Our Purpose
Working to improve the health and total wellness of our Virginia Beach community
About Us
What’s in a name, what does Longevity Institute of Virginia mean? We believe it captures the essence of what it is we are trying to achieve. Longevity is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a long duration of individual life”, which is at the root of our goal. An Institute denotes a place of learning and education, this captures our effort in not only treating, but also coaching and educating our clients...and then of course Virginia, which has become our home and our Community.
At Longevity, we are passionate about helping you live your life fully, embracing every moment of every day. There are many factors in life that we cannot directly control...but we can control how much we move, what we eat, and how much sleep we get. These are the baseline wellness foundations that we can measure and improve to increase our healthspan through deliberate and persistent habits. As a privately owned, cash based clinic, we are working to change the landscape of the traditional physical therapy model. We have the freedom to treat holistically, addressing all of the factors that may be contributing to your pain and/or symptoms. With individualized one on one sessions we can get to the root cause of your pain, improve your overall wellness and help you live longer AND better...improving your longevity is an invaluable investment in your long-term self.
Our 3 step process to approach and improve your healthspan…
Feel Better: repair and rehab as we get to the root cause of your pain
Move Better: improve mobility and start to lay the foundation to build strength
Perform Better: long-term investment in your health and wellness, building strength, confidence, and resilience to ensure you stay strong and mobile for life
Dr. Twila Ruefer, PT, DPT
Hi, I’m Twila! People who know me know I am obsessed with making the most of every moment. That’s why I am starting this practice; we all strive for longevity, but it's equally important to feel our best along the way. I’ve worked at multiple outpatient physical therapy clinics, and one thing that was consistently limited was time. Time is our most precious commodity - if someone is giving you their time, it’s a gift; make the most of it! At Longevity, each patient receives a full hour one-on-one with their trusted physical therapist, free from insurance constraints. This ensures we maximize every moment together, helping you return to what you love.
I’ve always had a love for health and wellness...I was that kid running down back country roads and secretly enjoying swinging an ax to chop wood for the winter because it made me strong. I joined the Navy after high school where I led fitness programs and coordinated medical care. After the military I pursued my passion for physical therapy. I worked as a certified personal trainer and earned a 200-hour yoga certification, a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee. Continuing education is important to me; I hold certifications in dry needling, pelvic health, and more, with ongoing studies in pilates-based rehab.
My family and I moved to Virginia Beach 2 years ago and have fallen in love with the area. We have two amazing children who also love it here...so after moving around a lot over the years we have decided to stay in VB, put down roots and start a business where we can truly make a difference in our community.
As a military veteran, spouse, and mother of 2, I empathize with the constraints of time and greatly respect yours. When you choose Longevity, you receive my focused attention and dedication to enhancing every day, and every moment of your life.
Who Do We Treat?
We treat anyone and everyone—active adults, teenage athletes, expecting and new moms, busy parents, and aging adults. No matter your life stage, your ultimate goal is to enjoy every day to the fullest. As your physical therapist, I aim to help you recover from your current injury and teach you preventative techniques to avoid future ailments.
Movement is Medicine
Don't get caught in the cycle of steroid injections, surgery, and medication. The human body is designed to move—it's an amazing, adaptive, and resilient machine. Movement optimizes body function, supports mental health, and can prevent and manage many health conditions, making it a powerful, natural form of medicine.
Our Approach to Physical Therapy
Our goal is to enhance your movement and manage pain through exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques. We aim to restore function, enhance mobility, and prevent or recover from injuries. At Longevity, we treat holistically, addressing nutrition, sleep habits, stress management, and healthy relationships to optimize recovery and improve your healthspan.
Understanding Pain
Pain is multifaceted, influenced by physical, emotional, and psychological factors. These elements interact uniquely for each individual, making pain complex. Traditional physical therapy often falls short because it focuses on symptoms rather than causes. At Longevity, we treat the whole person, building relationships and trust. We use movement and natural modalities to improve pain. Our business model allows us the freedom to treat holistically without insurance restrictions or time constraints. You will always have a full hour, one-on-one with a therapist you know and trust. This is how we make real progress, effect positive change, and improve your longevity.
