Backcountry Physical Therapy

Backcountry Physical Therapy Dr. Scott Runyon provides the Colorado Springs area with physical therapy services in your home or o

Ever seen those purple, circular bruises on athletes like Michael Phelps? Those are caused by cupping, which is often us...
04/23/2025

Ever seen those purple, circular bruises on athletes like Michael Phelps? Those are caused by cupping, which is often used in physical therapy. In today’s post, we’ll go into detail on what cupping is and how it can help you! 🌀

🌏 Cupping therapy has been around for thousands of years and has roots in Chinese, European, and Middle Eastern medicine! Cupping uses suction to lift the skin and fascia. This helps to create space and boost blood flow, so you can feel and move better.

⛷️ In physical therapy, we use cupping to help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, break up restrictions, and relieve pain.

🟣 Despite the purple marks cupping may leave behind, it is not usually painful! You may experience feelings of tightness or pulling to the affected area.

🔑 PRO TIP: Your physical therapist may combine the cups with some movement to enhance the healing effects. They may also keep the cups in one place for a period of time or glide them over the skin!

📨 Curious if cupping is right for you? Talk with your physical therapist and they’ll decide if it fits your goals!

Join Backcountry Physical Therapy this Saturday, April 26th at 11 AM at RockBox for a FREE shoulder workshop! 🙌 Whether ...
04/21/2025

Join Backcountry Physical Therapy this Saturday, April 26th at 11 AM at RockBox for a FREE shoulder workshop! 🙌 Whether you're dealing with tightness, weakness, or just want to learn how to take better care of your shoulders — this one’s for you.

🆓 Free to attend
📍 RockBox
⏰ 11:00 AM start time
📅 Saturday, April 26th

First physical therapy appointment? Here’s what to expect! 🦵🦶Beginning physical therapy is a big step on your journey to...
04/15/2025

First physical therapy appointment? Here’s what to expect! 🦵

🦶Beginning physical therapy is a big step on your journey to recovery! We’re here to help with any questions you may have. Here’s what to expect from your initial evaluation:

☑️ Conversation with a physical therapist on your injury, health history, & your goals

☑️ Movement assessment to see how your body functions

☑️ Hands-on testing to check for strength and mobility, while also pinpointing potential problem areas

☑️ Patient education on what’s really going on and how we’ll work together to fulfill your treatment plan

☑️ Individualized program to get you where you need to be 💪

🗣️ Whether you’re recovering from injury or just want to move better — your first appointment is a huge step in the right direction.

Have questions about your first visit? Ready to schedule your initial evaluation and get started with us? Send us a message or reach out via our contact info on the last slide! 💬

💉Curious about dry needling? Here’s what you need to know!If you struggle with muscle tension or chronic pain, dry needl...
04/04/2025

💉Curious about dry needling? Here’s what you need to know!

If you struggle with muscle tension or chronic pain, dry needling could be just what you need. Here’s a quick breakdown:

🤨What is dry needling?

Thin, sterile needles are inserted into muscle trigger points to relieve pain and stiffness. Those trigger points or “knots,” as they’re commonly referred to, are those tender spots in your muscles that can create discomfort. Although often compared to acupuncture, the only true similarity is that dry needling uses acupuncturist needles.

👀What to expect?

Upon insertion, you may feel a “twitch” response, which is exactly what we’re looking for. Mild muscle soreness following the session is totally normal.

💪What are the benefits?

Pain relief — reduces tightness and relieves pain ✅

Faster recovery — can increase blood flow to the area and speed up the healing process ✅

Improved ROM — loosens tight muscles and improves mobility ✅

⚡️What is DNES?

Dry needling + electrical stimulation (DNES) can enhance the dry needling experience by disrupting pain signals sent to the brain and resetting neuromuscular function for even better results.

⁉️Who can benefit?

Athletes with tightness or injury ⛹🏻‍♀️

Anyone with chronic pain, muscular pain, or headaches 🤕

Conditions such as carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, and more 🦶

📌 Comment any questions you have or send us a message to see if dry needling is right for you!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! — but recovery takes more than one fruit. 🍎🥑 How you fuel your body plays a tremen...
03/26/2025

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! — but recovery takes more than one fruit. 🍎

🥑 How you fuel your body plays a tremendous role in the recovery process. Your diet can promote—or harm—your body’s ability to heal, repair muscle tissue, and reduce inflammation. Providing your body with the proper nutrition can help you recover faster and get back to the activities you love!

