Knee Pain Physical Therapy in Raleigh, NC
There’s an athlete within all of us — and we’re here to help you move without compensation or pain, creating the freedom to do what you love most. At Smart Athlete Physiotherapy in Raleigh, you’ll get 45-60 minutes of hands-on care every session, not just a few minutes with a therapist before being passed to an aide.
Is Knee Pain Keeping You From What You Love?
You’ve tried rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief—but the pain keeps coming back. Sound familiar?
You’re Stuck in a Cycle
Every time you run, play tennis, or even walk up stairs, the pain returns. Rest helps temporarily, but it’s never really gone.
You’re Losing Training Time
Missing workouts, sitting out games, or cutting runs short. You’re falling behind while your body won’t cooperate
Traditional PT Isn’t Working
You’ve been to therapy before, but rushed sessions with random aides didn’t solve anything. You need a real solution, not a band-aid.
We Treat the Root Cause—Not Just Your Symptoms
At Smart Athlete Physiotherapy, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter treatment plans or quick fixes. Our expert team evaluates you from head to toe to identify exactly what’s causing your knee pain—whether it’s poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, compensations from old injuries, or overuse patterns.
Every session is 45-60 minutes of focused, one-on-one care with a licensed physical therapist. No aides. No insurance-driven shortcuts. Just personalized treatment designed to get you pain-free and back to peak performance.
✓ Comprehensive evaluations that identify the true source of dysfunction
✓ Hands-on manual therapy including dry needling, myofascial release, and joint mobilization
✓ Customized movement correction to prevent re-injury and improve performance
Your Path to Pain-Free Movement
Free Phone Consultation
We’ll discuss your knee pain, activity goals, and treatment history. No pressure—just answers to help you decide if we’re the right fit.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your first session includes a full musculoskeletal assessment, gait analysis, and movement screening to pinpoint the root cause of your pain.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We combine hands-on therapy, corrective exercises, and movement retraining to get you pain-free faster—typically in half the time of traditional PT.
Knee Conditions We Treat in Raleigh
Whether you’re a runner dealing with overuse injuries, an athlete recovering from surgery, or someone who just wants to walk without pain, we’ve treated it. Our physiotherapists specialize in addressing knee pain at its source—restoring mobility, strength, and confidence.
✓ Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
✓ IT band syndrome
✓ ACL, MCL, and meniscus injuries
✓ Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
✓ Post-surgical knee rehab
✓ Arthritis and chronic knee stiffness
✓ Instability and weakness after injury
"SMAPT is the best choice by far for body tweaks, injuries, sports rehab, PT and more. Had a nagging knee injury from running with a bad gait and Mike treated the pain immediately in ONE appointment!... plus provided tips on running better and proper breathing techniques. No more knee pain!"
"I've been to Jeff before he's fantastic. The last couple of times I went in I saw Cheryl. I had a knee issue and they performed their new sound therapy. Okay I'm not sure it's called that but whatever it was it fixed my knee it's been over 3 weeks I played tennis three or four times a week and I have zero pain."
"I went to Jeff after having pain in my knee for over a year. Within a few weeks he helped me get back on court in time for some important matches. I know for the rest of my career that whenever I am having pain or discomfort in my body that I need to go see Jeff to get healed up."
Meet the Smart Athlete Physiotherapy Team
Jeff Vajay, PT | Founder Sports Physiotherapist
Jeff has nearly two decades of experience working with athletes from the NHL, NFL, NBA, ATP, WTA, MLB, and US Olympic Track and Field. He spent four years as a sports medicine therapist for the United States Tennis Association Men’s Professional Circuit and currently travels internationally as a Physiotherapist with the ATP World Tour.
Education: BS Physical Therapy, Quinnipiac University
Specialties: Elite athlete care, tennis injuries, international sports medicine, dry needling
Michael Vita, DPT | Co-Founder Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist
Michael has been practicing in orthopaedics and electrophysiology for 19 years. He obtained his Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist designation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in 2007, bringing specialized expertise in neuromuscular rehabilitation.
Education: DPT, Rocky Mountain University
Specialties: Orthopaedics, electrophysiology, neuromuscular rehabilitation, manual therapy
Jon Paryz, PT, CSCS | Co-Owner Physical Therapist & Strength Coach
Jon earned his Physical Therapy degree from Daemen College in 1993 and became NSCA Certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2002. He brings a unique combination of rehabilitation expertise and performance training to help athletes return stronger than before.
Education: PT, Daemen College | CSCS, NSCA
Specialties: Return-to-sport training, strength and conditioning, athlete performance optimization
Find Us Inside The Performance Hub in Raleigh
We’re located inside The Performance Hub in Raleigh, creating a unique environment where rehabilitation meets performance training. We’re just minutes from downtown Raleigh, easily accessible from Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and throughout the Triangle.
Email Contact via phone for scheduling
Phone (919) 424-6055
Office 2415 Atlantic Ave Raleigh, NC 27604 (Inside The Performance Hub)
We’re located off Atlantic Avenue near Glenwood South, just minutes from downtown Raleigh. Easy access from I-440 and Wade Avenue. We also offer tennis-specific training at our Bryan’s Tennis location at 6405 Westgate Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from knee pain?
Recovery time varies based on the severity of your condition and how long you’ve been dealing with pain. Most patients see significant improvement within 3-6 sessions when following our personalized treatment plan. Unlike traditional PT, our 45-60 minute one-on-one sessions allow us to address your knee pain more efficiently—often in half the time of in-network clinics.
Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist?
No! North Carolina is a direct access state, meaning you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral. You can schedule your free phone consultation directly with us and start treatment right away.
Do you accept insurance for knee pain treatment?
We are an out-of-network provider, which means we don’t participate directly with insurance plans. However, we provide you with a detailed invoice (including treatment and diagnostic codes) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. This model allows us to provide longer, more personalized sessions without being limited by insurance restrictions. Most patients find our treatment more cost-effective because we get results faster.
What should I expect during my first appointment?
Your first session includes a comprehensive musculoskeletal evaluation and functional movement assessment. We’ll gather a detailed history, identify the root cause of your knee pain, and create a customized action plan based on your goals. Sessions are 45-60 minutes with a licensed physical therapist—no aides, no shortcuts.
Can you help with chronic knee pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments?
Absolutely. Many of our patients come to us after trying traditional physical therapy, cortisone injections, or relying on pain medication without lasting results. Our approach is different—we treat the source of your dysfunction, not just your symptoms. We use advanced manual therapy techniques like dry needling, myofascial release, and postural restoration to address what other clinics may have missed.