Dr. Nathaniel Hoover, PT, DPT, OCS

Clinic Director

Dr.  Hoover is a long-time Wisconsinite who grew up in the Eau Claire area and has been practicing since May  2016.

Why did you want to be a physical therapist?

Dr. Hoover sustained a fracture of his low back when snowboarding at age 16. The experience and care received after his injury taught him how physical therapy can be life-changing. Dr. Hoover’s back injury motivated him at a young age to pursue his dream of helping patients regain their function and decrease their pain to participate in activities they love.

What can the patient expect when they have Dr. Nate Hoover, PT, DPT as their physical therapist?

Dr. Hoover’s patients can expect a detail-oriented, caring approach to their care. He takes great pride in understanding what is limited for his patients and works diligently with them to meet personalized goals. Dr. Hoover values patient education, manual therapy techniques, and exercise interventions. Dr. Hoover shares, “If a patient can understand and learn the reason for their pain or dysfunction, they will be successful in changing it.”

What is the most important factor in the therapist-patient relationship and why?

Communication. Clinicians need to understand what a patient is going through and their personalized goals to be able to help them most effectively. Sound communication allows for empathy, appropriate intervention, education, and ultimately goal attainment.

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Sports Science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Graduate: Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Residency: UW Hospitals and Clinics and UnityPoint Health – Meriter Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

CERTIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
• Trigger Point dry needling
• APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

• Sports medicine
• Trigger point dry needling
• Manual therapy
• ACL/Lower extremity return to sport
• Jaw dysfunction
• Physical therapy clinical education
• Physical therapy practice management

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND

• MEMBERSHIPS:
  • American Physical Therapy Association Member
  • Orthopedic Section Member
• STAYING FIT: Golfing, hunting, softball, biking, hiking, pickleball
• FREE TIME: Dr. Hoover is a devoted husband and father to two sons, Edwin and Henry, and a Redbone Coonhound, Harley.