Welcome to Mend Colorado, your solution for cycling knee pain in Boulder and Lafayette. We understand how much knee pain can impact your everyday life, and we want to help. Our experienced physical therapists deploy evidence-based practices to get you back on your bike without pain.
Knee pain after cycling is commonly attributed to issues like patellar tendonitis, IT band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Such conditions can be caused by a host of factors, including improper bike fit, overtraining, challenging terrain, and muscle imbalances. We address all these aspects in our treatment plans to ensure effective relief.
Trust Mend Colorado to help you overcome your cycling knee pain. Ready for relief? Schedule an appointment today.
Effective Treatment Modalities
At Mend Colorado, we take a comprehensive approach to treating cyclist knee pain. Our goal is not only to alleviate immediate discomfort but also to address the root cause of the problem and prevent future injuries. With a team of skilled professionals and a range of treatment options, we’re committed to providing holistic care tailored to your needs.
Our physical therapy techniques focus on strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and correcting biomechanical imbalances. Through targeted exercises and manual therapy, we aim to restore function and reduce pain.
In addition to physical therapy, we provide specialized treatments such as dry needling and orthopedic manual therapy. Dry needling targets trigger points in muscles, releasing tension and promoting healing. Orthopedic manual therapy focuses on hands-on techniques to restore joint mobility, reduce pain, and improve function in cyclists with knee discomfort.
After our patients achieve relief, we focus on preventing future issues. For example, we’ll provide exercises tailored specifically for cyclists. These exercises focus on strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee, improving flexibility, and optimizing biomechanics. By incorporating such exercises into your training regimen, you can reduce the risk of injuries and enhance performance on the bike.
The Mend Colorado Difference:
Expert Physical Therapy Care for Boulder Cyclists
At Mend Colorado, our philosophy centers around providing comprehensive care that fosters trust and credibility, ensuring you receive personalized treatments tailored to your needs. When it comes to addressing cycling knee pain specifically, there are several members of our team who have extensive experience.
Dr. Alan Hofman
Dr. Alan Hofman‘s personal journey through multiple knee surgeries ignited his passion for physical therapy, leading him to excel in treating orthopedic conditions, including specialized headache solutions. With extensive experience in clinics across Colorado and Georgia, Alan’s expertise encompasses complex spinal pathologies and post-operative rehabilitation, particularly for athletes of all levels. Holding certifications in orthopedic physical therapy and manual therapy, Alan’s dedication to professional growth and mentorship shines through his leadership roles.
Dr. Russ Overy
Dr. Russ Overy, a seasoned Colorado native, brings a wealth of expertise in treating spinal and orthopedic conditions, with a particular focus on headache solutions and physical therapy for athletes. As a dedicated father and passionate advocate for youth sports injury prevention, Russ believes in tailoring treatment plans to individual goals, fostering a collaborative partnership with his patients. His commitment to advancing the field of physical therapy is evident through his role as faculty at Regis University, where he specializes in manual therapy techniques and mentors aspiring therapists.
Success Stories
Monique Beavers2025-03-26I can’t recommend Ian enough as a physical therapist! He helped me recover from both a neck/shoulder injury and a knee injury with a thoughtful, individualized approach. Our sessions included thorough assessments, targeted dry needling, and exercises that were exactly what I needed to heal and regain strength. Beyond his work as a PT, Ian is also a member of our gym, Boulder CrossFit, and has been an incredible resource for our community. He teaches seminars that have been invaluable to both our members and coaches, providing warm-ups and techniques that keep everyone strong, healthy, and moving well. His expertise, attention to detail, and genuine care for his patients make him truly exceptional. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and effective PT, Ian is the best!
Steven Christenson2025-03-25I was doing deadlifts and back squats on a Smith Machine. Because of the Smith Machine's lack of mobility, I injured my lower back and L glute. After several days of increasing pain and decreasing amount of my able to walk pain free, I set-up an appointment with Mend. Ian did a thorough history and evaluation, and recommended dry needling on the very sore L glute. I was a little apprehensive about the dry needling, but I didn't fell the insertion and the electrical stimuation was not painful, just a weird sensation. Ian then demonstrated 2 exercises I should do. I walked out of the appoint very much relieved of the most sever pain. Over the next 3 days there was improvement. My follow-up appt w Ian moved me further along the road to recovery. More testing of my leg strength and exercises, I walkout able to walk w/o pain. Ian did an extraordinary job to rehabbing me back to my active life.
Jordan Keith2025-03-21Ian Nay is the BEST!!! As a CrossFit coach and athlete finding a PT that doesn’t tell you to stop everything you’re doing and you’re messing up your body is really hard to find! Ian helped me work through my injuries and made me an even stronger athlete with now no shoulder pain!!! And I didn’t have to stop doing what made me happy (CrossFit)!! Knowing Ian is an active crossfitter himself he really understood what I wanted to accomplish and understood the benefits of doing CrossFit!! Enough said Ian absolutely ROCKS!!!
