Mar. 6, 2026

Doctors Making a Difference: Matthew Grierson, MD

For Matthew Grierson, MD, what began as a small journal club with fellow physicians and clinicians focused on dance medicine evolved into Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine, a free clinic for those in the performing arts with a deeply collaborative and integrated approach to care. His own history in dance and the challenges of finding specialized care helped shape his medical career and, in turn, this unique resource for the Seattle-area performing arts community. Dr. Grierson spoke with WSMA Reports about SeaPAM's history and mission.

WSMA Reports: How did the SeaPAM free clinic get started?

Dr. Grierson: Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine grew out of a very organic community effort. As a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident, I sought out Dr. Nancy Kadel—an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon and leader in dance medicine—after learning she had returned to Seattle. She was initially surprised that a physiatry resident wanted to work with dancers, but she welcomed me, and that rotation became foundational for my career.

Afterward, a small group of us—physicians, physical therapists, and other clinicians—began meeting monthly for a journal club in Nancy's living room. She cooked dinner, we invited colleagues from across Seattle, and we talked about dance medicine. It was genuinely magical. Attendance quickly grew to 20–30 people each month, and the conversations kept circling back to the same frustration: Dancers were profoundly underserved, and many of us worked in systems that actively made it difficult to care for them.

Even leaders in the field were blocked by institutional silos. Dancers with work-related injuries couldn't see the most qualified clinicians because they didn't fit neatly into "occupational medicine" categories. Several of us worked on and published a study where we found that very few dancers had access to competent medical teams. For many of us, this was devastating — this was exactly why we went into medicine.

Eventually, someone suggested we simply start a free clinic. That idea took on a life of its own. We formed a nonprofit, built a board, and began operating monthly clinics using donated space. Today, SeaPAM brings together physicians, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, Pilates instructors, dance educators, and primary care clinicians. It's the model of care we all wish existed in everyday practice—but payment structures don't allow.

Each clinic is deeply collaborative. One clinician may lead the visit, but everyone in the room participates. Trainees observe. Questions are encouraged—not just about the patient, but about clinical reasoning itself. Honestly, many of the most useful physical exam techniques I use today I learned from colleagues in this clinic.

Twelve years later, SeaPAM is still thriving. Many of us now serve as clinicians for major performing arts organizations in Seattle. We collaborate on research, trust one another professionally, and function as a true community. I only wish more cities had access to a model like this.

What made you want to get involved with providing care for those in the performing arts specifically?

I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in modern dance from the University of Utah and performed in the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. As a dancer, I was injured constantly—but I never saw physicians as people I could turn to.

I remember breaking a rib during rehearsal and being told in the emergency department to "stop dancing." Technically, that advice wasn't wrong—but it was completely disconnected from my reality. Dance wasn't optional. It was my first major performance, and stopping wasn't feasible. What I needed was context, guidance, and a plan—not dismissal.

Those experiences stayed with me. Over time, I realized dancers and musicians often believe pain is inevitable, and they dont' realize there are clinicians who understand their bodies and goals. Dance, quite literally, gave me my life back during a very difficult period. That perspective has shaped my entire medical career.

While I love working with professional dancers, my philosophy applies broadly. One of my favorite patients was an 80-year-old man who wanted his knee pain treated so he could keep swing dancing all night. Movement matters—to everyone. That's why PM&R is such a natural fit for this work.

Are there certain health needs that are unique to this community?

Absolutely. Dancers experience dramatic fluctuations in training volume, which places them at high risk for stress injuries. Learning to recognize early warning signs can mean the difference between brief modification and months away from dance.

Hypermobility is also common, requiring focused attention on proprioception, strength, and cross-training. Concussion awareness is another major gap. Unlike athletes in organized sports, dancers often return to performance immediately after head injuries. Education is improving, and organizations like the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health have been instrumental in pushing for concussion action plans.

Does this organization provide other services for performing artists besides medical care?

Yes. We host a monthly journal club, conduct and present research nationally and internationally, and help connect artists with other nonprofits—such as the Entertainment Community Fund—for financial support during difficult periods. Our impact is small in scale but meaningful.

Do you have any goals for the future of the clinic?

We'd love to reach more volunteers and more patients, particularly musicians. Expansion would require funding and administrative support, and we're careful not to grow in ways that dilute the clinic's core mission. Preserving the spirit of what makes SeaPAM special matters just as much as growth.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about our group can sign up for our email announcements at www.seapam.com.

This article was featured in the March/April 2026 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.