Rifle Physical Therapy

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Rifle Physical Therapy

Riflephysicaltherapy.com Ashley has experience working in outpatient orthopedics, inpatient acute care and cardiac rehabilitation, pediatrics and geriatrics.

Born and raised on the Western Slope of Colorado, Ashley has returned with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University to serve her hometown area. Since graduating in 2017, Ashley has traveled from New Castle to Parachute seeing patients in their homes for their rehabilitative care. She has completed multiple residencies at sites across the country and her research has been published in the International Journal of Geriatrics.

03/03/2026

How can a tight or shortened psoas muscle cause low back pain???

💺Prolonged sitting or repetitive hip flexion can leave the psoas in a shortened position, leading to adaptive tightness.

🙆A tight psoas pulls the lumbar spine into increased lordosis (over‑arching) and sometimes a slight side‑bend or rotation, increasing compressive forces on facet joints and discs.

😣This can irritate lumbar joints, discs, and surrounding soft tissues, perceived by the patient as low back pain.

Get evaluated by a Doctor of Physical to determine the exact cause of your back pain! Call us today (970) 618-2180

03/01/2026

Physical therapy can help diagnose Intercostal Neuralgia!

Any concerning systemic signs pushes the PT to refer back for medical or cardiology evaluation instead.

Key ways PT's provide a differential diagnosis:

Careful history: A PT clarifies pain pattern (sharp, burning, band‑like), relation to breathing, trunk motion, cough, posture, trauma or surgery, and screens for red‑flag cardiac/visceral symptoms (shortness of breath, exertional chest pain, sweating, nausea).

Palpation and provocation: Intercostal neuralgia or chest wall pain is often reproducible by palpating along an intercostal space or by specific rib/thoracic movements.

Movement testing: PTs assess thoracic spine and rib motion, trunk flexion/rotation, shoulder girdle movement, and breathing mechanics to see if pain consistently changes with mechanical loading (suggesting neural/musculoskeletal origin).

Neurologic pattern: Dermatomal, band‑like pain, local sensory changes, or nerve tension signs tested.

Response to trial treatment: Short, low‑risk interventions such as manual therapy to intercostal tissues, thoracic mobilization, posture correction, or breathing exercises may rapidly change musculoskeletal or intercostal‑nerve–related pain.

Get a full body evaluation with RPT today! (970) 618-2180

02/27/2026

🛠️ Wheelchair Maintenance 101:

Professional service is needed at least once a year for most users; twice a year is wise for heavy use, rough environments, or complex/power wheelchairs.

🚨 Signs you need a tune-up:
🔄 Hard to push, veering, or noisy wheels.
🛑 Brakes not holding.
🤯 Loose parts.
👀 Worn tires.
😓 Sagging seats.
💻 Electrical issues.
👎 Visible damage.

Let us at RPT help you with this process!

02/26/2026

Gluteal tendinopathy is usually caused by a mix of overload and compression of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons on the outside of the hip.

Main mechanical causes:

Repetitive overuse such as running, stair climbing, prolonged standing, or rapid increases in activity load.

Hip positions that place the tendon under compression, especially excessive hip adduction (legs crossed, knees together, side‑lying on the affected side, sitting low, standing with hip dropped out to the side).

Weakness or poor control of the hip abductor muscles, leading to excessive pelvic drop and altered gait that increase tensile and compressive load on the tendon.

Contributing systemic and lifestyle factors:

Age‑related tendon degeneration, especially after about 40 years of age.

Female s*x, likely related to pelvic biomechanics and hormonal factors.

Higher body weight, reduced fitness, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hormonal changes (peri‑ and post‑menopause).

Previous corticosteroid use and other medical factors that impair tendon health.

In many patients, several of these factors add up over time rather than one single event causing the problem.

Stay in the know with RPT!

02/24/2026

Parkinson’s disease often causes tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and balance problems—all of which can make daily tasks harder. Physical therapy plays a key role in helping the body move more efficiently and safely.

At RPT, our therapists use evidence‑based exercises designed to:
– Reduce muscle stiffness and improve flexibility
– Strengthen postural and core muscles for better stability
– Enhance walking patterns, stride length, and arm swing
– Improve coordination and reduce fall risk
– Educate patients and caregivers on safe mobility strategies

Consistent physical therapy can help maintain independence and confidence, allowing those with Parkinson’s to stay active longer.

02/23/2026

RPT provides free blood pressure screenings during the week. Stop by our clinic location and get checked!

202 East 3rd St
Rifle, Co 81650

A quick call-ahead can guarantee that we are available for walk-ins: (970) 618-2180

02/22/2026

Here is a typical rehab protocol following ligament reconstruction.

It isn't easy, but having a skilled Doctor of Physical Therapy helping you is key:
💊to reduce pain without medication
🚶🏽‍♀️to show you how to walk normally again
👩‍⚕️to progress you safely through each phase

Let RPT be there for you!

02/21/2026

Wow this is a lot of hardware!

02/20/2026

Movement matters—especially for those living with Dementia.

Physical therapy can help maintain strength, balance, and independence, while also supporting memory and mood through movement and routine. Our therapists design safe, personalized programs to:
– Improve mobility and reduce fall risk
– Support daily activities and confidence
– Enhance overall well-being through gentle, purposeful exercise

At RPT, we partner with individuals and caregivers to keep each day active, safe, and meaningful.

No MD referral needed! Schedule a visit via Messenger today!

02/19/2026

RPT provides free blood glucose testing during the week! Stop by our clinic location:
202 East 3rd Street
Rifle, Co 81650

A quick call ahead can guarantee we are available for a walk-in (970) 618-2180

💉Fasting blood glucose test

***Done after no food or drink except water for at least 8 hours (usually first thing in the morning).
Shows your baseline blood sugar without recent meals influencing it.
Commonly used to screen for and diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, with standard cutoffs (normal, prediabetes, diabetes).

💉Regular / random blood glucose test
***Can be done at any time of day, regardless of when you last ate.
Reflects your blood sugar at that specific moment, including the effect of recent meals, activity, or stress.
Often used for day‑to‑day monitoring in people who already have diabetes, or as a quick check if someone has symptoms of high or low blood sugar.

02/18/2026

Tendon pain holding you back?

It might be tendinopathy—a condition caused by overuse or overload, leading to stiffness and soreness during or after activity.

You don’t need to rest forever or push through pain. Physical therapy helps by finding the cause, improving tendon strength, and guiding a safe return to activity.

At RPT, we create personalized exercise plans to reduce pain, rebuild strength, and prevent future flare-ups—so you can move confidently again.

02/16/2026

♥Please vote for us in Local's Choice for the Best Physical Therapy Center 2026!
We are going up against some big names in the Valley.
🙏 Scan this QR Code to be taken to the voting page -->

Address

202 East 3rd Street Unit B
Rifle, CO
81650

Website

http://riflephysicaltherapy.com/

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