When Natalie tore her ACL, life didn’t pause—not with two energetic toddlers, a demanding career, yoga she loved, and her passion for horseback riding. What she didn’t expect was just how difficult, emotional, and humbling ACL reconstruction recovery would be.
There were setbacks. There were moments of fear. And there were many sessions where Natalie found herself in tears—frustrated by slow progress, overwhelmed by pain, and unsure if she would ever feel like herself again.
Today, she’s back to yoga, horseback riding, and chasing after her boys—stronger in every sense. This is the honest story of her comeback with Motion.
“I walked into Motion feeling overwhelmed. I walked out feeling hopeful.”
Natalie spent most of her recovery working closely with Matt Arbeiter, who became her steady guide through every stage of rehab. From the earliest weeks—when bending her knee felt impossible—to returning to full-strength activities, Matt was there for the victories and the breakdowns.
“There were days I cried through half the session,” Natalie said.
“But Matt never made me feel embarrassed or behind. I never felt like a number—he always saw me as a whole person, not just a knee injury.”
As she approached later phases of rehab, Dan Kirkpatrick at Motion Minnetonka stepped in to support her progress, refine her mechanics, and help her return to higher-level movement with confidence.
“Dan picked up right where Matt and I had built the foundation. It felt like I had a team behind me that truly cared about my success.”
A Recovery Plan Built for Strength—And Emotional Resilience
Motion’s approach supported not just Natalie’s physical recovery, but her mental and emotional journey too.
Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR)
BFR was vital in helping her rebuild strength during the hardest weeks.
“There were sessions where BFR made me cry—but for the first time, it was because I could finally see progress.”
Dry Needling
Dry needling helped break through stubborn tightness and discomfort—especially during the transition from walking to early strengthening.
Hands-on Care, Real Conversations & Thoughtful Progression
Matt and Dan didn’t just coach her through exercises—they guided her through fear, frustration, and breakthrough moments.
“They always knew when to push me and when to slow down and talk. They treated me like a person navigating a life-changing recovery, not just a protocol.”
Reclaiming Her Life—One Victory at a Time
Today, Natalie is back to:
✔️ Yoga, including poses she once feared she’d never return to
✔️ Horseback riding, with balance, trust, and confidence
✔️ Caring for her toddlers, without hesitating or guarding her knee
✔️ A fully active life, rebuilt with strength and self-belief
“There were moments I thought I’d lost the parts of my life that make me feel like me. Motion helped me get all of that back—and more.”
Natalie’s Message to Anyone Recovering From Injury
“ACL recovery is physically and emotionally brutal. You need a team who sees you—your goals, your fears, your life outside the clinic. Motion was that for me.”
Her journey shows that recovery is not just about getting strong again—it’s about feeling supported, believed in, and guided toward the life you want to return to.
Start Your Own Recovery Story With Motion
Motion is here for every phase of your journey—from the hardest days to the breakthroughs.
We offer:
- Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR)
- Dry Needling
- Manual therapy
- Progressive strength & mobility programming
- Return-to-sport and return-to-life training
? Ready to begin your comeback? Contact Motion today.