Meet the Physical Therapy Team in Ashburn, VA

Each member of the Missing Link team plays an integral role in who we are and what we do. Our clinic is comprised of highly educated and skilled professionals offering a comprehensive, caring and expert physical therapy and wellness services.

Dr. Andre Heletsi, DPT, OCS

Owner and Physical Therapist

Andre attended the University of Pittsburgh, U.S.A., where he attained a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2006. After graduating, Andre’s professional career as a Physical Therapist commenced at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington D.C., where he spent six years. During his tenure at Sibley, he focused on treatment of patients with limited mobility in the medical-surgical and subacute rehab settings.

Thereafter, Andre sought further professional advancement and joined the outpatient team of Body Dynamics, Virginia, where he was mentored by a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and experts in the treatment of chronic general orthopedic ailments and dance/ performing arts injuries. One of the most important lessons learned at Body Dynamics was the specifics on how to build a clinical hypothesis to guide treatment.

Subsequent to his mentorship at Body Dynamics, Andre spent two years at SMARTherapy, Washington, D.C., where he continued to grow in his ability to treat those individuals with chronic injury and combined multiple orthopedic techniques/theories in order to improve the quality of life of all persons being treated. At this stage of Andre’s career, he continued to build on the hypothesis-driven method of care.

In 2011 Andre was afforded the great opportunity to work with skilled Physical Therapists at Bodies in Motion Physical Therapy, Virginia. There he was further mentored on the mechanics of the body and attained the skill of Trigger Point Dry Needling. With the newfound technique of Trigger Point Dry Needling to decrease pain, improve muscle length, and improve healing, he was able to combine all of his skills from the past years to further improve the functional mobility of all his patients. Andre’s professional knowledge was further enhanced when he successfully completed the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Exam.

In 2012 Andre developed an injury prevention program as well as a strength and conditioning class for the Classical Ballet Theatre in Herndon. He also serves as their Physical Therapist. He has built a close relationship with the teachers/dancers and has become well known to other ballet schools in the area. Andre focuses on the quality of movement and on correcting any asymmetries that may cause injury or decrease overall performance.

Upon opening Missing Link Physical Therapy in 2014 Andre believed that limitations in experience and education led to patients being categorized as ‘chronic’. In contrast, Andre believes that these patients have injuries that are ‘misunderstood’. He believes that time, experience and listening to the patient can unfold information that may not have been seen by previous healthcare providers.

Andre specializes in MOVEMENT - the ability to break down movement and restore the normal mechanics. Andre can treat from the head and neck all the way to the ankle and foot. Currently Andre treats patients in the performing arts, figure skaters, football players, soccer players, runners, tennis players and persons with general aches/ pains.

In his spare time Andre is a husband and father of 3 children. He enjoys playing tennis and running. Andre is President of his Business Networking International (BNI).

Andre’s end vision is to create community. He believes that creating an environment of understanding and out of the box treatment will improve the quality of life of those with misunderstood injuries.

Nate Alger

Anatomy Alchemy - visit website

When I first began massage, I always knew I wanted to focus on therapeutic work. Over the past few years I've had the pleasure of working on several body builders and athletes, I have become very proficient in therapeutic deep-tissue for that reason. But I've found deep tissue solves very little when pent up emotions and trauma is at play. I started using Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) on some of my clients that have preferred deep tissue and the results have been astounding. Some have even gone from requesting a deep tissue massage to needing Cranial Sacral Therapy.

I do still have clients that benefit from massage alone, theres no science to it. I listen to the body to see what it needs. If it needs deep tissue, I give it, If it needs CST, I give it. Often times I do a combination of both, and I'll add in Somatic Emotional Release (SER) techniques when the need arises.

Above all else, I take a very holistic approach to everything I do. Body, mind and spirit are not separate. All three must be addressed. Hope to see you soon!

Jillian Lee

Certified Comprehensive Peak Pilates Instructor - visit website

As part of her practice and teaching Jillian incorporates elements of the Franklin Method. This is a highly effective approach to movement education focusing on the body and function. The Franklin Method is focused on efficacy of movement and addressing those individuals with various forms of discomfort with movement. There is a significant carry over to the movement we perform in our daily lives.

Julia Guerrant Smith

Orthopedic Specialist - visit website

Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
Julia Guerrant Smith, received her doctorate in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University. She then went on to complete a board accredited residency program at The Jackson Clinics and became a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics. Her residency program specialized in orthopedic manual therapy with special interest in treating pelvic and foot and ankle dysfunction. The program emphasized the importance of looking at the body holistically and highlighted when and how foot dysfunction can affect the pelvis and lumbar spine.

BASI Certified Pilates Instructor

In addition to her physical therapy background, Julia is a BASI Certified Pilates Instructor. She coaches both mat classes and classes featuring a variety of apparatus equipment. She has taken continued education work through BASI modules to maximize visual, auditory, and tactile cues.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

Julia's last specialty involves treating individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction with 150+ hours of advanced training through the Herman and Wallace Institute. She integrates her background from Pilates and orthopedics in order to uniquely meet the needs of the individuals who come to her for help. In particular, she has extensive manual therapy and movement retraining strategies to assess and treat individuals with: Incontinence, vulvar/vaginal pain disorders, or colorectal disorders. Her training includes special considerations during: pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and postmenopause. She sees people of all genders.

Meet the Team