Our Team
At Core Physical Therapy DC, we are a small, highly skilled team of physical therapists.
Our licensed physical therapists include a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), specialists in women’s health and scoliosis (Schroth Method), exercise physiologists, and certified Pilates instructors.
Our founders & physical therapists Hilary Granat and Jeff Robinson bring decades of experience in orthopedics and manual therapy. After 20 years of co-owning the successful C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy, they restructured their practice to create Core Physical Therapy DC - a smaller, boutique-style clinic dedicated to the same personalized, one-on-one care that has always defined their approach.
You deserve more than feeling like just another patient.
Here, you’ll receive one-on-one care, real conversations, and a personalized plan built around your body, your goals, and your life. There are no generic exercise sheets here.
We combine evidence-based treatment with a whole-person approach to help you move with confidence, feel stronger, and get back to doing what you love.
Meet Our Team
Hilary Granat PT, DPT, MS
Hilary Granat is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 26 years of experience helping people feel strong, capable, and confident in their bodies. She earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Marymount University, her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University, and a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from George Washington University. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University and has worked in the health and fitness industry since 1992.
Hilary specializes in treating the spine, shoulder, knee, orthopedic and sports-related injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. She also has advanced expertise in addressing the musculoskeletal symptoms commonly associated with midlife and menopause, including frozen shoulder, tendinopathies, and persistent aches and pains that can interfere with daily life and exercise. She has extensive experience working with athletes at all levels and has served as the team physical therapist for the Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis from 2009-2019.
Certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling and Pilates-based rehabilitation, Hilary takes a whole-person approach to care - integrating manual therapy, strength training, and movement-based rehabilitation to support recovery and long-term resilience. Her research has been published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
Hilary is also a certified health coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a certified Menopause Health & Fitness Coach, with advanced training in supporting women through menopause. She is especially passionate about bone health, designing strength-focused programs to support bone density and help prevent osteoporosis, particularly for aging adults and women at risk for bone loss.
Through Core Total Wellness, Hilary also offers virtual health and fitness coaching for women in midlife.
Jeff Robinson, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Jeff Robinson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), with decades of experience in advanced orthopedic care. He graduated summa cum laude from Daemen College with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1993 and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2011.
Jeff completed the highly regarded Kaiser Hayward Fellowship in Advanced Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in 2001 and was subsequently accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2002. His research has been published in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, including his paper on differentiating somatic referred pain from radicular pain originating from the lumbar spine.
In addition to his clinical work, Jeff has held numerous leadership and educational roles within the profession. He served as Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for the DC Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) from 2007 to 2013 and currently serves as Chair of the Payment Committee. Jeff was also an adjunct professor of orthopedics in the Physical Therapy Department at Marymount University from 2007 to 2016.
In his spare time, Jeff enjoys various forms of working out. Although retired from competitive racing now, Jeff participated in dozens of triathlons over the past 25 years, including the Ironman distance. Jeff has experienced athletic injuries himself and understands how pain and injuries can negatively affect not only one’s sport and recreational activities, but also adversely impact many facets of one’s daily life.
Kendall Black, MPT, CSCS
Kendall is a Physical Therapist with extensive experience treating a wide range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. She earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Hunter College in 2007, where she was awarded the Beatrice Konheim Scholarship in the Life Sciences for academic excellence and leadership. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College in 2000 and became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 2006.
Kendall specializes in treating spine and pelvic conditions, orthopedic and sports-related injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, as well as gait and balance disorders. She also has advanced training in women’s health, including prenatal and postpartum care and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Kendall is also certified in the Schroth Method for the treatment of scoliosis. Her approach to care is highly individualized, combining hands-on manual therapy, targeted therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular training to help each patient restore optimal movement, strength, and function.
Why Choose Us
At Core Physical Therapy DC, we do things differently. Our hands-on, personalized approach helps you recover faster, build strength, and stay active - without insurance restrictions. We can treat multiple areas without a doctor’s prescription and focus on your body and overall well-being. You’re not just receiving treatment; you’re gaining a partner committed to helping you move better, feel stronger, and build lasting confidence.
One-on-one expert care
Work directly with your Doctor of Physical Therapy every session — no assistants, no handoffs.
Root-cause treatment
We identify and treat what's actually driving your pain — not just the symptoms.
Hands-on therapy
Personalized manual therapy combined with therapeutic exercises built for your body.
Customized experience
No generic exercise packets. Every session is built around your specific needs and goals.
Whole-body approach
The body is connected. We treat you as a whole person, not just one isolated area.
Continuity of care
You'll see the same physical therapist at every visit, for your full appointment time.
Flexible scheduling
Book online at your convenience with different appointment lengths to fit your life.
No hidden fees
You'll know exactly what you're paying before your first visit. No surprises, ever.