CrossFit pushes limits—but relentless training can take a toll. Whether it’s a nagging shoulder, sore knees, or mobility struggles, injuries shouldn’t hold you back. Our board certified Doctors of Physical Therapy understand the demands of CrossFit because we’ve lived them. With expert treatment, mobility training, and strategic recovery plans, we get Boulder CrossFit athletes back to peak form—fast.
Don’t let pain dictate your workouts.
CrossFit: High Intensity, High Reward
CrossFit fuels strength, endurance, and athleticism like few other training methods. Its blend of Olympic lifting, gymnastics, and high-intensity conditioning attracts athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to elite competitors.
Despite outdated myths, research shows CrossFit isn’t more injury-prone than other sports—but smart training matters. Repetitive heavy lifts, dynamic movements, and high training volume can stress the shoulders, back, knees, and wrists. Without proper mobility and recovery, even the strongest athletes can face setbacks.
That’s where physical therapy for CrossFit athletes comes in. Strategic recovery plans, mobility training, and strength optimization keep you pushing limits—without breaking down. Stay in the box, stay strong, stay pain-free.
Board-Certified Experts for CrossFit Athletes
CrossFit demands more than just general rehab—it requires specialized care from experts who understand the sport inside and out. At Mend Colorado, our team includes three fellowship-trained Doctors of Physical Therapy, placing us in the top 1% of the field. Every clinician holds a board certification, ensuring the highest level of expertise.
At Mend Colorado, we don’t just treat injuries—we train like you do. Our team is made up of physical therapists who are also CrossFit athletes, so we know what it takes to perform at your best. This unique blend of clinical expertise and first-hand experience allows us to identify movement inefficiencies, pinpoint weaknesses, and develop recovery plans that accelerate healing. Our approach helps you recover faster and requires fewer visits, saving you both time and money while getting you back to your workouts quicker.
- Precision recovery for shoulders, backs, knees, and wrists
- Sports PT in Lafayette and Boulder tailored to high-performance athletes
- Advanced techniques like dry needling, spinal manipulation, and manual therapy to treat pain at its source
By treating the root causes of your injuries and focusing on performance optimization, we make sure you’re not just recovering, but coming back stronger and more resilient than before.
Targeting Common CrossFit Injuries
CrossFit builds strength and resilience—but heavy lifts, dynamic movements, and high training volume can challenge even the most experienced athletes. Whether it’s a nagging ache or a full-blown injury, targeted rehab ensures you recover fast and return stronger.
Shoulder Injuries (Impingement, Rotator Cuff Tears, etc.)
Why It Happens: Snatches, kipping pull-ups, and overhead presses demand mobility and stability. When movement mechanics break down, impingement, rotator cuff tears, and labral issues can follow.
How We Fix It: We restore full overhead mobility through joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and strength training focused on scapular control. Dry needling and manual therapy reduce pain while progressive loading brings power back to every rep.
Back Injuries (Muscle Strains, Sprains, Disc Herniations)
Why It Happens: Deadlifts, squats, and cleans challenge the spine under load. Poor bracing, fatigue, or mobility restrictions can lead to muscle strains, disc herniations, and facet joint irritation.
How We Fix It: CrossFit back injury recovery starts with pain relief—spinal manipulation, dry needling, and myofascial release ease tension fast. From there, core stabilization and mobility training restore strength, ensuring proper mechanics under heavy loads.
Knee Injuries (Meniscus Tears, Ligament Sprains)
Why It Happens: Box jumps, squats, and lunges push knee stability to the limit. Overuse, poor landing mechanics, or misalignment can result in meniscus tears, patellar tendinitis, and ligament sprains.
How We Fix It: We improve joint alignment, quad-to-hamstring balance, and shock absorption through manual therapy and progressive loading. Whether it’s mobility training or strength rehab, our treatments restore function and confidence.
Wrist and Hand Injuries
Why It Happens: Handstands, front squats, and cleans require strong, mobile wrists. Repetitive impact, poor flexibility, or excessive loading can lead to tendonitis, sprains, and carpal instability.
