Chiropractie Den Haag
Matthew Petzer
“To me, chiropractic care is about moving better, functioning better, and understanding what may be causing a problem. I want to help people look beyond today’s symptoms and focus on what they need to stay active in the long term.”
Chiropractie Den Haag
Matthew Petzer
“To me, chiropractic care is about moving better, functioning better, and understanding what may be causing a problem. I want to help people look beyond today’s symptoms and focus on what they need to stay active in the long term.”
About Matthew
Dr. Matthew Petzer – Chiropractor in The Hague
Dr. Matthew Petzer is an energetic, dedicated chiropractor with a strong interest in recovery, movement, sports, and persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
His approach combines thorough assessments with personalized attention. Matthew believes it is important to look beyond the location of pain or limitations and consider posture, mobility, movement patterns, and other factors that may affect day-to-day function.
His own experiences with sports injuries and recurring neck and lower back pain introduced him to chiropractic care at a young age. They sparked his interest in the profession and ultimately inspired him to become a chiropractor.
Matthew earned his Master of Science in Chiropractic from Durban University of Technology in South Africa. Today, he practices at Chiropractie Den Haag and Chiropractie Oosterheem.
Our patients love seeing Matthew
“Matthew really knows what he’s doing!”
Highly recommended! For three months, I couldn’t sleep on my side because of pain in my back, right hip, and groin.
Thanks to the fantastic help I received from Matt (the owner), I can finally sleep comfortably on my side again.
He continues to help me tremendously and really addresses the root of my symptoms. All in all, an excellent practice!
Matthew’s Profile
A Quick Profile of Chiropractor Matthew Petzer
Role
Chiropractor
Practices
Chiropractie Den Haag
Chiropractie Oosterheem
Areas of Focus:
Sports-related conditions, chronic muscle and joint pain, headaches, jaw problems, posture, movement, and recovery
Experience
Nearly 20 years of clinical experience
Languages
English, Dutch, and Afrikaans
Matthew is also learning Spanish
Education
Master of Science in Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology
What Sparked His Interest in Chiropractic Care?
Originally from South Africa, Matthew was active in sports and physical activities from a young age. While playing sports, he experienced injuries and recurring neck and lower back pain himself. This introduced him to chiropractic care.
These experiences made him curious about how the spine, joints, muscles, and movement are connected. He was especially interested in why certain symptoms keep coming back. That curiosity grew into a professional ambition.
Matthew decided to study health sciences and ultimately pursue chiropractic care, with the goal of helping others understand their bodies better and keep moving as well as possible.
Matthew Petzer
Dr. Matthew Petzer’s Areas of Focus
Matthew treats people with a wide range of conditions, with a particular interest in sports, movement, and persistent symptoms. His main areas of focus include:
Sports-Related Conditions
Back and Neck Pain
Persistent Muscle and Joint Pain
Headaches
Jaw and TMJ Problems
Posture-Related Conditions
Limited Mobility
Recovery and Return to Sports or Daily Activities
Approach to Care
Matthew Focuses on Movement and Function
Matthew believes it is important to understand what limits someone in everyday life. During an initial appointment, he discusses not only their symptoms but also how they move, work, exercise, and manage physical demands.
He then assesses factors such as spinal and joint mobility, posture, and movement patterns. Based on his findings, he determines which chiropractic approach may be appropriate. His assessment takes into account:
The Nature and Duration of Symptoms
Posture and Movement Patterns
Joint Range of Motion
Sports and Training Load
Work and Daily Activities
Previous Injuries
Recovery and Physical Capacity
Personal Goals
“Matthew wants to do more than treat people. He also wants to help them understand the factors that may contribute to their symptoms. Working together toward better movement is at the heart of his approach.”
Sports, Recovery, and Performance
Sports and movement play an important role in both Matthew’s personal life and his work as a chiropractor.
Having experienced sports injuries himself, he understands how frustrating it can be when a physical problem prevents you from training or moving as you normally would. That is why Matthew looks beyond the painful area when working with athletes.
He also assesses factors such as range of motion, previous injuries, training load, posture, and how different parts of the body work together.
When someone wants to return to sports after an injury, he tailors the approach to their individual circumstances and goals. The focus is on gradually and responsibly rebuilding movement and physical capacity.
Chronic and Recurring Conditions
Some physical symptoms resolve quickly, while others keep returning or persist over time. Matthew has a particular interest in these long-standing conditions.
For these patients, he takes a broad view of factors that may contribute to their symptoms, such as posture, movement, daily physical demands, sports, work, and previous injuries.
Rather than automatically focusing only on where it hurts, his goal is to investigate movement restrictions or patterns that may play a role. He then determines which approach may be appropriate.
Zone Technique and Applied Kinesiology
In addition to general chiropractic techniques, Matthew has studied several complementary approaches, including Zone Technique and Applied Kinesiology.
Zone Technique is a chiropractic approach that considers different functional areas of the body and their possible relationship with the nervous system.
Applied Kinesiology uses different methods to assess movement and muscle function as part of a broader examination.
Matthew does not use this knowledge as a standard protocol, but as an additional resource when relevant to an individual assessment.
Education and Experience
Matthew Petzer’s Education and Experience
Matthew studied in South Africa. After completing preliminary studies in health sciences, he decided to focus entirely on chiropractic care. He earned his Master of Science in Chiropractic from Durban University of Technology. During his studies and clinical internship, Matthew gained extensive hands-on experience working with patients with a wide range of conditions.
Master of Science in Chiropractic
Durban University of Technology
Clinical Internship in South Africa
Advanced certified in Cranial Facial Release
Training in Zone Technique
Training in Applied Kinesiology
After graduating, Matthew continued his career in the Netherlands, where he now practices at Chiropractie Den Haag and Chiropractie Oosterheem.
Personal Life
Matthew Outside the Practice
Matthew leads an active life outside of work, too. He enjoys running, surfing, swimming, and spending time outdoors. Sports and movement are not just professional interests for him; they are also an important part of his everyday life.
These personal experiences help him relate to people who enjoy being active but are temporarily limited by physical symptoms.
Whether someone wants to get back to sports, move without restrictions, or simply find everyday activities easier, Matthew believes in working together toward a realistic, personalized goal.
Professional Development and Research
Continuing to Learn in Chiropractic Care
Matthew believes in continually developing his knowledge. He regularly pursues additional training, attends seminars, and stays informed about developments in his field.
His interests include movement, sports, functional recovery, chiropractic techniques, and persistent symptoms.
He evaluates new techniques and insights critically and applies them when they suit the individual patient and their needs. Matthew is also involved with several professional organizations, including:
Dutch Chiropractic Federation (DCF)
SNRC
International chiropractic professional organizations
The Dutch Chiropractic Association DCF/CCA
SNRC
International Chiropractors Association (ICA)
International and Approachable
Care in English, Dutch, and Afrikaans
Matthew speaks English, Dutch, and Afrikaans. He is also currently learning Spanish.
With his South African background and experience working in the Netherlands, he treats patients from many different nationalities and backgrounds.
Clear communication is important to Matthew. He wants patients to understand what he is assessing, what he does during treatment, and why certain decisions are made.
Get in Touch
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Matthew Petzer
Are you dealing with back or neck pain, a sports-related condition, frequent headaches, or problems with your jaw or movement? During your first visit, Matthew takes time to discuss your symptoms, daily activities, and personal goals.
He then performs a chiropractic examination, assessing factors such as posture, movement, and how the spine and joints function. Afterward, he clearly explains his findings and discusses which next steps may be appropriate.