Sports Physical Therapy
in Bethesda, MD

Sports physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy focused on movement rehabilitation and functional restoration. It uses hands-on manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and movement assessment to help patients recover from injury, manage chronic pain, and build the strength to stay out of pain. The term "sports" refers to the clinical approach and skill set of the provider, not a restriction on who can be treated. Patients at Helms Performance range from competitive athletes to retirees working through joint pain.

These are related but distinct disciplines. Sports chiropractic focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system, using spinal adjustments and joint manipulation to restore alignment and reduce pain signals. Sports physical therapy focuses on movement rehabilitation, using therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and functional training to restore how the body moves. At Helms Performance, both are available under one roof. Dr. Helms draws on each approach depending on what your body needs, which is one of the core advantages of practicing both disciplines together.

That depends on your condition, your goals, and how your body responds. Many patients with acute injuries or muscle pain start noticing improvement within the first two to four sessions. Chronic conditions and post-surgical rehabilitation typically take longer, often six to twelve weeks of consistent work. Dr. Helms will give you a realistic picture of your timeline at your first visit, and he adjusts the plan as you progress, so you're never just going through the motions.

Maryland is a direct-access state, which means you can receive physical therapy without a physician's referral for up to 30 days of treatment. After that, a referral may be needed depending on your insurance plan. If you're unsure, contact your insurer directly, or reach out to our team and we'll help you sort it out before your first visit.

Absolutely. Many patients who come to Helms Performance aren't recovering from a single injury — they're managing pain that has built up over months or years. Chronic lower back pain, persistent knee pain, recurring hip tightness, and long-standing neck pain all respond well to physical therapy when the underlying movement patterns and muscle imbalances are properly addressed. If you've been managing your pain rather than resolving it, a thorough movement assessment is a good place to start.

The biggest difference is that every visit is one-on-one with Dr. Helms. At many clinics, you're assessed by a physical therapist and then handed off to an aide for the exercise portion of your visit. At Helms Performance, Dr. Helms is with you for the full session. The second difference is breadth: because Helms Performance offers both sports chiropractic and physical therapy, Dr. Helms can shift between approaches based on what your body needs that day, rather than being limited to one discipline.