Matt joined Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in 1998 and became Team Leader of the Physical Therapy Department in 2001.  He earned his degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma and later earned his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Virginia. 

Matt's work experiences include employment at the University of Virginia as a Sports Therapist, Athletic Trainer, and as professor of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota. 

Matt has been active in research and has published more than twenty abstracts, literature reviews, and original research articles in numerous journals.  Matt has been nationally recognized for his expertise and has been an invited speaker at more than a dozen regional and national sports medicine conferences.

Clinical Interests

• ACL Reconstruction and rehab
• Anterior knee pain
• Shoulder injuries and throwing athletes
• Joint replacement rehab (knee, hip, & shoulder)
• SI joint dysfunction
• Rotator cuff repair rehab
• Sports medicine

Education & Specialized Training

• Master of Education - Emphasis in Sports Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• Bachelor of Science - Physical Therapy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

 Board Certification

• NATA National Athletic Trainers' Association

 State Licensure

• South Dakota

Presentations and Publications

• "Evaluation and Treatment of the Sacroiliac Joint" by Sailors, M.E.
  • NATA Advanced Workshop, San Antonio, TX, June 2009. 
  • NATA Annual Conference, Clinical Symposia Instructor, Orlando, FL, June 1996.
• "Assessment of the Sacroiliac Joint" by Sailors, M.E.
  • NATA Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, June 2006.
• "Force Reproduction in Submaximal Manual Cervical Traction Applied by Experienced Physical Therapists" by Sailors, M.E., Breit, P.K., Shattuck, A.L., Uttecht, M.J.
  • APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Dallas, TX February 1997.
• "Effect of Stretching and Iontophoretically Delivered Dexamethasone on Plantar Fasciitis" by McEntaffer, D.J., Sailors, M.E.
  • Physical Therapy ’96: Scientific Meeting and Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, June 1996.
• "Introduction and Application of Electrotherapy" Sailors, M.E.,
  • Workshop Instructor, Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association District 5 Annual Meeting, Omaha, NE, March 1996.
• "Effect of Running on Anterior Knee Laxity in Collegiate-Level Female Athletes after ACL Reconstruction" by Sailors, M.E., Keskula, D.R., Perrin, D.H.
  • National Athletic Trainers Association Annual Conference, Dallas, TX, June 1994.
  • Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers Association Annual Meeting, Virginia Beach, VA, May 1993.
• "Active Proprioceptive Ability Between Dominant and Non-Dominant Shoulders of Unilateral Overhead Throwing Athletes" Sailors, M.E., Johnson, T.M., Lee, A.L., Schneider, S.R., Journal of Athletic Training, February 1997.
• "Effect of Prostretch on Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Squatting Ability in a Masters Level Powerlifter" Sailors, M.E., Journal of Athletic Training, Special Issue V6, 1997.
• "Force Reproduction in Submaximal Manual Cervical Traction Applied by Experienced Physical Therapists" Sailors, M.E., Breit, P.K., Shattuck, A.L., Uttecht, M.J., Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, V5(1):27-32, 1997 and Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, V25:68, 1997.
•  "Evaluation of Sports Related Temporomandibular Dysfunctions" Sailors, M.E., Journal of Athletic Training, V31:346-350, 1996.
• "Balance Abilities of Professional Dancers on Select Balance Tests" Sailors, M.E., abstract of article by Crotts,D. et.al., in Physical Therapy, V76:1131, 1996.
• "Effect of Stretching and Iontophoretically Delivered Dexamethasone on Plantar Fasciitis" McEntaffer, D.J., Sailors, M.E., Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, June 1995.
• "Effect of Running on Anterior Knee Laxity in Collegiate-Level Female Athletes after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction" Sailors, M.E., Keskula, D.R., Perrin, D.H. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, V21: 233-239, 1995 and abstract in Journal of Athletic Training, V29:164, 1994.
• "Recognition and Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyles" Sailors, M.E., Journal of Athletic Training, V29: 302-306, 1994.