Don't Live With It.
Fix It.
One-on-one care with a Fellowship-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy who holds the Diploma in Osteopractic — advanced manual therapy, dry needling and spinal manipulation aimed at the real source of your pain.
No referral needed • Direct access • Same-week appointments
Start Here
The Initial Evaluation
This is not a 10-minute screening. It's a full 90 minutes of diagnostic time with the doctor — so you leave knowing exactly what's wrong and exactly how it gets fixed.
- Comprehensive assessment of your movement, strength, joints and soft tissue
- A clear diagnosis and detailed explanation of what is actually driving your pain
- Education about your specific problem — in plain language, not jargon
- An individualized plan of care outlined step by step
- Abbreviated hands-on treatment the same visit, time permitting
Secure online booking • Choose your doctor at checkout • Takes about 60 seconds
A Different Standard
What Is An Osteopractor?
Osteopractic is an elevated physical therapy brand distinguished by elite provider skill and a premium patient experience — both of which contribute to superior outcomes. An Osteopractor is a physical therapist, medical doctor, or doctor of osteopathic medicine who has completed an extensive, evidence-based post-graduate training program in manual therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the spine and extremities.
Elite Provider Skill
Post-graduate training well beyond entry-level PT, with written and practical exams required at every stage.
Premium Experience
Private, unhurried, one-on-one visits with the doctor — 3–4x more time with you than the traditional PT model.
Superior Outcomes
Advanced diagnosis plus advanced hands-on treatment means fewer visits chasing symptoms and faster resolution.
Earned, Not Claimed
The Training Behind The Diploma
Only after completing this intensive program — and passing strict written and practical exams for each component — will a clinician earn the Diploma in Osteopractic and be able to call themselves an Osteopractor.
Dry Needling Series
Precise needle techniques to release trigger points, calm irritated tissue and restore normal muscle function.
Spinal Manipulation Series
High-level thrust and non-thrust techniques for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and pelvis.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Targeted tool-assisted work on scar tissue, adhesions and chronic muscle tightness.
Extremity Manipulation
Manual therapy for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot.
Differential Diagnosis & Multi-Modal Management
Systematically ruling conditions in and out, screening for red flags, and combining the right interventions in the right order for your specific problem.
Strict Written & Practical Examinations
Every series must be passed by demonstrating competency under examination — the credential cannot be purchased or attended into.
Dry Needling • Certified, Diploma-Level Technique
Tools Most Clinics Don't Have
Treatment That Actually Changes The Tissue
Heat packs and a printed exercise sheet won't resolve a joint that won't move or a muscle that won't release. Osteopractic training adds a set of advanced, hands-on interventions on top of standard physical therapy — and the skill to know which one your problem needs.
- Dry needling for pain reduction, tissue regeneration and chronic tightness
- Spinal manipulation for the neck, mid-back and low back
- Extremity manipulation for shoulders, hips, knees and ankles
- Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization for scar tissue and adhesions
- Progressive strength work so the fix holds
Compare
Osteopractic Care vs. Traditional PT
| Osteopractic PT of the Carolinas | Typical Insurance-Driven Clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| Who treats you | A Fellowship-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy with the Diploma in Osteopractic — every visit | Often an aide or tech after a brief check-in |
| Your visit | Private, one-on-one, unhurried — 3–4x more time with you | Double-booked, shared floor time |
| Treatment approach | Advanced manual therapy, dry needling, spinal and extremity manipulation, IASTM, targeted exercise | Cookie-cutter protocols and modalities |
| Plan of care | Individualized, explained to you in detail, built around resolving the cause | Standardized visit counts driven by authorization |
| Getting started | Direct access — no referral needed | Referral and pre-authorization delays |
What We Fix
Common Problems We Treat
Built for active adults, athletes and busy professionals who want the problem solved — not managed indefinitely.
Your Providers
Three Osteopractors. One Standard Of Care.
All three of our doctors hold the Diploma in Osteopractic and completed a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy — a credential held by roughly the top 1% of orthopaedic physical therapists worldwide. Whoever you see, you get the full 90 minutes, one-on-one, with a doctor. Never an aide, never a tech, never a double-booked room.
Dr. Alexia Herrera
DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic,
Cert. SMT, Cert. DN, Cert. MSK Ultrasound
A Division I soccer player turned Orthopaedic Certified Specialist, Dr. Herrera treats the way she trained — precise manual therapy paired with progressive strength work so you return to full performance, not just tolerable pain levels.
