Tidewater Physical Therapy, Inc. is excited to welcome Justin Pretzel to the clinical team.

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Justin started his undergraduate degree work at the Georgia Institute of Technology (better known as Georgia Tech). 

“I played football there for 2 seasons from 2003-2004, but my playing days were cut short from knee troubles,” he said. “I had two ACL surgeries within a year.”

Justin moved back to North Carolina and finished his degree at NC State University, studying Biological Life Sciences. He then attended East Carolina University where he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. 

Justin recently moved to Hampton and will be practicing at Tidewater’s Magruder Clinic.

“I am currently working to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (and) have an interest in lower extremity injuries, return to sport training and running analysis/run conditioning,” he said.

While in graduate school, Justin’s research included studying the validity of two-dimensional motion analysis software in determining sagittal plane angle during running.

Justin’s clinical experience include outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, outpatient wound and acute care, strike rehabilitation and aquatic physical therapy.

His professional memberships include the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Certifications include CPR/AED and First Aid.

Justin’s also no stranger to volunteer work, having spent time a Game Day Assistant with the Carolina Hurricanes, collecting gifts for Operation Christmas Child, assisting in various fundraising runs, coaching youth sports teams, building homes with Habitat for Humanity and helping renovate a medical facility.