Advantage Physical Therapy expands to Reston

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

Advantage Physical Therapy Clinic Director Dr. Sarah Sheridan and Physical Therapist Dr. Kaelie Walsh. Photo contributed by APT

Advantage Physical Therapy has opened a new office in Reston, expanding its Northern Virginia presence and making specialized rehabilitation services more accessible to patients with complex and often underserved conditions.

The practice has served patients from its Falls Church location for 17 years, and Clinic Director Dr. Sarah Sheridan said the decision to expand was driven by both growth and access. In recent years, the clinic added physical therapists with advanced training in specialty areas, increasing demand for space while also revealing how geography was affecting patient care.

“We began to outgrow our Falls Church office,” Sheridan said. “But just as important, we realized that distance itself was becoming a barrier. We had patients traveling long distances for care, which can be especially challenging for individuals managing chronic or autonomic conditions.”

Reston emerged as a natural next step. Its central location and active population offered an opportunity to serve patients who previously faced lengthy commutes. “Reducing travel time isn’t just a convenience,” Sheridan said. “For many patients, it directly affects their ability to participate consistently in therapy.”

That focus on access aligns with Advantage Physical Therapy’s identity as a specialty-focused private practice.

A Specialty-Focused Model

Sheridan describes the practice as specialty-focused, noting that this distinction is critical for patients whose conditions do not respond well to standard rehabilitation approaches.

Clinicians develop deep expertise in specific areas, she said, allowing patients to work with providers who understand complex or uncommon conditions.

The team treats a wide range of patients, including those needing oncological rehabilitation, pediatric care, women’s health services, and support for complex neurologic and autonomic disorders.

“Many of our patients have overlapping diagnoses and don’t fit neatly into one category,” Sheridan said. “Having clinicians with distinct specialty areas allows us to collaborate internally rather than sending patients from office to office.”

According to Sheridan, many of the conditions the practice treats are underserved because they require time, education, and specialized knowledge that traditional care models often struggle to provide.

Understanding Dysautonomia

One of Advantage Physical Therapy’s distinctive areas of expertise is the treatment of dysautonomia, a condition that remains poorly understood by the general public.

“Dysautonomia occurs when the autonomic nervous system—responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature—does not function properly,” Sheridan said. Symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue, overheating, brain fog, and difficulty tolerating everyday activities such as standing, showering, climbing stairs, or running errands.

Because autonomic regulation is impaired, many patients experience exercise intolerance and abnormal vital sign responses.

“Traditional exercise programs assume the body’s regulatory systems are working normally,” Sheridan explained. “For patients with dysautonomia, that assumption can worsen symptoms.”

The practice uses a carefully graded exercise approach tailored to each patient’s physiology. Treatment often begins in a flat or reclined position, below the patient’s symptom threshold, with minimal heart-rate demands. Upright activity is introduced gradually, and progress is guided by physiologic response and symptom improvement rather than a predetermined timeline.

Redefining Success

For patients with dysautonomia and other complex conditions, success in physical therapy often looks different from typical orthopedic rehabilitation. “Progress isn’t always measured in strength or speed,” Sheridan said. “It may look like standing without dizziness, returning to school or work, or walking around the block without experiencing symptom flare-ups afterward.”

She has seen patients move from being nearly bed-bound to re-engaging in daily life. “These experiences are powerful reminders that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be life-changing,” she said.

Education as Empowerment

Education is central to the practice’s approach, particularly for patients with autonomic disorders that are often long-term or lifelong.

“Our goal isn’t just short-term symptom relief,” Sheridan said. “We want patients to develop the skills and understanding they need for long-term independence and self-management.”

Patients learn what is happening in their bodies and why, along with practical strategies to manage symptoms, including skeletal muscle activation to support circulation, pacing activity, and managing factors such as hydration and salt intake.

“Knowledge gives patients agency,” Sheridan added. “When people understand their condition, they’re better equipped to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their care.”

Looking Ahead in Reston

The new Reston office is designed to serve as a resource for patients and the broader community—supporting local physicians, schools, and families with evidence-based care for complex conditions.

“We’re very interested in expanding specialty services and community education efforts at the Reston location,” Sheridan said. “Increasing awareness and understanding of these conditions remains one of the biggest gaps in care.”

As Advantage Physical Therapy settles into its new home, its mission remains unchanged: thoughtful growth, reduced barriers to care, and a commitment to helping patients reclaim their independence—one carefully guided step at a time.

For more information, visit www.myadvantagept.com/