Sports Prehab, PHYSICAL THERAPY + Performance Training
We are the physical therapists athletes love to hate — and can’t live without.
The physical therapy you need and deserve is not about passive modalities and generic exercises — it’s about creating lasting change in the body. Expect us to be relentless about making you work when you’re here, and it will absolutely be worth it. Our athletes believe in what we’re doing because we get them better, faster. We pinpoint the root cause of the issue, and fix it. For good.
Former pro rugby player and elite performance coach Chris Mattina leads a Skills Factory session for high school and collegiate rugby players.
Who We Help
We work with anyone who is looking to dominate their sport, from elite youth athletes to Olympians and professional athletes to weekend warriors. We are not right for everyone, and we’re perfectly OK with that.
Our Focus
Our expertise — personally and professionally — covers hockey, lacrosse, baseball, rugby, soccer, football, tennis, volleyball, golf, fencing, gymnastics, ballet, track and field, wrestling, swimming, running and triathlon.
Why Choose Clutch PT + Performance?
Simply put, no other provider in Connecticut is bringing the same caliber of care, expertise and experience to the table. Literally. You want the cheapest option? It’s not us. You want the best? You found it.
MEET OUR DOCTORS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Our providers earned doctorates from Columbia University and are lifelong athletes themselves. No JV squad here.
Dr. ALEX SULLIVAN, PT, DPT
ATHLETE MECHANIC + SPORTS PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
Dr. Alex Sullivan, PT, DPT grew up at the crossroads of European and American athletic values. Raised by a Swedish mother and American father, he learned that sports shape character, build community, and drive performance. He was raised with a guiding principle that playing many sports for as long as possible is just as critical as elite achievement.
Dr. Alex got on the ice at age three and instantly fell in love with hockey. He grew up as a dedicated three-sport athlete, competing in hockey, soccer and baseball through high school, culminating in being named captain of the Pascack Valley High School hockey team for two of his four varsity seasons. Most of his competitive hockey years were spent with the North Jersey Avalanche where he experienced firsthand the demands elite-level youth hockey puts on the body and mind. Alex also spent time as a volunteer coach at Old Tappan High School, mentoring young athletes both physically and mentally. That sparked a passion — he knew his future lay in helping athletes stay healthy, recover smarter, build resilience and perform at their peak.
Dr. Alex earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Columbia University and has dedicated his career to orthopedic and sports rehab, with a special emphasis on youth athletes, and hockey players in particular. It may be true that all roads lead to beer league, but for Dr. Alex, continuing to play competitive hockey and soccer and pushing himself to perform deepens his expertise and builds connection with the athletes he trains. Sports are a way of life for him, and the magic he brings to his expert programming and treatments gives his athletes a dominant edge.
DR. JOSHUA GRAHLMAN, PT, DPT, FAFS
FOUNDER + CHIEF ATHLETE MECHANIC
Entrepreneur and healthcare innovator Dr. Joshua Grahlman, PT, DPT, FAFS is on a mission to make a distinctive difference in the caliber of care athletes of all levels receive. He has spent his career treating accomplished athletes including four-time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington, Ironman Champion triathletes, Olympians and elite competitors of all ages.
For the last decade, Dr. Josh has staked his reputation on getting athletes better — not just some of the time, but every time. That confidence and track record comes from utilizing a highly customized 360° approach to training and treatment. He treats his athletes as whole people, not just injured body parts.
Dr. Josh has special knowledge of endurance and overhead sports as well as biomechanics, and has traveled the country to take part in continuing education classes. He is one of just a few DPTs in New York City recognized as a Fellow in Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute for Functional Transformation (GIFT). This expertise allows him to incorporate groundbreaking techniques in his personalized treatments. Athletes from around the world have sought out his expertise — time zones are not a barrier to delivering the best care.
As an accomplished athlete always ready to sub in on any team, Dr. Josh truly understands the mindset of his patients and how important it is to get them back to doing what they love. He empowers athletes to focus on what they CAN do, instead of what they cannot, and gets them to an even higher level of performance than before limitation. He’s still tackling new sports himself alongside his goalie son and ballerina daughter.
Coach CHRIS MATTINA
ELITE PERFORMANCE COACH + FORMER USA RUGBY INTERNATIONAL
After 8 years of professional play and 16 years straight of footy, Chris Mattina hung up his boots to coach, mentor and advocate for young players. He brings exceptional leadership to youth athletic development, drawing from his decorated career which he describes as “a dream.” As the Executive Director of the U.S. Rugby Players Association, Chris is shaping the future of American rugby at the highest level.
A native New Yorker, Chris was a standout three-sport athlete, competing at the D1-AA level in college then earning a selection to the USA Rugby 7s Olympic Team. Chris competed against the top players in the world as a former USA Rugby 7s and 15s international. His journey to the elite level was built on hard work, resilience, and multi-sport development. He’s very vocal about the sacrifices he had to make along the way, and is grateful toward all those who pushed him to keep going.
Since retiring from professional play, Chris has founded CM Rugby Academy and Rugby 4 All to develop young athletes and introduce rugby to schools in the NYC area. His approach is grounded in treating every athlete like a pro — prioritizing mental resilience, physical strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and proper nutrition. He combines high-performance, highly individualized training with a supportive, motivating environment.
BOOK NOW
Text 212-203-6802 with the following:
Name
Date of birth
Why you’re reaching out to us / what’s wrong / why you wanna level up. Bonus points if you have a Kill Bill-style Death List Five.
Team affiliation / sport(s)
You’re super important to us so you’ll receive a reply ASAP with our availability and costs.
What To Expect
We will conduct a full body movement assessment. You will have our undivided attention, and we’ll expect you to work while you’re here. If you’re looking for Easy Street PT, keep looking.
As a rule of thumb, if we need to treat it, you’ll need to show it. Your feet may also be bare, so please consider that in advance, for our sake and yours.
We expect you to be early. We’ll start on time.
You’ll leave with a diagnosis, solid understanding of the road ahead and a plan. You will also receive homework that we’ll take you through in detail. You’ll be expected to do it. We don’t believe in wasting your time or ours.
Questions, concerns or general freak outs? Bring them! We’ll address them all.