Our Team

Our team of experts work tirelessly to uncover a right-fit plan for each client.

Marcie L. Schwartz, MPT, COMT

Founder & Lead Physical Therapist, Pure Symmetry, LLC

Marcie Schwartz is a highly experienced and compassionate physical therapist with over 25 years of clinical expertise in orthopedic and manual therapy. She founded Pure Symmetry, LLC in 2020 with a mission to uncover the root causes of physical dysfunction and empower her patients to restore movement, reduce pain, and return to active, pain-free living.

Her passion for physical therapy was sparked in high school while volunteering in a hospital PT department—an experience that set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to healing through movement. Since earning her Master’s in Physical Therapy in 1999, Marcie has combined clinical excellence with a deeply personalized, whole-body approach to care.

Marcie holds advanced certifications in orthopedic manual therapy, Pilates, and functional dry needling. She integrates hands-on treatment with corrective movement strategies to promote long-term recovery, resilience, and wellness.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Marcie has a particular interest in how nutrition influences overall health and recovery. She recognizes that healing is multifaceted, and that proper nourishment plays a critical role in reducing inflammation, enhancing bone health, supporting tissue repair, and optimizing physical performance.

Marcie is especially passionate about bone health, designing strengthening-based exercise programs to improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis, with a focus on aging adults and women at risk of bone loss.

She is currently pursuing advanced training in Visceral Manipulation through the Barral Institute and Postural Restoration through the Postural Restoration Institute, allowing her to address complex patterns of dysfunction and promote balance at a structural and systemic level.

    • MPT, Master of Physical Therapy – Andrews University, Dayton, OH

    • B.S. in Biology – Ohio University, Athens, OH

    • Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy

    • Certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner, Kinetacore®

    • Certified Pilates Instructor – The Professional Health and Fitness Institute

    • Sportsmetrics Certified Trainer – Noyes Knee Institute (ACL injury prevention)

    • CPR Certified

    • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

    • APTA Orthopedic Section

    • Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BOHF)

    • IAHP Medallion Member – Barral Institute

    • Postural Restoration – Postural Restoration Institute

    • Ongoing Study in Bone Health, Osteoporosis-Resistant Strength Training & Nutrition for Healing

    • Visceral Manipulation – Barral Institute

    • Onero™ Researched based exercise program for patients with Osteopenia & Osteoporosis

Leslie Ayyub, DPT, CMTPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Leslie joined Pure Symmetry in 2021 and has been practicing in the outpatient setting since 2014.

Her interest in physical therapy began in high school after an anatomy and physiology class sparked her curiosity about the human body. An internship at a physical therapy clinic during high school confirmed her passion for the field and set her career path in motion. A lifelong athlete, Leslie was a competitive swimmer from age 6 through college, where she competed as a Division I athlete for the University of Virginia. Her experiences as a collegiate athlete gave her a unique understanding of the demands placed on the body, which she now applies to helping both athletes and non-athletes recover, perform, and thrive.

Leslie enjoys treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special interest in neck and back dysfunction. She takes pride in offering holistic, comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs. She specializes in trigger point dry needling and is also a certified mat and reformer Pilates instructor, often incorporating Pilates into her treatment approach.

After the birth of her daughter, Leslie developed a strong interest in pelvic health and pregnancy/postpartum rehabilitation. She has pursued advanced training in pelvic therapy and is dedicated to supporting women through these stages of life. In addition, she recently completed BoneFit training to provide safe and effective care for patients with osteoporosis and continues to expand her expertise in this area.

Outside of the clinic, Leslie enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and exploring Washington, D.C. with her husband, three children, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), George Washington University, Washington, D.C. — 2014

    • B.S. in Education (Kinesiology), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA — 2010

    • ·CMTPT — Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist (Dry Needling, Myopain Seminars)

    • Certified Mat/Reformer Pilates Instructor

    • Advanced coursework in pelvic health

    • Onero™ exercise program for patients with Osteopenia & Osteoporosis

Katka Vlckova, MSPT

Katka graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2003 with a degree in Animal Sciences, where her interest in anatomy and physiology first began. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from The George Washington University in 2007 and has since worked in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinics in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda.

Katka is trained in the Maitland-Australian Approach to modern manual therapy, a gentle and highly effective method for treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Her clinical approach also incorporates restoring microcirculation, reducing soft tissue guarding, and normalizing inflammation through functional dry needling techniques. She is dedicated not only to addressing symptoms, but also to identifying and treating the root cause of each patient’s concern.

Katka is also BoneFit™ certified, reflecting specialized training in the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation standards for safe and effective exercise prescription for individuals with low bone density or osteoporosis.

Originally from the Czech Republic, Katka now resides in Rockville with her two teenage daughters.

    • Master of Science of Physical Therapy (MSPT), George Washington University, Washington, DC – 2007

    • BS in Animal Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland – 2003

    • BoneFit™ certified Physical Therapist

    • Certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner, Kinetacore ™ 

    • Certified Mat/Reformer Pilates Instructor

    • CPR Cretification

    • Onero™ Researched based exercise program for patients with Osteopenia & Osteoporosis

    • Vestibular Therapy, Spinal Manipulation Institute

    • CPR

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what our clients are saying

  • “After suffering with chronic back pain and advancing hip and knee pain, my osteopath recommended physical therapy, but only if I went to Marcie Schwartz. I hesitated at his suggestions as I had tried PT before with little result. My first encounter with Marcie was totally different. She talked me through my physical history, motivations and goals. Her anatomical knowledge is impressive. She proceeded to run me through several strength measurements and stretches, ultimately arriving at a diagnosis and a brief demonstration of how to begin strengthening my “inner core”. I didn’t even know I had one. My life’s changed since meeting Marcie. I’ve adopted her exercise regimen and the crippling back spasms that were defining my life are gone. The hip and knee pain that I was struggling with is gone. My overall attitude has changed from self pity to optimism and determination. I give much of the credit to Marcie. Do yourself a favor and call her.”

    - J.B.

  • “Marcie Schwartz is a skilled practitioner of physical therapy. She has a consummate knowledge of the human body which rivals that of many physicians. In her twenty years of practice, Marcie has developed important skills which not only enable her to provide relief from physical pain but also to impart feelings of empathy and comfort. Marcie is kind, compassionate and authentic. She has treated me for back issues and created a workout plan which is appropriate to my age and abilities. I cannot recommend her highly enough and hope to continue our work together for many years to come.”

    - P.F.

  • “An amazing physical therapist who listens to me about my 'broken bits,' and honestly tells me what she can do, and what I should do to retain her therapy. There is no one way to approach therapy, and she knows them all. Definitely recommend Marcie for any muscular- skeletal issues.”

    -J.R.

  • “Marcie is a consummate professional with a deep understanding of a combination of techniques to relieve pain, and strength, and improve endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. She provides clear and honest explanations of treatment options and puts the needs of her patients first. Over the years she has addressed the many injuries of our high school and college-age soccer and rugby-playing sons, as well as the occasional needs of their parents. In our family, her advice is so trusted she is the first person we think of when a new injury occurs.”

    - A.A.

  • “Marcie works wonders. I trust her judgement and decades worth of experience and expertise when it comes to helping me and my family address and resolve all manner of pains and injuries.”

    - R.R.

  • “Marcie is highly professional and natively compassionate, and in my modest opinion is the best physical therapist in the DC metro area.”

    - A.L.

Whole body therapy Begins now