Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Washington, DC

Get back to running and the activities you love with expert care designed to relieve heel pain, restore mobility, and prevent future flare-ups.Our hands-on approach combines manual therapy, targeted exercises, and personalized treatment plans to help you move pain-free—without relying on cortisone shots or orthotics alone.

Physical therapist performing shoulder examination at Norton Physical Therapy in Washington DC

Morning Pain Won't Go Away

That first step out of bed shouldn't feel like walking on glass. Ignoring heel pain leads to chronic issues and longer recovery times.

Generic Solutions Don't Work

Stretching videos and over-the-counter insoles rarely address the root cause of your plantar fasciitis.

Training is On Hold

Every missed run or workout means lost progress and the frustration of watching your fitness slip away.

active adult with shoulder impingement pain in Georgetown Washington DC athletic facility

We Help Active Adults Overcome Plantar Fasciitis for Good

At Norton Physical Therapy and Performance, we specialize in treating runners and athletes dealing with stubborn heel pain that won't respond to rest or basic stretches.Our therapists understand the biomechanics of plantar fasciitis and create individualized plans that get you back to training faster—and stronger than before.

Fast, Effective Relief: Hands-on manual therapy and dry needling to release tension and reduce inflammation

Rebuild Foot Strength: Targeted exercises that address muscle imbalances and improve your gait mechanics

Stay Active Longer: Strategies to prevent future flare-ups so you can train confidently without setbacks

"I went from feeling pain every time I walked to running several times a week totally pain free. Luke was so dedicated and is so knowledgeable—I'm so grateful for the time he spent figuring out my injury and how to get me even stronger than I was before I got hurt. The facility at Joe Norton is also great. I highly recommend!"

Kevin S
How It Works

Your Path to Pain-Free Movement

Book Your Free Phone Consultation

We'll discuss your symptoms, training history, and goals to determine if we're the right fit for your recovery.

Get a Personalized Treatment Plan

Receive expert hands-on care and a clear roadmap designed specifically for your foot mechanics and activity level.

Return to Running Stronger

Build lasting strength and mobility with strategies that keep plantar fasciitis from coming back.

We Treat the Root Cause of Your Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis doesn't happen in isolation. Our therapists evaluate your entire kinetic chain—from your hips to your ankles—to identify the underlying issues driving your pain.

Whether you're dealing with chronic morning stiffness, heel spurs, or pain that flares up mid-run, we'll create a plan that addresses your specific needs.

