Rifle Physical Therapy

04/11/2026

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells (motor neurons) in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

PT is typically involved in every stage: to assist in delaying progression; to train the caregivers on how to move the patient without harming them; and to instruct the patient/family with new equipment and devices to make the day-to-day easier.

04/10/2026

Scars—especially hypertrophic and contracture scars—can affect:

Mobility
Fascial glide
Range of motion
Pain and sensitivity

PTs often address them with:

Scar mobilization
Soft tissue work
Stretching and movement retraining

Here at RPT, we want to heal you with barely any visible reminder that you were hurt. Schedule with us today!

04/09/2026

Genu valgum and genu varum change how the knee and leg line up, which alters load distribution through the joint and can lead over time to pain, gait changes, and higher osteoarthritis risk if pronounced or persistent.

Do you notice this? Come get a solution!

Call us today at RPT to get scheduled (970) 618-2180

04/07/2026

Main reasons C‑section scars hurt:

🫣Scar tissue and adhesions: Internal scar tissue can cause different layers (skin, fascia, muscle, peritoneum) to stick together instead of sliding, creating pulling, stiffness, and pain with movement, stretching, or bowel/bladder filling.

🤭Nerve injury or sensitization: Small cutaneous nerves (e.g., iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal) can be cut, stretched, or trapped in scar tissue, leading to burning, shooting, hypersensitive, or numb-but-painful sensations around the incision.

😵‍💫Tension and load changes: A tight or tethered scar can alter abdominal wall mechanics, making it harder to recruit deep abdominals, which can contribute to low‑back pain, pelvic discomfort, or a sense of weakness.

😦Hypertrophic or keloid scars: Thick, raised scars can mechanically irritate local nerves and be tender to touch or pressure from clothing or movement.

🥴Pelvic floor and myofascial dysfunction: Altered movement, guarding, and fascial restrictions can contribute to pelvic floor overactivity, pelvic pain, urinary urgency/frequency, or painful in*******se

Physical therapy can help! Let RPT assess you today!

Bring the kids along, no problem!

04/05/2026

Hope your Easter is as good as ours!

04/03/2026

If your joints are hurting, you may think getting active would make that worse. However, research shows that physical therapy can implement a plan to get you moving pain-free from the start.

04/01/2026

03/31/2026

Do you think you have Restless Leg Syndrome?
This is an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually with unpleasant sensations (crawling, pulling, tingling, aching) that start or worsen at rest, and are relieved by movement.

Common misdiagnoses or “mimics” include:

Nocturnal leg cramps, Peripheral neuropathy, Radiculopathy or spinal stenosis, Arthritis or joint disease, Venous insufficiency / leg edema, and Akathisia.

See a Doctor of Physical Therapy to rule these other conditions out.

03/30/2026

Here are some test that can help diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Of course, our Doctor of Physical therapy would also look at:

History of symptoms including numbness, tingling, or burning in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of ring finger; whether these are worse at night or with repetitive wrist/hand use, or coupled with hand weakness or clumsiness.

We rule out neck/shoulder pain (to screen for cervical/other neuropathies), systemic conditions (diabetes, thyroid disease, RA, pregnancy).

We inspect for thenar atrophy, hand symmetry, and deformity or arthritis signs.

Finally, we perform sensory testing in median vs ulnar/radial distributions; motor testing of thumb abduction/opposition and grip/pinch strength.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed, but not here at RPT!

03/27/2026

With less movement, synovial fluid circulation and “nutritional” lubrication of cartilage decrease, so cartilage gets less mechanical stimulation and nutrient exchange, which can promote wear and stiffness.

Inactivity leads to loss of quadriceps and hip muscle strength, so the knee loses dynamic support and experiences higher focal loads on cartilage and ligaments during everyday tasks.

If it is time to get moving and you don't know where to start, physical therapy is for you!

03/25/2026

Tight hamstrings and tight hip flexors both change pelvic tilt, which in turn changes lumbar curve and loading.

Tight hamstrings → posterior tilt, flatter back
Hamstrings attach to the ischial tuberosity, so when they are short they pull the pelvis into posterior tilt (tailbone tucked). This causes increased tension in lumbar ligaments and paraspinal muscles during forward bending.

Tight hip flexors → anterior tilt, increased low back curvature
Hip flexors (especially iliopsoas, re**us femoris) pull the front of the pelvis down into anterior tilt when they are short. This causes increased compressive loads on the joints and posterior elements, often associated with “swayback” posture.

Stay in the know with RPT.

03/23/2026

The plantar fascia is a thick band that helps support the arch and absorb load with each step; repeated tensile stress causes micro‑tears at its origin.

Over time this leads to collagen degeneration and chronic low‑grade inflammation (“fasciosis” picture), which the body experiences as heel and arch pain, especially with first steps after rest.

Major risk factors
1. Limited ankle dorsiflexion / tight calf–Achilles complex → increased strain on the fascia with stance and push‑off.

2. Increased body weight (BMI ≥ 27–30) → higher plantar loads with each step.

3. Prolonged weight‑bearing on hard surfaces (teachers, factory workers, retail, nurses) → cumulative stress with inadequate recovery.

4. Foot mechanics such as flat feet with over‑pronation or high arches alter load distribution and increase fascial tension.

5. High‑impact or rapidly increased activity (running, jumping sports, dance) without progressive loading or adequate recovery.

6. Age 40–60 and decreased tissue elasticity make the fascia more vulnerable to overload.

Learn to reduce the pain and inflammation with physical therapy. Call RPT today!