She earned her doctorate at Texas State University, has served as a contract physical therapist for the U.S. Air Force, and brings added expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound and motor control.
Dr. Courtney Smith
DPT, FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic,
Cert. SMT, Cert. DN, CF-L2
A competitive CrossFit athlete and Level 2 trainer, Dr. Smith bridges the gap between rehab and performance — she doesn't just get you out of pain, she rebuilds the strength and capacity that keep it from coming back.
She earned her doctorate at Wingate University and has treated collegiate athletes, NFL players, Olympians, elite marathoners, weightlifters and powerlifters. She also leads exercise programming for the clinic.
Dr. Noah Zacharko
DPT, MPT, FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic,
Cert. SMT, Cert. DN
Dr. Z founded OPTC to deliver the care he believed patients deserved: private, unhurried sessions with a doctor who has the training to find the real problem and the hands-on skill to fix it.
He has spent his career treating the patients other clinics couldn't help — stubborn neck pain, headaches and TMJ, chronic back pain, plantar fasciitis and long-standing muscle tightness.
Appointments That Fit A Real Schedule
Early-morning, midday, afternoon and after-work openings this week — so you can get this handled around school, practice and a full workday. One $199 Initial Evaluation, whichever doctor you see.
How It Works
Your First Visit, Step By Step
Book Online
Choose the $199 Initial Evaluation and pick a time that works. No referral or physician authorization required.
Get Diagnosed
A full assessment with the doctor to identify the true source of the problem — then a clear explanation of what's happening and why.
Start Fixing It
Leave with an individualized plan of care and, time permitting, hands-on treatment the same visit.
Patient Results
What Patients Are Saying
The results came fast. Within weeks I felt real relief. Over the months, my range of motion grew bit by bit. I went from barely lifting my arm to getting back to playing with my kids and lifting them up, sleeping on the injured side with no pain, doing pushups, pull-ups, and even hand stands!
— Lucian F.They treat the whole patient, and are incredibly intentional, caring, and kind in their assessments and treatment. I’ve found relief for pain I’ve suffered. You won’t regret seeking help from Osteopractic Physical Therapy of the Carolinas!
— John L.I had lost most of my strength, and flexibility was limited to my injured knee. I was also experiencing sharp pain in most of my movements and thought I could be facing surgery. Over the course of my visits...my pain has subsided, and my knee has regained full mobility. My legs and joints are much stronger and my confidence level concerning my knee has increased significantly.
— Ricky T.Questions
Before You Book
What exactly is included in the $199 Initial Evaluation?
A comprehensive assessment, a detailed explanation and education regarding your particular problem, and an individualized plan of care outlined for you. It also includes abbreviated treatment, time permitting.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. We are a direct-access clinic, so you can schedule and be evaluated without a physician referral.
Do you take my insurance?
We are an out-of-network clinic. That's what allows us to give you private, one-on-one time with a doctor instead of visit counts dictated by an insurer. We can provide documentation you may submit to your plan for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
How is this different from the physical therapy I've already tried?
Most clinics rotate you between aides and techs on a shared floor using standardized protocols. Here, every minute is spent with a Fellowship-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy who holds the Diploma in Osteopractic and uses advanced manual therapy, dry needling, and spinal and extremity manipulation.
Can I choose which doctor I see?
Yes. Every one of our doctors is Fellowship-trained and holds the Diploma in Osteopractic, so the standard of care is the same either way. When you click Book Now, you'll see a Staff menu — choose your preferred doctor, or leave it on "Any staff" to be matched with whoever can see you soonest.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most patients describe a brief cramp or twitch sensation rather than pain. Your doctor explains each technique before it's performed, and nothing happens without your consent.
How many visits will I need?
That's determined by your diagnosis and goals, and it will be outlined for you at the initial evaluation. The objective is always resolution — not indefinite maintenance.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, athletic-style clothing that allows access to the area we're treating and lets you move freely.
Visit Us
Baxter Village, Fort Mill
Located in the beautiful Magnolia Building
1700 1st Baxter Crossing, Suite #103
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Phone: (839) 400-6456
Email: drz@osteopracticPTC.com
- Monday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday & SundayClosed
Proudly serving Fort Mill, Baxter Village, Tega Cay, Indian Land, Rock Hill and the greater Charlotte area.
Don't Live With It. Fix It.
Stop managing the pain and start solving it. Book your $199 Initial Evaluation with a Fellowship-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy and Osteopractor.
Book Now1700 1st Baxter Crossing, Suite #103 • Fort Mill, SC • (839) 400-6456