How We Fix It: Joint mobilization, eccentric loading, and soft tissue techniques reduce pain while grip and wrist strength training improve resilience. We help you regain full function—so you can lift, press, and hang without limitations.
No need to push through pain. Get back to peak form—fast.
Customized Plans for Peak Performance and Injury Prevention
Every athlete moves differently. That’s why cookie-cutter rehab doesn’t cut it. At Mend Colorado, we take a deep dive into movement mechanics, strength imbalances, and mobility restrictions to build a treatment plan that fits your training—not the other way around.
Comprehensive Assessment for Targeted Recovery
We start with a full-body movement analysis, identifying mobility limitations, muscle imbalances, and inefficient movement patterns that could be holding you back or increasing injury risk. Whether it’s weightlifting recovery or refining overhead positioning, we find the root cause—not just the symptoms.
Personalized Mobility Training and Strength Optimization
Each plan incorporates mobility training to improve joint range, flexibility, and movement efficiency. Strength work follows, reinforcing proper mechanics and bulletproofing key joints so you can train harder without setbacks.
Advanced Techniques for Faster Results
- Dry needling for muscle recovery and pain relief
- Spinal manipulation to restore alignment and movement efficiency
- Manual therapy for soft tissue release and joint mobility
- Progressive loading strategies to rebuild strength safely
Get stronger, move better, and stay injury-free.
Strategies for Fast Muscle Recovery
Pushing limits in CrossFit means your body needs the right tools to bounce back quickly. Ignoring recovery can lead to prolonged soreness, decreased performance, and a higher risk of injury. Prioritizing smart recovery strategies ensures you’re ready for the next WOD without setbacks.
The Essentials of Fast Muscle Recovery
- Sleep and Rest: Muscle repair happens during deep sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours per night to maximize growth and reduce soreness.
- Nutrition Matters: Fuel up with protein for muscle repair, carbohydrates for energy restoration, and plenty of water to prevent cramping and fatigue.
- Active Recovery: Keep blood flowing with light cardio, mobility drills, and low-intensity strength work. Movement is medicine.
- Foam Rolling and Stretching: Break up tension and increase circulation with targeted mobility work, foam rolling, and dynamic stretching.
Recover smarter, train harder, and stay in the game.
Enhance Your Mobility, Prevent Injuries
Strong lifts and high-intensity workouts require more than just strength—they demand full-range mobility. Tight hips, restricted shoulders, and stiff ankles can limit performance and increase injury risk.
Mobility Training for CrossFit Athletes
- Hip Mobility: Deep squats, lunges, and box jumps require flexible hip flexors and strong glutes. Try couch stretches and hip mobility exercises.
- Shoulder Stability and Range: Kipping pull-ups and overhead lifts need optimal scapular control and thoracic mobility. Incorporate PVC pass-throughs and banded shoulder distractions.
- Ankle Flexibility: Limited dorsiflexion can throw off squats and lunges. Improve it with heel-elevated squats and banded ankle mobilizations.
What helps sore muscles? Smart recovery, consistent mobility work, and structured strength progression. Keep your body moving well—before pain forces you to stop.
Real Athletes, Real Results
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
How do I know if I need CrossFit physical therapy?
If you’re experiencing persistent soreness, pain, or mobility issues that affect your performance, physical therapy for CrossFit athletes can help address the root cause and get you back to training pain-free. Whether it’s shoulder pain, back issues, or tight hips, we’ll assess and create a plan tailored to you.
How much does CrossFit physical therapy cost?
At Mend Colorado, we’re committed to providing high-quality care at an affordable price—averaging $1,500 less per personalized plan than traditional treatment. We’ll work with you to ensure you’re maximizing your recovery at the best possible cost.
What can I expect during my first visit?
During your first visit, we’ll perform a comprehensive movement analysis and discuss your injury history and training routine. From there, we’ll develop a personalized recovery and performance plan to get you back to full strength, utilizing cutting-edge techniques and mobility training.
Contact Info
Lafayette, CO Location
489 Highway 287. Suite 202. Lafayette, CO 80026
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Individualized Care Provided By Expert Clinicians