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10/10 recommend—these guys are the BEST

Brendan C

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dr. Mariel Hammond desires to promote a healing environment where all patients can truly understand their diagnosis, work together with their providers to improve their outcomes, and return to function with a sense of accountability that empowers them. Mariel has studied many realms of physical therapy assessment, including Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), McKenzie, Maitland, Sahrmann, and Functional Range Systems that allow for a full body approach to assessment and treatment. She utilizes movement screening approaches such as the FMS and the SFMA for return to sport performance and life, which ensures your treatment will help reduce future risk of injury and pain. Approach to treatment Every person is different, in the way that they move, heal, and respond to feedback. Dr. Mariel makes education a priority to ensure that patients take responsibility for their own care and understand the amazing power of self healing that the body can achieve when placed in the right environment. Personalized home exercise programs will be given to each patient, and regular communication with their therapist will allow the patient to reach these outcomes at their own pace. Mariel meets patients at their fitness level, treating the weekend warrior all the way up to the professional athlete. Learning first how to move appropriately, and then load the body optimally, each patient will leave their appointments with a better understanding of how resilient and powerful our bodies can be. She has a particular interest in youth development training and injury reduction, coaching many levels of youth from elementary to college and beyond. Education Dr. Mariel obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida, specializing in anatomy, biomechanics and fitness training. She continued her education, getting her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Duke University, where she studied under some of the best physical therapists in the world. Learning from them has been a profound lesson, and she strives to continue her education through courses that spark her passion, and keep up with the ever-changing evidence based practice. Particular interests include sports performance, pain science and orthopaedic injuries. Constantly curious about longevity and reaching her own potential, Mariel has also invested many hours of research on how to improve all body systems - from sleep, nutrition, mental health and performance. A session with Mariel could touch on all of these aspects and more, with up to date interventions that keep you striving to be the best version of yourself. Outside of Work Mariel is an avid adventurist, exploring the many wonders that the PNW provides. Growing up in Florida, she did not have access to beautiful mountains and enjoys the hiking and climbing that nature provides. Basketball was her passion growing up, and she was a high school standout before moving on to UCF where she began to play Ultimate Frisbee competitively. She is now an Elite Level Ultimate Frisbee player, becoming just one of 26 women representing team USA in the Worlds Ultimate and Guts Championships in 2020. She has continued her career with the Oregon Women's club team, Oregon Schwa, which placed 3rd in the nation last year. Don't hesitate to find out how you can get involved with your local league as she loves to talk shop!

Mariel Hammond

Physical Therapist, Eugene, OR

April 1, 2025

At the beginning of the year I woke up with a pain in my ankle that felt like I had sprained it/rolled it or something similar. Nothing had happened that would have alerted me to that particular injury. Went to my PCP, got an x-ray (nothing wrong) got referred to a podiatrist (they found nothing).

Thankfully the podiatrist referred me to Zenith, where I met Dr. Mariel. Over the course of 6 sessions she worked like a detective trying to solve my issue. Seriously, she is like Sherlock Holmes. Did not leave a stone unturned. My issue ended up being a nerve that was very angry and causing pain to present in my ankle. It was the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me. Without Mariel, I would still be limping around with a phantom injury. I highly recommend working with her. She is so kind, knowledgeable, patient and will not stop until you are feeling your best.

Zenith as a whole is a fantastic place to heal and to meet your fitness goals. My goal was simply to walk normally and to get back to playing with my kiddos and I am not only able to do that but have come out the other side feeling better than ever. Yes, they are a cash pay facility but Jesse made it so easy to submit to my insurance with superbills and was always available if I needed anything.

These guys are seriously the BEST at communicating with their patients / clients. I have never felt so taken care of it was as if I was the only client they had.

10/10 recommend. Ask for Mariel, she kicks ass.

What Clients Are Saying About Our Rehab PT

From weekend warriors to elite athletes, our clients trust Zenith for expert care and real results. Here is what they had to say about their experience with our Rehab PT—tailored support that helped them move, train, and feel their best.

Positive, knowledgeable, and compassionate

Mariel was the best. She got me up and running (literally) when I didn’t think it was possible. Positive, knowledgeable and compassionate. Highly recommend!

Dana V

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The small things add up to bigger problems

Very good physical therapist showed me the small things add up to become bigger problems

Michael S

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My only regret is not going to Zenith sooner

I experienced a ground lever fall while rollerblading and ended up with a herniated disc in my lumbar spine, whiplash, cervical strain, and a concussion. I was off work (full time PT) for 6 weeks - lifting even a pot/pan caused severe pain and headaches. I was devastated because I had to wait weeks before I could get an appointment to an outpatient clinic - eventually my insurance didn’t cover it so ended up having to cancel my appointments and try another clinic. In the meantime, I used my own expertise to help myself but I could only treat myself so much and needed hands-on manual therapy for my cervical spine. I knew I needed a PT who is knowledgeable with manual therapy. I tried an outpatient clinic in my network but I wasn’t impressed with their manual therapy skills and ability to get me back to higher level activities pain-free. I decided that my health and physical well being is worth the investment and I was tired of the insurance policies and headache. So I reached out to Mike. Best decision ever. Mike did a thorough evaluation and assessment and set goals that were reasonable and patient/client centered. He did not deter from doing manual therapy as needed for my spinal column to help my muscles and soft tissue heal. I felt relief in my first visit with him (it had been 3 months since my injury at this point and I still wasn’t doing most of my activities). Every visit he made sure to check in to see what worked and what didn’t work - it was focused on my goals and not a formality to please the insurance folk or making sure to bill the right codes. The home exercise program was catered to my needs. Fast forward I am now back to running, rollerblading, playing piano/guitar/violin, strength training, skiing, and hiking with better stability and mobility - I can also lift my kiddos without pain or significant muscle/joint tension! Each and every visit was focused towards my healing and I know he truly cared for me to return to my life. Coming from a physical therapist who is very unimpressed with our medical system and insurance policies, my only regret is that I didn’t go to him sooner. If you’re looking to a PT who is invested in you, thorough, professional, and willing to invest in yourself, this is the place to go! They don’t waste any time here.

Megha J

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