Expert Sports Physical Therapy in Virginia Beach, VA
At Longevity Institute of Virginia, we help active adults, athletes, and military families recover from injury, eliminate chronic pain, and get back to doing what they love — for life. Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. No insurance hassles. No rushed appointments. Just personalized, root-cause care that gets real results. Ready to move and feel your best?
Still Hurting After Months of Treatment?
Revolving Door PT
You're shuffled between different providers every visit, no one knows your full history, and your progress stalls before it even starts.
Symptoms Masked, Root Cause Ignored
Pain meds and generic exercises quiet the pain temporarily — but without treating the root cause, it always comes back.
Long Waits, Short Appointments
Whether it's military wait times or an overbooked clinic, spending more time in the waiting room than with your therapist isn't real care.
Why Virginia Beach Chooses Longevity for PT
Longevity Institute of Virginia was built to be different — because our founder lived the frustration of rushed, impersonal care firsthand. As a Navy veteran and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Twila Ruefer created a cash-based practice where every patient receives a full, uninterrupted hour of one-on-one care. We look at the whole person — your movement patterns, strength, lifestyle, and goals — and build a plan that actually solves the problem, not just silences it. No referral needed. No insurance hoops to jump through. Just you, your therapist, and a clear path forward.
1-on-1, 60-minute sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy — every single visit
Veteran-owned, military-family friendly, and direct access in Virginia (no physician referral required)
Holistic, whole-person approach that treats the root cause — not just the symptoms
Our 3-Step Process to Get You Back in the Game
Step 1: Feel Better
We start by reducing your pain quickly and restoring your comfort using targeted manual therapy, dry needling, and hands-on techniques tailored to your body.
Step 2: Move Better
Once pain is managed, we rebuild your movement patterns — improving flexibility, strength, and mechanics so your body works the way it's designed to.
Step 3: Perform Better
Finally, we elevate your performance and resilience — returning you to your sport, your workouts, or simply the life you love, stronger and more capable than before.
Sports Physical Therapy for What Ails You
Our Virginia Beach sports physical therapy team treats a wide range of injuries and conditions — from the weekend warrior to the competitive athlete to the military service member. Whether you're dealing with a new injury or years of chronic pain, we create a personalized plan to get you back to full function. Looking for sports physical therapy near me? We treat patients from across Virginia Beach and the surrounding area.
Spine, shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle injuries — including ACL, rotator cuff, IT band syndrome, and plantar fasciitis
Vertigo, vestibular conditions, concussion symptoms, and migraine management
Pelvic health, pre/postpartum recovery, and overuse injuries common in endurance athletes
Real Results from Real Virginia Beach Patients
"I began working on chronic knee pain, and by Thanksgiving I was able to run a 5K again with zero pain. I never imagined that was possible! The dry needling and cupping has worked wonders, and they always hit the mark with the exact right exercises."
Nikki L.
"Longevity is the only PT I've gone to that recognizes the whole person and takes a holistic approach to healing. You aren't just a number in an appointment book. They share in your successes and they genuinely care for their clients.”
Anita R.
"As a veteran, I've often struggled to find care that doesn't treat me like just another number. Longevity stands out by offering personalized therapy tailored specifically to your individual needs and pain points. I highly recommend them!"
Eric G.
Meet the Longevity Institute of Virginia Team — Your Virginia Beach Physical Therapy Experts
Dr. Twila Ruefer, PT, DPT — Founder
Navy veteran, mother, and founder of Longevity. Twila holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee and is certified in dry needling, pelvic health, and yoga. She specializes in holistic sports rehab and whole-body physical therapy.
Jessica Rapoport, PTA, MFDc — Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Jessica holds a Bachelor's in Exercise Science from Radford University and is certified in Myofascial Decompression (cupping) and Precision Nutrition. She specializes in manual therapy, cupping, and supporting a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Christina Laurens, PT, DPT — Physical Therapist
Christina earned her DPT from Old Dominion University and her B.S. in Exercise Science from NC Wesleyan College, where she played four years of collegiate volleyball. She has advanced training in MDT and dry needling, a
Dr. Frances Rogers, PT, DPT — Physical Therapist
Franny earned her DPT from Duke University and specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries. She uses manual techniques — including dry needling and joint mobilization — alongside functional exercise programming, and is currently pursuing her orthopedic board certification.
Brooke Allen — Marketing & Event Coordinator
Brooke keeps Longevity connected to the Virginia Beach community through social media, events, and outreach. An avid surfer, runner, and Pilates enthusiast, she brings authentic energy to everything she does for the team.
Visit Us in Virginia Beach
We're conveniently located at 2236 General Booth Blvd #104, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 — right on General Booth Boulevard, just north of Nimmo Parkway and approximately 1 mile south of Landstown Place Shopping Center. From Downtown Virginia Beach, we're just a 24-minute drive (about 10.7 miles) via Holland Rd and Nimmo Pkwy — take Nimmo Pkwy west, turn right onto Wisteria Ln, then right onto General Booth Blvd and we'll be on your right at Suite #104.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your first visit to our Virginia Beach sports physical therapy clinic.
Do I need a physician referral to start physical therapy?
No referral is required. Virginia is a direct access state, which means you can schedule your first appointment at Longevity Institute of Virginia without a doctor's prescription — so you get help faster.
Do you accept insurance?
We are a cash-based practice, which means we do not bill insurance directly. This model allows us to spend a full, uninterrupted 60 minutes with you every session — no surprise billing, no authorization delays, no rushed care. Many patients find the transparent, flat-rate model refreshing, and some PPO plans may offer partial reimbursement through out-of-network benefits.
What happens at my first visit?
Your first session is a comprehensive one-on-one evaluation with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. We assess your movement patterns, strength, flexibility, posture, and history — then build a personalized treatment plan designed around your specific goals and lifestyle.
How long are sessions, and how often will I need to come in?
Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with your therapist — no aides, no sharing time. Visit frequency depends on your condition and goals, and your therapist will outline a clear recommendation at your initial evaluation.
What conditions do you treat?
We treat a wide range of orthopedic, sports, vestibular, and pelvic health conditions — from ACL injuries and runner's knee to vertigo, migraines, pelvic pain, and postpartum recovery. If you're unsure whether we can help, start with a free phone consultation.
What is dry needling and is it painful?
Dry needling is a technique where thin filament needles are inserted into trigger points in the muscle to relieve pain, reduce tension, and restore function. Most patients describe mild pressure or a brief muscle twitch. Our certified therapists use it regularly as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.