Get back to doing the things you love with confidence.
Performance Focused Physical Therapy for Active Lifestyles in Charlottesville
Injuries Strip You Of Your Identity
When you get injured you’re not only in pain — you can’t do the things that you love. Going to the gym feels like a waste, trying to go for a run just seems to piss your injury off, and your daily walk with the dog is now the last thing you want to do.
You lose your identity when you get hurt. The worst part? You know the doctor is going to suggest “easing off” or “cutting back” or “retiring” altogether — we know that’s just not an option. That’s where Performance Physical Therapy at Whole Strength can help.
Don’t Settle for a Less Active Lifestyle
Whether it’s keeping up with the kids, hiking, working out playing a round of golf – you deserve to do it all, pain-free.
With performance therapy at Whole Strength, we get residents of Charlottesville and surrounding areas back to what they love, pain-free, even if they’ve tried everything
“Our goal is to help you stay active or get back to your favorite sport or activity.”
Your 3 Step Process
1. Relieve Pain
Our goal is to tell you exactly what is contributing to what you’re experiencing and give you a plan to find relief as quickly and efficiently as possible.
2. Fix the Root Cause of your symptoms
We work together to address the issues that are needed to meet your goals. We teach you to be a better manager of your body and create a custom program to help you address every deficit and weakness.
3. Teach you how to keep the problem from coming back
We equip you with the tools you need to help you stay at the top of your game for life!
Who Can Benefit?
Active Lifestyle
You may not identify as an athlete but you are active – From keeping up with your kids, getting in a round of golf, hitting the gym, or going for a hike, you deserve to be doing all of those things pain-free and for a lifetime. We can help you get back to the life you had before you were slowed down by an injury, nagging pain, or limited mobility.
Athletes
From CrossFit, powerlifting to golf or triathlons, your sport of choice may vary. However, the frustration and agony of limited mobility, injury, and pain are the same. We understand the commitment it takes to perform at your highest level and am just as committed to getting you back to peak performance as soon as safely possible
The Whole Strength Commitment
On time….always. We respect your time. If your appointment is at 9am, you’re seen at 9am.
One on one for the entire visit with your Doctor, every visit.
An individualized plan specifically designed for you, based on your unique injury or issue.
Transparency in what you pay. You’ll never get a bill from us 3 months after your visit.
Available for you between sessions. Have a question? Get an answer from your Doctor quickly and directly.
He was great to work with, I had some serious pain in my neck and after several nerve blocks it wasn’t getting better. After working through some exercises and stretches I went home with some easy maintenance stretches and through the whole process he always would reach out and check in to see how I was doing. About 2 weeks later and I was doing great! Highly recommend!
Jason M
Dr. Barb is amazing! Alan guided me through several weeks of physical therapy for Achilles tendonitis. He conducted a very thorough history and assessment and developed an effective treatment plan that consisted of in person one-on-one therapy with home exercises. His approach was so effective I ran a PR at my most recent 5K!!!
Andrew B
Meet The Team
Dr. Alan Barb, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Barb is a doctor of physical therapy with 10 years of clinical experience and owner/founder of Whole Strength Physical Therapy. He earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from West Virginia University. Post graduate, he earned his board certification as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) after completing an orthopedic residency affiliated with The University of Virginia with the Virginia Orthopedic Manual Therapy Institute.
Alan’s approach is to apply manual therapy and evidence-based exercise prescription to empower his patients to continue or resume desired activities of varying levels. He specializes in working with higher level and everyday fitness athletes to enhance their performance through individual and client centered sessions, return to full participation in exercise after injury, and injury risk reduction. His goal is to return his client’s to their desired level and reach their full potential athletically and in life to encourage lifelong movement and health.
He grew up in the mountains of West Virginia but has relocated to Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia for the past 8 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife Lindsey, son and daughter. His interests include strength training, golfing, and a variety of outdoors activities.
Dr. Luke Burns, PT, DPT
Dr. Burns is a doctor of physical therapy and earned his B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Virginia (Go Hoos) in Charlottesville and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023.
Originally from Harrisonburg, VA, he has competed/coached in CrossFit for the last seven years and has a strong passion for working with athletes and gym goers of all levels and ages. Aside from CrossFit, he also has an athletic background in baseball, basketball, and distance running but also loves to find ways to get involved in other sports as well. He is excited to be back in Charlottesville and helping his athletes get out of pain and reach their full potential.
From Dr. Luke, “During my time competing, I have battled many sports or gym-related injuries myself and understand the frustrations that come with not being able to perform at the level you desire or to not even be able to complete the everyday activities that we often take for granted. I’m excited to connect with as many people as possible that may be struggling with their health and fitness journey and share my knowledge and tips that I have learned along the way!”