David Reavy, PT, MBA, OCS

Performance Therapy Expert and Founder of React Physical Therapy

Throughout my life, sports have been my passion. Even more than a passion, my involvement in athletics taught me early on the values I have come to live by. Ambition. Dedication. Strength. These principles are required when you commit to spending your days and nights on a court, on a field, or in my latest phase in life, a clinic. You must have the drive to stay the long hours and run the extra miles when quitting is not an option. Sports teach you to have the courage to set high goals and provide you the confidence and strength to go after them.

I needed these characteristics more than ever when, at 18, I was hit by a car. My accident left me with an extensive set of injuries including low back pain, thoracic pain, SI pain, and pelvic dysfunction. The accident and the subsequent injuries altered my life path. I was unable to regain my previous level of function through traditional physical therapy, which ultimately challenged me to think beyond my limitations.

My body was left feeling unbalanced, uncoordinated, and limited for nearly a decade. I understand the frustrations of my patients because I have lived them myself. I know what it is like to feel hopeless and to believe that your abilities may never be as they once were. The accident set me on a lifelong pursuit to understand the body and discover ways to improve upon the fundamental foundations of physical therapy.

Through my clinical work, I have developed my own approach, the Reavy Method©, recognized by the Illinois Physical Therapy Association as a continuing education course. The Reavy Method© focuses on balancing the body through dynamic assessment, weakness/restriction localization through muscle testing, muscle release, and muscle activation. My goal is to not only bring my patients back to the level of functioning they had previously known but to help them become balanced and stronger than ever.

I received my credentials from the University of Illinois at Chicago and am a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. I feel fortunate to be a regular contributor to Men’s Journal. I especially enjoy seeing my work translate into higher levels of function in my patient population. My past and current clients include Matt Forte, Dwayne Wade, Gilbert Arenas, Tracy McGrady, Tommie Harris, and the many clients that come through React Physical Therapy every day.

David-Reavy-React-Physical-Therapy-Founder
David_Studies-01
David Reavy and Jason Fine

David Reavy and Rolling Stone Managing Editor Jason Fine wrapping up a session with React

David Reavy and Dwyane Wade

David Reavy working with 12-time NBA All Star Dwyane Wade at React

David Reavy and Matt Forte

David Reavy and 2-time Pro Bowl NFL Running Back Matt Forte after a physical therapy session

David Reavy treating 3-time NBA All Star Gilbert Arenas

David Reavy treating 3-time NBA All Star Gilbert Arenas

Lightning Round

A few of  David’s favorite things.

Swift and Sons

Favorite Restaurant

Icons_triangle

Gluten free

Favorite Pizza

Coffee

Favorite Beverage

Icons_Shopping bag

Nordstrom’s

Favorite Store

Icons_Shopping bag copy

Laying on a beach

Favorite Pastime

Football

Favorite Sport

All Chicago teams except Cubs and the St Louis Cards

Favorite team

My bed

Favorite place in Chicago

MSI

Favorite museum

Grant Park

Favorite park

Italy

Favorite vacation spot

Icons_Book

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Favorite book

Breaking Bad

Favorite show

Heat

Favorite movie

Led Zeppelin

Favorite band

Stairway to Heaven

Favorite song

Michael Jackson

Favorite artist

Flipboard

Favorite app

React’s!

Favorite blog

Your body language may shape who you are

Favorite TED talk

I’ve had some bad luck with injuries. I had 12 holes in right knee, many doctors said I should stop playing basketball. David has been able to put me back together. I’m not worried if I get hurt because I know I can come see him and get back to 100%.

React_Testimonial_Paul_Davis
Paul Davis

I’ve been playing basketball overseas for three years and this last summer was the first time I came to see David consistently. After doing my therapy and all of the exercises David gave me on a regular basis, I had the best season percentage wise that I have ever had.

React_Testimonial_Jerome_Randle
Jerome Randle

For the past 2-3 years I had been experiencing right leg pain, back pain, and a slew of other issues. A friend of mine referred me to React and I’m truly amazed by my progress. A few months later and I’m now 100% healed. If you have imbalances, flexibility issues, mobility issues, call React.

React_Testimonial_Jordan T
Jordan T.

I am so indebted to React. For so long, having pain in my shoulder was so normal, I didn’t even think about it. The first time I woke up and walked around for hours before realizing I wasn’t in pain was amazing. I can’t thank them enough for their detailed, careful, and hard work to fix me up.

React_Testimonial_Jennifer Banaszak
Emily B.

I came here fresh off a major hip operation and knee repair. My body was completely unbalanced. I think since my time here, we’ve made huge strides I didn’t think were possible. My stability and strength is better than it’s been in probably 10 years. I think it has everything to do with David and the techniques he has used. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

React_Testimonial_Mike_Magee
Mike Magee