Tavi Klar2025-03-19Highly recommend going to Mend for PT! Dr. Ian Nay is very knowledgeable and he got me back to my hobbies in only a few sessions. Definitely worth the price.
Andrew Gomez2025-03-15I had a super positive experience at Mend Physical Therapy. Highly recommend Dr. Ian Nay whose approach is personalized and professional. His prescribed PT tackled my nagging hip discomfort head on, and in just a few weeks I'm feeling entirely pain free.
Jennifer Griest2025-03-13Dr. Nay did a fantastic job working through a sport injury for my 15 year old daughter. His treatment plan was easy to follow and allowed for a successful rehab back to being pain free in a short amount of time. I will be recommending Dr. Nay to anyone in need of physical therapy!
Kate Kelleghan2025-03-13I worked with Ian to remedy a hamstring injury, and after two sessions and some diligence in the exercises prescribed, I am feeling 100% back to normal! Great experience, lovely professional people and clean functional space. Would recommend :)
nathan schulz2025-03-10I’ve been battling with a nagging ankle injury for the past two or so years. I didn’t think I would ever recover and somewhat lost hope of being active again. I made an appointment with Dr. Ian Nay, not only is he well educated and informative but also passionate about what he does when treating his patients. I’m about 4 weeks into my treatment and couldn’t believe the progress I’ve made so far. We have a ways to go to still, but I’m ecstatic to have what feels like a part of my life that has been missing back. I cannot recommend Ian and this facility enough!
Cameron Sparks2025-03-06The PT’s at MEND are absolutely wonderful and I would recommend them for any physical ailments or injuries. I’ve been seeing Robert for different things I’ve dealt with over the last year + and he’s helped me navigate through injuries, given me actionable advice and exercises, and helped educate me on what it is that’s going on. I cannot speak highly enough about this clinic and the way that they serve the Boulder community!
Austin Haynes2025-03-05Dr. Ian Nay is an amazing physical therapist with great knowledge about the body! He also has an incredibly friendly and outgoing communication style, welcoming is an understatement. I refer all of my clients to him when they request my PT recommendation! As a neuromuscular therapist it’s great to have someone I can trust with my clients. Thanks Ian 🤗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common causes of knee pain in cyclists?
Cyclist knee pain can stem from various factors, including improper bike fit, overuse, muscle imbalances, and poor biomechanics. Common conditions include patellar tendonitis, IT band syndrome, and PFPS (patellofemoral pain syndrome). These issues often result from repetitive motions and excessive strain on the knee joint during cycling.
How can knee pain while cycling be prevented?
Preventing knee pain while cycling involves several strategies, including ensuring proper bike fit, gradually increasing training intensity, incorporating cross-training activities to strengthen supporting muscles, maintaining flexibility, and listening to your body’s signals to avoid overuse injuries. Regular bike maintenance and proper warm-up and cool-down routines are also crucial for injury prevention.
When should professional help be sought for knee pain?
Professional help should be sought for knee pain that persists beyond a few days, significantly limits your ability to cycle or perform daily activities, or worsens over time. If you experience swelling, instability, or clicking sensations in the knee joint, it’s essential to consult a physical therapist or healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.
What role does bike fit play in preventing knee pain?
Proper bike fit is essential for preventing knee pain in cyclists. A bike that is adjusted incorrectly can lead to biomechanical issues, such as excessive stress on the knees or improper alignment. Working with a professional bike fitter or physical therapist can help ensure that your bike is set up correctly to minimize the risk of knee pain and optimize performance.
What treatments are available for cyclist knee pain?
Treatment options for cyclist knee pain vary depending on the specific condition and severity of symptoms. Common treatments include physical therapy modalities such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises to strengthen supporting muscles, biomechanical analysis and correction, dry needling, joint mobilization, and education on proper cycling technique and injury prevention strategies. In some cases, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) may be recommended initially to reduce inflammation and pain.
What is the typical recovery timeline for cyclist knee pain?
The recovery timeline for cyclist knee pain varies depending on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and individual factors such as age and fitness level. In many cases, with proper treatment and adherence to rehabilitation exercises, significant improvement can be seen within a few weeks to months. However, more severe or chronic conditions may require longer recovery periods, and ongoing maintenance may be necessary to prevent recurrence.
Taking Action
Don’t let knee pain derail your cycling journey. It’s time to take control of your cycling experience and reclaim your passion for the ride. Knee pain not only hinders your performance on the bike but can also impact your overall quality of life, affecting your ability to enjoy daily activities.
If you’re tired of being sidelined by knee discomfort, take the first step toward relief today. Schedule an appointment with Mend Colorado and let our experienced team of physical therapists help you get back on track. Whether you’re a competitive cyclist or simply enjoy leisurely rides around Boulder and Lafayette, we’re here to support you every pedal stroke of the way.
Individualized Care Provided By Expert Clinicians