Knee Pain Physical Therapy in Washington, DC
Your knees are holding you back from the miles you want to run and the PRs you want to hit. We help runners, CrossFitters, and active adults in DC get back to their favorite activities without the fear of flare-ups or setbacks—stronger and smarter than before.
When Every Step Hurts
It started as a twinge during your long run. Now you're icing after every workout, avoiding stairs, and wondering if this is just "part of running." You're tired of modifying workouts and missing the activities that make you feel like yourself.
Your Miles Are Disappearing
That nagging ache has turned into sharp pain, cutting your runs short and forcing you off the trails you love.
Stairs Are Your Enemy
Simple daily activities like going upstairs or getting out of a chair remind you something's not right with your knees.
Fear of Making It Worse
You're stuck in limbo—too afraid to push through the pain but frustrated by doing nothing while your fitness fades away.
The Science Behind Pain-Free Running
Knee pain isn't random—it's your body's way of telling you something in your movement chain needs attention. We dig deeper than just treating symptoms to uncover the biomechanical patterns, muscle weaknesses, and movement compensations that are setting you up for pain.
Comprehensive gait analysis to identify your unique movement patterns
Targeted manual therapy to restore normal joint mechanics
Progressive loading protocols to rebuild strength and confidence
"The therapists at Joe Norton Physical Therapy are amazing! I truly can't say enough about how lucky I feel to have worked with them - first to address some pain in my hip and glute and then after I tore my ACL and had reconstructive knee surgery. They truly know their stuff and are wonderful to work with. If I could give more than five stars, I would!"
From Pain to Performance in Three Phases
Decode Your Movement Story
We analyze how you move, where you're compensating, and why your knee is sending pain signals—giving you clarity instead of confusion.
Rebuild Your Foundation
Systematically address the weakness, stiffness, and movement faults that led to your knee pain in the first place—not just chase symptoms.
Return Stronger Than Before
Graduate with the knowledge and strength to not just return to your activities, but to excel at them without fear of re-injury.
More Than Just Runner's Knee
Knee pain comes in many forms, and we treat them all. From the weekend warrior dealing with patellofemoral pain to the marathon runner managing IT band flare-ups, we understand that each knee problem tells a unique story about your movement patterns and training habits.
Patellofemoral tracking disorders and anterior knee pain
Post-surgical ACL and meniscus rehabilitation
Chronic conditions like chondromalacia and arthritis
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 Fix Your Knee Pain?
Located in Georgetown, just minutes from the National Mall and easily accessible from Northern Virginia and Maryland. We're convenient to runners training on the C&O Canal and Rock Creek Park trails.
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.
Runner's knee can result from patellofemoral pain syndrome, IT band syndrome, meniscus issues, or biomechanical problems like overpronation or weak hip muscles. Poor training progression, worn-out shoes, and muscle imbalances are common contributing factors. Our specialists perform comprehensive gait analysis to identify the root cause.
Recovery time depends on the condition and severity. Many runners see significant improvement within 4-6 weeks with our intensive one-on-one approach. Acute injuries may resolve faster, while chronic conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome may require 8-12 weeks for complete resolution.
This depends entirely on your specific condition. We'll assess your running form, pain levels, and injury type to determine safe training modifications. Our goal is to keep you running as much as possible while promoting healing and preventing further damage.
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.