Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Smith.
Hi Heather, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My path into physical therapy has always been driven by a fascination with human movement, performance, and the ability to help people feel strong and capable in their bodies again. I earned my undergraduate degree in Exercise & Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by my Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of South Carolina. Early on, I knew I wanted to practice at the highest clinical level, which led me to complete a residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy to deepen my expertise in musculoskeletal care and sports rehabilitation.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve built my career around delivering precise, evidence-based care while keeping the individual at the center of every decision. After residency, I returned to the Raleigh area and played a key role in developing and launching the physical therapy division for a well-respected orthopedic surgeon in Cary. From the ground up, I helped shape clinical operations, care delivery models, documentation, and billing practices—adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape while maintaining exceptional standards of care. That work helped establish a strong community reputation and fueled the growth of the practice.
While I valued that experience, I eventually felt called to create something of my own—something that reflected both the clinical excellence I believe in and the elevated experience I felt clients deserved. That vision became Aureum Physio. I founded the practice to redefine what physical therapy can look like by blending elite orthopedic and sports rehabilitation with a concierge, luxury wellness model. My goal was to create a space where athletes and discerning clients receive one-on-one, expert-level care in an environment that feels intentional, personalized, and empowering.
Today, Aureum Physio represents the culmination of my clinical training, leadership experience, and belief that exceptional outcomes are achieved when expertise, innovation, and experience intersect. My mission is to set a new gold standard for performance recovery and long-term wellness—helping people not only recover from pain or injury, but move forward stronger, more confident, and fully supported in their health journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely not been smooth—and in many ways, that’s been an essential part of the journey. Graduate school was demanding both mentally and personally. The workload was relentless, long nights were the norm, and excelling academically required significant sacrifice of personal and social time. I was highly motivated to graduate at the top of my class and position myself competitively, but that drive came with tradeoffs that tested my endurance and discipline.
Choosing to pursue an orthopedic physical therapy residency added another layer of challenge. Residencies are not required in our profession, and the expectations were steep. Balancing a full clinical workload with rigorous academic and mentorship requirements meant extremely long days and further personal sacrifice. That period pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but it ultimately became one of the most defining phases of my professional growth, shaping me into a more confident and capable orthopedic and sports physical therapist.
When I returned to Raleigh to help launch and lead a physical therapy practice for an orthopedic surgeon, the opportunity was exciting—but far from easy. Building a practice from the ground up required vision, adaptability, and resilience. Along the way, I encountered skepticism from colleagues who questioned whether I was ready to take on such a demanding role. That external doubt inevitably led to moments of self-doubt. Still, over the 11 years I led that practice, the work proved highly successful and deeply rewarding. At the same time, as someone who is intrinsically driven and growth-oriented, I eventually began to feel the pull toward something more—an urge to continue evolving rather than settling into comfort or stagnation.
Opening my own business has been both exhilarating and humbling. The encouragement and support from my community have been incredibly meaningful, yet imposter syndrome has been very real. Building a physical therapy and wellness practice from the ground up comes with stress, anxiety, and an ever-present fear of failure—especially in a saturated market dominated by large franchises with far greater marketing budgets. What has kept me moving forward is seeing the tangible impact I’m making on my patients, clients, and the broader community. That connection, combined with grassroots support and authentic relationships, has reaffirmed that this path—while challenging—is absolutely worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aureum Physio is a boutique physical therapy and wellness practice designed to challenge the traditional healthcare experience. We specialize in expert-level orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, performance-based care, and long-term movement health, all delivered in a highly personalized, one-on-one setting. Our clients range from athletes and active professionals to individuals who simply want to move better, feel stronger, and invest proactively in their physical well-being.
What truly sets Aureum Physio apart is the intersection of clinical excellence and elevated experience. Every session is conducted one-on-one by a Doctor of Physical Therapy—there are no aides, no rushed appointments, and no cookie-cutter treatment plans. Care is rooted in evidence-based practice, advanced manual therapy, including dry needling, cupping, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and performance-driven programming, but it’s delivered in an environment that feels intentional, calming, and empowering rather than clinical or transactional.
We are known for precision, thoughtful problem-solving, and treating the whole person—not just the injury. Our approach blends orthopedic and sports rehabilitation with wellness-forward strategies that support long-term resilience, not just short-term pain relief. That means looking at movement patterns, training load, lifestyle factors, and recovery as part of a bigger picture. We don’t just help people heal—we help them build bodies that last.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built within our community. Aureum Physio has grown primarily through word-of-mouth and authentic community relationships, which speaks volumes about the quality of care and experience we provide. We have been able to build instrumental partnerships and collaborations with other wellness-minded companies and brands in the area. The brand itself reflects what we stand for: gold-standard care, intentional design, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Every detail—from the environment to the client journey—has been thoughtfully curated to make people feel valued, heard, and supported.
What I want readers to know is that Aureum Physio is more than a physical therapy clinic. It’s a movement toward redefining what healthcare can look and feel like. We exist for people who expect more from their care—more expertise, more time, more personalization, and a more human experience. Our mission is to help individuals move with confidence, perform at their best, and feel empowered in their bodies for years to come.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality I believe has been most essential to my success is my ability to genuinely connect with people while delivering exceptional, education-driven care. Building trust starts with listening—really listening—to my patients and clients and understanding not just their symptoms, but their goals, lifestyle, and relationship with movement. That personal connection allows me to meet people where they are and create a supportive environment where they feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Equally important is a strong emphasis on patient education. I believe people heal and perform best when they understand why they’re doing what they’re doing. I take the time to explain the “why” behind their care—how their body works, what’s contributing to their pain or limitations, and how each intervention supports their progress. That clarity builds confidence, ownership, and long-term success beyond the clinic.
When genuine human connection, exceptional education, and evidence-based clinical precision come together, care becomes transformational rather than transactional. That philosophy has shaped both my practice and my brand, allowing me to deliver results that are not only effective, but lasting—helping people move forward with knowledge, confidence, and trust in their bodies.
Pricing:
- Recovery Services (include any combination of dry needling, cupping, soft tissue mobilization, stretching): $100
- Dry Needling Services: $50
- Personal Training Packages: $160-$1050
- Self-Pay Physical Therapy: Initial Evaluation: $150; Follow Up Physical Therapy Visit: $100
- In-network with most major insurances – cost per session dependent on insurance plan
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aureumphysionc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aureumphysio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578239230373
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aureum-physio
