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.
.avif)
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
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 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.