Sports Performance Training in Durham

Rebuild strength, sharpen agility, and achieve peak performance with personalized care designed to match your goals.

man running

Don’t let setbacks keep you from reaching your potential

Without the right support, injuries and recovery challenges can hold you back from performing at your best. Don’t risk...

Delayed Progress

A lack of tailored programming can slow down your recovery and training, keeping you from getting back in the game.

Missed Goals

Without a clear plan, performance plateaus and unaddressed weaknesses can stop you from reaching your potential.

Lingering Pain

Returning to activity too soon or without proper guidance can lead to recurring pain or reinjury.

Lost Confidence

Struggling to rebuild strength and agility can leave you unsure of your ability to compete or perform.

You deserve the tools and support to recover fully, train smarter, and compete confidently—let’s make it happen.

Expert Care for Peak Performance

Our sports performance services are designed to help you recover, rebuild, and achieve results that matter.

chris taking notes

Return to Sport Programming

Tailored plans that help you safely transition from rehab to peak performance, with a focus on strength, speed, and endurance.

Blood Flow Restriction

Cutting-edge training techniques to accelerate strength gains and recovery while minimizing strain on healing tissues.

Post-Op Recovery

Specialized support to help you rebuild strength and regain confidence after surgery, injections, or other procedures, with a focus on long-term results.

How We Work

Tailored Care Every Step of the Way

Schedule a Free Consultation

Easily book a consultation online to discuss your pain, challenges, and goals with one of the Obstacle Docs over the phone.

Come in for an Initial Evaluation

You are paired with a therapist to assess your current concerns, identify limitations, and determine the best path forward.

Start Your Plan & Go

Then, you’ll start your custom program designed for your body and lifestyle, identifying root causes of symptoms, with expert support every step of the way.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

"As a fellow physical therapist, I frequently refer my patients to The Obstacle Doc and am confident that they will receive the best quality care imaginable. They take a very individualized approach and provide 1-on-1 attention to help patients eliminate pain and reach their physical goals."
Emily King
"From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. They are friendly and knowledgeable, and they go above and beyond to create a comfortable and positive environment."
Anneli Morrison
"Chris and Daniela are both wonderful people and awesome to work with. They schedule a full hour with you, even for their follow up appointments; and they are hands-on therapists who are completely invested in helping you return to all the activities that bring you joy."
Jess Bottesch
"One of the standout aspects of Dr. Daniela's care is her skill in dry needling. Dry needling significantly relieved the tension and discomfort in my right hip, allowing me to regain mobility and comfort that I thought might be lost forever."
Juhi Thakur
"By June, I ran a 5-miler with no pain and now, I still see Dr. Chris for follow-ups every few months while training for a half marathon PAIN FREE! I've learned so much about running beyond my injury from Dr. Chris and feel well-equipped to crush my first half."
Janice Davidson
"Daniela was great to work with!  She has great patience and optimism. I am grateful for the wonderful results of my physical therapy and would definitely consult with her again if a new problem comes up."
Peggy Needham
"After working with Chris for six weeks, there was enough improvement that I was told that surgery was no longer imminent. I owe my progress to Chris whose expertise got me out of the 'surgery zone.'"
Valerie Bell
"I cannot say enough great things about how working with Dr. Daniella has transformed my postpartum pelvic floor and hip pain. Through Dr. Daniella, I have learned how to call on the muscles in my body that I had been ignoring for years."
Caitlin Gaffney
"I can’t overstate the benefit I have found in using the Obstacle Docs! Chris is amazing at addressing issues and keeping me able to perform the activities I want and working to help achieve fitness goals."
Erin Kiess
"I was a little reluctant to invest the money not knowing if my issue would be resolved, but just after a few weeks, I am seeing obvious results! The knowledge and approach of this team is clearly  effective. I highly recommend them."
Valerie Cover

Ready to Get Back in the Game?

It’s time to reclaim your active life. Schedule a consultation and start a recovery plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.

daniela talking to physical therapy client on a call

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral?

NO! Athletes unknowingly extend their time to treatment by getting urgent care visits, orthopedic appointments, and expensive x-rays after an injury, simply to be told to go to physical therapy.

As Doctors of Physical Therapy in North Carolina, you do not need a referral from another provider to come see us first. We are trained to screen for “red flags” or the “big stuff” and can cut down time lost to start treatment.

What do we do in each session?

It depends! Every treatment package starts with an initial evaluation based on your chief complaints or goals. Subsequent visits vary based on your needs! Package prices are all-inclusive—whether it’s a movement screen, running analysis, pre-race programming, manual work, dry needling, or simply educating you to be a smarter, better athlete.

Can you benefit from physical therapy if you’re not injured?

Absolutely! Physical therapy isn’t just for treating injuries—it’s also about preventing them. You don’t need to be actively injured to benefit from expert movement assessment and training. While we can’t make you bulletproof, we can identify maladaptive and compensatory movement patterns that could lead to sport-stopping problems down the road.

Why Out-of-Network Physical Therapy?

More Personalized Care, Faster Results. Insurance in the United States does not reimburse rehabilitative services as much as surgeries, medications, and other “quick fixes”. Due to these continued changes, clinics are forced to “optimize” their schedules, which means multiple patients and shorter 1-on-1 time with a skilled clinician.

Long story short? You spend more visits, more time, and more money getting back to your sport due to less quality time with your primary care provider.

In a Cash-Based Physical Therapy practice, you receive 100% of your care from your experienced provider, subsequently leading to fewer visits, and you will never receive an unexpected bill with additional charges.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept insurance. As an out-of-network provider, we are not restricted by visit limits, treatment times, or procedural limitations set by insurance plans. This allows us to provide the best, most clinically appropriate care based on your needs.

Many insurance companies offer out-of-network benefits, and you are welcome to file with your provider. We’re happy to provide directions on how to do so! Another benefit of out-of-network care is that we can focus on wellness and performance-based care, which is not typically covered by traditional insurance but is crucial for high-level athletes dealing with nagging injuries deeper into training programs.

What are my treatment package options?

Packages are sold in single sessions, 8, 12, or 20 sessions; these numbers are taken from research on average rates of recovery, and years of treatment.

Your Initial Evaluation gives us an opportunity to learn more about you, and discuss what package is best for you based on your goals and needs. You do not need to make a decision until after your evaluation, so you can think over your plan of care!

Packages are valid for a year from the date of purchase and are non-refundable. Example: If you purchase a 12-session package on 4/30/2024, you have until 4/30/2025 to use any unused sessions.

What if I have Medicare?

Since Medicare has strict regulations on what services can be covered, we do not participate in Medicare for skilled therapy services. However, we do work with Medicare-age clients through wellness care. If you have questions, please feel free to give us a call to discuss your options.

Can you do “dry needling only” appointments?

Yes and no. We do offer dry needling, but we require an initial assessment to determine if it’s the right treatment for you. While we love dry needling and see many benefits, it is not always an appropriate standalone treatment.

Because all our appointments are 60 minutes, you are welcome to dedicate most of your session to dry needling. However, we do not offer short, 20-30 minute dry needling-only appointments.

Can I pay with my HSA or FSA?

Absolutely! We are able to accept HSA and FSA.

Still have questions?