About Us
About Phase 1 Physical Therapy
Since 2003, Phase 1 Physical Therapy has proudly served the Nine Mile Falls community and surrounding areas in Stevens and Spokane County. Our mission has always been simple: help people move better, recover stronger, and prevent future injury through compassionate, personalized care.
We are not a large corporate clinic. We are a locally rooted practice built on relationships, trust, and long term results.
Rooted in Community. Focused on Your Recovery.
For more than 15 years, Phase 1 Physical Therapy has supported Lakeside High School athletics and cared for families throughout Nine Mile Falls and the greater Stevens and Spokane County area. We understand the needs of our local community and are proud to provide experienced, personalized physical therapy close to home.
Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation reviewing your medical history, prior surgeries, and diagnostic information. We assess the injured area along with related joints and tissues to fully understand your condition, then develop a customized rehabilitation plan focused on reducing pain, restoring strength, improving mobility, and preventing re injury.
Our approach is hands on, evidence based, and centered on measurable progress so you can return to daily life with confidence.
Experienced, Licensed Physical Therapists
With more than 45 years of combined clinical experience, our licensed physical therapists treat orthopedic injuries, chronic pain, pelvic health conditions, and post surgical rehabilitation needs.
We commonly help patients recover from back and neck pain, sports injuries, motor vehicle and work related injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, vertigo, TMJ disorders, and post surgical procedures.
Every patient receives a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan tailored to their goals and recovery timeline.
Meet The Phase 1 Staff
Joel San Nicolas PT, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Founder/Physical Therapist
Joel San Nicolas, PT graduated from Eastern Washington University’s Department of Physical Therapy in 1989. He practiced physical therapy at the Shriners Hospital in Spokane before joining the US Air Force in 1991. He worked as a physical therapist within the Department of Physical Therapy at Fairchild AFB for over five years.
After this tour of duty, he worked with several local out-patient physical therapy companies in Spokane prior to opening Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS in Nine Mile Falls in 2003.
In 2008, he started the Suncrest Fitness Center to provide the community with personal training services and facilities to promote long-term health and wellness. He has over 25 years of strength training and personal training experience.
He is an ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist for concussion management and Emergency Responder of the Athlete, Certified. He has been active in providing physical therapy and first responder services for Lakeside High School athletic programs for the past 23 years.
Joel enjoys golfing, EWU football and serving the LHS and the NMF community at large.
Matthew Fain, DPT, COMT, CERA, ITPT
Owner/Senior Physical Therapist
Matthew Fain, DPT, COMT, CERA, ITPT, was born in Galveston, TX and quickly became a seasoned traveler when his father joined the Air Force when Matt was six years old. Throughout his childhood he lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Germany, Montana, and Washington. Matt graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science. He attended physical therapy school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, graduating with honors, receiving a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 2005. In 2020 he returned to school, graduating with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Scholastica University in 2022.
Through his travels Matt felt most at home with the lifestyle of the northwest, settling in Spokane after graduating physical therapy school. While working in Spokane, he became a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), with an emphasis on manual techniques for the spine. In 2014 he joined Joel at Phase 1 Physical Therapy. Having grown up in small communities, Matt was thrilled to be working in the Nine Mile Falls area. A three-sport high school athlete, he was also excited to be working alongside Joel at Lakeside High School athletic events, providing pro bono medical support. Since joining Phase 1, Matt has become an ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist (ITPT} for concussion management and is a Certified Emergency Responder for the Athlete (CERA).
Matt is married to his lovely wife Erica and has two amazing children, Blythe and Porter. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking and exploring the mountains with his family. He is an avid cyclist and fly fisherman.
Ryan Watson, MS, LAT, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer
Ryan joined our team in December as an Athletic Trainer and has been a great asset to our team. He greets every day and every patient with a smile and a “how you doin”.
Ryan graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic Training in 2010. He went on to complete his masters of Sports Science and Health in 2015. Since graduation he has had the pleasure of working as an intern Athletic Trainer for the San Francisco 49er’s, Head Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine Elective teacher for the King’s Academy High School, Multi-care-Spokane Washington as a traveling Athletic Trainer for local high schools as well as Athletic Trainer for Kettle Falls High School. He has also volunteered his time working with Stanford University for their Lighting Fast program where he worked with referees from the NCAAF PAC 12.
Since he was young, Ryan has had a passion for sports. He has played baseball, tennis and even picked up ice hockey and a few games of flag football as an adult. He has been on the sidelines of sports for the last 15 years from collegiate gymnastics to high school national football camps.
