Specialized Dry Needling in Washington DC
Overcome Stubborn Pain and Tension
Our expert dry needling techniques target trigger points to relieve pain, improve mobility, and accelerate your recovery from nagging injuries.

Don't Let Muscle Pain Limit Your Performance
Tension Creates Compensation
Untreated trigger points force your body to move inefficiently, causing new problems.
Surface Treatments Fall Short
Traditional approaches often address symptoms without targeting the root cause.
Recovery Time Lost
Persistent muscle tension slows healing and keeps you away from training longer.

We Help You Break Through Recovery Plateaus
Our specialized dry needling approach targets the source of your pain and tension, giving you a powerful tool to overcome stubborn issues that haven't responded to other treatments.
Release Deep Tension: Target trigger points that other treatments can't effectively reach.
Accelerate Recovery: Improve blood flow and release muscle tightness for faster healing.
Return to Training: Get back to your activities with reduced pain and improved function.
Precision Treatment from Certified Specialists
Our dry needling techniques are performed by certified physical therapists who understand athletic performance and target the specific areas that will have the greatest impact on your recovery.
Expert Practitioners
Our therapists have advanced certifications in dry needling techniques.
Faster Results
Often provides immediate relief where other methods have failed.

Targeted Approach
Precision treatment focused on your specific pain generators.
Integrated Care
Combined with movement therapy for comprehensive recovery.
"He uses dry needling and soft tissue work effectively to relieve pain, and works collaboratively with me to adjust exercises so they work for me."
Your Path to Peak Performance
Book Your Free Phone Consultation
Schedule a comprehensive assessment focused on your specific goals and challenges.
Get a Personalized Plan
Receive expert care and a clear roadmap designed for your body and performance needs.
Perform at Your Best
Return to training with confidence, equipped to reach new levels of performance.
Verified Google Reviews
Trusted by 171+ Washington, DC Area Athletes
Rated 5.0 stars on Google from real patient experiences
Meet Your Board-Certified Wrist Pain Specialists in Washington, DC

Joe Norton, PT, CFMT, OCS
Founder and board-certified orthopedic specialist with advanced manual therapy certification. Joe completed his orthopedic residency at Georgetown University and specializes in helping active adults and athletes recover from complex injuries and return to peak performance.

Kelly Cutler, PT, DPT, CKTP
Former Division I swimmer specializing in upper extremity injuries and shoulder rehabilitation. Kelly is certified in Active Release Technique, dry needling, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, bringing real empathy from her own surgical recovery experience.

Pam Norton, PT, DPT, OCS, CFMT
Board-certified orthopedic specialist with advanced manual therapy certification earned with honors. Pam completed her orthopedic residency at MedStar Georgetown and specializes in postpartum recovery, women's health, and orthopedic rehabilitation for athletes.

Luke Cancilla, PT, DPT
University of Pittsburgh graduate specializing in orthopedic and sports injuries, vestibular therapy, and concussion rehabilitation. As a former collegiate runner and 2:37 marathoner, Luke understands the demands of athletic training and recovery firsthand.

Eric Liu, DPT, OCS, CMPT
Board-certified orthopedic specialist and certified manual physical therapist with over a decade of experience. Eric holds advanced credentials in dry needling (FDN Level 2) and is RacquetFit certified, with extensive experience treating weightlifters, boxers, and racquet sport athletes.

Jessie Grimmer, DPT
Tufts University graduate and certified Level 1 CrossFit coach specializing in high-intensity training athletes. Jessie is a dry needling practitioner with strong clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics, bringing a personal understanding of recovery from witnessing her husband's journey through chronic pain.
Wrist Pain Physical Therapy FAQs
Get answers to common questions about wrist pain treatment, our approach, and what to expect at Norton PT.
Recovery time varies based on your specific condition, but most patients experience significant relief within 4-8 weeks of consistent treatment. Because we provide dedicated 60-minute sessions with advanced manual therapy, many of our patients recover faster and in fewer total visits compared to traditional PT clinics. During your initial evaluation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on your individual assessment.
No, you don't need imaging to start physical therapy. In Washington, DC, you have direct access to physical therapy, meaning no referral is required. Our board-certified specialists are trained to assess your wrist thoroughly and determine if imaging is necessary. In many cases, we can diagnose and successfully treat wrist pain without expensive imaging.
Yes. Many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome find significant relief through conservative physical therapy treatment, including manual therapy, nerve gliding exercises, ergonomic modifications, and targeted strengthening. Our specialists will perform a thorough assessment to determine the severity of your condition and create a personalized treatment plan. If surgery is ultimately necessary, we also provide expert post-surgical rehabilitation.
Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist—we never double-book or pass you to assistants. Our team holds advanced credentials including board certification in orthopedics (OCS), functional manual therapy certification (CFMT), and certified manual physical therapy (CMPT). We're athletes ourselves who understand performance goals, and we tailor treatment to get you back to your specific activities, not just pain-free.
Norton PT is an out-of-network provider, which allows us to provide higher quality, personalized care without insurance restrictions. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many patients find they actually save money with fewer total visits and better outcomes. We're happy to discuss your specific situation during a free phone consultation.
Wear comfortable, athletic clothing that allows easy access to your wrist, forearm, and shoulder. If you have imaging (X-rays, MRI), reports from other providers, or a list of activities that aggravate your wrist, please bring those. We'll also send you intake paperwork to complete before your first visit to maximize your treatment time.
We're located at 3222 N St NW #400 in Georgetown, Washington, DC 20007, just 9 minutes from downtown DC. Metered street parking is available 1-4 blocks away, or you can use the parking garage at 3251 Prospect St NW. We're easily accessible from Arlington and Alexandria via Key Bridge and M Street.
We treat the full spectrum of wrist conditions including wrist sprains and ligament injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis (De Quervain's, flexor/extensor), TFCC tears, fracture rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery, nerve compression, overuse injuries from typing or sports, and chronic wrist instability. Our board-certified specialists have extensive experience with both acute injuries and chronic pain conditions.
Still have questions?
We're here to help you make informed decisions about your running and training. Contact us today for personalized answers.









