Our Team
Dr. Derek Rustich PT, DPT, CSCS/Owner
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
(University of Southern California)
- B.S. Applied Health Science
(Point Loma Nazarene University) -
Certified Strength & Conditioning
With a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California and a background of Bachelors of Applied Health from Point Loma Nazarene University, Derek brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his practice. Derek's passion for physical therapy stems from his personal journey as a baseball player, having overcome various injuries during his time at Grossmont High School, UCSB, and PLNU. This firsthand experience fuels his appreciation for the transformative power of rehabilitation. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Derek has successfully rehabilitated and trained numerous elite athletes. While he has experience working with athletes from various disciplines, his main interest lies in optimizing the performance and rehabilitation of overhead athletes. This expertise was further refined during a clinical internship with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2023, Derek established his own sports physical therapy clinic, SD Sports Physical Therapy (SDSPT), and later expanded to a second location in 2024. SDSPT is the fastest growing sports physical therapy clinic in San Diego, delivering on Derek’s vision and dedication to delivering the highest standard of treatment through one-on-one visits. Derek is eager to share his expertise and provide outstanding care to you and your community!
Dr. Gabrielle Perez PT, DPT, SCS
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
(Belmont University)
- B.S. Kinesiology
(Tennessee Technology University)
- Board Certified Sports Specialist
Dr. Perez's journey in sports medicine began with her Division I softball experience and completion of a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. During her undergraduate years, she participated in competition and volunteered at CrossFit Mayhem, performing Selective Functional Movement Assessments and aided in providing specialized care to CrossFit athletes. To further her dream in sports medicine, Dr. Perez earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Belmont University. Her commitment to working with athletes and high-level individuals led her to complete a Post-Doctorate Sports Specialty Residency Program with The Ochsner Andrews Sports Medical Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. During her residency, Dr. Perez honed her clinical reasoning, intervention selection, and manual therapy skills while treating a wide variety of athletes, from professional football and basketball players to collegiate, tactical, high school, and adolescent athletes. At SD Sports Physical Therapy, Dr. Gabrielle Perez brings compassion and expertise to improve both the mind and the body through elite physical therapy care. Experience the transformative care provided by Dr. Perez and our exceptional team at SD Sports Physical Therapy as we guide you on your journey to peak performance and overall wellness.
Dr. Matt Hemphill PT, DPT
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
(San Diego State University)
- B.S. Pre Physical Therapy
(Regis University)
Dr. Matt Hemphill is a distinguished sports physical therapist with deep ties to the San Diego community. After attending Grossmont High School, Matt attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado where he embarked on his journey in sports physical therapy. During his time at Regis University, Matt achieved honors as a 4-year NCAA baseball player while earning his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy. Following his studies at Regis, Matt returned to San Diego and obtained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. Matt's unparalleled expertise in working with elite-level athletes has solidified his standing as a trusted authority in the field of sports rehabilitation within the San Diego community. Specializing in the CrossFit and baseball populations, Matt is particularly renowned for his exceptional manual therapy and movement analysis skills. With an extensive background acquired from various sports facilities, Dr. Matt Hemphill stands as your foremost choice for unlocking peak performance and achieving swift recovery.
Dr. Nick Barin PT, DPT, OCS, Cert-CMFA
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
(Clark University)
- B.S. Dietetics
(University of Wisconsin)
-Board Certified Orthopedic Sports Specialist.
Clinical Management of Fitness Athletes
Dr. Nick Barin has been practicing physical therapy in the outpatient orthopedic setting since 2014. His interests in physical therapy started after dealing with shoulder and lower extremity injuries playing volleyball in high school as well as during his years playing club volleyball at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. While in Madison he earned his bachelor’s degree in Dietetics through the Department of Nutritional Sciences and obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Clarke University.
Nick is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association and has obtained his certification in the Clinical Management of Fitness Athletes through the Institute of Clinical Excellence. He is trained to provide manual therapy techniques including joint mobilizations and manipulations as well as prescribes therapeutic exercises required to assist his patients in returning to their prior level of activity and fitness.
Nick’s treatment philosophy derives from his clinical experiences within the sports medicine and orthopedic fields and draws from evidence-based practice guidelines to ease his patients’ return to independent and functional activities. He focuses on dysfunctional movement patterns and how different anatomical regions of the body can play a role in finding the source and the cause of pain. He enjoys working with a wide variety of patients, but particularly enjoys working within the sports medicine field. His interests include working with CrossFit athletes, weightlifters, overhead athletes and recreational runners.