Biography


Dr. Matthew Smuck is the Chief of PM&R, Vice Chair of Rehabilitation Services and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University. He is the Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services for Stanford Healthcare where his clinical work concentrates on medical and interventional management of spine disorders. He is a physician leader and current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Interventional Pain Medicine, past President of the Spine Intervention Society (SIS), and he served on the Executive Editorial Board of The Spine Journal and the Board of Directors of the North American Spine Society (NASS) and the Foundation for PM&R. Dr. Smuck is an award-winning researcher and pioneer in the field of human physical performance monitoring. He founded and directs the Wearable Health Lab at Stanford, focused on developing methods of wearable sensor data analytics to discover digital phenotypes of mobility-limiting orthopedic and neurologic diseases, and applying these methods to improve disease detection, prevention and treatment. Dr. Smuck has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. His work is recognized by numerous research society awards and publication awards, including the ISSLS Medtronic Award, the American Academy of PM&R’s President’s Citation Award, the PM&R Journal’s Best Original Research Award, several Outstanding Paper Awards from The Spine Journal, the ISSLS Prize, and the NASS Henry Farfan Award.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine (2003)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehab (2002)
  • Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine (2001) CA
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Hospital - Interventional Spine (2002) CA
  • Internship: Oakwood Healthcare System (1998) MI
  • Medical Education: Indiana University School of Medicine (1997) IN
  • Fellow, Stanford University, Interventional Spine Medicine (2002)
  • Resident, Stanford University, PM&R (2001)
  • M.D., Indiana University, School of Medicine (1997)
  • B.S., Milligan College, Biology, Humanities, French (1993)

Honors & Awards
  • Best Basic Science Research Award, International Spine Intervention Society (2011)
  • Best Clinical Research Award, International Spine Intervention Society (2014, 2013, 2012)
  • Best Musculoskeletal Research Award, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2011)
  • Best Original Research Award, Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the PM&R Journal (2015)
  • Best Pain and Spine Abstracts, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2014, 2013)
  • Best Papers, North American Spine Society (NASS) Annual Meeting (2013, 2009)
  • Faculty Mentor, 1st Place Theodore M. Cole Resident Research Award, University of Michigan (2009, 2007, 2004)
  • Henry Farfan Award, NASS (2021)
  • Instructor, International Spine Intervention Society (2013)
  • Jose C. Montero MD Teaching Award, Stanford University, PM&R residency program (2010)
  • Medtronic Best Poster Award, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (2012)
  • Most Outstanding Biomedical Research Paper, Indiana University School of Medicine (1997)
  • Outstanding Paper Award: Basic Science, The Spine Journal (2018)
  • Outstanding Paper Award: Medical and Interventional Science, The Spine Journal (2013)
  • Outstanding Paper Award: Surgical Science, The Spine Journal (2017)
  • President's Citation Award, AAPM&R (2014)
  • Runner-up: Outstanding Paper Award: Medical and Interventional Science, The Spine Journal (2016)
  • Runner-up: Outstanding Paper Award: Medical and Interventional Science, The Spine Journal (2017)
  • The ISSLS Prize for Lumbar Spine Research, ISSLS (2016)
  • Young Investigator Award, US Bone and Joint Decade (2006)

Memberships
  • Deputy Editor, The Spine Journal (2011 - 2017)
  • Board of Directors, North American Spine Society (NASS) (2015 - 2018)
  • North American Representative, ICHOM Low Back Pain Steering Group (2014 - 2018)
  • Assistant Editorial Board, European Spine Journal (2011 - 2016)
  • Board of Directors, Foundation for PM&R (2016 - 2018)
  • Vice Chair, Spine and Pain Track, AAPM&R Program Planning Committee (2010 - 2014)
  • Board of Directors, Spine Intervention Society (SIS) (2013 - Present)
  • Chair, Research Division, Spine Intervention Society (SIS) (2013 - 2015)
  • Co-Chair, North American Spine Society 2013 annual meeting (2013 - 2014)
  • Chair, NASS Advanced Lumbar Spinal Injections Course (2011 - 2015)
  • Co-Editor, Orthopedics Knowledge Update (OKU) Spine, 4th edition (2011 - 2012)
  • Section Editor, Spine & Sports, SpineLine (2008 - 2013)