Plantar fasciitis and heel pain

Achilles tendinopathy and calf tightness

Arch pain and foot mechanics dysfunction

Weightlifter experiencing rotator cuff pain during lat pulldown in DC area gym

Verified Google Reviews

Rated 5 Stars by 169+ Washington, DC Athletes & Patients

Real reviews from people who've overcome pain and returned stronger

I cannot say enough positive things about this PT practice. Luke and Joe helped my son with a running overuse injury and worked with him to prevent further overuse injuries as well. This allowed him to get back to the sport that he loves and this was not only a physical recovery but a mental one as well. Being competitive runners themselves allowed for such highly personalized and individual attention. I highly recommend this PT practice.
Tamara K
This is the best PT practice I've ever been to. Pam took a thorough and compassionate intake and then I worked work Luke Cancilla for several months as I recovered from surgery. I had previously been working with another PT in a different practice who for months could not figure out what was wrong and left me with limited mobility and a sense of hopelessness. Luke is outstanding and was able to figure out quickly why I wasn't recovering and got me mobile and active within just a few sessions.
Amanda K
I cannot thank Jessie Grimmer PT, DPT enough for her exceptional care during my recovery from a partial ACL tear in my right knee. Over the past five months, Jessie's professionalism, expertise, and personalized approach made all the difference in my healing journey. She skillfully incorporated a variety of techniques, including electric stimulation, massage, targeted exercises, and strength-building routines, to restore my mobility and confidence.
 Manuel F
"I can't recommend this place enough. I've gone to Joe Norton PT and Luke for years for so many different issues: torn hip labrums, chronic knee pain, back & shoulder pain, concussions, and more - and each time, the incredible team is able to figure out exactly what's going on and help me get better. They are professional, kind, extremely knowledgeable, and take a real full-body approach, which helps enormously with resolving both acute pain or injuries and also building and maintaining a strong and healthy baseline to prevent future injuries. This place has healed me in so many ways, and more than I even thought was possible! Thank you so much! Highly recommended!"
Sophia Lajaunie
"I'm just back from running a strong Berlin Marathon after a stress injury forced me to defer last year and its because of Luke at Joe Norton PT! As a runner in a larger body I have not had a good experience with previous PT groups who weighed me at the start and end of treatment and told me I needed to lose weight. That is not the case at this practice. I was treated as an athlete from the first visit and weight was never mentioned. Luke treated my injury and worked with me to build strength so I could continue my desire to be a life long runner. If you are an athlete in DC go to this practice to get you back on track for your goals and have fun while working hard. I'm not sure whats next for my running but know Luke will help me reach my goals."
Emily Stock
"I love Kelly and this whole PT practice! I switched from Pivot PT and this place is 5,000x better. Kelly spends a full hour with me. My tennis elbow and severe neck & shoulder pain are so much better. I love that they don’t only show you exercises. She also does massage, gentle manipulation and dry needling. I highly recommend them."
Joya Banerjee
"Joe is the best! I run with a local club in the city and everyone knows Joe and trusts him to get them past any injury. He helped me in only two appointments with a nagging hip issue."
Josephine Mintel
"Best in the business! They’re my favorites for running-specific PT. Great group and great results. Would highly recommend!"
Ismael Torres Castrodad
"Joe is a consummate professional, knowledgeable, friendly, diligent, and thorough. Feel lucky to have worked with him!"
Eli Kintisch
"Initially, my only reservation about the practice was that they were out of network however by avoiding surgery I saved thousands in overall medical bills. I tried three other practices that were in network before committing to Joe Norton’s and none of them held a candle to the individualized quality of care and service. I just had a follow-up appointment with my doctor today who was incredibly impressed by how well I have quickly progressed since seeing Luke. Getting back to running was imperative for my quality of life and I could not have done it without Joe Norton’s practice I will forever be grateful for what they have done for me. If you are an injured runner I promise this is the place!"
Louise Weidner
Meet Our Team

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 Norton
PT, CFMT, OCS

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.

Kelly Cutler
PT, DPT, CKTP

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.

Pam Norton
PT, DPT, OCS, CFMT

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.

Luke Cancilla
PT, DPT

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.

Eric Liu
DPT, OCS

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.

Jessie Grimmer
DPT

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.

Mandy Holland

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.

We're hiring!

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Contact Us

Ready to Get Back to What You Love?

Located in Georgetown, we're just minutes from Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and downtown DC. Convenient to Metro stops and easily accessible from anywhere in the DMV area.

FAQs

Get answers to common questions about plantar fasciitis treatment at Norton Physical Therapy in Washington, DC.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis develops when the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed or irritated. Common causes include sudden increases in training volume, tight calf muscles, poor foot mechanics, inadequate footwear, or biomechanical issues in your gait. At Norton PT, we assess your entire kinetic chain to identify the underlying factors contributing to your heel pain and create a treatment plan that addresses the root cause—not just the symptoms.

How long does it take to recover from plantar fasciitis?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of your condition and how long you've been dealing with symptoms. Many patients experience significant relief within 4-6 weeks of consistent treatment. Our goal is to get you back to running and training as quickly and safely as possible through hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted strengthening exercises. We focus on efficient recovery with fewer total visits compared to traditional PT approaches.

Can I still run with plantar fasciitis?

In many cases, yes—but it depends on your pain level and stage of injury. Our therapists specialize in helping runners modify their training to stay active while recovering. We'll work with you to adjust your running volume, intensity, and cross-training activities to promote healing without losing fitness. Luke, Joe, and our team are runners themselves and understand the importance of staying connected to your training.

Still have questions?

We're here to help you make informed decisions about your plantar fasciitis treatment. Contact us today for personalized answers.