Purpose on the Ice: David Merson’s Rewarding Work with Figure Skaters

For David Merson, PT, the moment an athlete steps onto the international stage never gets old.
 
“You have to sit and watch,” he says with a smile.
 
Merson, who joined APR Physical Therapy in the summer of 2023, has quietly built a reputation as a trusted provider for figure skaters training locally and beyond. While discretion is critical in the world of elite athletics, APR has proudly highlighted his work in social media, including a congratulatory post recognizing athletes such as Emily Chan, Spencer Akira Howe and Maxim Naumov on their inclusion with Team USA.
 
But for Merson, it’s not about the spotlight. It’s about purpose.
 
“Seeing these international-level competitors, and even the younger skaters who work their way up to national events, is such an amazing experience,” he says. “It makes me feel like I have value. It reinforces why I do what I do.”
 
Merson’s connection to figure skating didn’t happen overnight. He began working with skaters in 2010, volunteering at events as early as 2014. Over time, word spread within the tight-knit skating community. One athlete became two. Two became four. Gradually, relationships deepened and trust grew. Once your name is part of that trusted network of coaches, trainers, technicians and providers you earn responsibility.
 
Today, Merson works with skaters of all ages and levels, many of whom train at The Skating Club of Boston. Some travel from out of state, even internationally, to seek his care while training in the area.
 
“It’s years and years of work,” he says. “Providing excellent treatment, excellent results, and building real relationships.”
 
While the Olympic athletes capture headlines, Merson is quick to point out that they represent only a small slice of the reward he feels.
 
“The pride is for all these athletes,” he explains. “From the local competitors to the international ones. Watching them succeed and knowing you’ve helped them get there, that’s special.”
 
Merson’s work extends beyond physical recovery. The past year has been especially emotional for the skating community following a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of several individuals connected to The Skating Club of Boston, including Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, the parents of Max Naumov. The loss reverberated deeply through the sport.
 
“Every athlete I work with has been affected in some way,” Merson says. “It’s about providing support, providing some sense of normalcy, and helping them continue doing what they love.”
 
In moments like that, physical therapy becomes more than strengthening exercises. It combines the essence of steady presence, listening and encouragement. Remember, healing happens in layers.
 
“The community has really come together,” he adds. “We still acknowledge those individuals, their impact, and how much they’re missed.”
 
Elite athletes often speak about their “team,” including coaches, choreographers and family members. Physical therapists may not always stand in the spotlight, but they are very much part of that ecosystem.
 
“I’m not officially part of their team,” Merson says humbly, “but I’m part of their group of providers, and that means something.”
 
Whether treating an Olympian, a national-level competitor, or a young skater chasing a dream, Merson approaches each athlete with the same care and attention. That philosophy aligns seamlessly with APR Physical Therapy’s concierge-style model, where individualized treatment and education are cornerstones of care.
 
When the music starts and the skater glides onto the ice, Merson is often watching, not just as a clinician, but as someone who vividly understands the countless unseen hours that led to that moment.
 
And when they land that jump under the brightest lights?
 
“That’s incredibly rewarding,” he says. “That’s why we do this.”