Administrative Appointments
  • Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Stanford University (2011 - Present)
  • Director, University of Michigan PM&R Interventional Spine Fellowship (2007 - 2008)
  • Director, Stanford PM&R Spine Fellowship (2009 - 2014)
  • Director and Founder, Wearable Health Lab (2014 - Present)
  • Interim Director, The University of Michigan Spine Program (2008 - 2008)
  • Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services, Stanford University Hospital & Clinics (2011 - Present)
  • Vice Chair of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (2023 - Present)

Publications

Clinical Trials

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Specializing In

Practice Locations


Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

450 Broadway Street

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 723-5643

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

450 Broadway Street

Redwood City , CA 94063

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(185 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.8/5

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4.9/5
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Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.8/5
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Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.8/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.8/5
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Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.8/5
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Patient Reviews

(136 reviews)

Excellent visit
Dr smuck and Meissa Hastings ae good prctitioners
HE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Smuck is terrific! He is very careful with each procedure to be sure the medical data supports the treatment.
Thank you
Dr. Smuck is a thoughtful thorough physician. I feel supported and helped by his expertise!
Exceptional experience
Dr Smuck answered all my questions and help me understand the issues I am having.
I would like to spend most of the time talking with him instead of a resident or student. As it is now, I have to repeat what I have to say when I do finally see Dr. Smuck.
Excellent doctor, patient, easy to talk with, very clear explanations. I'm very glad to have him as my spine specialist.
Very professional and caring.
Dr. Smuck is and excellent doctor. He is knowledgeable, and caring.
Excellent
Dr Smuck is good- he listens well and takes his time. Unfortunately they have not found any solution to lessen my pain!
He is a real asset to Stanford!
the best!
Great listener, excellent communicator, personable
Dr. Smuck is a kind, attentive doctor.
Very professional and feel very confident in his care.
Provides excellent care, excellent demeanor
Efficient and prompt
Excellent!
He is great.
Am very impressed with how he and his team communicative. During my procedure I was told before each step what was going to happen. This made me feel very comfortable.
I thought Dr Smuck was excellent. A very good experience. He explained my problem and offered a plan to health. I am very thankful and appreciative.
Dr Smuck always takes the time and listens to what i am saying
DR Smuck ids a wonderful doctor, the best I have ever met in his field.
I love Dr. Smuck. Him and Dr. Berlin made the effort of telling me every step of what they are doing. Dr. Smuck, in particular, constantly checked on me if I was doing okay. They were both gentle and caring. However, as a patient, I hope I will never see them again.
I feel that I was accurately diagnosed, listened to, and encouraged to take the necessary steps to resolve my injury and manage the pain.
The doctor gave me all the time I needed. I felt well cared for.
This is the only doctor that has been willing to actually help me.
Great bedside. I have confidence in him and like him too
The entire experience at the Stanford spine center was outstanding. Every member of the staff was courteous, professional, efficient and kind.
Excellent care and really grateful for the time I was given to discuss my medical health.
his staff was so responsive and helpful and I felt like he took great interest in me and my condition
I am quite fortunate to afford Stanford Health Care. I have had nothing but excellent care from the doctors and follow-up staff. Stanford is simply the best!
Everyone was very helpful and friendly.
