SetPT is shining the spotlight on our physical therapists. Our goal here is to ensure their patients are safe and sound, preventing injuries and recovering properly.
This week, we’re putting the spotlight on Physical Therapist and Director of Sports Rehabilitation Chris Estafanous. Read on to find out why Chris loves being a physical therapist and how he serves as a medical missionary around the world.
Due to the injuries he has experienced, Chris uses empathy and compassion to foster his treatment approach. He believes that behind every person’s pain is a story. And often, clues can lead you right to the source of the problem. The key is listening.
Position: Physical Therapist, Set PT | PT, DPT | Washington, D.C. Locations
Position: Physical Therapist, Set PT | PT, DPT | As a native New Yorker, Chris’ journey to Physical Therapy began as a high school athlete. Through hard training and putting a tremendous load on his body, Chris experienced thoracic bulging discs. This insight led Chris to see a world of healthcare that was inspiring and life changing.
Chris went on to enroll in a competitive combined 6-year Bachelors of Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the New York Institute of Technology. While there, Chris fueled his passion for PT by learning extensively about Osteopathic Medicine and Manual Therapy.
Chris interned at the New York University Hospital for Joint Disease, where he learned some of the most advanced techniques in manual physical therapy. He then went on to work a Peak Performance Physical Therapy in NYC where he worked with a variety of professional athletes and worked very closely with a team of Orthopedic Physicians and Athletic Trainers. It was there that his love for Sports Medicine and high-level athletes emerged.
Chris then opened a successful practice in Virginia for one of the nation’s largest rehabilitation companies, serving as director of the facility for one year. In 2013, Chris joined the team at SetDC and partnered with Stacy Hund to grow the business. Since then, he launched SetVA in 2015, where Kayla Robison has served as the location Director since 2016.
Chris enjoys the patient focused care that SetPT provides and especially believes in the meaning of SET: Service, Expertise and Time. He understands the importance of building a strong relationship with his patients to earn their trust and help them return to their healthy lifestyle. Due to the injuries he has experienced, Chris uses empathy and compassion to foster his treatment approach. He believes that behind every person’s pain is a story. And often, clues can lead you right to the source of the problem. The key is listening.
Chris specializes in manual therapy, spine and sports rehabilitation, and has specialized training in the diagnosis of abnormal movement patterns using video analysis. Chris is trained to perform Trigger Point Dry Needling and has been trained in the Osteopathic approach (muscle energy, strain-counterstain, HVLA techniques) to manual therapy for spine, ribs, and extremities. Chris has a particular interest in complex chronic pain, and has extensive training in the biopsychosocial model of pain, having helped many patients throughout his career with the focused approach he learned while at NYU.
Chris is not only devoted to making a difference in his field, but he is also a medical missionary in Africa. Chris has led mission trips to Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. He is a proud Washingtonian and is very involved in local Washington youth initiatives and community outreach programs. He is fluent in Arabic and is married to his lovely wife Heba, who he met in Nigeria in 2010.
Schedule an Appointment with a SetPT Physical Therapist
If you’ve experienced any aches or pains that have lingered after a bit of rest, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with a SetPT Physical Therapist. You may be asking yourself, “but what do physical therapists do exactly and how can they help me?” This Blog page can help answer some of your initial questions.
Our physical therapy treatment programs are tailored to get our patients back to doing the daily activities they love. They focus on decreasing pain and discomfort, increasing range of motion, and guiding you future injury prevention. Request your appointment today or let us know if you have any additional questions we can help you answer.
