply their advanced knowledge and techniques to specialize in treating patients with complex conditions who have not recovered with traditional treatment or physical therapy.
Research Publications
Barth, J., Stezar, G., Acierno, G., Kim, T., & Reilly, M. (2014). Mirror book therapy for the treatment of idiopathic facial palsy. Ear, Nose and Throat Journal.
Dr. Matthew J. Van Sickle
PT, DPT, CFMT, PRPC
Matthew received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, in 2010. Matthew has experience helping patients in many settings, including hospital outpatient, outpatient orthopedics, pediatric orthopedics, and sports-specific rehabilitation. Matthew's interest in manual therapy led him to take classes through the Institute of Physical Art, where he passed the rigorous Functional Manual Therapy® exam in 2016. Matthew is also board certified in pelvic health, specifically for men, and is one of few male physical therapists that treat this underserved population. Recognizing the importance of continuing education, Matthew is constantly looking for new, innovative ways to help patients recover more efficiently. He is currently completing Visceral manipulation and Neural manipulation courses and certification through the Barral Institute.
In 2017, Matthew and his wife, Gabriela Van Sickle, opened Functional Physical Therapy, LLC in Rockville, Maryland, to provide one-on-one, individualized care for those with musculoskeletal, neurological, visceral, and pelvic floor disorders. As a team, Functional Physical Therapy applies their advanced knowledge and techniques to specialize in treating patients with complex conditions who have not recovered with traditional treatment or physical therapy.