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
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.
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 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.