About

Tamer S. Issa, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Issa founded ISSA PHYSICAL THERAPY in 2005 with the aim of providing the highest quality physical therapy care in the DC Metro area. That aim has expanded to include a holistic model of care that supports our renewed PURPOSE:

To guide and empower you to feel, move, and be better so that you can get back to what you love and daring you to do what you dream of.

Dr. Issa earned his Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree from Saxion University Enschede in the Netherlands and his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of St. Augustine. He credits this early education, ongoing continuing education, and clinical and teaching experience over the years on giving him the knowledge and skills to effectively diagnose, treat, and prevent physical problems. He has instilled this focus of accurate assessments, effective treatments, and a holistic approach to care on all the clinicians at ISSA Physical Therapy so that they can help as many people as possible to get back to doing what they love.

Dr. Issa believes strongly that only through an individualized one-on-one care model can clinicians accurately diagnose the problem, identify the underlying sources of the problem, and comprehensively address the problem. This approach leads to faster pain relief in fewer visits and to the prevention of episodic recurrences that tend to be all too common.

It is for these reasons that so many people have sought out ISSA Physical Therapy for a holistic approach to their care that is aimed at not just treating symptoms but rather getting to them back to living their life to the fullest.

During his free time, Dr. Issa enjoys spending time with his wife, two boys, and friends, cooking, being outdoors, playing golf, fishing, and learning new ways to better himself.

Patient Testimonials

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2006
  • B.S. degree in Physiotherapy from the Hogeschool Enschede in the Netherlands in 1998
  • B.S. degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Pennsylvania State University in 1995

Certifications:

  • Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy by the American Physical Therapy Association
  • Certified Ortopaedic Manipulative Therapist by the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT)
  • Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Certified Practitioner from the Rehabilitation Prague School
  • Certified in Manual Trigger Point Therapy and Needling by the Dr. Janet Travell Seminar Series
  • Certified in Functional Dry Needling by Kinetacore
  • Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified- Level I

Affiliations:

  • American Physical Therapy Association's Orthopedic and Private Practice Sections
  • American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

Publications:

  • Westrick R, Zylstra, E, Issa T, Miller J, Gerber J. Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Chest Wall Pain in a Military Athlete- A Case Report. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2012; 7(3): 323-332.
  • Download the Article
  • Issa T, Huijbregts P. Physical Therapy Diagnosis and Management of a Patient with Chronic Daily Headache: A Case Report.  In: Dommerholt J, Huijbregts P, ed. Myofascial Trigger Points: Pathophysiology and Evidence-Informed Diagnosis. 1st ed. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2010.
  • Issa T, Huijbregts. Physical Therapy Diagnosis and Management of a Patient with Chronic Daily Headache: Translating Knowledge to Clinical Practice. In: Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin R, ed. Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. 1st ed. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers;  2010.
  • Issa T, Huijbregts P. Physical Therapy Diagnosis and Management of a Patient with Chronic Daily Headache: A Case Report. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2006; 14(4), E88-E123.
    Download the Article
  • Issa T, Dommerholt J. Fibromyalgia: A Tender Issue. Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation. 2004; 13(9):25.
  • Dommerholt J, Issa T. Differential Diagnosis: Myofascial Pain Syndrome. In: Chaitow L, ed. Fibromyalgia: A Practitioner's Guide to Treatment. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2009.
    Download the Article
  • Dommerholt J, Issa T. DBS and diathermy interaction induces severe CNS damage, Letter to the Editor. Neurology. 2001; 57:2324-a-2325-a.