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Expert Sports Physical Therapy in Huntersville, NC

At Proactive Motion Physical Therapy, you work one-on-one with your Doctor of PT — never an aide. No referral required. Whether you're a weekend athlete, runner, or active adult near Lake Norman, we'll help you start moving and stay moving.

Proactive Motion Physical therapy

Tired of Pain That's Holding You Back?

Most clinics rush you through 30-minute sessions with an aide — leaving you with generic exercises and the same pain you walked in with. You deserve better than that.

Rushed, High-Volume Clinics

You get 20 minutes with a tech, a heat pack, and a printout. Your actual diagnosis never gets the attention it needs — and the pain keeps coming back.

Waiting on a Referral

Weeks pass before you even see a specialist. Meanwhile, your injury worsens, your performance drops, and you're forced to sit out the activities you love.

One-Size-Fits-All Treatment

Cookie-cutter programs ignore your specific injury, your body, and your goals. You need a plan built around you — not a protocol built for the masses.

Why Huntersville Chooses Proactive Motion PT

We built Proactive Motion Physical Therapy around one belief: you deserve a full hour with your Doctor of PT, hands-on from day one. With 16+ years of orthopedic and sports PT experience, advanced certifications, and a broad treatment toolbox, we get to the root of what's keeping you sidelined — and build a clear plan to fix it.

  • One-on-one care — you always work directly with your Doctor of PT, never an aide or assistant

  • No referral needed — North Carolina direct access means you can start care right away

  • Full one-hour initial evaluation with movement assessment, hands-on treatment, and a clear plan starting day one

Why Huntersville Chooses Proactive Motion PT

Your Path Back to Full Performance Starts Here

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Step 1: Book Your 1-Hour Evaluation

Schedule your first visit with no referral required. Your Doctor of PT will perform a thorough movement assessment, identify the root cause of your pain or limitation, and begin hands-on treatment the same day.

02

Step 2: Get a Plan Built for You

You leave day one with a clear, personalized treatment plan. Using advanced techniques — dry needling, manual therapy, Graston, cupping, and targeted exercise — we address the real problem, not just the symptoms.

03

Step 3: Return to What You Love

Whether your goal is returning to sport, running pain-free, getting through a round of pickleball, or simply living without daily pain — we keep you moving forward every step of the way.

Sports Physical Therapy for Every Condition

From sports injuries and overuse conditions to chronic pain and pelvic health, our Huntersville sports physical therapy clinic treats the full spectrum of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. If you've been searching for sports physical therapy near me, you've found a team that goes deeper than surface-level treatment.

  • Sports & overuse injuries — ACL, runner's knee, IT band syndrome, shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff, and more

  • Spine, neck & headache — low back pain, sciatica, cervical radiculopathy, tension headaches, migraines, and TMJ pain

  • Pelvic health — incontinence, diastasis recti, pelvic pain, prolapse, prenatal support, postpartum recovery, and menopausal pelvic health

Sports Physical Therapy for Every Condition

97 Five-Star Reviews in Huntersville, NC

Rated 5.0 Stars with 69+ Reviews

Meet Your Doctors of Physical Therapy in Huntersville

Board-certified experts. One-on-one care. Every visit.

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

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

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

Dr. Lauren Craig, PT, DPT, OCS

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, NC

Just 8 minutes from Downtown Huntersville via Northcross Drive. Conveniently located near Birkdale Village (approximately 1 mile south) and Northcross Shopping Center (approximately 0.5 miles west), right off I-77 Exit 23. Free parking and elevator access available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your first visit to our Huntersville sports physical therapy clinic.

Do I need a doctor's referral to start physical therapy? 

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No. North Carolina allows direct access to physical therapy, which means you can schedule your first appointment without a referral. You can call us or book online and start care right away — no waiting on a physician's order.

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What happens at my first visit? 

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Your first visit is a full one-hour evaluation with your Doctor of PT. We'll complete a thorough movement assessment, discuss your history and goals, begin hands-on treatment, and leave you with a clear plan — all on day one. You'll never be handed off to an aide.

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Do you treat sports injuries and overuse conditions? 

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Absolutely. Sports physical therapy is a core focus at our Huntersville clinic. We treat ACL injuries, runner's knee, IT band syndrome, shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff injuries, ankle sprains, and much more — for high school athletes, weekend warriors, runners, and pickleball players alike.

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What is dry needling, and is it safe?

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Dry needling is a technique that uses thin monofilament needles to release muscle trigger points, reduce pain, and restore normal muscle function. It is distinct from acupuncture and is performed by Dr. Gillespie, who holds her CMTPT certification. Many patients are nervous at first — but as our reviews show, it is well-tolerated and highly effective.

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Do you offer pelvic floor physical therapy?

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Yes. Dr. Lauren Craig is our pelvic floor specialist. She treats urinary incontinence, diastasis recti, pelvic pain, prolapse, and provides prenatal and postpartum support. Pelvic floor PT is a medical specialty, and your sessions are private, professional, and conducted with care.

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Where are you located, and is parking available?

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We're located at 15905 Brookway Drive, Suite 4206 (2nd floor), Huntersville, NC 28078 — just off I-77 Exit 23 and approximately 1 mile north of Birkdale Village. Free parking is available in the lot, and the building has elevator access.

Still have questions?

We're here to help. Reach out to our team and we'll get back to you quickly — because the best time to take care of your body is now.

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