Expert Sports Physical Therapy in Arlington, VA
Private 1-on-1 sports and performance care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We treat the root cause so active adults and athletes can get back to the sport they love. No referral needed.
Pain That Keeps Coming Back
You rest, it settles, and then it flares up again the moment you return to training.
Sidelined by an Injury That Won’t Go Away?
You train hard, but recurring pain keeps pulling you out of the sport you love. Rushed, one-size-fits-all care often leaves the real cause unaddressed.
Told to Just Rest
Being told to stop your sport without a plan leaves you stuck and unsure how to move forward.
Rushed, Hands-Off Care
Short visits and overlapping patients rarely uncover the real reason you’re hurting.
Why Choose Our Arlington Physical Therapy Clinic
Searching for sports physical therapy near me? At Thrive with Dr. C, you get the full session one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. There are no aides and no passive modalities, only a plan to get you back to your sport.
Founder is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
Level 2 Certified dry needling and hands-on manual therapy
5.0-star rating across 91 Google reviews
Real Results
“Dr. C treats the body as an integrated whole and truly understands athletes and yogis. I drive an hour from Leesburg to see her, and I would choose Candace every time—it is absolutely worth it.”
Step 1: Recover & Train
A thorough evaluation finds the root cause. We calm pain with manual therapy and begin rebuilding strength.
Our 3-Step Sports Physical Therapy Plan
Step 2: Level-Up
Progress to therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education and plyometrics matched to your sport.
Step 3: Thrive
Return to sport with confidence and a clear plan to stay strong and prevent re-injury.
Sports Physical Therapy Conditions We Treat
Our Arlington team treats sports and overuse injuries from head to toe. We use manual therapy, dry needling and progressive loading to get you back to training.
Knee and lower leg: runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints
Shoulder and elbow: rotator cuff pain or tear, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow
Hip, back and foot: hip impingement, hamstring strain, low back pain, plantar fasciitis
What Arlington Athletes Say About Dr. C
5.0 stars across 91 Google reviews
“My knees feel stronger and more stable, and for the first time in 8 months, I was able to take a bootcamp class completely pain-free.”
Shannon A.
“She also gave me exercises to do at home, and after starting them I am already feeling a change! She explains what she is doing and why, which is rare.”
Caroline A.
“My therapist listens carefully to my concerns and performed the most thorough assessment I’ve ever experienced.”
Laura S.
Meet the Team Behind Your Recovery in Arlington, VA
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Dr. Candace Harding, PT, DPT, OCS
Owner and founder of Thrive with Dr. C, Dr. Candace is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist. She's Level 2 Certified in Dry Needling and a 200-Hour RYT with Professional Yoga Therapy training. Dr. Candace received her DPT from George Washington University and specializes in integrative physical therapy for active adults, athletes, and runners seeking whole-person care.
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Dr. Lydia Peters, PT, DPT
With over 8 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics, Dr. Lydia brings a unique background as a former massage therapist to her physical therapy practice. She specializes in manual therapy techniques and personalized exercise programs designed to restore mobility, improve strength, and help patients achieve full recovery from back pain and post-surgical rehabilitation.
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Peter Langsdorf, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist in Virginia since 2018, Peter specializes in neuromuscular therapy and trigger point release with an emphasis on chronic pain and post-injury rehabilitation. He incorporates myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, and somatic movement therapies to complement physical therapy treatments and accelerate recovery.
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Andrea Cross
With a Bachelor's in Health Administration Management from George Mason University, Andrea is fluent in Spanish and dedicated to ensuring every patient has an exceptional experience. She manages scheduling, coordinates care, and serves as your primary contact for questions about appointments, insurance reimbursement, and navigating your treatment journey.
Visit Our Clinic in Clarendon, Arlington
Looking for sports physical therapy near me in Arlington, VA? We're conveniently located at 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320 — right in the heart of the Clarendon/Courthouse neighborhood, just 7 minutes (2.3 miles) from central Arlington via US-50 E and Clarendon Blvd. Located near Seven Corners Center and accessible from the Tower Square Shopping Center corridor, with easy access via N Courthouse Rd.
Sports Physical Therapy FAQs
Straight answers about care, costs and what to expect.
Do I need a referral?
No. Direct access in Virginia means you can book without a physician referral.
How does payment work?
We’re a private-pay practice with transparent pricing and no surprise bills. FSA/HSA are accepted, and we provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
What happens at my first visit?
You get a full one-on-one evaluation with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Running evaluations include video-based gait analysis.
Who do you treat?
Runners, weightlifters, CrossFitters, yogis, climbers, dancers, martial artists and weekend warriors.
Still Have Questions?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call. We’ll talk through your history and goals and recommend the best next step.