Whether you're dealing with a sports injury, chronic shoulder pain, sciatica, or just want to move through the day without discomfort, Dr. Paul Helms uses sports chiropractic to find the source of the problem and help your body work better.
We find what's causing the pain, address it at the source, and help your body move without discomfort.
Better joint mobility and soft tissue function so you can move the way you're supposed to.
Once the pain is gone and movement is restored, we help you build the resilience to keep doing the activities you love.
Sports chiropractic focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system, with a particular emphasis on how movement problems and structural restrictions affect the way your body performs and feels day to day.
Dr. Paul Helms combines spinal and joint adjustments with hands-on soft tissue techniques to address the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms. Every visit is one-on-one, and every plan is built around your specific goals: getting back to a sport, returning to work comfortably, or simply waking up without pain in the morning.
At Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD, sports chiropractic is offered alongside sports physical therapy. That means Dr. Helms can address joint and nervous system issues and movement rehabilitation under the same roof, without sending you somewhere else.
Sports chiropractic uses the same core tools as general chiropractic, but with additional training in athletic movement, soft tissue techniques, and the specific injury patterns that affect active people. Dr. Helms also works with non-athletes who want a movement-informed approach to their care.
These are two distinct disciplines. Most practices offer one or the other. Having both in the same practice means you get the right tool for what you're dealing with, and your care can evolve without bouncing between providers.
Most practices offer one or the other, and patients end up coordinating care between two separate offices. At Helms Performance, Dr. Helms can move between approaches as your care evolves, whether you need a joint addressed first or a movement pattern corrected first. One provider, one practice, one continuous plan.
Whether you're a runner, a desk worker, or someone managing a condition that's been limiting you for years, sports chiropractic can help with a wide range of pain and movement problems.
Chiropractic for shoulder pain addresses the joint, surrounding soft tissue, and the nerves that feed into the arm from the cervical spine. Many patients who haven't found relief elsewhere see real improvement once the full movement chain, including the neck and upper back, is evaluated and treated.
Learn moreFrom lower back stiffness to sciatic nerve pain that radiates into the leg, chiropractic addresses the spinal and soft tissue factors that drive these symptoms. Dr. Helms assesses each case individually to determine the right approach.
Learn moreStiffness, headaches, and nerve-related symptoms that trace back to the cervical spine. A common issue for desk workers and anyone who spends long hours at a screen, not just athletes.
Learn moreHip flexor tightness, joint restriction, and pain that gets worse when walking, sitting, or climbing stairs. Common in runners, cyclists, and people who sit for long stretches of the day.
Learn moreWhether the source is above (hip), below (foot/ankle), or within the knee itself, we assess the full movement chain to find what's actually contributing to your pain, not just where you feel it.
Learn moreMany headaches originate in the neck and upper spine. Spinal adjustments and soft tissue work can significantly reduce both frequency and intensity for patients dealing with cervicogenic headaches.
Learn moreSprains, strains, overuse injuries, and post-competition soreness. Dr. Helms has worked with patients ranging from weekend runners to professional athletes in the NFL and NBA.
Restricted joint movement that limits what you can do at work, in the gym, or at home. Whether it's a stiff morning back or a shoulder that won't fully lift, chiropractic restores normal joint mechanics.
Your first visit to Helms Performance is a conversation as much as it is a treatment. We want to understand your history, your goals, and what you've already tried before we start.
We take time to understand what you're dealing with, how long it's been going on, and what makes it better or worse. Then we assess how you're moving.
Dr. Helms examines the specific joints and soft tissue involved, checking mobility, tenderness, and nerve function to build a clear picture of the problem.
In most cases, we start treatment during your first visit. There's no need to wait for a second appointment to begin feeling better.
Before you leave, you'll understand what's going on, what we're going to do about it, and roughly how many visits it typically takes to get you where you want to be.
You can book directly. No need to see your primary care doctor first or wait for paperwork.
Your time matters. We schedule enough time to give you the care you came in for, not a rushed 10-minute slot.
You'll always see Dr. Helms, not a rotating cast of assistants. He knows your case because he's been part of every visit.
Dr. Helms founded Helms Performance to offer something different from a typical chiropractic office: a practice where sports chiropractic and sports physical therapy work together, so patients don't have to choose between them or coordinate care across multiple providers.
He has advanced certification in Active Release Technique (ART) and has worked with patients ranging from weekend runners and recreational cyclists to professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. He brings the same level of attention and care to a 70-year-old managing sciatica as he does to a competitive athlete preparing for a season.
Yes. Chiropractic for shoulder pain addresses the joint, the surrounding soft tissue, and the nerves that feed into the arm and shoulder from the cervical spine. Shoulder pain rarely comes from just one source. Many patients find that the neck and upper back are contributing factors they hadn't considered. Dr. Helms evaluates the full movement chain and treats what's actually driving the problem, not just where you feel it most.
Yes. Sciatica can involve the nerve itself, the disc, or the muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve pathway. Chiropractic addresses the spinal joints and muscles that put pressure on the nerve, and when combined with soft tissue work like dry needling and active release technique, can significantly reduce pain and restore movement. Dr. Helms assesses each case individually to determine the right approach for your specific presentation.
Sports chiropractic uses the same foundational tools as general chiropractic, but adds advanced soft tissue techniques (like Active Release Technique and dry needling), a deeper focus on movement mechanics, and experience with the specific injury patterns that affect active people. It's not only for athletes. The movement-informed approach is equally valuable for desk workers, older adults, and anyone whose pain is tied to how they move.
Sports chiropractic focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system, using adjustments and soft tissue techniques to restore proper joint function. Sports physical therapy focuses on movement rehabilitation, exercise therapy, and restoring functional strength after injury. These are distinct disciplines that work well together. Helms Performance offers both under one roof, which means Dr. Helms can draw on whichever approach best fits what you need and shift between them as your care progresses.
It depends on what you're dealing with and how long it's been going on. Acute injuries with a clear mechanism often respond quickly, sometimes within three to five visits. Longer-standing issues or those with multiple contributing factors may take more time. Dr. Helms will give you a realistic estimate at your first visit based on what he finds, so you know what to expect before committing to a plan.
No referral is needed. You can book directly through the online booking link or by calling 301-578-5197. Same-day appointments are often available. If Dr. Helms determines your case requires evaluation from another specialist, he'll let you know and help coordinate that referral.
If pain, stiffness, or a nagging injury has been keeping you from the things you want to do, whether that's a morning run, a productive workday, or keeping up with your grandkids, we'd like to help. We'll work with you to get back to the activities you love.
Book An AppointmentOr call 301-578-5197. Same-day appointments often available.