Dry Needling in Washington DC
Release tension, restore mobility, and get back to training stronger with targeted dry needling treatments designed for athletes and active adults in Georgetown.
Chronic Pain Is Holding You Back
When muscle tension and trigger points go untreated, they limit your performance and keep you from doing what you love.
Pain That Won't Go Away
Stubborn muscle knots and tightness that don't respond to stretching, foam rolling, or rest.
Limited Range of Motion
Restricted movement patterns that affect your training, workouts, and daily activities.
Recurring Injuries
The same issues keep coming back because the root cause—deep muscle tension—hasn't been addressed.
Precision Treatment That Targets the Source
At Norton Physical Therapy, our dry needling approach goes beyond temporary relief. We use advanced techniques, including electrical stimulation, to release trigger points deep within muscles, tendons, and connective tissue—accelerating healing and restoring function where other treatments fall short.
Our certified physical therapists combine dry needling with hands-on manual therapy and movement-based training to ensure you don't just feel better—you move better, perform better, and stay stronger long-term.
Immediate relief from muscle tension and pain
Enhanced blood flow and faster tissue healing
Integrated with personalized movement therapy
"I worked with Eric Liu at Joe Norton Physical Therapy for a diagnosed torn meniscus as confirmed by an MRI. My orthopedic doctor wanted to try a course of physical therapy prior to considering surgery. Joe Norton was my choice because I had had successful treatment there in the past for wrist injury. Eric over the course of a month took me through a series of in office and at home exercises which got me back on the tennis court and playing without surgery. He listened and designed a treatment plan which worked. You can't ask for more than that."
How Dry Needling Works at Norton PT
Comprehensive Assessment
We identify the exact trigger points and movement patterns contributing to your pain through a detailed evaluation.
Targeted Dry Needling Treatment
Fine needles are inserted into specific trigger points, often combined with electrical stimulation to maximize muscle relaxation and healing.
Integrated Recovery Plan
We pair dry needling with manual therapy, corrective exercises, and training adjustments so you return to activity stronger and more resilient.
Conditions We Treat with Dry Needling
Whether you're an elite marathoner, a CrossFit athlete, or an active professional dealing with chronic tension, dry needling can help you overcome pain and perform at your best.
We specialize in treating:
✓ IT band syndrome and runner's knee
✓ Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy
✓ Chronic neck and shoulder tension
✓ Lower back pain and sciatica
✓ Hip flexor and glute tightness
✓ Rotator cuff dysfunction and shoulder impingement
✓ Tennis elbow and wrist pain
✓ Hamstring strains and calf tightness
What Our Patients Say
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 Get Back to What You Love?
We're conveniently located on N Street NW in Georgetown, just across the Key Bridge from Rosslyn. Street parking is available (metered, 2-hour limit), or use the parking garage at 3251 Prospect St NW. From Dupont Circle, we're less than 10 minutes away.
FAQs
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.
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where fine needles are inserted into trigger points—tight knots within muscles, tendons, or connective tissue—to relieve pain and restore function. Unlike acupuncture, which follows traditional Chinese medicine principles, dry needling is based on modern Western medicine and targets specific areas of muscle dysfunction.
At Norton PT, we often combine dry needling with electrical stimulation to enhance muscle relaxation, increase blood flow, and accelerate healing. This integrated approach provides faster, more effective relief than dry needling alone.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort during dry needling. You may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted, followed by a "twitch response" as the muscle releases tension—this is a sign the treatment is working.
Some soreness is normal after treatment, similar to post-workout muscle fatigue, but it typically resolves within 24-48 hours. Our therapists adjust the technique to your comfort level and ensure you feel safe throughout the session.
Our goal of an initial appointment is to examine any areas causing pain and decreased mobility. Through taking a thorough history and performing a clinical examination, we will identify a diagnosis.
Additionally, we will assess how your body moves through observing and testing functional movements such as running, walking, squatting deadlifting etc. This assists our ability to identify underlying issues such as, restrictions in motion, strength deficits or motor control limitations.
Finally, the session will conclude with a discussion of a treatment plan and demonstration of a home self care program.
If you have more than one area of pain affecting your mobility, for example knee and shoulder pain, then we may need more than an hour to appropriately assess each concern. In this event, we will try to cover as much ground as possible and pick up where we left off during a follow up session.
Yes! Dry needling is highly effective for both acute injuries and chronic pain conditions. Even if you've been dealing with pain for months or years, dry needling conducted by our Physical Therapists can release long-standing trigger points and muscle tension that other treatments haven't resolved. We combine dry needling with movement therapy to address the root cause of your pain and help prevent it from returning.
Dress comfortably – shorts, t-shirt or sports bra, and your preferred running or training shoes. You don't need to bring anything else with you, but please complete our intake forms online before your first appointment as this will give your therapist valuable information about you as well as decrease time spent reviewing your history during your appointment.
Washington, DC has direct access laws meaning you can schedule an appointment with a PT without physician referral. We can schedule an evaluation appointment as soon as you're ready. However, our therapists are happy to collaborate with any other healthcare professionals you are working with to ensure the best care possible for you.
In order to offer the highest value of care, we are an out of network provider, which means that we do not directly accept insurance. This allows us to provide hour long 1 to 1 treatments, where we can focus on giving you our full time, attention and expertise.
We will gladly provide you with a receipt/invoice/superbill after each session, for you to pursue reimbursement from your health insurance carrier for our services. Depending on your insurance policy you may receive reimburse for some if not all of your PT services, especially if you have a PPO plan.
Still have questions?
We're here to help you make informed decisions about your physical therapy care. Contact us today for personalized answers to your specific questions.