Human Performance Center

Dennis Matos, DC
Chiropractic Sports Medicine Resident
dmatos@nwhealth.edu

Dr. Dennis J. Matos is a sports chiropractic resident at Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) who graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic – West Campus in San Jose, California, with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Prior to that, he acquired a Bachelor of Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Dennis is also completing his Masters of Exercise Science at Concordia University – St. Paul and holds several chiropractic certificates that focus on rehabilitation and movement. He plans to obtain his CSCS, CCSP, and MS before the end of his residency.

Dr. Dennis’ specialty is biomechanics and rehabilitation for the athletic population. He takes a special interest in overhead athletes, specifically Olympic weightlifters, as he is one himself and hopes to compete in the Olympics one day. Dr. Dennis’ primary role as a chiropractic resident is supervising and treating athletes at the Human Performance Center (HPC) for Teams clinic and active care. Dr. Dennis teaches the pre-participation examination course, assists with advanced lower and upper extremity management, and teaches a rehab of neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) conditions that focuses on post-operative rehabilitation principles.

Paige Prestigiacomo, RDN, LDN
Sports Nutrition Resident
pprestigiacomo@nwhealth.edu

Paige Prestigiacomo is a registered dietitian, licensed in Minnesota. She attended the University of North Dakota, receiving her degree in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics with a focus on performance nutrition. Paige was also a member of the UND Swim Team and the founder of the UND Triathlon Club. Her involvement in competitive sports from a young age is what fueled her passion to become a dietitian. She now spends her time on the pool deck, coaching high school athletes and providing nutrition education.

Having an interdisciplinary team is vital to an athlete’s success because there are numerous pieces to the puzzle that affect performance, and nutrition is often the forgotten piece. As the Sports Nutrition Resident at the Human Performance Center, Paige said, “I believe that all foods fit! I believe that food not only fuels our bodies to perform at its best in athletics but also in life, experiences, memories, and connecting with others.”

Jaime Ayuso, BS, DC, EMT, CCSP
Chiropractic Sports Medicine Resident
jayuso@nwhealth.edu

Dr. Jaime Ayuso graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in alternative medicine from Everglades University in Orlando, FL. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he became a part of the first chiropractic cohort at Keiser University where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Ayuso has participated in sports from a young age and still does to this day. Being a sports resident at NWHSU has allowed Dr. Ayuso to further his experiences working with athletes and sporting events. Being a resident has provided the opportunity for Dr. Ayuso to continue his education by obtaining his EMT and pursuing a Masters of Exercise Science at Concordia University – St. Paul. Dr. Ayuso’s focus as a resident is the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the upper and lower extremities. Through the residency program, Dr. Ayuso is excited to become an even better educator, health care provider, and ambassador for the chiropractic profession.