Physical Therapy in Charlotte, NC for Athletes and Active Adults
Get back to lifting, running, and living without pain—without being told to "just rest." At Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy, we help active people in Charlotte return stronger than before with personalized, performance-focused care.
You're Tired of Being Sidelined
You're Stuck in the Cycle
You're Missing What Matters
You're Not Being Heard
You've tried rest, ice, and generic exercises, but the pain keeps coming back. You're afraid to push yourself because you don't know if it'll get worse.
You can't train the way you want to. You're turning down invitations to hike, play golf, or keep up with your kids. It feels like you've lost part of your identity.
You've been told to "stop" or "just rest" without any real solutions. You're frustrated because no one seems to understand that stopping isn't an option for you.
We Get It—Because We've Been There Too
At Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy, we're not just healthcare providers—we're parents, runners, lifters, and athletes. We know what it's like to be sidelined by pain, and we know that "stopping" isn't the answer.
That's why we built a physical therapy practice in Charlotte that's different. Every session is one-on-one for a full hour with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. No hand-offs. No rushing. Just real, personalized care that gets to the root of the problem so you can return to your sport, your workouts, and your life—stronger than before.
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1-on-1 treatment sessions with a Doctor of PT for a full hour—every time
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Customized programs built around your goals, not cookie-cutter exercises
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Direct access to your provider via text and email—no hold times
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Advanced techniques like dry needling, cupping, and blood flow restriction training included at no extra charge
Your 3-Step Path to Getting Out of Pain
Schedule a Free Phone Consult
Attend Your Initial Evaluation
Execute the Plan and Get Back to What You Love
Talk to Dr. Ryan directly for 15 minutes. No intake forms with a scheduler—you get to speak with the provider first. We want to hear your story and determine how we can help you get back to what you love.
This will be the most thorough healthcare appointment you've ever had. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of what's causing your pain and a customized plan of action based on your injury and your goals.
Now we execute the plan together. You'll work one-on-one with your PT every session, with direct access via text and email between visits. You'll get real solutions—not just "rest."
We Treat Active Adults and Athletes in Charlotte Who Want to Keep Moving
Whether you're a runner dealing with knee pain, a lifter managing shoulder issues, or an active parent who just wants to play with your kids without back pain, we've helped people like you get back to their lives. Here's what we treat:
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Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries
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Low back pain and disc injuries
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Knee pain, ACL/MCL tears, and meniscus injuries
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Hip pain and labrum tears
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Plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains
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Elbow pain (tennis/golfer's elbow)
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Post-operative rehab for any orthopedic surgery
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Chronic pain and recurring injuries
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Sports-related injuries for runners, lifters, and athletes
Don't see your condition listed? Reach out—we can help you determine if we're the right fit.
Dr. Ryan Abarno, PT, DPT, CSCS, TPI-M2
Owner and Performance Physical Therapist
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Dr. Ryan Abarno graduated from the University at Buffalo with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016. After working as a Travel Physical Therapist, he relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2017. Since then, he has directed several clinics focused on Orthopedics and Sports Performance. His personal experience as a baseball player during his youth, and as a competitive powerlifter currently gives him a unique perspective as medical professional.
In 2022, he made the decision to start Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy.
From Ryan: "I spent 5 years in the traditional healthcare world. What I found is that the typical approach to healthcare doesn't cater to active adults and athletes. Too often people are told to "stop running," "stop lifting," or "find a new sport." To me this is a cop out and it's not solving the problem but instead avoiding it. I've spent 6 years training for competitive powerlifting and in 2018, my training became derailed due to a rough side effect from a medication I had been placed on. I suffered some pretty severe hip and low back injuries. Instead of being given some actual solutions to get back to the sport I loved, I was told to stop training. I ignored it and spent the next year rehabbing my injuries and rebuilding a foundation stronger than before, eventually stepping back into the sport of Powerlifting. After that experience, I knew I had to help people find REAL solutions to the problems, instead of just shying away from them.
My mission is to make sure that not a minute is wasted and we get to working on the problem right from the start so that you can get out of pain and reach your goals. I'm here to help you stay doing what you love and you'll never hear me tell you to stop doing what you love forever, but instead we'll find a way to get back to it better than before. I take a no BS approach because we are handling the most important thing: your health."
Ryan still lives in the Carolinas with his wife Kimberly and daughter Ava. They enjoy exploring North and South Carolina with their Carolina Dog, Sonny.
Certifications:
Dry Needling, Titleist Performance Institute-Level 2 Medical, ImPACT for Concussion Care, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Spinal Manipulation, SFMA-Level 1, Blood Flow Restriction Training, Clinical Athlete Certified Provider.
Licensure: Physical therapist in North Carolina and South Carolina
Dr. Erin Weisel, PT, DPT
Performance Physical Therapist
Dr. Erin Weisel graduated from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a Bachelors in Kinesiology in 2021 and then graduated Bellarmine University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2025. She then relocated to Charlotte, NC shortly after graduation. Erin’s background includes being a former Division 1 college gymnast which then allowed her to make an easy transition to then becoming a Crossfit athlete and competitive powerlifter.
From Erin: “ I am excited to work with all active individuals and athletes as they deserve a medical professional that understands their lifestyle. From my own personal experience of tearing my Achilles tendon in high school, I underwent surgery and required a year long rehab process before returning to gymnastics.
Although I was able to make a complete return to gymnastics, I realized many doctors and some rehab professionals do not understand how to program to return to sport, to the field or progress barbell athletes to their previous weights. I want to help bridge that gap so people can return to their sport, to running, lifting, or work out classes with confidence and stronger than before. This is why I wanted to join Ascension rehab, we take a no BS approach when it comes to your health and your goals.”
Licensure: Physical therapist in North Carolina
Visit Us in Charlotte, NC
Located Inside Performance Unlimited
9209 Baybrook Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277
980-385-5192
We're just 10 minutes from Ballantyne, 8 minutes from the South Park area, and easy to reach from Pineville and South Charlotte. Located inside Performance Unlimited near the Touchstone Village Shopping Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist in North Carolina?
No! North Carolina allows direct access to physical therapy, which means you can schedule an evaluation without a doctor's referral. You'll start with a free 15-minute phone consult with Dr. Ryan, and from there, we'll schedule your initial evaluation if we're a good fit.
How is Ascension Rehab different from other physical therapy clinics in Charlotte?
Most PT clinics pass you off between assistants or limit you to 20-30 minute sessions. At Ascension, every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy for a full hour. You'll also get direct access to your provider via text and email, customized programming through our mobile app, and included services like dry needling and cupping at no extra charge. Plus, we specialize in working with athletes and active adults who don't want to be told to "just stop."
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your initial evaluation will be the most thorough healthcare appointment you've ever had. We'll spend time understanding your injury history, your goals, and what activities matter most to you. Then we'll assess your movement, strength, and mobility to identify the root cause of your pain. You'll walk away with a clear diagnosis, a customized treatment plan, and confidence that you're on the right path to recovery.
Do you accept insurance?
We are an out-of-network provider, which means we don't bill insurance directly. However, many of our patients use their out-of-network benefits or HSA/FSA funds. We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. We also keep our pricing transparent—no surprise bills.
How long will it take to get better?
Every injury is different, but most of our patients see significant improvement within 4-6 weeks. During your initial evaluation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific condition and goals. We focus on getting you results as efficiently as possible so you can get back to what you love.
Still Have Questions?
Subheadline: We're here to help. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consult to talk directly with Dr. Ryan.