Functional Physical Therapy in Rockville, MD
Our Clinic
Functional Physical Therapy is owned and operated by husband and wife team Drs. Gabriela and Matthew Van Sickle, both doctors of physical therapy. Our team of doctors are intensively trained and board-certified pelvic health specialists and Certified Functional Manual Therapists. We provide highly specialized care for individuals struggling with any pelvic health or chronic condition, addressing the root cause of symptoms to help you achieve lasting relief!
Here For You
Our mission is to provide advanced, individualized, whole-body care to help you achieve goals you never thought possible!
Fast Response Time
PROFESSIONAL, HIGHLY SKILLED STAFF
Individualized Personal Treatment
Meet Our Staff
Dr. Gabriela A. Van Sickle
PT, DPT, CFMT, WCS
Like most physical therapists, Gabriela became interested in the field when she was a patient. An uncommon injury kept Gabriela from competitive horseback riding and her physical therapist was one of the first medical professionals to identify the problem and help improve her symptoms. From this experience, Gabriela learned that listening to the patient is essential to developing rapport, understanding what the problem is and developing an individualized treatment plan.
Dr. Matthew J. Van Sickle
PT, DPT, CFMT, PRPC
As an athlete in high school, Matthew was a patient in physical therapy multiple times. A foot surgery kept him from running outdoor track during his junior year, but taught him how inter-related the body is and how it is essential for physical therapists to rehabilitate the entire body in order to return to peak performance.
Dr. Brooke Boyland
OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Brooke’s interest in rehabilitation began with her sister, Paige. At just 13 years old, Paige suffered an ACL injury that required surgery and countless physical therapy sessions. As Dr. Brooke attended these sessions with her sister, she became fascinated by the role therapists play in supporting people through vulnerable moments and empowering them to regain independence. From helping her sister get out of bed and walk to putting on her socks, these everyday milestones sparked Dr. Brooke’s passion for occupational therapy and her commitment to helping others return to the activities that matter most to them.
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.
Dr. Brooke Boyland
OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Brooke’s interest in rehabilitation began with her sister, Paige. At just 13 years old, Paige suffered an ACL injury that required surgery and countless physical therapy sessions. As Dr. Brooke attended these sessions with her sister, she became fascinated by the role therapists play in supporting people through vulnerable moments and empowering them to regain independence. From helping her sister get out of bed and walk to putting on her socks, these everyday milestones sparked Dr. Brooke’s passion for occupational therapy and her commitment to helping others return to the activities that matter most to them.
Dr. Brooke received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, and completed her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD. As part of her doctoral degree program, she completed clinical rotations in pelvic health at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. This experience motivated her to continue training in pelvic health and informed her doctoral capstone, which centered on pelvic floor muscle training in postpartum care.
Dr. Brooke brings a holistic, whole-body approach to pelvic health, recognizing the important connection between the mind and body and how pelvic health affects everyday life. She is passionate about educating and empowering patients to better understand their bodies, build confidence in managing their symptoms, and become active participants in their recovery. Her goal is to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, develop a deeper understanding of their mind-body connection, and gain the knowledge and tools to advocate for their own health and well-being. In addition to her work in the clinic, she is an associate professor in the occupational therapy doctorate program at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Dr. Brooke is Herman & Wallace certified and joined Functional Physical Therapy in October 2026.
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