About our company:

A Legacy of Health and Performance

Our History

Our story begins in 2006 with the founding of Carolina Physical Therapy Specialists. With deep roots in the community and a commitment to excellence, we quickly recognized a growing need for specialized athletic training and personalized fitness programs. This demand led to the creation of two distinct branches: Carolina Physical Therapy and Carolina Athletic Development.

Over the years, our team of expert strength coaches worked with thousands of people in the region, helping them achieve remarkable levels of success and solidifying our reputation as a leader in health and performance.

In 2015, a new chapter began when Carolina Physical Therapy was sold to Pivot Physical Therapy. Our founder, Lee Howard, continues to serve the community as the Clinical Manager and a practicing Physical Therapist at that location for 30 hours per week. However, he retained full ownership of his original passion project: Carolina Athletic Development.

The Carolina Athletic Development Difference

Today, Carolina Athletic Development is a private-pay service focused on providing the highest level of personalized care, free from the restrictions of insurance. (For services covered by insurance, please visit Pivot Physical Therapy).

Our model allows us the freedom to focus entirely on you. Treatment at Carolina Athletic Development is a truly holistic, total-body experience. Lee's physical therapy sessions incorporate powerful, hands-on techniques such as Dry Needling, Craniosacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, Visceral Manipulation, and Spinal Manipulation to address the root cause of your concerns.

Meet Our Team

• Lee Howard | Founder & Holistic Physical Therapist As the founder of both the original and current ventures, Lee brings nearly two decades of experience and a visionary approach to health. His continued clinical work keeps him at the forefront of the physical therapy field, while his private practice at Carolina Athletic Development allows him to provide the focused, holistic care he is most passionate about.

• Trevor Howard | Certified Personal Trainer The personal training services at Carolina Athletic Development are delivered by Trevor Howard, a Certified Personal Trainer currently pursuing his degree in Kinesiology at UNCG. A lifelong athlete trained since the age of six, Trevor is no stranger to the gym. His expertise in competitive sports like soccer and Muay Thai, combined with impressive weightlifting achievements, gives him a deep, practical understanding of the human body. When he coaches athletes and older adults, his ability to integrate his own extensive experience with Carolina Athletic Development's historically successful programs becomes immediately apparent.

Our Vision for the Future

Our goal has always been to serve our community. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our offerings to meet you wherever you are. We plan to provide training both on-site and at your preferred location, and to build a virtual platform filled with opportunities for you to train in the convenience of your own home.

We are committed to creating access to a library of resources that will help you with your health journey.

Ultimately, our mission remains the same: to help our clients achieve the best health possible in the integrated form of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Trevor Howard CPT

Lee Howard PhD, PT, Owner