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
Sarah Spaulding2024-08-20My elbow was not healing from my usual exercises - routines I had been using for the past 20 years to balance my muscles from climbing. I saw Dr. Jeff Ryg for help. To my surprise, he suggested treating my arthritic wrist and back - to help my elbow. I would not have made the connection of the joints. With his help, I am able to climb without pain again. Thank you!
Anthony H2024-08-18I have been dealing with an achilles tendon issue for a few years after a broken leg. I was referred to MEND by an orthopedic surgeon in the area and have been very happy with my experience there. I have only been to a couple of sessions, but have had great results! VP is a very knowledgeable therapist and has helped me to turn this around to the point that my improvement is around seventy percent thus far. They have a very nice, clean facility, with plenty of room to work. I really appreciate that there was a lot of time taken at my initial visit to assess my problem and work out a solid plan to move forward with. I will be continuing my therapy with him and am confident that I can get back to full functionality. I would highly recommend giving MEND a try.
Richard Pozzi2024-08-13Best PT period. Alan was a wizard in identifying the problem and providing exercise that corrected the problem avoiding surgery. I have used them before and will always use them. The entire team is extremely professional and fixes you issues.
Jean Watson and The Watson Caring Science Institute2024-07-17An amazing, supportive, sensitive, knowledgeable and contemporary program - providing individualized programs of PT based on individual needs assessment! My PT therapist Alan Hofmann was supportive in addressing somewhat of an emergency injury- and kindly and scientifically guided me w series of exercises and steps which were transformative in my situation - highly recommend!!
Sheila Gilbert2024-07-09Great results from Jon Crawley Total trust with his suggestions and therapy plan. Works with what you can do and increases your skill. Highly recommend!
Jack Eddington2024-07-01I have been going to MEND for about 6 months now and they have dramatically changed my life. Dr. John Crawly has been fantastic to work with and has been relentless at trying to get me back to 100%. Dr. Crawly is willing to always try anything and work with you as a patient to figure out what works best allowing for the most growth. These traits come with what John does best which is dynamic physical therapy, not just staying in a patient room but working on the functional aspects of the body. After 6 months with Dr. Crawly, I almost back to 100% and attest all that to the one on one care I received through the MEND system. There care is well worth the price and I would chose to go no where else then with Dr. Crawly and MEND.
Jake DiSanto2024-06-25Alan Hofman is excellent and I can’t recommend enough. I’ve been to just about every PT spot in Boulder over the years and felt best (and recovered fastest) in his hands. Highly recommend.
Andrew Lamb2024-06-25I came to Dr. John Crawley at the recommendation of a friend, when a nerve issue caused significant weakness and immobility in my left arm. After about a month and a half of working with John, my left arm is very close to full strength, and I am able to rock climb at the level I want to again. John worked with me to understand the root cause of the issue, and I really appreciate his attention to detail and willingness to explain things to me. My goal was to be able to rock climb at a high level again, and working with a PT that understands the strengths needed for climbing was extremely valuable.
Alex Frech2024-06-21TL;DR - VP has helped me heal chronic shoulder problems years in the making. He creates reasonable treatment plans that align with my goals and schedule. He is incredibly supportive in both the physical and mental components of healing. VP makes me feel empowered. Oh, also, the facility is spotless and smells real nice. More: I have had shoulder problems since I was a kid. Given my body weirdness, prior PTs I’ve worked with hoped to get my shoulders to function like a healthy person’s shoulders. But I want to do more. I want to be able to do pull-ups, climb without fear of tweaking my should, do whatever crossfit throws my way.. VP (Michael Van Portfliet) is right there with me, supporting my goals of surpassing baseline to be EXTRA STRONG. This is Boulder, after all. As I mentioned, he has created treatment plans that work with my schedule. I always want to understand how things work and VP explains everything, even when my questions get really in the weeds. He picks me up when I’m feeling discouraged. I feared my shoulder weakness would be forever. Now I don’t. We have plan and are executing. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and I can almost taste that first unassisted pull-up.
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