Whether you're dealing with pain that came on suddenly or something that's been building for months, Dr. Paul Helms evaluates the specific structures involved and builds a plan around you. Sports chiropractic and physical therapy together deliver results that either approach alone often cannot.
Find the specific source of your pain and address it directly, whether that's a joint restriction, a compressed nerve, or restricted soft tissue.
Work through the restrictions and movement patterns that are holding you back and rebuild the range of motion your body is capable of.
Strengthen the muscles and movement patterns that protect you long-term so the problem doesn't come back once you're feeling better.
Whether you're a runner dealing with knee pain, a desk worker with a stiff neck, or someone managing chronic sciatica, the approach at Helms Performance starts with identifying the source, not just treating the symptom.
Chiropractic care is an effective approach for shoulder pain because it addresses joint restrictions, soft tissue adhesions, and nerve involvement, often all at once. Dr. Helms uses joint mobilization and Active Release Technique to restore shoulder mechanics and resolve the restrictions keeping pain in place.
Back pain at Helms Performance is evaluated at the structural level, whether the source is a lumbar disc, sacroiliac joint, facet joint restriction, or muscle strain. Dr. Helms uses spinal adjustment, Active Release Technique, and physical therapy exercises to address both the cause and the movement patterns that contributed to it.
Sciatic nerve pain that radiates from the lower back into the hip or leg is typically driven by disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. A chiropractor can help with sciatica by relieving the compression on the nerve and releasing the soft tissue that keeps the nerve irritated. Dr. Helms combines spinal adjustment with ART and physical therapy for faster, more lasting results.
Neck pain is frequently a combination of joint restriction in the cervical spine and soft tissue tension in the surrounding muscles and fascia rather than one or the other. Dr. Helms evaluates the full cervical spine and uses adjustment, ART, and dry needling to address each contributing factor separately and together.
Knee pain that does not improve with rest usually has an identifiable mechanical cause, whether that's a movement pattern problem above the knee, a soft tissue restriction, or referred pain from the hip or lumbar spine. Treatment at Helms Performance begins with identifying exactly which structure is involved rather than treating the knee in isolation.
Hip pain when walking, sitting, or sleeping can come from the hip joint, the hip flexors, bursitis, or the sciatic nerve referring into the area. Identifying the correct source is what makes the difference in how quickly you improve, because each one requires a different approach and responds to different treatments.
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and cubital tunnel syndrome are the most common elbow presentations Dr. Helms treats. Each involves a specific mechanism and responds well to Active Release Technique combined with targeted strengthening of the forearm and surrounding structures to resolve the problem and prevent recurrence.
Ankle pain that lingers after a sprain, or appears without a clear incident, often involves restricted joint mechanics or adhesions in the surrounding soft tissue rather than acute injury alone. Dr. Helms addresses both to restore full movement, improve stability, and reduce the risk of the problem recurring with future activity.
Wrist pain from repetitive use, a fall, or gradual onset often involves the tendons, the carpal bones, or the nerves passing through the wrist. Dr. Helms evaluates the full upper limb chain to identify both the primary source and any contributing factors in the forearm, elbow, or shoulder that may be driving the problem.
TMJ dysfunction responds well to chiropractic adjustment and Active Release Technique, even though most patients don't associate jaw pain with a chiropractor. Dr. Helms has helped patients work through jaw clicking, ear pain, and related headaches that dentists and ENTs haven't been able to resolve, because the source is often the jaw joint itself and the muscles surrounding it.
Dr. Helms sees patients for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, including ones that don't fit neatly into a category above. If you're not sure, book a first visit and he'll give you an honest assessment of what's going on and what, if anything, he can do about it.
Most practices offer chiropractic or physical therapy, not both. That separation matters more than it seems: chiropractic addresses the spine, joints, and nervous system through manual adjustment and soft tissue work. Physical therapy focuses on movement rehabilitation and functional restoration through exercise and hands-on treatment.
Having both under one roof means Dr. Helms can shift between approaches as your care evolves, draw on each discipline for what it does best, and coordinate everything without sending you to a different provider. The two disciplines complement each other, and the combination is often what produces lasting results when one approach alone hasn't.
Whether you're training for a race, recovering from surgery, managing a desk job with a bad back, or working through years of chronic pain, your treatment plan is built around your body and your life.
Dr. Helms has worked with patients ranging from weekend runners, desk workers, and postpartum moms to professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. Every patient receives one-on-one care and a plan built around their specific situation. Whether you've had this pain for two weeks or two years, the starting point is always the same: find the source and address it directly.
Your first visit with Dr. Helms includes a full movement assessment and active treatment. You'll leave with a clear picture of the source of your pain and a plan to address it. Same-day appointments are often available.
Book An AppointmentOr call 301-578-5197 · 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda MD 20814