Expert Sports Physical Therapy in South Windsor, CT
Get back to CrossFit, running, and the training you love. Full-hour 1:1 sessions with DPTs who are coaches and athletes—not just therapists. Real equipment, real results.
Tired of PT That Doesn't Fit Your Lifestyle?
Traditional physical therapy wasn't designed for athletes. You deserve better than cookie-cutter treatment plans.
- Rotating Between Multiple Patients
You're paying for expert care but spending half your session waiting or doing exercises alone while your PT bounces between other patients.
- Treatment That Ignores Your Sport
Therabands and general exercises don't prepare you for barbell lifts, explosive sprints, or the specific demands of your training.
- No Real Plan to Prevent Re-Injury
Your pain goes away temporarily, but you're back on the treatment table in six months because the root cause was never addressed.
Why Choose Our Sports Physical Therapy in South Windsor
The Athlete's PT delivers performance-based rehab in a 5,500 sq ft facility built for serious training. You get a full hour with your Doctor of Physical Therapy—no assistants, no distractions.
- Full-hour 1:1 sessions with DPTs who are CrossFit coaches, running specialists, and active athletes themselves
- Real equipment—barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells—to rebuild strength that translates to your sport
- Customized app-based home programs with video demos and in-app messaging with your provider between sessions
“I wanted to consolidate my strong endorsement for The Athletes Physical Therapist & Performance, specifically Genevieve. My recovery from the significant shoulder injury in 2025 was a game-changer, utterly transforming my view of physical therapy. Her meticulous, holistic approach focused entirely on me, crafting a rehabilitation plan that resonated with my active lifestyle. Within three months, I was well on the road to recovery.”
Steve L.
Get Back to Your Sport Stronger Than Before
- 1Comprehensive Movement Assessment
We evaluate not just your injury, but how you move, train, and load your body. Running gait analysis, movement screens, and functional testing identify the root cause—not just symptoms.
- 2Sport-Specific Treatment & Rehab
Every session is a full hour focused entirely on you. We use manual therapy, dry needling, cupping, and progressive loading with real equipment to rebuild resilience and performance.
- 3Performance Optimization & Prevention
We don't just get you pain-free—we make you stronger. Return-to-sport testing, corrective exercise, and education ensure you understand your body and prevent future injuries.
Sports Injuries We Treat in South Windsor
From nagging overuse injuries to post-surgical rehab, we treat active adults and athletes dealing with pain that limits performance.
- Running injuries:
- IT band syndrome, runner's knee, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints, and hamstring strains
- CrossFit & weightlifting injuries:
- Shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tears, elbow pain, low back pain, hip impingement, and knee pain
- Post-surgical rehab:
- ACL reconstruction, labral repairs, meniscus surgery, rotator cuff repair, and return-to-sport progressions
- Chronic pain:
- Neck pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, pelvic pain, and headaches
Rated 5.0 Stars by Athletes in South Windsor
170+ verified Google reviews
“I've had an amazing experience at The Athlete's PT in South Windsor! From the very start, my PT provider, Elise, made me feel truly seen and heard. She acknowledged all my concerns and focus areas, which was such a contrast to my experiences at two other PT spaces that didn't feel as intentional. Elise guided me through each problem area with incredible knowledge of the body and mechanics, creating a personalized home exercise program that I can continue on my own.”
“Julianna is an expert at what she does as well as a wealth of knowledge. After 4 years of dealing with ankle pain, Julianna quickly diagnosed and treated the issue – in just a few visits. Then she moved on to my neck and back. I'm extremely needle-averse but, when she convinced me to try dry needling, it was amazing the relief it offered. She followed up with rehabilitating exercises and an abundance of education around what was likely causing my issues.”
“I wanted to consolidate my strong endorsement for The Athletes Physical Therapist & Performance, specifically Genevieve. My recovery from the significant shoulder injury in 2025 was a game-changer, utterly transforming my view of physical therapy. Her meticulous, holistic approach focused entirely on me, crafting a rehabilitation plan that resonated with my active lifestyle. Within three months, I was well on the road to recovery.”
Meet Your Sports Physical Therapy Team in South Windsor
Doctors of Physical Therapy who compete, coach, and train
Genevieve Gyulavary, PT, DPT
Owner & Founder
Certified Integrative Dry Needling Practitioner, CrossFit Level 2, USAW Level 1. CrossFit athlete for a decade and owner of Timberhead CrossFit. Specializes in CrossFit injuries, Olympic weightlifting, overhead athletes, and endurance sports. Former marathon runner with 2 full marathons and over a dozen half-marathons completed.
Krista Clarke, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Staff Physical Therapist
Orthopedic Certified Specialist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Former Army physical therapist who helped develop the Holistic Health and Fitness Program. POSE Running Instructor and certified dry needling practitioner. Competed internationally in skiing through high school and specializes in injury prevention and athletic performance.
Julianna Lusk, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist
Certified Dry Needling Practitioner with a background in nutrition, exercise, and health sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Former allstar cheerleader and current CrossFit athlete at Timberhead CrossFit. Specializes in dry needling, cupping, athletic performance, and creating individualized treatment plans for active individuals.
Elise Jackson Dendievel, PT, DPT, CSCS
Staff Physical Therapist
RRCA Running Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Former clinician at Spaulding National Running Center specializing in gait analysis and running injuries. Completed 9 marathons with a 2:49 PR, multiple triathlons including a full Ironman. Dry needling trained and passionate about helping runners build lasting performance and resilience.
Visit Us in South Windsor
Conveniently located near Evergreen Walk and Route 5. Just 6 minutes from downtown South Windsor via CT-194 W and US-5 S. We're conveniently located near Evergreen Walk Life Center LLC and The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, with easy access from Manchester and Windsor. Ample parking available at our 5,500 sq ft facility.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about starting care
- What makes The Athlete's PT different from traditional physical therapy?
- We provide full-hour 1:1 sessions with Doctors of Physical Therapy who are also active athletes and coaches. You work with the same provider for your entire visit in our 5,500 sq ft facility equipped with real training equipment—barbells, kettlebells, and dumbbells, not therabands. Insurance companies don't dictate your care; treatment is based on what you actually need to get back to your sport.
- Do you accept insurance?
- We operate on a cash-pay model that allows us to spend a full hour with you each session and provide care based on your goals, not insurance limitations. Many patients find they need fewer total visits compared to traditional PT, which can offset costs. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Contact us to discuss pricing and payment options.
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
- Wear comfortable athletic clothing you can move in. Bring any relevant medical records, imaging results (X-rays, MRIs), and a list of current medications or supplements. If you have specific performance goals or training plans, bring those too so we can align your rehab with your athletic objectives.
- What is dry needling and does it hurt?
- Dry needling uses thin, sterile needles to target trigger points and tight muscle tissue, stimulating a healing response and providing relief from pain and tension. Most patients describe a brief muscle twitch sensation rather than pain. All our providers are certified in integrative dry needling and will explain the process thoroughly before treatment.
- How long are sessions and how many will I need?
- Every session is a full hour of 1:1 time with your physical therapist. The number of visits varies based on your injury, goals, and progress, but most patients need significantly fewer visits than traditional PT because of the individualized attention and education provided. We'll discuss your personalized treatment timeline during your initial evaluation.
- Can I still train while doing physical therapy?
- Absolutely. We believe in keeping you active and training throughout your rehab, with modifications as needed. Our providers will work directly with your coach or trainer to adapt your programming, and we'll use our fully-equipped facility to ensure your therapy supports your return to sport. You'll receive a customized home exercise program through our app with video demonstrations.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your evaluation and start moving toward your full potential.