Physical Therapy

at Posture Studio

Physical Therapy Services

A Holistic, Integrated Approach to Physical Therapy and Movement Retraining.

To book, email the studio or call 434-257-6368

  • Tara Fontenot, orthopedic specialist at Posture Studio offering a postural and movement assessment during a physical therapy session.

    Orthopedic Physical Therapy

    Treating musculoskeletal conditions—whether from injury, surgery, or chronic pain. Restore mobility, build strength, and correct movement patterns to reduce pain and prevent recurrence.

  • A postpartum woman practicing pelvic floor exercises during a pelvic floor physical therapy appointment.

    Pelvic Floor & Women's Health

    This highly specialized care helps with conditions such as pelvic pain, incontinence, postpartum recovery, and core instability. Restore function and balance while learning strategies for an improved quality of life.

  • Client receiving TMJ PT treatment

    TMJ Dysfunction PT

    A whole-body approach to jaw pain. Causes of TMJ pain may include neck or facial tension, postural imbalances, and breathing patterns. Find lasting relief and comfort from chronic jaw pain.

  • A healthcare professional wearing gloves inserts a needle into a person's skin for acupuncture.

    Transdermic Dry Needling

    A targeted technique using thin, sterile needles to relieve muscle tension and reduce pain. Dry needling improves musculoskeletal quality and supports lasting relief when integrated into a personalized plan of care.

Our Approach

At Posture Studio, we treat the whole person—not simply a diagnosis or painful body part. We look at movement, strength, mobility, posture, and daily activities to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.

Treatment is individualized and may include therapeutic exercise, movement retraining, manual therapy, dry needling, and Pilates-based rehabilitation.

Every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and our self-pay model allows us to design care around your needs rather than insurance requirements.

Our goal is simple: help you feel better, move better, and give you the tools to stay active and independent.

Not sure if we're the right fit? Start with a FREE phone consultation with one of our physical therapists.

Tara Fontenot, DPT -  physical therapist assists a patient with a leg stretch exercise on a therapy table in a clinical setting.

Initial Evaluation

Every client begins with a comprehensive evaluation designed Your first visit includes a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, and goals.

We'll identify factors that may be contributing to your pain or symptoms and create an individualized plan for moving forward. You'll also leave with education, practical strategies, and exercises you can begin using right away.

Your assessment may include:

  • Posture and alignment

  • Gait and functional movement

  • Strength and muscular balance

  • Mobility and range of motion

  • Movement coordination and control

A man with closed eyes, lying down, receiving head therapy from a person wearing a white sleeve. The person's hand gently supports the man's head.

Follow-Up Treatments

Follow-up sessions build on your initial evaluation and evolve as you progress.

Treatment may include therapeutic exercise, strength and mobility training, movement retraining, manual therapy, joint mobilization, dry needling, gait and balance training, and Pilates-based rehabilitation.

Our goal is to help you return to the activities that matter to you—and give you the knowledge and tools to continue moving well beyond physical therapy.

An initial evaluation is required before scheduling follow-up treatment.

A man is on a massage table with one leg raised and bent, assisted by a physical therapist who is working on ankle mobility.

Common Conditions We Treat

  • Arthritis and joint pain

  • Lower back pain

  • Sciatica

  • Spinal disc injuries/herniations

  • TMJ Dysfunction

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains

  • Overuse injuries including tendonitis and bursitis

  • Chronic/persistent pain

  • Gait and balance disorders

  • Neuropathies/nerve injuries

  • Sports related injuries

  • Pelvic Floor

  • Incontinence & Constipation

  • Hip and groin pain

  • Post surgical rehab

  • Prenatal / Postpartum

  • Postural dysfunction

  • Foot & ankle pain 

  • Tennis elbow

  • Chronic whiplash

Meet the Team

  • Tara Fontenot, DPT

    Tara Fontenot, DPT, Clinical Director

    Clinical Director of Posture Studio Pilates & Physical Therapy, Tara is passionate about empowering clients throughout their rehabilitation journey. She emphasizes the importance of pre- and post-rehabilitative movement to support lasting recovery.

    Tara takes a holistic approach to physical therapy, focusing on identifying and addressing the root cause of pain rather than just treating symptoms. Her sessions blend education, manual therapy, functional movement retraining, and targeted modalities—including dry needling—to promote long-term health and resilience.

    Known for her supportive and encouraging style, Tara helps clients feel confident, capable, and informed in their recovery process.

  • Susannah Hill, DPT

    Susannah Hill, DPT, Pelvic Floor Therapist

    Pelvic Floor and Women’s Health Specialist at Posture Studio, Susannah has advanced training in both women’s and pediatric pelvic floor therapy and works with patients across the lifespan to restore balance, strength, and confidence in their daily lives.

    Susannah also specializes in sports rehabilitation and performance, emphasizing the importance of strength training for all ages—with a particular focus on supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. Her approach blends education, individualized exercise, and functional movement to empower clients to feel strong and capable at every stage of life.

    She is deeply committed to helping clients feel cared for, supported, and confident in their healing journey, fostering trust and long-term wellness.

  • Rebecca Brown, DPT, TMJD PT and Clinical Pilates Instructor at Posture Studio in Charlottesville, Virginia

    Rebecca Brown, DPT

    Rebecca Brown, DPT is an orthopedic physical therapist who also specializes in sports rehabilitation and TMJD PT.

    Rebecca integrates her background in dance, Pilates, and physical therapy to help clients build strength, restore balance, and move with confidence. Her approach combines functional movement assessment, hands-on treatment, and personalized exercise programs to address the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction.

    In practice, Rebecca focuses on orthopedic rehabilitation, functional strength, and movement re-education. She enjoys helping clients return to the activities they love—whether that’s daily movement, sports, or creative expression—by improving alignment, control, and resilience.

  • Carla Shifflett, Founder & Director

    Carla Shifflett, Founder & Director

    Carla Shifflett founded Posture Studio Pilates & Physical Therapy in 2005 with the vision of supporting clients through every stage of their movement journey. In the studio, she wears many hats—teaching clients, mentoring staff, and managing behind-the-scenes details—always with the goal of creating a welcoming, healing environment.

    With over 20 years of experience, Carla is known for her thoughtful, integrative teaching style that builds sustainable strength and addresses the root causes of movement dysfunction. She is deeply empathetic and committed to supporting both clients and her team, fostering a space where wellness, growth, and lasting change can thrive.

  • Amanda Liscouski

    Amanda Liscouski, Studio Coordinator

    Amanda Liscouski joined Posture Studio in 2026 and quickly became an integral part of the studio. As Studio Coordinator, she helps keep the studio running smoothly by managing scheduling, client communication, events, systems, and operations. Amanda brings warmth, curiosity, and a sense of humor to the studio, along with a genuine dedication to each client’s experience and journey.

    Amanda first discovered Posture Studio in 2015 as a client seeking relief from pain. Pilates quickly became a lifeline. As a professional dancer and teacher, she was drawn to the way Pilates supported fluid movement while building strength, control, and precision.

    Before transitioning into movement education, Amanda spent more than a decade in software test engineering. She brings that same analytical mindset and attention to detail to both her work with clients and her role behind the scenes at Posture Studio.