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Expert Physical Therapy in Huntersville, NC

Start sooner, recover faster, and get back to doing what you love with Proactive Motion Physical Therapy in Huntersville. No referral required—schedule your one-on-one session today.

Proactive Motion Physical Therapy_Proactive Motion Physical Therapy_ Your Caring Guide to

Don't Let Pain Keep You From Living Your Best Life

You deserve better than waiting weeks for appointments, rushing through sessions, or being passed off to assistants who don't know your story.

Stuck in the Wait-and-See Cycle

You've been dealing with neck pain, back pain, or knee discomfort for months—maybe years. You've tried rest, over-the-counter relief, even other therapies, but nothing creates lasting change.

Lost Time With People You Love

Pain limits your ability to play with your kids, keep up on walks, or enjoy the active lifestyle you once had. Every day that passes is another day you're not fully present.

Lost Time With People You Love

Pain limits your ability to play with your kids, keep up on walks, or enjoy the active lifestyle you once had. Every day that passes is another day you're not fully present.

Why Huntersville Residents Choose Proactive Motion PT

At Proactive Motion Physical Therapy, you're not a number. You're a person with unique goals, and you deserve a therapist who takes the time to truly understand your body and your life.

  • One-on-one sessions for a full hour—you'll work directly with your physical therapist every visit, never an aide

  • No referral needed—take advantage of direct access in North Carolina and start your care right away

  • Advanced expertise in dry needling, manual therapy, and orthopedic care with 16+ years of experience

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Your Path to Recovery: Simple, Personalized, Effective

01

Schedule Your First Visit

Call us or book online—no referral required. We offer flexible hours and convenient scheduling to fit your life.

02

Get Your Personalized Plan

Your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment, listen to your goals, and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

03

Recover and Stay Moving

Through hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted exercises, we'll help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to what matters most.

Conditions We Treat with Physical Therapy in Huntersville

Our expert team treats a wide range of conditions:

  • Chronic neck pain, back pain, and sciatica

  • Knee pain, hip pain, and joint dysfunction

  • Post-surgical recovery and sports injuries

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum recovery, and urinary incontinence

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Hear From Our Huntersville Patients

Rated 5.0 Stars with 69+ Reviews

Michelle Kennerly

2026-02-06

I’ve been seeing Elisa over a span of 7 years, and she always delivers the best care and treatment. Her skills in needling are unmatched! Her personable visits are warm and inviting. I highly recommend this clinic for your self care needs.

Mandy Self-Sparrow

2026-02-06

Elisa is an excellent physical therapist. She is extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and takes the time to truly evaluate what’s going on instead of rushing through an appointment. After just a few sessions, I noticed significant improvement. She used a combination of manual therapy, tool-assisted soft tissue work, dry needling, and specific corrective exercises tailored to what I needed. I’ll be honest — dry needling is not the best feeling in the world ;-) — but it was absolutely effective and worth it! If you’re looking for a PT who has multiple tools in their toolbox and truly understands the body, I highly recommend Elisa.

Franco T

2026-02-05

Elisa is wonderful. Painful, but wonderful. I have seen a difference from her treating my issue. Would recommend to anyone.

Susan Kullstam

2026-01-28

Elisa is incredibly attentive and knowledgeable! She meets you where you are with your goals. She takes time and educates on all facets of therapy.

Shelley Abel

2026-01-21

Elisa was amazing. She was patient, genuinely listened to me, and made sure I understood each treatment before moving forward. That level of care made a big difference in my comfort and progress so far, and my hip mobility has improved a lot as a result. I’m grateful for her help. Highly recommend.

Chelsea Demarest

2026-01-14

After years of neck pain I was skeptical to try doing physical therapy yet again. However, working with Dr. Elisa has been life changing. Her dry needling and at home exercises have dramatically improved my quality of life. I no longer have constant neck pain and can get through my day without having to take ibuprofen to get by. Needless to say, I would strongly recommend Dr. Elisa!

Matthew Lyons

2026-01-13

I highly recommend Proactive Motion Physical Therapy! I’ve been seeing Dr. Elisa for shoulder pain, and the results have been incredible. She is exceptionally thorough, starting with a customized consultation to build a plan that fits my lifestyle. ​Dr. Elisa's approach is comprehensive—combining targeted dry needling with a specific exercise program. Since starting treatment, my mobility has significantly improved and my pain has decreased tremendously. If you want a therapist who truly listens and uses a variety of effective techniques to get you back to 100%, go see Proactive Motion Physical Therapy.

Meet Your Huntersville Physical Therapy Experts

Board-Certified Care You Can Trust

Dr. Elisa Gillespie, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, COMT, LMBT

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Owner & Physical Therapist

Since 2009, Dr. Gillespie has provided orthopedic physical therapy with advanced hands-on training in dry needling, manual therapy, Graston Technique, and massage therapy. She believes the best time to take care of your body is now—and specializes in helping patients recover faster, move better, and stay active through personalized, one-on-one care.

Dr. Lauren Craig, PT, DPT, OCS

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Physical Therapist & Pelvic Floor Specialist

Dr. Craig is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with over 16 years of experience and specialized training in pelvic health. Her compassionate, patient-centered approach empowers women to reclaim confidence and wellness through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, urinary dysfunction, pelvic pain, and menopause. She is passionate about filling the gap in pelvic health support.

Visit Us in Huntersville Near Birkdale Village

We're conveniently located just 8 minutes from downtown Huntersville and 5 minutes from Birkdale Village. Stop by or give us a call today.

Your Questions Answered

Common Questions About Physical Therapy

Do I need a referral to start physical therapy?

No! North Carolina allows direct access to physical therapy, which means you can schedule your first appointment without a physician referral. You can start your care right away and get the treatment you need faster.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring a valid ID, your insurance card (if applicable), a list of current medications, and any relevant medical records or imaging results. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement.

How long are physical therapy sessions?

Every session at Proactive Motion PT is one full hour of one-on-one care with your physical therapist. You'll never be passed off to an assistant or rushed through your treatment.

What is dry needling and does it hurt?

Dry needling is a technique that uses thin needles to release trigger points and relieve muscle pain. Most patients feel minimal discomfort—many describe immediate relief. Dr. Gillespie is extensively trained and certified in dry needling techniques.

Do you accept insurance?

We work with most major insurance plans. Contact our office at (704) 794-8012 and our team will verify your benefits and discuss your coverage options.

What makes Proactive Motion PT different from other physical therapy clinics?

We offer truly personalized, one-on-one care for a full hour every visit. Dr. Gillespie and Dr. Craig bring advanced certifications, 16+ years of experience, and a holistic approach that combines manual therapy, dry needling, and customized exercise programs tailored to your unique goals.

Ready to Start Moving?

Schedule your visit today—no referral needed.

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