Experience better Living with Shift Manual Physical therapy

I'm a physical therapist myself—and I was desperate.

I suffered from severe back pain that radiated down my right leg into my foot. It kept me up at night, made it hard to concentrate during the day, and standing for long periods at work became unbearable. I was pursuing every option: physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture—multiple times a week. Nothing helped. In fact, I was getting worse. I felt hopeless and even started considering surgery as my only option.

Then I found Shift Physical Therapy, and everything changed.

From the moment Heather evaluated me, I knew this was different. Her assessment was the most thorough I had ever experienced—and again, I am a PT. She didn’t just look where I hurt; she employed a manual-based approach that searched for the true source of the pain, which, trust me, is rarely where you think it is. That shift in thinking was exactly what I needed.

After just one visit, I was already 50% better. I drove an hour to see her—and usually that would leave my foot throbbing—but this time, it was minimal. Fast forward a month, and I was 90% better. Now, I'm completely pain-free thanks to her personalized care.

If you're stuck in the cycle of treatment with no relief, don't give up. Heather's approach isn't just different—it works.

A year after undergoing my third back surgery, I found myself struggling with chronic lower back pain, severe imbalance, and limited mobility. Walking even 100 yards would trigger intense pain, and sudden turns or uneven ground often caused me to fall. I knew I needed expert help, and I am incredibly grateful I found Heather Kastanaras.

Heather is not only an outstanding Physical Therapist but also an exceptionally compassionate and dedicated professional. From our very first session, she took the time to truly listen and understand my challenges. Her communication is clear, supportive, and empowering, and she utilized a manual-based approach to create a personalized care plan that met me exactly where I was physically and emotionally.

Over the course of several months of consistent physical therapy sessions, I’ve seen remarkable improvements. The pain that once dominated my life has significantly diminished, and my mobility has greatly increased. I can now walk 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, and my balance is improving—a huge milestone given where I started.

Heather's appointments are always on time, and her flexible scheduling made it easy for me to stay committed to my recovery. Her office location, just off the Beltway, is also incredibly convenient. I cannot recommend Heather highly enough. Her skills, compassion, professionalism, and competence have truly changed my life, and I highly recommend her with absolutely no hesitation.

Heather is a true healer in the most ancient sense of the word: creative, intuitive, and deeply intelligent. Her wisdom and her drive to understand and learn as much about the human body as she can mean she is always pursuing the newest research and techniques, including a manual-based approach, to achieve the absolute best possible outcomes for her patients. After I had my daughter, I thought the back pain I was experiencing was just something I'd have to live with for the rest of my life. Our culture is always telling us that motherhood is pain, that aging is pain. Working with Heather rewrote that narrative, and it is not an overstatement to say she changed my life. After working with her consistently, I not only experienced her healing touch and personalized care, but also learned to live with a high level of body awareness that meant I no longer needed regular physical therapy. With Heather's guidance, I am now more attuned to what my body is telling me, and I have adopted a wide range of practices and tips she has taught me that allow me to prevent pain and move with ease and freedom. I live pain-free and with a deep gratitude for Heather's presence in my life. I have encouraged anyone I encounter who is living with pain to see Heather; commitment to her practice for just a few months will transform your mind-body connection and your life!

Heather is an amazing Manual Physical Therapist who utilizes a manual-based approach in her practice. As her practice has evolved, I have physically and mentally benefited from all the expertise and knowledge she has gained. Heather's personalized care is evident as she genuinely cares about each patient and their individual needs and concerns. The majority of each session is spent hands-on in treatment, and her gentle touch can create profound changes in my body—there's truly magic in her hands! She also provides helpful tips and exercises to do at home that complement her physical therapy treatments. Additionally, Heather has referred me to many other practitioners in the natural medicine field and maintains connections with them to support my continuing progress. Who else does that?! My body and soul feel so much better after each session!

For many years, I have suffered from back spasms and pain that would flare up multiple times a year and take 6-8 weeks to recover from. This led to a fear of movement, as I never knew when my back would spasm or what might trigger it. 

After years of dealing with this issue, I finally started seeing Heather. Her thorough evaluation revealed that the root cause was actually in my feet and ankles! Since she began using her manual-based approach to focus on these areas, my back pain has significantly improved. I've experienced a decrease in my fear of movement, enhanced flexibility, and I rarely have back spasms anymore. Her expertise in assessment and treatment through personalized care has truly transformed my health. 

Heather is not only skilled but also a fantastic communicator, bringing humor to the physical therapy process. Her help has greatly improved my life and health. I happily and confidently recommend her to friends, family, and even my own mother. Heather’s dedication is truly exceptional.

I initially began working with Heather close to 10 years ago, shortly after my twins were born, because I was in a lot of pain and in need of physical therapy. I truly cannot say enough positive things about my experience with her. Heather has helped me stay strong and healthy ever since. She takes the time to truly understand your specific concerns and provides personalized care through tailored exercises that support long-term wellness. Heather believes in a manual-based approach to healing, going above and beyond to ensure her clients' success. She even took videos and photos to guide proper posture and movement, which have been incredibly helpful for my recovery and maintenance.

Her proactive care also includes practical tips for daily life—like how to position your body while working at a desk to avoid pain and improve alignment. Because of all these tips, I feel better in my work as a special educator and in my everyday life as a mom. I am also more aware of when my body may be experiencing tightness, allowing me to see her before symptoms escalate.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Heather to anyone seeking physical therapy—whether you're recovering from surgery or an injury, or simply looking to maintain a healthy, functional body.