Médico y enfermeras fueron muy profesionales y amables desde mi registro hasta el final del procedimiento. Solo la persona que se encargaba de darme mi ropa (ultima etapa) no me llevo a la entrada del edificio como le habían explicado a mi esposa. Solo me dijo “vístase ahí está el elevador†Mi esposa estaba en el edificio C y cuando le hablaron les dijo que en cerca de 5 minutos necesitaba para llegar con el carro a la entrada. Yo llegue primero y aún me sentía aturdido por el procedimiento. Quiero aclarar que el doctor y las enfermeras fueron muy amables y me mantuvieron siempre muy calmado y seguro de que todo iba muy bien. Fueron excelentes.
Excellent work and have great answers
I have full confidence in Dr. Smuck
He was helpful and collegial and provided excellent advice.
Dr.Smuck is a very caring, kind and thoughtful physician. I so appreciate his help in my situation.
Excellent physician and very knowledgeable. Great bed side manners.
Very good orthopedic surgeon
The kindness and competence of the whole team that worked on me was greatly appreciated .
Nice doctors
Dr Smuke took a few minutes to answer some additional questions I had about my diagnosis, which I really appreciated.
Great physician easy to communicate and relate to. Very satisfied with his team and their care.
Very good diagnostics and helpful answers to all questions. Solid plan for rehab
Dr. Smuck is an outstanding provider
No waiting. Pleasant women at check in. Tina very ni r and helpful. Dr. Smuck was kind, attentive, knew my history, and quickly diagnosed my problem.
Dr. Smuck and his NP Mellisa were terrific!
Dr. Smuck was very honest and forthright about my status and next steps. He did not try to compel me to continue with his care and explained my 2 next options. He offered some intermediate suggestions and is providing me with a referral to a surgeon.
Excellent, knowledgeable and caring physician. Puts great importance on what goals I, as the patient, have and he gives me good advice on how to achieve my goals.
Thank you
Melissa Hastings is very knowledgeable and professional. She and Sr. Smuck make a great team.
Much better visit that the prior one
As usual. he was knowledgeable, personable and professional
Looking forward to receiving a copy of your PT instructions. Thank you.
Good doc
Doctor Matthew Smuck is an excellent doctor.
Dr. Smuck was attentive to my concern. He gave me options of treatment. I do appreciate that. Thank you.
Excellent and caring doctor
Nurse practitioner and doctor very thorough and professional
Thoughtful questions.
Dr Smuck and Dr DAvid Liang are the best, talented and concerned Doctors I have the opportunity to have as my Specialist Doctors
Thank you for the e cellent services
Dr Smuck is the best
I met Drs. Smuck and Alamin and I am so impressed. Dr Smuck recognized that I had travel a long way and arranged for me to see Dr Alamin. I can’t wait to see Dr Alamin with a scalpel in his hand.
Very engaging, precise and professional attitude
Alsways top notch care
He is personable, confident in his abilities and I trust his judgment
Extremely knowledgeable and very willing to take time to answer questions. A pleasure to work with.
Good explanations and very helpful..
Awesome doctor.
Always prepared, personable and professional
This is a well-oiled program -- from Melissa Hastings, NP to Dr. Smuck to Jessica (surg coordinator) to Howard (?) Ho at reception to the medical assistant (sorry, don't remember her name).
Both the Doctor and his assistant are very kind and gave me good instructions.
From check-in to check out everyone did a top notch job of providing service.
He is an excellent doctor!
An excellent doctor
Dr. Smuck responded to all of my concerns in a pleasant and informative way.
Dr. Smuck was pleasant , professional, and responded to my questions and concerns clearly.
He is "as good as it gets." It is safe to rely on his suggestions and treatment.
Very happy with Dr. Smuck.
Dr. Smuck was great -- attentive, personable, and reassuring.
He is very positive and shows his concern for my situation holistically and specifically.
Doctor is obviously very knowledgable in his expertise. Could use a little more empathy however.
both Dr. Smuck and Dr. T. were friendly, professional and used evidence based medicine to understand my medical issue
excellent Med care
I cannot say enough about Dr. Smuck and his office staff. I have always received excellent care and immediate response on my Health.
Great personality.... I felt at ease the moment he walked in - (Dr. Smuck) - My health is complicated..... but Dr. Smuck addressed that and made good decisions based on that -
