Expert Running Physical Therapy in Durham, NC
Get back to running stronger with personalized care, running gait analysis, and full 60-minute 1-on-1 appointments. Overcome your obstacles with expert guidance from Duke-trained physical therapists who understand what it takes to perform.
Running Shouldn't Be Limited by Pain or Recurring Injuries
You're training hard, but something's holding you back from reaching your full potential.
Frustrated by Recurring Injuries
You've tried rest and generic exercises, but the same pain keeps coming back every time you increase your mileage or intensity.
Stuck in One-Size-Fits-All PT
You're getting 15-minute sessions with a therapist who doesn't understand the demands of running or your specific performance goals.
Limited by Insurance Restrictions
Your care feels rushed, your treatment plan is dictated by insurance rather than your needs, and you're not getting the attention you deserve.
Why Durham Runners Choose The Obstacle Doc for Physical Therapy
At The Obstacle Doc, you'll work with Duke-trained physical therapists who are athletes themselves. We understand the biomechanics of running and the determination it takes to come back stronger. Our cash-based model means your treatment plan is built around your goals, not insurance limitations.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.
• Full 60-minute 1-on-1 appointments with your physical therapist every visit—no rotating assistants or rushed sessions
• Advanced running gait analysis and movement screening to identify the root cause of your pain and performance limitations
• Customized, athlete-centered care with education that empowers you to understand your body and prevent future injuries
Your Path to Running Stronger: A Simple 3-Step Process
1. Comprehensive Assessment
We start with a full 60-minute evaluation including running gait analysis, movement screening, and force plate testing to identify exactly what's causing your pain or limiting your performance.
2. Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your assessment, we create a customized plan using manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, dry needling, and blood flow restriction training—all tailored to your specific goals and timeline.
3. Empowered Recovery
We educate you every step of the way so you understand your body, can track your progress, and have the tools to prevent future injuries and perform at your best.
Conditions We Treat with Running Physical Therapy in Durham
Whether you're dealing with an acute injury or chronic pain that's been holding you back, our team has the expertise to help. We treat the full spectrum of running-related conditions using evidence-based approaches and advanced testing.From acute injuries to chronic pain, we help Durham runners overcome the obstacles keeping them from their goals.
• Lower extremity injuries: Runner's knee, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints, hamstring strains, and hip pain
• Overuse injuries and tendonitis: Targeted treatment to address the biomechanical causes of repetitive stress injuries
• Post-surgery rehabilitation: ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, labral tear recovery, and rotator cuff surgery rehab
• Chronic pain and movement dysfunction: Low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, and arthritis management
What Durham Runners Are Saying About Their Recovery
Meet Your Duke-Trained Physical Therapists in Durham
Expert care from physical therapists who are athletes themselves.
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, 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, 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 Running Physical Therapy Clinic
Conveniently located near Duke University Campus and the Southpoint Mall area, just 12 minutes from downtown Durham.Conveniently located near Lakewood Shopping Center and South Square, just minutes from downtown Durham.
Just 12 minutes from Downtown Durham via University Dr and US-15 BUS S. We're located near South Square (1.8 miles south) and Duke University Campus. Take S Mangum St south, turn right onto W Lakewood Ave, continue onto University Dr, turn left onto US-15 BUS S/Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, then turn left onto Shannon Rd. You'll find us at 3211 Shannon Rd #105.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes your running physical therapy different from traditional PT?
Every appointment at The Obstacle Doc is a full 60 minutes of 1-on-1 time with your physical therapist—no rotating assistants or rushed 15-minute sessions. We use advanced testing like running gait analysis, force plate testing, and VALD assessments to identify the root cause of your injury. Plus, our physical therapists are athletes themselves who understand the demands of running and performance training.
2. Do you accept insurance?
We are a cash-based practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. This allows us to provide longer appointments, create treatment plans based on your goals rather than insurance restrictions, and give you the personalized attention you deserve. We can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
3. How long are appointments and how many will I need?
Every appointment is a full 60 minutes of dedicated 1-on-1 time with your physical therapist. The number of visits depends on your specific condition, goals, and response to treatment. During your first visit, we'll create a personalized treatment plan and give you a clear timeline for your recovery.
4. What should I bring to my first visit?
Wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows us to see and assess the area of concern. If you're a runner, bring your running shoes so we can analyze your gait and footwear. It's also helpful to bring any recent imaging results (X-rays, MRI) if you have them, though they're not required.
5. Can you help prevent running injuries, or do I need to be injured first?
Absolutely! We offer injury prevention programs, pre-season training, running gait analysis, and performance optimization for runners who want to train smarter and stay healthy. Many of our clients work with us proactively to identify and address movement patterns or weaknesses before they become injuries.
6. Do I need a doctor's referral to start physical therapy?
No referral is needed in North Carolina. As a cash-based practice, you can schedule directly with us and begin treatment right away. If you're planning to use insurance for reimbursement, check with your specific plan to see if they require a referral for out-of-network benefits.