Meet Dr. Matt Garofolo

Helping People Move Better, Function Better, and Stay Active for Life

For more than 24 years, Dr. Matt Garofolo has helped people improve their health through one simple principle: Movement matters. When joints move well, muscles function better, the nervous system communicates more efficiently, and the body is better equipped to adapt to the stresses of daily life. His goal isn’t simply to help people get out of pain. It’s to help them stay active, capable, and doing the things they love for as long as possible.

Why I Became A Chiropractor

I didn’t grow up in a holistic health household. Like many people, I was raised in a traditional medical model where symptoms were treated as they appeared and medications were simply part of the solution. By my teenage years, I had experienced multiple neck injuries, concussions, and whiplash incidents. I was also constantly dealing with colds, flus, sinus infections, and severe allergies. Because my father struggled with many of the same issues, I assumed it was simply genetics and that this was normal.

Eventually, I grew tired of feeling sick and relying on medications. Around that time, I read a book that challenged the way I thought about health and inspired me to take greater responsibility for my own well-being. I began eating better, taking nutritional supplements, spending more time outdoors, and mountain biking whenever I could. Ironically, it was mountain biking that first brought me into a chiropractic office. The long rides were causing significant numbness in my hands, and I was looking for answers. What I found was much bigger than relief for numb hands.

That experience sparked my interest in chiropractic and ultimately led me to chiropractic school. One of the most surprising experiences of my life happened during my first six months as a chiropractic student. While receiving regular adjustments, the chronic sinus and allergy problems I had struggled with for years gradually disappeared. For the first time I could remember, I wasn’t constantly dealing with congestion, sinus issues, or recurring colds. In fact, I went years without getting sick.

That experience reinforced something I continue to believe today: Health is not something that happens by accident. The body functions best when it is given the right environment and the right support. Good nutrition, regular movement, healthy emotional habits, and a properly functioning spine and nervous system all play important roles in helping the body perform the way it was designed to. Today, after more than two decades in practice, I still live by those principles.

My wife and I built our family around them. We chose a natural approach to raising our children, welcomed both of our children through home birth, and have always prioritized lifestyle choices that support long-term health and resilience. As I move through my late 50s, I continue to be grateful for the lessons chiropractic taught me early in life. I have never taken a daily medication, rarely need medical care, and continue to enjoy excellent health. While no one can control every aspect of their health, I firmly believe we have far more influence than most people realize. For me, health has always rested on four pillars:

• Nutrition
• Movement and exercise
• Mental and emotional well-being
• Healthy spinal and nervous system function

Those principles have shaped my life, my family, and the way I care for my patients every day.

A Straightforward Approach To Care

One of the things patients appreciate most about Dr. Matt is his practical, honest approach. He believes healthcare should be transparent and uncomplicated. You’ll never be pressured into unnecessary care plans or long-term commitments. Instead, you’ll receive thoughtful recommendations based on your goals, your lifestyle, and what makes sense for your situation. Our philosophy is simple: Your Body. Your Choice.

Restoring Motion. Supporting Function.

Dr. Matt believes healthy movement is one of the most important foundations of long-term wellness. When joints lose motion, muscles compensate. When muscles compensate, tension develops. Over time, the body becomes less efficient, less adaptable, and more vulnerable to injury and stress. Through specific chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Matt helps restore movement and improve communication between the brain and body so you can move, recover, and function more effectively.

Clinical Experience & Techniques

Dr. Matt utilizes a variety of techniques including:

• Gonstead
• Syntropy
• Drop Table Adjusting
• Torque Release Technique
• Arthrostim instrument

Rather than forcing patients into one approach, Dr. Matt selects the techniques that best fit the individual.
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Who Dr. Matt Works Best With

Many of Dr. Matt’s patients include:

• Active adults
• Professionals with desk-related stress
• Weekend warriors
• Golfers and athletes
• Individuals dealing with spinal stiffness and restricted mobility
• People seeking proactive wellness care
• Anyone looking for an experienced manual adjuster

Beyond The Office

Outside the practice, Dr. Matt is endlessly curious and enjoys learning, building, creating, and staying active. He’s an avid reader of fiction and can often be found immersed in historical fiction, science fiction, or fantasy novels. He believes a good story has the power to teach us about history, humanity, and ourselves.

A lifelong dog lover and dedicated Dachshund enthusiast, Matt has shared his life with six “weenie dogs” over the years and currently has two who keep him and Stacey entertained daily.
When he’s not in the office, you’ll often find him mountain biking local trails, hiking, playing hockey, or tackling a new DIY project. Hockey has become a particular passion. Remarkably, he didn’t learn to play until age 34, yet still plays twice a week and remains a loyal (and hopeful) Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

Matt enjoys working with his hands and appreciates the craftsmanship involved in creating things that last. Whether it’s home projects, woodworking, furniture building, or learning new skills like leather crafting, he finds satisfaction in understanding how things are built and how they function. At the core of Matt’s life are a few guiding values:

• Freedom and personal responsibility
• Connection to spirit
• Health and vitality
• Lifelong learning
• Finding beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship in everyday life

These same values influence the way he approaches healthcare. He believes people are capable of far more than they often realize and that, when given the right support, the body has an incredible ability to heal, adapt, and thrive.

What Patients Often Say

Examples of themes:

• Thorough
• Skilled adjuster
• Honest
• Practical
• Knowledgeable
• Caring
• Excellent manual techniques

Why Patients Appreciate Having Two Doctors

One of the unique advantages of Hands on Health Family Chiropractic is access to two experienced chiropractors with different strengths and approaches. Many patients appreciate having options. Some naturally gravitate toward Dr. Stacey's style. Others prefer Dr. Matt's approach. Many enjoy the benefits of both. Together, we collaborate to provide personalized care that adapts to your needs over time.

Dr. Matt Garofolo | (615) 475-8802