I will definatly recomend Dr. Smuck to anyone.
Stellar understanding, tolerance and patience giving me their ear.
Dr. Smuck is great and his intern, Dr. Stephanie Jones, was terrific!
Dr. Smuck has excellent communication skills. He listened with what felt like a 'clear mind' in that he did not appear distracted and allowed me to describe my situation without interruption, which is rare in medical offices these days. He then asked pertinent questions, all while being friendly and professional. His follow up comments, recommended procedure and diagnoses were helpful. And all of this comfortably within the 15 minute time frame.
Dr. Smuck & PA Melissa were very generous with their time and information provided to my elderly mother, the patient, and her husband, especially advice on managing pain, covering options, & improving living conditions.
Dr. Smuck and his assistant, Melissa Hashap are excellent, courteous, and professional. Dr. Smuck is working with me to use exercise for Pain Management. With all of my chronic medical issues, it's working.
Excellent.
He answer my questions, he was very kind and patience with me and me feel very confident to ask questions.
Always a pleasure to work with Dr Smuck
Dr. Smuck is the most effective, efficient, respectful & knowledgeable doctor I have ever met. I feel lucky to be his patient.
good
Dr. Smuck is great! Give him a raise!
Care provider was not in a hurry to get to the next patient. Thank you for your time & care.
Dr. Smuck is a genius! give him a raise!
good
Dr. Smuck is great!
The doctor was very thorough and very professional.
Dr. Smuck has always been great about providing explanation of possible treatments & outcomes available. Would recommend to anyone I know w/back/spine issue!
excellent teamwork
Dr. Smuck took the time to explain all options fully & carefully. Really appreciated his knowledge & truly feels he's trying to get me better.
I feel that the doctor spend an adequate amount of time listening to my concerns and explaining his findings to us. Very professional.
Specific concerns about my physical therapy program weren't not discussed in enough detail and therefore not adequately addressed.
Dr S is the best.
Dr. Smuck should pull up scans or X-rays and go over the results and explain what the results mean w/visuals. It would help build confidence w/his recommendations.
I am very pleased that Dr. Matthew Smuck is available to see me every 6 months. Previously (3 years ago) he served as a consultant for my care and. then returned my care to my private (non-Stanford) physicians.
It is always a pleasure to see Dr. Smuck. He is very informative and always has the right answers for my questions.
Needs more compassion.
I felt my health was important to each person in the room. Very responsive to my needs.
dr smuck is the greatest!!!
I would have appreciated more information about alternative therapies for the pain associated with a herniated disc. The doctor and nurse just continued to support standard physical therapy. Even if they do not view alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic) as effective I would have appreciated more information about them and an explanation of why they were not recommended in my case.
He had full understanding with my health problem & explain it to me.
He is going to help me I no I believe in him it's his work-ward God is with us. #1. I like him.
I wish he would have gone over the Spine xrays and MRI of the lumbar spine I just had had the day before to explain the findings with me. He didn't seem very interested in my case. Referred me to another doctor for follow-up following my EMG.
I saw first a resident and then Dr. Smuck. I quite like and support teaching facilities, and my experience here was very good. The resident was excellent, and so was Dr. Smuck.
Provider was competent but was not very empathetic or communicative - I felt my input was not received well.
I didn't have enough visits or care from this doctor. I only saw him one time so I would have a hard time fully recommending him. But I did enjoy the first visit and felt he was very good.
Smuck and his PA were great each time.
Mister Smuck and his assistant were a great tandem to talk with.
Dr. Smuck was exceptional. As usual.
Dr. & PA were helpful in determining my next course of treatment & referral to specialist.
It is too difficult to get an urgent appt.
Good experience!
Excellent services.
Great!

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