Dr. Paul Helms brings together sports chiropractic and physical therapy in one Bethesda practice, so you get a complete picture, not just part of the answer.
Find the source of your pain and address it directly, whether that's a joint, a nerve, or restricted soft tissue.
Work through the restrictions holding you back and rebuild the range of motion your body is capable of.
Strengthen the muscles and movement patterns that protect you so the problem doesn't come back.
Pain has a way of narrowing your world: the workout you skip, the trip you put off, the morning you wake up already bracing for the day. Dr. Paul Helms started Helms Performance because he believed there was a better way to care for people. Whether you're training for a half marathon, managing a desk job with a bad back, or dealing with the kind of pain that just won't quit, you deserve a focused plan built around your life.
Dr. Helms is a sports chiropractor with advanced certification in Active Release Technique, a massage and movement-based method that treats problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. He brings together two disciplines that are usually offered in separate offices: sports chiropractic, which addresses the spine, joints, and nervous system, and sports physical therapy, which focuses on movement rehabilitation and restoring function. Having both under one roof means your care isn't fragmented. You don't have to explain your history twice or guess which specialist to see first.
Over the years, Dr. Helms has worked with patients from every corner of active life: weekend runners, postpartum moms, desk workers with neck pain that's been building for years, retirees managing chronic sciatica, and professional athletes from the NFL and NBA. The range is the point. Every body has its own story, and every treatment plan is built around yours.
Dr. Helms combines chiropractic and physical therapy training so your care covers the full picture, from spine health to functional movement.
Licensed to diagnose and treat conditions of the spine, joints, and nervous system through manual adjustment and soft tissue techniques.
A targeted technique that inserts a thin filament into trigger points to release muscle tension, restore blood flow, and reduce pain. Dr. Helms is fully licensed and trained — dry needling is legal and regulated in Maryland for qualified providers.
Movement rehabilitation and functional restoration through exercise therapy and hands-on treatment, offered in the same practice as chiropractic care.
From professional athletes in the NFL and NBA to older adults managing chronic pain, every patient receives one-on-one care and a personalized treatment plan.
Your first session is both an evaluation and a treatment. You'll leave with less pain and a clear plan forward, not just a referral to come back.
Dr. Helms starts every visit by listening. Where it hurts matters, and so does what you're trying to get back to. Work, sleep, running, lifting, chasing your kids around the yard. Your goals shape your plan.
No wait-and-see. Your first visit includes a full movement evaluation and active treatment. Most patients leave feeling a noticeable difference and knowing exactly why it happened.
Whether you're training for a race or trying to get through the workday without back pain, your treatment plan fits your activity level and your schedule, not a generic protocol.
Answers to the questions we hear most often, so you know what to expect before you book.
Absolutely. Most of the people Dr. Helms sees every week aren't professional athletes. They're nurses, teachers, parents, retirees, and desk workers who want to feel better and move without pain. The sports background means he's trained to assess how your body moves and find the mechanical reason something hurts. That approach works for everyone, regardless of how active you are.
Chiropractic focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system, using manual adjustment and soft tissue techniques to reduce pain and restore alignment. Physical therapy focuses on movement rehabilitation: rebuilding strength, flexibility, and function through hands-on treatment and exercise. Most musculoskeletal problems benefit from both. Having them in one practice means Dr. Helms can move between approaches as your care evolves, without sending you somewhere else.
No referral needed. You can book directly online or by calling the office. Maryland allows direct access to chiropractic and physical therapy services, so you don't need your primary care doctor to send you first.
All appointments are 1 hour — whether it's your first visit or a follow-up. Dr. Helms works one-on-one with every patient, so you'll have his full attention for the entire visit.
Helms Performance is an out-of-network provider. Many patients use HSA/FSA accounts or submit for out-of-network reimbursement through their insurance plans. We're happy to provide the documentation you need to file a claim. Call the office at 301-578-5197 if you'd like to talk through your options before booking.
We're on the second floor of 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda, MD 20814, a short walk from the Bethesda Metro station (Red Line). Street parking and garage parking are available nearby.
Book your first visit with Dr. Helms and leave with less pain and a clear plan forward. We'll help you get back to the activities you love.
Book An AppointmentOr call 301-578-5197 to speak with our team