Brad Sidener is the founder and president of Reno Sport and Spine Institute, opening its doors in March 1990. He had earned his Physical Therapy degree from California State University — Fresno in 1987; after completing his undergraduate work at San Joaquin Delta College and San Francisco State University. Brad completed his post-baccalaureate and credentialing by the McKenzie Institute, USA and in 1995 became one of the first physical therapists in Nevada to achieve Board Certification in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine (Cert. MDT).

Brad enjoys working with athletes of all ages and backgrounds. Through motion analysis, manual therapy, specific therapeutic exercises, and neuromuscular re-education, he takes great pride in helping his patients return to or exceed prior levels of function and efficiency. He utilizes this athletic rehabilitation approach, not only with his athletes, but also the general orthopedic patient, the injured worker, and post-surgical patient.

Brad’s community activities have been extensive, as he has been a member of the Reno Rodeo Association since 1990 and served as President of this prestigious organization in 2017. Throughout his career, Brad has worked with the athletic teams of several high schools in the community. He has been an integral part of the Galena High School Sports Medicine Team for close to 20 years. On any given Friday night during the fall he can be found on the sidelines of a Grizzly football game and can easily be found in the baseball dugout throughout the spring. He has coached and served on the board for Reno Continental Little League and Muckdogs Baseball Club.

Brad takes great pleasure spending time with his wife, three grown children and his grandson. He enjoys doing anything horseback including team roping and cattle ranching. Additionally, he enjoys scuba diving and an occasional game of golf.

Mike is a fifth generation Nevadan born and raised in Reno, graduating from McQueen High School. He has been practicing physical therapy since 1997 and has been with Reno Sport and Spine Institute since 2001. He graduated from the University of Nevada in 1994 and received his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 1997. Prior to joining RSSI, he was a staff therapist in Portola, California for 4 years where he gained invaluable experience practicing the spectrum of physical therapy: acute hospital, outpatient orthopedics, and home health. Mike was board certified as an orthopedic specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in May 2009.

His continuing education recently has focused on current trends in the prevention and treatment of knee and shoulder injuries, while also focusing on manual therapy techniques for the spine. Combining his clinical practice experience, continuing education, continued clinical reading, and self-treatment of his own injuries, Mike has established a well-rounded approach in treating various neuromusculoskeletal injuries and stresses the importance of prevention, therapeutic exercise and self-management of one’s injuries.

In his leisure time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons in the outdoor areas of the Sierras and Plumas National Forest. A washed-up-has-been high school and college intramural athlete, Mike now enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, following and watching his sons compete at the local high school baseball level, and an occasional round of golf.

Marla grew up in the Reno area, attending local schools, graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1992. Marla graduated from DeAnza College in 1997 with honors. Upon graduation, she returned to Reno working in a variety of inpatient and outpatient facilities. Marla has worked at Reno Sport and Spine Institute since 1998. In January 2007, Marla returned to school at the University of Findlay; Findlay, Ohio to advance her education; she received a Master’s in Physical Therapy in July 2009.

Marla recently received her certification in The McKenzie Method for the neck, back, and extremities. Her primary focus with continuing education coursework is current concepts in orthopedic and sports injuries. Other coursework she has completed includes dysfunctions of the upper and lower quadrants, as well as shoulder, elbow and hand disorders. Marla believes it is important for the patient to be educated, receive as much information as possible and to take an active role in their rehabilitation.

Marla has been an active member in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1995. In the past, Marla has held offices at the state and national levels; she remains active working on issues important to the field of physical therapy.

Away from the office, Marla and her husband, Sean, along with their son enjoy camping, golfing, hiking, and spending time with family and friends, in addition to their dog:  Mo.

Alison is a native Nevadan who attended the University of Nevada and received her BS in 1990. While at UNR Alison worked as a student Athletic Trainer and had the opportunity to work with student athletes from various sports assisting with injury prevention, sideline care and rehabilitative activities. She completed her Athletic Training Certification in 1990 and maintained her certification for 29 years.

She went on to complete her Master’s in Physical Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco in 1994. She then went to work for Scottsdale Memorial Hospital where she rotated through all of the rehab department assignments including ICU, acute and sub-acute rehabilitation, wound care, trauma/post-op, home health and outpatient rehab. She then moved back to Reno where she continued specializing in outpatient rehabilitation further specializing in treating the spine, extremity injuries along with vestibular dysfunction. In addition, she does ergonomic evaluations and has co-led a zoom Tai Ji Quan: Movement for Better Balance course.

She holds certifications with the McKenzie Institute in the Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment for spine and extremity disorders as well as through the American Institute of Balance for treating Vestibular and Concussion Diagnosis. She is certified in Advanced Office Ergonomics with a AOEAS from the Back School and performs Ergonomic evaluations. Alison has also certified as a community instructor in Tai Ji Quan: Movement for Better Balance.

She prides herself on her ability to communicate with patients about what they are want to achieve and utilizes patient education in addition to the techniques most suited for each case. She draws on her sports background and its heavy emphasis on return to function with all her patients and sees them all as “athletes”. Her philosophy is that all patients should be treated to their potential and not by their diagnosis.

When she is not treating patients, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys outdoor activities such as running, skiing, hiking, and paddle boarding. She loves to travel and enjoys artistic outlets such as pottery and painting.

Erika Williams grew up in Carson City, Nevada with a love for health, nutrition, fitness, and helping others. She attended the University of Nevada in Reno and completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences in 1994. She went on to attain her Masters in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 1998. Upon returning to her home in Reno, Erika pursued her physical therapy career in outpatient orthopedics joining the staff at Reno Sport and Spine in 2015.

Over the course of her career, Erika has received her certificate in Pilates-based rehabilitation. She has also completed extensive coursework in manual therapy of the spine, pelvis, shoulder, and knee, and in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the spine and extremities. She prides herself on her manual skills and her ability to incorporate them into a comprehensive treatment program. Erika believes that patient education is key to fostering independence. Therefore, she is dedicated to ensuring that her patients understand how to move their bodies for optimal function and injury prevention. She is committed to giving personal attention and providing individualized care to each patient.

In her free time, Erika enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters traveling and enjoying the outdoors. She continues to pursue personal wellness and fitness and aims to inspire others to do the same.