Back Pain Physical Therapy in Washington, DC
Living with constant back pain changes everything—how you sleep, work, and move through your day. We help active adults in Washington DC break free from the cycle of flare-ups and get back to the life they want to live, without relying on medications or avoiding the activities they love.
When Your Back Controls Your Life
It's not just the physical pain—it's the mental exhaustion of constantly managing your back. You plan your day around good and bad days, avoid certain movements, and feel like your body is betraying you. The fear of "throwing your back out" again haunts every decision.
Always on Guard
You move carefully, sleep strategically, and live in constant fear that one wrong movement will send you back to square one.
Missing Life's Moments
Family activities, weekend adventures, and simple pleasures are off-limits because your back dictates what you can and can't do.
The Medication Trap
You're tired of masking the pain with pills that don't address the real problem and worry about becoming dependent on temporary solutions.
Understanding Your Back's Story
Back pain rarely appears overnight—it's usually the result of years of movement patterns, posture habits, and compensation strategies your body developed to protect itself. We help you understand why your back hurts and, more importantly, how to change the conditions that created the pain.
Comprehensive spine and posture assessment to identify pain generators
Manual therapy techniques to restore normal spinal mechanics
Education and tools to manage your condition independently
"Exceptional Care and Expertise! I have been receiving treatment at Joe Norton Physical Therapy LLC, and I cannot express how grateful I am for the exceptional care and expertise I received. What sets Joe and Pam apart is their genuine compassion and dedication to their patients' well-being as well as their interest in preventative care for adults and children. If you are in need of a highly skilled and compassionate physical therapist, I wholeheartedly recommend Pam as well as any PT in the practice."
Breaking the Cycle of Back Pain
Understand Your Pain Pattern
We map out when, where, and why your back hurts, identifying the triggers and movements that set off your symptoms.
Restore Normal Function
Through hands-on treatment and targeted exercises, we address the stiffness, weakness, and movement dysfunctions feeding your pain cycle.
Build Lasting Resilience
Learn the strategies and strength work that will keep your back healthy, even when life gets stressful or your routine changes.
From Acute Flare-ups to Chronic Conditions
Whether you're dealing with a recent injury that won't heal or chronic pain that's been limiting you for years, we have experience helping people at every stage of back pain. Our approach adapts to your specific condition, timeline, and goals.
Herniated discs and sciatica with radiating leg symptoms
Chronic lower back pain and postural dysfunction
Post-surgical spine rehabilitation and movement restoration
Verified Google Reviews
What Our Athletes Say About Us
See how our personalized approach has helped active adults and runners in DC overcome pain and return stronger than before.
Your Partners in Recovery and Performance
Our expert team combines advanced training, hands-on care, and a patient-first approach to help you recover, move better, and achieve lasting results.
With over a decade of experience and as a 2:54 marathoner, Joe combines deep expertise in physical therapy with firsthand understanding of athletic training.
After earning his Master's from Springfield College in 2009, Joe completed an orthopedic manual therapy residency at Georgetown University and earned his Certification in Functional Manual Therapy (CFMT) with honors.
Board-certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Joe specializes in helping runners prevent and manage overuse injuries, improve performance, and train smarter.
His personalized approach combines hands-on manual therapy, targeted strength work, and practical training advice to help clients reach their peak potential.
A former Division I swimmer, Kelly brings athletic experience and advanced physical therapy expertise to her practice.
After earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from CUNY Graduate Center/Hunter College, Kelly refined her skills in private practice before moving to Washington, DC in 2014.
Kelly specializes in advanced manual therapy techniques, including Kinesio Tape, Active Release Technique, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization.
Her hands-on approach, combined with her understanding of athletic performance, makes her exceptionally skilled at helping active professionals and athletes recover from injuries and achieve their performance goals.
A graduate of Marymount University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Pam has spent her entire career practicing in Washington, D.C.
She completed an orthopedic manual therapy residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, earning her certification as a Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT) with Honors and board certification in orthopedics (OCS).
With experience across neurology, pediatrics, oncology, rheumatology, and sports medicine, Pam tailors her care to each person's unique needs.
A lifelong athlete herself, she's passionate about helping clients tap into their potential and feel strong, capable, and ready for life.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh's DPT program, Luke brings expertise in orthopedic and sports injuries, vestibular therapy, and concussion rehabilitation.
As a former collegiate cross-country and track athlete, he understands the demands of training and competition.
Luke takes a whole-person approach to care, ensuring every session leaves you feeling heard, equipped with recovery tools, and motivated to reach your goals.
His combination of science-based knowledge and personal connection makes him a valuable partner in your journey to peak performance.
With over a decade of experience, Eric holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Marymount University and is an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS).
He's also certified in Dry Needling and holds an SFMA Level 2 certification. Eric specializes in orthopedic conditions and postoperative rehabilitation, with particular expertise working with youth athletes, weightlifters, boxers, and mixed martial artists.
As a competitive Muay Thai kickboxer and amateur boxer himself, he brings deep understanding of athletic performance to his personalized approach.
A 2022 graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Jessie brings extensive experience in outpatient orthopedic settings.
Her passion for physical therapy was inspired by witnessing her husband's recovery from debilitating back pain.
As an avid CrossFit enthusiast, Jessie understands the demands of high-intensity fitness and enjoys working with clients who are motivated to enhance their performance.
She combines her passion for movement with evidence-based approaches to create personalized recovery plans.
With a Bachelor's in Philosophy and Master's in French, Mandy brings her lifelong passion for movement as a dancer to her role at Norton PT.
She's committed to creating a welcoming, personalized experience for every client, helping them feel confident and empowered on their journey to better health.
Ready to Take Control of Your Back Pain?
Located in Georgetown with easy access from downtown DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. We understand that back pain makes travel difficult, so we're conveniently located near public transportation and offer flexible scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions we frequently receive from patients. If you don't see your question addressed, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
Chronic back pain often results from a combination of factors including poor posture, muscle imbalances, previous injuries, stress, and movement patterns developed over time. Disc problems, arthritis, and nerve irritation are common contributors. We perform comprehensive evaluations to identify all contributing factors, not just the obvious ones.
Back pain treatment requires understanding the whole person, not just the spine. We look at how you sit, sleep, work, and move throughout your day. Treatment often involves addressing multiple systems—your core stability, hip mobility, breathing patterns, and stress management—because they all influence back health.
Yes, even chronic back pain can improve significantly with the right approach. While acute injuries may resolve quickly, chronic conditions require patience and a comprehensive plan. We focus on education, gradual progression, and building confidence in your body's ability to heal and adapt.
Still have questions?
We're here to help you understand your options and find lasting relief from back pain.