As an Athletic Trainer, he is proficient in the evaluation, assessment and treatment of concussions and is lmPact certified. His First Aid/CPR/AED certification is always up to date.
In Ryan’s free time he enjoys coaching his children in the various sports they are interested in such as soccer, basketball, baseball and soon, flag football. He just celebrated his 10 year wedding anniversary to his college sweetheart of 18 years. In the summers, you will find the Watson family out on the lake soaking up the sun!
Angelica Hulett, DPT
Physical Therapist
Angelica grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors through hiking, paddleboarding, and staying active. Her passion for health and fitness became a defining part of her lifestyle and ultimately guided her educational path. After leaving the islands, she attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where she competed as a collegiate volleyball player while earning her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Her interest in understanding the human body and movement inspired her to continue her studies.
Driven by a commitment to making a meaningful impact and a strong passion for health and wellness, Angelica went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro University in Las Vegas, Nevada. During her final year, her clinical internships took her throughout the Pacific Northwest, where she ultimately chose to settle. Since then, she has gained valuable hands-on experience working with a wide range of populations, from young athletes to geriatric patients.
Angelica has primarily practiced in outpatient orthopedics, and she has further expanded her expertise through specialized training in pelvic floor physical therapy, which she integrates into her care. She is excited to continue applying her experience while working with and supporting a diverse patient population here in Nine Mile Falls.
Trina Hayes
Office Manager
Trina has been with Phase 1 since August 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her dogs, boating and gardening. She lives in the Nine Mile Falls community and volunteers her time on the basketball committee for the Lake Spokane Youth Sports program.
Corey Naccarato, Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED
Physical Therapy Aide
Corey joined Phase 1 in July 2023 as our Physical Therapy Aide. He loves to make people smile and is quick to make a joke.
Born in Pendleton, OR and moving to Deer Park at a very young age, Corey has been a part of the community for most of his life. His family owns a farm north of Deer Park with an array of animals from cattle to peacocks. He is a multi-sport athlete ranging from baseball, football, soccer, cheerleading, jiu jitsu and competitive body building. Having been a personal trainer for over 10 years he has extensive experience in coaching, functional training, nutrition and corrective exercise.
He and his wife, Jessica, are welcoming their first baby in November 2023.
Teory Nelson
Billing Specialist
Teory joined the Phase 1 team in July 2024. She enjoys family time spent with her husband Mark and their three boys. Her favorite thing is watching her boys play sports.
More Than a Clinic
Through our involvement in the community and support of the Suncrest Fitness Center Community Health and Wellness Foundation, we remain committed to improving the physical, mental, and social wellness of the entire Nine Mile Falls community.
When you choose Phase 1 Physical Therapy, you are choosing a clinic that genuinely cares about the health and wellbeing of its neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Phase 1 Physical Therapy been serving Nine Mile Falls?
Phase 1 Physical Therapy has proudly served the Nine Mile Falls community since 2003. For more than two decades, we have provided personalized physical therapy services to residents of Stevens County and Spokane County, helping patients recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and return to the activities they enjoy.
What makes Phase 1 Physical Therapy different from larger Spokane clinics?
Unlike large corporate clinics, Phase 1 Physical Therapy is a locally rooted practice in Nine Mile Falls focused on individualized care and long term relationships. Our patients are not just numbers. We provide one on one evaluations, customized rehabilitation plans, and hands on treatment designed around your specific goals and lifestyle.
How experienced are your physical therapists?
Our licensed physical therapists bring more than 45 years of combined clinical experience. We treat a wide range of conditions including orthopedic injuries, sports injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, vertigo, TMJ disorders, and post surgical rehabilitation for patients throughout Nine Mile Falls and the surrounding area.
Do you work with local athletes in Nine Mile Falls?
Yes. Phase 1 Physical Therapy has supported Lakeside High School athletics for more than 15 years and treats student athletes as well as recreational and competitive athletes in the greater Nine Mile Falls community. Our goal is to safely return athletes to sport while reducing the risk of re injury.
What should I expect from physical therapy at your Nine Mile Falls clinic?
You can expect a thorough evaluation, a personalized treatment plan, and hands on care focused on measurable progress. We review your medical history, assess your movement and strength, and develop a rehabilitation plan designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to daily activities with confidence.
Ready to Begin?
If you are looking for experienced, compassionate physical therapy in Nine Mile Falls, Phase 1 Physical Therapy is here to help.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward recovery.