Matthew Smuck, MD

Spine physiatrist

Bio:   Dr. Matthew Smuck is the Chief of PM&R and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at Stanford University, and is the Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services for Stanford Healthcare. He specializes in the comprehensive conservative management of spine disorders at the Stanford University Spine Center. He received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Afterward he completed his residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Stanford University, followed by a one year Spine Fellowship at Stanford.

Dr. Smuck is a Deputy Editor of The Spine Journal, Co-Editor of the Orthopedics Knowledge Update in Spine, 4th edition and is on the Assistant Editorial Board of the European Spine Journal. He serves multiple leadership roles in prominent national and international physician societies. This includes sitting on the Board of Directors for the International Spine Intervention Society, and serving as Chairman of the North American Spine Society’s Advanced Lumbar Spine Injection Course. He has published numerous book chapters and scientific articles, and he remains and active researcher.

Dr. Smuck is a pioneer in the new field of objective tracking of physical performance in musculoskeletal diseases. He leads the Wearable Health Lab at Stanford, applying rigorous medical research methodology and advanced statistics to the analysis of mobile technology data with the goal of creating new insights into human diseases and developing novel tools for disease detection and prevention. His research was recognized with best research awards at the annual meetings of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine in 2012; the International Spine Intervention Society in 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014; the North American Spine Society in 2009 and 2013; and the American Academy of PM&R in 2011, 2013 & 2014. His research has won several prestigious awards including The Spine Journal’s 2013 Outstanding Paper Award for Medical and Interventional Science, the AAPM&R’s 2014 President’s Citation Award, and the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s 2015 PM&R Journal Best Original Research Award. Dr. Smuck lectures on his research, and on spine and rehabilitation topics at medical conferences and Universities around the world.
4.6 out of 5
232 Patient Ratings
17 Patient Comments

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Division

Orthopaedic Spine Center

Professional Education

  • Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine (2001) CA
  • Board Certification: Physical Medicine and Rehab, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehab (2002)
  • Board Certification: Pain Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehab (2003)
  • 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

  • Most Outstanding Biomedical Research Paper, Indiana University School of Medicine (1997)
  • Faculty Mentor, 1st Place Theodore M. Cole Resident Research Award, University of Michigan (2009, 2007, 2004)
  • Instructor, National and International spine injection training workshops (annually since 2005)
  • Young Investigator Award, US Bone and Joint Decade (2006)
  • Visiting Professor, El Maadi Military Hospital Complex, Cairo, Egypt (9/2010)
  • Jose C. Montero MD Teaching Award, Stanford University, PM&R residency program (2010)
  • Best Basic Science Research Award, International Spine Intervention Society (2011)
  • Best Musculoskeletal Research Award, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2011)
  • Faculty Mentor, Best Resident Research Presentation, Stanford University PM&R Residency (2012)
  • Best Clinical Research Award, International Spine Intervention Society (2012, 2013, 2014)
  • Medtronic Best Poster Award, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (2012)
  • Best Pain and Spine Abstracts, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2013, 2014)
  • Best Papers, North American Spine Society (NASS) Annual Meeting (2013, 2009)
  • Instructor, International Spine Intervention Society (2013)
  • Outstanding Paper Award: Medical and Interventional Science, The Spine Journal (2013)
  • President's Citation Award, AAPM&R (2014)
  • Best Original Research Award, Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the PM&R Journal (2015)

Administrative Appointments

  • Director, University of Michigan PM&R Interventional Spine Fellowship (2007 - 2008)
  • Interim Director, The University of Michigan Spine Program (2008 - 2008)
  • Director, Stanford PM&R Interventional Spine Fellowship (2009 - Present)
  • Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services, Stanford University Hospital & Clinics (2011 - Present)
  • Director and Founder, Center for Medical Mobile Technology (2014 - Present)
  • Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Stanford University (2011 - Present)

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

4.7

Friendliness

4.6

Recommended to others

4.6

Explanations

4.6

Listens

4.7

Includes you in decisions

4.7

Clear Communication

4.6

Confidence in your doctor

4.0

Wait times

SHC Patient, Sep 2015

I felt my health was important to each person in the room. Very responsive to my needs.

SHC Patient, Jul 2015

dr smuck is the greatest!!!

SHC Patient, Jul 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Jun 2015

He had full understanding with my health problem & explain it to me.

SHC Patient, Jun 2015

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.

SHC Patient, May 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

Provider was competent but was not very empathetic or communicative - I felt my input was not received well.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Smuck and his PA were great each time.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Mister Smuck and his assistant were a great tandem to talk with.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Dr. Smuck was exceptional. As usual.

View All 17 Patient Comments »
4.6 out of 5
232 Patient Ratings
17 Patient Comments

SHC Patient, Sep 2015

I felt my health was important to each person in the room. Very responsive to my needs.

SHC Patient, Jul 2015

dr smuck is the greatest!!!

SHC Patient, Jul 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Jun 2015

He had full understanding with my health problem & explain it to me.

SHC Patient, Jun 2015

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.

SHC Patient, May 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

Provider was competent but was not very empathetic or communicative - I felt my input was not received well.

SHC Patient, Mar 2015

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.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Smuck and his PA were great each time.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Mister Smuck and his assistant were a great tandem to talk with.

SHC Patient, Jan 2015

Dr. Smuck was exceptional. As usual.

SHC Patient, Dec 2014

Dr. & PA were helpful in determining my next course of treatment & referral to specialist.

SHC Patient, Nov 2014

It is too difficult to get an urgent appt.

SHC Patient, Nov 2014

Good experience!

SHC Patient, Oct 2014

Excellent services.

SHC Patient, May 2014

Great!