Expert Physical Therapy for Runners in Durham, NC

 Get back to running stronger with personalized 1-on-1 care from Duke-trained specialists who understand the demands of your active lifestyle.

Running Injuries Shouldn't Sideline Your Goals

When left untreated, running injuries can derail your training and impact every part of your active life.

Missed Training Milestones 

Pain and injuries keep you from hitting your race goals, personal records, and the weekly mileage you've worked hard to build.

Prolonged Recovery Time 

Without proper treatment, small injuries become chronic issues that lead to months of frustration and inconsistent training.

Lost Running Confidence 

Recurring pain makes you question every step, limiting your pace, distance, and the freedom you feel when you run.

Physical therapist working one-on-one with runner in Durham, NC, demonstrating personalized running gait analysis and injury assessment

Why Durham Runners Choose The Obstacle Doc

We're not just physical therapists—we're athletes who understand what it takes to run pain-free and perform at your best. Every session is 60 minutes of dedicated 1-on-1 care with your Duke-trained PT.

 • 100% individualized treatment plans designed specifically for runners and your unique biomechanics

• Education-first approach that empowers you to understand your injury and prevent future setbacks

• Cash-based practice means no insurance restrictions, faster results, and treatment focused on your goals

Start Your Recovery

Your Path to Running Pain-Free: Simple, Personalized, Effective

Schedule a Free Consultation 

Connect with one of our Obstacle Docs over the phone to discuss your running challenges, pain points, and performance goals.

Come in for Initial Evaluation 

Your dedicated physical therapist will assess your movement patterns, identify the root cause of your injury, and create your custom treatment plan.

Start Your Custom Recovery Plan 

Begin your personalized program with expert guidance every step of the way, designed to get you back to running stronger than before.

Physical therapist working one-on-one with runner in Durham, NC, demonstrating personalized running gait analysis and injury assessment

Running Injuries We Treat with Physical Therapy in Durham

From acute injuries to chronic pain, we help Durham runners overcome the obstacles keeping them from their goals.

 • Runner's knee, IT band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain that limits your mileage and pace

• Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and foot pain that makes every step uncomfortable

• Shin splints, stress fractures, and lower leg injuries that derail your training schedule

• Hip pain, hamstring strains, and muscle imbalances affecting your running form and efficiency

Discuss Your Injury
Verified Google Reviews

What Durham Runners Are Saying About Their Recovery

"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

Meet Your Duke-Trained Physical Therapy Team for Runners in Durham, NC

Athlete-focused specialists dedicated to your recovery

dr christopher kosobucki

Dr. Christopher Kosobucki, DPT, OCS, CSCS 

Board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Duke-trained PT with expertise in sports performance and obstacle racing. Certified in dry needling, blood flow restriction, and manual therapy to help runners recover faster and perform at their peak.

dr daniela ortiz kosobucki headshot

Dr. Daniela Ortiz-Kosobucki, DPT 

Duke-trained specialist in pelvic floor therapy and women's health with unique expertise supporting female runners through pregnancy, postpartum, and return to performance. 500-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher certified in dry needling and BFR therapy.

dr cody davis headshot

Dr. Cody Davis, DPT 

Duke-trained physical therapist and ClinicalAthlete Provider specializing in spine care and movement resiliency for runners. Master-level Olympic weightlifter bringing performance-based care to athletes of all levels with advanced training in dry needling and BFR.

100% 1-on-1 Care Every session is a full 60 minutes with your dedicated physical therapist—no aides, no multitasking, just expert attention focused entirely on your recovery and running goals.

Athlete-Focused Approach Founded and run by athletes who understand the mental and physical demands of training. We don't just treat injuries—we help you come back stronger and more resilient.

Education-First Philosophy We empower you with the knowledge and tools to understand your body, manage your recovery independently, and prevent future injuries so you can run with confidence.

Visit Our Durham Physical Therapy Clinic

Conveniently located near Lakewood Shopping Center and South Square, just minutes from downtown Durham.

Just 11 minutes from Downtown Durham via University Dr and US-15 BUS S. Take Blackwell St southwest, turn right onto W Lakewood Ave, continue onto University Dr, slight right onto US-15 BUS S/Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, then turn left onto Shannon Rd. You'll find us near the Duke University campus area.

Questions About Our Services

1. Do you accept insurance for physical therapy? 

We are a cash-based practice, which means we don't work directly with insurance companies. This allows us to provide longer appointment times (60 minutes every session), personalized 1-on-1 care, and treatment plans focused entirely on your goals—not insurance restrictions. Many clients find that the quality of care and faster results make it a worthwhile investment. We can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

2. How long are physical therapy appointments? 

Every appointment at The Obstacle Doc is a full 60 minutes of dedicated 1-on-1 time with your physical therapist—even follow-up visits. Unlike traditional clinics where you might see a therapist for 15-20 minutes, you'll receive expert attention for the entire hour, allowing us to thoroughly address your running mechanics, strength deficits, and recovery needs.

3. Do I need a referral to start physical therapy for running injuries? 

No referral is needed! North Carolina is a direct access state, which means you can see a physical therapist without a doctor's referral. You can schedule your free consultation directly with us and begin your recovery right away. If we determine that you need additional medical evaluation, we'll guide you accordingly.

Still have questions?