Expert Physical Therapy in Arlington, VA
Helping active adults and athletes in Arlington recover from pain, prevent injuries, and return to the activities they love through personalized, integrative care.
Cookie-Cutter Treatment Plans
You're bounced between multiple therapists, rushed through 15-minute sessions, and given generic exercises that don't address your unique needs or goals.
Is Your Current Physical Therapy Holding You Back?
Too many active adults in Arlington are stuck in a cycle of frustration with traditional PT approaches.
Recurring Injuries That Won't Heal
You treat the symptoms but never address the root cause, leaving you trapped in a frustrating cycle of pain that keeps coming back stronger.
Told to Give Up What You Love
Instead of finding solutions, you're told to stop running, quit CrossFit, or accept limitations—but you know deep down you're meant for more than survival.
Why Arlington Residents Choose Thrive with Dr. C
At Thrive with Dr. C, we believe you're meant for more than just getting by. Our integrative approach combines traditional orthopedic physical therapy with lifestyle medicine and yoga therapy to help you truly thrive.
One-on-one care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy for your entire session—no rushing, no overlapping patients
Root cause analysis that goes beyond symptoms to address the real issues keeping you from your goals
Private-pay model that allows comprehensive care beyond 'medically necessary' treatment restrictions
Real Results from Arlington Patients
“I cannot recommend Dr. Candace Harding highly enough. What sets Dr. C apart is that she sees the whole person. She doesn't just aim to get you back to textbook 'normal.' She works toward true, full recovery based on how you actually move and live. I drive an hour from Leesburg to see her, and I would choose Candace every time—it is absolutely worth it.”
Recover
We start with a thorough assessment to identify root causes, then use manual therapy and personalized exercises to eliminate pain and restore function.
Your Path to Thriving: Our Proven 3-Phase Approach
2. Train & Level-Up
Build strength, improve movement patterns, and develop the resilience needed to prevent future injuries while safely progressing toward your goals.
3. Thrive
Transition to long-term health maintenance with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to continue excelling in the activities you love for years to come.
Conditions We Treat with Physical Therapy in Arlington
Our integrative approach effectively addresses a wide range of orthopedic conditions.
Back & neck pain, including chronic conditions and post-surgical rehabilitation
Hip, knee, and ankle pain affecting mobility and athletic performance
Shoulder pain and upper extremity injuries limiting daily activities
Sports injuries and performance optimization for runners, CrossFit athletes, and martial artists
What Our Arlington Physical Therapy Patients Are Saying
5.0-star rating from 72 verified Google reviews
“I came to Thrive seeking treatment for ongoing pain and weakness after an elbow dislocation three years ago, with the specific goal of returning to high-level athletics. I am completely satisfied with my care and could not recommend this clinic more highly. My therapist performed the most thorough assessment I've ever experienced and designs a personalized exercise plan tailored to where I am and where I want to be.”
-Laura S.
“I have never benefited as much from Physical Therapy as I have with the team at Thrive with Dr. C. What I love about the approach at Thrive is they spend the time to figure out what is causing the issue and develop a comprehensive plan to fix it for good. I've completed multiple CrossFit comps, marathons, and ultras with ZERO injuries thanks to the work with my therapist.”
-Sara D.
“I started seeing Dr. C to prevent an injury I had while training for my second marathon that had me laid up for weeks. I have since ran two more marathons, multiple half marathons and hit new personal bests on every one. More importantly, I have been injury free and am currently training for my next marathon!”
-Miranda L.
Meet the Team
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Dr. Candace Harding, PT, DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist
Founder and Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist. Dr. C specializes in integrative physical therapy combining orthopedic PT, yoga therapy, and lifestyle medicine. Certified in manual therapy, dry needling, and 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher. -
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Dr. Lydia Peters, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 8 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics. Dr. Peters brings a holistic approach with background as a massage therapist, specializing in personalized treatment plans that focus on the whole person and their lifestyle needs. -
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Peter Langsdorf, LMT
Phisical Therapist
Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in neuromuscular therapy, trigger point release, and chronic pain management. Former instructor at Potomac Massage Training Institute with expertise in increasing body awareness and educating clients about how their bodies work. -
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Andrea Cross
Physical Therapist
Client Care Coordinator with bachelor's degree in Health Administration Management from George Mason University. Fluent in Spanish, Andrea is dedicated to ensuring every patient receives compassionate, effective care and an exceptional experience.
Visit Our Arlington Physical Therapy Clinic
Located in the heart of Clarendon, we're easy to reach from anywhere in Arlington.
Just 8 minutes from central Arlington via Washington Blvd and US-50. We're conveniently located on Clarendon Blvd near Garden City Shopping Center in Arlington, close to Seven Corners Center and Tower Square Shopping Center in Falls Church. Take US-50 E toward Washington, exit at 10th St N, turn left onto 10th St N, right onto N Barton St, then right onto Clarendon Blvd.
Physical Therapy FAQs
Common questions about our Arlington practice
1. Does Dr. C take insurance?
We operate on a private-pay, out-of-network model. This means we don't directly bill insurance, but you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company. We provide superbills for you to submit. This model allows us to spend more time with you and provide comprehensive care beyond insurance restrictions.
2. Do I need to see an MD first?
No! Virginia has direct access laws, which means you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are trained to evaluate and diagnose musculoskeletal conditions and will refer you to a physician if needed.
3. Do you take FSA and HSA?
Yes! We accept both FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) payments. Physical therapy services qualify as eligible healthcare expenses under most FSA and HSA plans.
4. What will a session look like?
Every session is one-on-one with your Doctor of Physical Therapy for the full appointment time—no overlapping patients or aides. Sessions include hands-on manual therapy, personalized exercise instruction, education, and progress tracking. Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation to identify root causes.
5. How is integrative physical therapy different?
Our integrative approach combines traditional orthopedic physical therapy with lifestyle medicine, functional medicine principles, and medical therapeutic yoga. We treat the whole person, not just symptoms, and focus on long-term wellness beyond 'medically necessary' treatment.
6. How long are appointments?
Initial evaluations are typically 60-75 minutes to allow for thorough assessment. Follow-up treatment sessions are usually 45-60 minutes. Unlike insurance-based clinics, you receive undivided attention from your therapist for the entire session.