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.
Joe is a physical therapist with over a decade of experience and a lifelong passion for helping people move, train, and feel their best. As a 2:54 marathoner, he understands firsthand what it takes to balance smart training, recovery, and the realities of a busy life.
After earning his Master’s degree from Springfield College in 2009, Joe completed an orthopedic manual therapy residency at Georgetown University and later earned his Certification in Functional Manual Therapy (CFMT) with honors. He is board-certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and works primarily with runners and active adults who want to stay healthy, resilient, and performing at a high level.
Joe’s approach is personal and practical. He combines hands-on care, thoughtful strength and movement work, and clear training guidance to help clients not only get out of pain, but move with confidence and keep doing the things they love.
When not working, Joe loves to coach his son's soccer team and watch Bluey with his family. He is currently training for the Boston Marathon.
Kelly is a physical therapist whose approach is deeply shaped by her background as a Division I swimmer. She understands the volume, repetition, and physical demands of swimming, and how frustrating it can be when shoulder pain sidelines training. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the CUNY Graduate Center/Hunter College, began her career in New York City, and moved to Washington, D.C. in 2014.
During her own swimming career, Kelly dealt with significant shoulder pain that ultimately required surgery. Having lived through the rehab process herself, she brings real empathy and reassurance to her care. She knows both the physical and mental challenges of swimming-related injuries and helps swimmers work through common issues, rebuild confidence, and return to the pool feeling strong.
Kelly also loves working with older adults who want to stay independent and capable as they age. Just don’t expect chair yoga. Kelly believes in challenging her clients appropriately, getting them working, sweating, and lifting heavier than they thought possible in a way that feels safe and empowering.
She uses a hands-on approach that includes techniques like Active Release Technique, dry needling and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). Outside the clinic, Kelly is a mom to three wonderful kids and a devoted Phish fan, with over 50 live show DVDs to prove it.
Pam is a physical therapist who has spent her entire career caring for people in Washington, D.C. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Marymount University and completed an orthopedic manual therapy residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She later earned her Certification in Functional Manual Therapy (CFMT) with honors and is board-certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS).
A lifelong athlete, Pam played high school field hockey and lacrosse, winning three state championships. She continued competing in college, playing club lacrosse at the University of Florida (go Gators). As an adult, she has spent many years giving back to the sport as a local high school lacrosse referee. While her competitive playing days are behind her, she maintains her fitness with yoga and Orangetheory.
Pam is also a mom to two very active boys. Having experienced the physical and emotional changes that come with pregnancy and the postpartum period herself, she is especially passionate about helping women after birth rebuild strength, restore mobility, and feel confident in their bodies again. Her care is thoughtful, encouraging, and grounded in helping people feel strong and capable for real life.
Luke is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, with a strong clinical focus on orthopedic and sports injuries, vestibular therapy, and concussion rehabilitation. As a former collegiate cross-country and track athlete, he understands firsthand the grind of training, the value of recovery, and how to guide others through the highs and lows of performance.
In 2025, Luke created and followed his own custom training plan and ran his debut marathon in a blazing 2:37—a performance that speaks to both his discipline and deep knowledge of programming. When he’s not treating patients, you’ll often find him logging miles with Dojo of Pain, one of DC’s toughest running crews (though he’s currently taking the spring season off to help Joe train for the Boston Marathon).
Luke's known for keeping the good vibes going whether it’s during treatment sessions or just talking training, shoes, or soccer (go Spurs). His blend of science-based care, thoughtful communication, and personal connection makes him a valuable partner for anyone looking to get out of pain, run stronger, and stay motivated.
Whether you're chasing a PR, managing a nagging injury, or getting back to everyday movement, Luke brings energy, insight, and a patient-first mindset to help you make real progress without losing the fun along the way.
Eric is a physical therapist with over a decade of experience helping clients recover, perform, and stay pain-free. He earned his DPT from Marymount University in 2013 and holds advanced credentials including Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT), FDN Level 2 dry needling, and SFMA Level 2.
Eric has a strong background working with youth athletes, weightlifters, boxers, and mixed martial artists—athletes who benefit from his blend of hands-on treatment and sport-specific insight. He helps them train smart, stay resilient, and return to peak performance.
Growing up, Eric played competitive tennis and was coached by his father. That experience sparked a lifelong connection to the sport and led him to earn RacquetFit certification, specializing in swing biomechanics, mobility, and injury prevention for racquet athletes.
Outside the clinic, Eric is a passionate Muay Thai kickboxer, amateur boxer—and an exceptionally talented chef. His homemade meals at lunch make the whole clinic jealous. He also knows pretty much everything about coffee, sushi, and bread, and is always happy to talk shop if you ask.
Jessie earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2022 and brings strong clinical experience from working in outpatient orthopedic settings. Her path into physical therapy was deeply personal—sparked by witnessing her husband’s journey through debilitating back pain and the transformative impact of good care.
Jessie is also a certified Level 1 CrossFit coach and dry needling practitioner. As a dedicated CrossFit athlete herself, she understands the demands of high-intensity training and enjoys working with active individuals who are eager to move better, lift stronger, and avoid setbacks. Her favorite lifts include the squat and power clean.
She combines her love of movement with a science-backed, individualized approach—building treatment plans that are both practical and empowering. Whether you're recovering from injury or looking to perform at your best, Jessie brings energy, empathy, and expertise to help you get there.
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.
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.