A Julian Love Affair:
Alpine Physical Therapy's Matt Kraemer
By Bobbi Zane

Physical therapist Matt Kraemer works with patient Gregg Sallee. Photo by Bobbi Zane

Matt Kraemer's love affair with Julian began the first moment he stepped into town.

A physical therapist with a thriving practice in Alpine, he visited Julian shortly after interviewing a prospective employee who lived in Harrison Park. Struck by Julian's beauty, he paid a visit to Dr. Merrick to get some insight into what working in a small town might be like.

Convinced by his meeting with Merrick that the town of Julian had a need for the health and wellness services he provides, Kraemer started shopping for a place to set up what he intended to be a satellite practice in Julian, while his main business would remain in Alpine. Within two weeks he had leased a vacant shop in the back of Stonewall Stores and opened the Julian branch of Alpine Physical Therapy and Wellness Center just weeks before the Cedar fire.

The initial space was too small and needed its own bathroom with running water, so Kraemer moved to a larger shop in Stonewall before settling in his current location on Fourth Street, behind the hardware store.

Now with the practice fully established in Julian, Kraemer spends as many as four days a week here seeing patients not only from the town, but also from Borrego Springs, Ocotillo, Warner Springs, Palomar and Ramona.

It's a general physical therapy practice in which he treats high school athletes who get injured, post-surgical patients, those with neurological injuries, stroke survivors and those with balance disorders. They come in all ages, from babies to seniors.

Recently Kraemer added a weekly exercise class to his schedule. The free class, offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the library, focuses on stretching and chair exercises. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend.

Kraemer also manages the locker holding health care equipment and supplies, which is maintained by the Bennett Foundation. This is the place to go if you have a temporary need to borrow a walker, cane, chair commode, shower chair or other similar item.

A native Southern Californian, Kraemer holds a degree in physical therapy from Long Beach State University and has worked at Alvarado Hospital.

Looking back, Kraemer says that his love of Julian continues to grow.

"Coming up here has evolved into something special. I get to know the people. I love the community and I love to bring my kids up here on weekends," he says.