Shoulder Pain Physical Therapy in Washington, DC
Stop letting shoulder pain keep you from lifting, throwing, and living your life. Get back to pressing your PR and moving without limits. Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist—no techs, no switching rooms, no distractions.

Shoulder Pain Stealing Your Strength?
Your shoulder isn't just sore—it's affecting everything you do. Every overhead press you have to skip, every CrossFit workout you modify, every tennis serve that sends shooting pain down your arm is a reminder that something's seriously wrong.
Can't Lift Without Pain
Simple movements like reaching overhead or behind your back now cause sharp, stabbing pain that stops you cold.
Losing Your Training Edge
You're watching your upper body strength disappear while you avoid exercises that aggravate your shoulder.
Frustrated with Band-Aid Solutions
You've tried rest, ice, and generic stretches, but the pain keeps coming back stronger every time you try to get back to training.
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We Fix Shoulder Pain at the Source
You don't need to live with shoulder pain or settle for temporary fixes. Our specialized approach targets the root cause of your shoulder dysfunction—whether it's rotator cuff impingement, muscle imbalances, or movement compensation patterns—and gets you back to full strength.
Expert diagnosis of rotator cuff, impingement, and instability issues
Advanced manual therapy and dry needling for faster recovery
Sport-specific rehabilitation to prevent re-injury
"I was suffering from a shoulder issue for many months, and had been going to a very large physical therapy center. I had limited success/results from the pain. A good friend recommended me to Joe Norton PT for more individualized therapy. After only a few sessions, the pain and discomfort started to subside until one day, I woke up and felt like my old self again, free of pain. I highly recommend Joe Norton PT."
Your Path to Pain-Free Movement
Get to the Root Cause
Find out exactly what's causing your shoulder pain. Learn the key exercises to start healing and get hands-on treatment so you feel relief right away.
Get a Targeted Plan
Receive a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for your shoulder condition and activity goals—no generic protocols.
Build Lasting Strength
Once you're pain-free, we'll make sure it stays that way. Get the tools and knowledge to keep your shoulders strong and injury-free for life.
Shoulder Conditions We Treat
Our shoulder specialists are trained in advanced orthopedic techniques and have extensive experience treating everything from acute sports injuries to chronic overuse conditions. We understand how shoulder pain affects your training and daily life.
Rotator cuff tears and impingement syndrome
Shoulder instability and labral injuries
Frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis

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 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
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.
Shoulder pain can result from rotator cuff injuries, impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder, labral tears, or muscle imbalances. Poor posture, overuse, and compensation patterns from other injuries are common contributing factors. Our specialists perform comprehensive evaluations to identify the root cause.
Recovery time varies based on the condition severity and your goals. Most shoulder conditions see significant improvement within 6-8 weeks with our intensive one-on-one approach. Acute injuries may resolve faster, while chronic conditions may require longer treatment.
This depends on your specific condition. We'll assess which activities are safe and modify your training to promote healing while maintaining fitness. Our goal is to keep you as active as possible during recovery while preventing further injury.
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.









