Heafner Health is a Physical Therapy clinic in Boulder, CO dedicated to helping people move better! All treatment sessions are 1-on-1.
Heafner Health Physical Therapy is owned and operated by Dr. Jim Heafner. His evidenced-based treatment approach is different than your average physical therapist. As a residency trained Orthopedic Specialist, Jim identifies the cause of people’s pain and symptoms. His treatments combine hands-on techniques (including soft tissue work and adjustments) as well as corrective exercises, with the goal
of getting people back to the activities they enjoy most. Jim strongly believes that pain is not permanent, and everyone should have the opportunity to be strong and healthy throughout their entire life. Heafner Health is conveniently located inside RallySport in Boulder, Colorado. We treat everyone from top athletes to weekend warriors. No doctor’s referral is required prior to evaluation! Stop managing your pain and start your path to wellness.
06/05/2025
I’ve been reflecting on the core principles that guide both my physical therapy practice and how I think about health more broadly.
These 8 principles shape not only how I approach medicine, but also how I view the parts of health that can’t always be measured — things like resilience, awareness, and the mind-body connection.
They’re as much about how we live as they are about how we heal.
I hope they resonate with you — and I’d love to know: Would you add anything to the list?
*several of these principles are derived from the brilliant Dr. Andrew Weil. We can all learn from his expertise!*
01/13/2025
Your body is designed to move, not sit still. Exercise isn’t just something we should do—it’s something we need to do for optimal health. 🌟 Regular movement strengthens your heart, boosts your mood, sharpens your mind, and helps keep chronic illnesses at bay.
Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or weightlifting—make movement a non-negotiable part of your day. Because your health isn’t optional—it’s essential. 💪
01/08/2025
Ever woken up in the middle of the night with your calf screaming at you? 😫💥 From dehydration and electrolyte imbalances to overuse and muscle fatigue, there are several reasons why your muscles might suddenly tighten up. Let’s explore what causes cramps and how to prevent them from cramping your style! 😉 🏃♂️💧
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01/06/2025
Did you know that being still for too long can lead to aches and pains? 🪑🔄
Stay active, stretch, strengthen your tissues, and keep moving to keep your body feeling its best!
Learn WHY!
11/07/2024
Healthy muscles are essential for more than just movement; they play a critical role in supporting our overall health and well-being. Muscles provide the strength and stability needed to perform daily activities, from lifting and carrying to walking and balancing. They also protect our joints by absorbing impact and reducing strain on bones and ligaments, helping prevent injuries.
Additionally, healthy muscles enhance metabolism, as they burn more calories at rest than fat tissue, making them key to maintaining a healthy weight and energy levels. Strong, flexible muscles also support good posture, reduce the risk of chronic pain, and improve quality of life, ensuring we can stay active, independent, and resilient at every age.
“Is that plum I’m tasting?”
“This cabernet has hints of rich mahogany.”
“This would go nicely with roasted chicken.”
If your friend says this to you while sipping a glass of wine, you might think they’re exaggerating—or maybe just showing off. And sometimes, they are. But true wine experts can actually detect subtle differences in taste, aroma, and texture among various wines. They’ve trained their senses to identify what most people would overlook.
Treating pain is similar to tasting wine. Just like wine has its main categories—reds, whites, and blends—pain has its own “varietals”: nociceptive, neuroplastic, and mixed-type pain. Nociceptive pain might be described as the straightforward “table wine” of pain—it’s the body’s response to a physical injury or inflammation. Yet, even within these categories, there are countless nuances. Two people with the same injury can experience pain in dramatically different ways.
Treating pain, like appreciating wine, is a practice. Practice trains awareness, and awareness exposes subtlety.
"The nervous system is one of the most complex and intricate systems in the body, much like the electrical wiring and communication network in a sprawling city. To break this complexity down, let’s dive into how the system works, piece by piece, and how it all fits together."
The nervous system is one of the most complex and intricate systems in the body, much like the electrical wiring and communication network in a sprawling city . To break this complexity down,...
09/15/2024
In this post, I want to share how I quickly recovered from a low back injury while deadlifting in early 2023. I always try to learn from each injury and experience, and this one was a great reminder of how intense low back pain can feel.
On Saturday morning, January 28, 2023, I was deadlifting when I felt a sharp, compressive sensation in my lower back. This pain was immediately followed by weakness in my spine and sharp pains with...
05/22/2024
Health isn’t just a destination; it’s a journey made up of daily habits and patterns. Understanding and improving these habits can lead to lasting wellness. Here’s how you can start:
1️⃣ **Track Your Habits:** Keep a journal or use an app to log your daily activities. Note what you eat, how much you move, and how you feel. This helps you identify patterns and areas for improvement.
2️⃣ **Reflect and Adjust:** Spend time each day/week/year reflecting on your habits.
Are you consistently skipping workouts?
Eating late at night?
Identify what’s holding you back and adjust accordingly. Small changes can make a big difference!
3️⃣ **Create Realistic SYSTEMS:** Establish SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to keep you motivated and on track.
4️⃣ **Create a Supportive Environment:** Surround yourself with people who encourage your healthy habits. Stock your home with nutritious foods and keep fitness equipment handy. A supportive environment makes it easier to stick to your goals.
5️⃣ **Be Patient and Consistent:** Real change doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient with yourself and stay consistent. Celebrate small victories along the way and remember that every step forward is progress.
Your health is a reflection of your daily choices. By identifying and improving your habits over time, you can achieve lasting wellness. 🌟💪
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Remember, health is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep tracking, reflecting, and adjusting your habits based on your current goals and long term objectives
05/20/2024
Setting goals vs. creating systems!
Creating strong, sustainable systems appears to be the KEY!
When it comes to getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things.
05/13/2024
📈 This powerful principle highlights the delicate balance between stress and performance, showing us that optimal performance occurs at moderate levels of arousal. Here’s how it works:
📉 **Low Stress, Low Performance:** When stress levels are low, so is performance. Without enough stimulation, we may lack the motivation and focus needed to excel. It’s like trying to run a race without a starting line!
📈 **Moderate Stress, Peak Performance:** As stress levels increase, so does performance! Moderate arousal levels can sharpen our focus, boost our energy, and enhance cognitive function. We’re in the zone, firing on all cylinders, and ready to tackle any challenge that comes our way!
📉 **High Stress, Decreased Performance:** But watch out – there’s a tipping point! When stress levels soar too high, performance takes a nosedive. We may feel overwhelmed, frazzled, and unable to think clearly. It’s like trying to juggle a dozen balls while walking a tightrope – a recipe for disaster!
By understanding the Yerkes-Dodson law, we can harness the power of stress to fuel our success. Remember, it’s all about finding that sweet spot – the perfect balance of arousal that pushes us to new heights without pushing us over the edge. Let’s embrace the challenge, rise to the occasion, and unleash our full potential! 💪✨
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Heafner Health Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic in Boulder, Colorado. It is owned and operated by Dr. Jim Heafner PT, DPT, OCS. Dr. Heafner’s evidenced-based treatment approach is different than your average physical therapist. As a residency trained Orthopedic Specialist, Jim identifies the cause of people’s pain and symptoms. His treatments combine hands-on techniques (including dry needling, myofascial release, and joint adjustments) as well as corrective exercises, with the goal of getting people back to the activities they enjoy most. Jim strongly believes that pain is not permanent, and everyone should have the opportunity to be strong and healthy throughout their entire life.
Heafner Health is conveniently located inside RallySport in Boulder, Colorado. All treatment sessions are 1-on-1. We treat everyone from top athletes to weekend warriors. No doctor’s referral is required prior to evaluation! Stop managing your pain and start your path to wellness.
When Jim is not treating patients in the clinic, he focuses his attention on educating fellow physical therapists in the profession, teaching in the community, and writing. He has authored 3 books- Sticks and Stones, The Guide to Efficient Physical Therapy Examination, and The Yoga Fix. Additionally his blog, The Student Physical Therapist, attracts upwards of 65,000 views per week.