✅ Protein, healthy fats, carbs, and proper hydration are all key aspects of your recovery diet!

🚫 Processed sugars, fried foods, excess alcohol consumption, and artificial trans fats should all be avoided during this recovery period.

Save this post & let us know what your favorite recovery meal is! 🍽️

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Backcountry Physical Therapy team! 🍀
03/17/2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Backcountry Physical Therapy team! 🍀

Let's welcome our new intern!Desirre Castro is set to earn her B.S. in Exercise Science from Georgia State University in...
03/07/2025

Let's welcome our new intern!

Desirre Castro is set to earn her B.S. in Exercise Science from Georgia State University in May 2025. A soon-to-be ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, she’s passionate about promoting exercise to prevent disease and encourage people to get moving. When she’s not studying, you can find her lifting weights, on an adventure with her dog Summo, or playing pickleball!

Last month, Dr Scott had the honor of being able to present to the Pre Health Society at  about the field of physical th...
01/29/2025

Last month, Dr Scott had the honor of being able to present to the Pre Health Society at about the field of physical therapy. The students asked a lot of great questions! 👏🏻

We love helping the next generation of health providers by offering internships, observation hours, and mentoring!⚕️

Best of the Springs voting is ending! Backcountry Physical Therapy has made it into the finals, and we hope you please c...
01/03/2025

Best of the Springs voting is ending! Backcountry Physical Therapy has made it into the finals, and we hope you please consider voting for us as best physical therapist in town!
There are a few weeks left to vote!
Vote Here: https://thebestofthesprings.com/voting/ #/gallery/466797145
Or follow the link in our bio to vote!

Happy New Year from the Backcountry Physical Therapy staff! It's time to ring in the new year!🎇
01/01/2025

Happy New Year from the Backcountry Physical Therapy staff! It's time to ring in the new year!🎇

Jessica Madding is our newest Administrative Assistant! She is a Sports Business graduate from Maryville University, ori...
12/27/2024

Jessica Madding is our newest Administrative Assistant! She is a Sports Business graduate from Maryville University, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and is excited to now be living in Colorado Springs. In her spare time, she is training for a bodybuilding competition, explores hiking trails, and admires classic cars. Since moving to Colorado, she has loved the vibrant, active community and is eager to discover more hiking spots and take up snowboarding!

Merry Christmas from the Backcountry Physical Therapy staff! Have a safe and happy holiday! 🎄
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from the Backcountry Physical Therapy staff! Have a safe and happy holiday! 🎄

Best of the Springs voting is happening now! Backcountry Physical Therapy has made it into the finals, and we hope you p...
12/19/2024

Best of the Springs voting is happening now! Backcountry Physical Therapy has made it into the finals, and we hope you please consider voting for us as best physical therapist in town!

There are a few weeks left to vote!
Vote Here: https://thebestofthesprings.com/voting/ #/gallery/466797145
Or follow the link in our bio to vote!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends! 🦃 🙏🏻 🥧 It's been a year to celebrate for certain. We've been able t...
11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends! 🦃 🙏🏻 🥧

It's been a year to celebrate for certain. We've been able to help so many people overcome physical barriers to get back to the trail, weight room, court/field, or the mountains. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do this!

📣That's right! Here is a great opportunity for the right physical therapist to elevate their patient care by working wit...
11/26/2024

📣That's right! Here is a great opportunity for the right physical therapist to elevate their patient care by working with us!📣

If you are or know a physical therapist tired of treating 25 patients a day, watching patients who need care get denied by insurance companies, and not seeing patients make the progress they want, then this could be the right opportunity.

We offer the our therapists the chance to wash their hands of the dirty games our current healthcare system plays and actually do what is in the best interest of our patients! ✊🏻

The candidate we are looking for should be interested in lifting weights and mountain sports. A background in coaching or personal training is preferred.🏋🏻‍♂️

Interested applicants can send a resume to scott@backcountry.physio. ✉️

A little throwback to our Friends and Family Night with the Switchbacks in September. We had about 50 patients and guest...
11/01/2024

A little throwback to our Friends and Family Night with the Switchbacks in September. We had about 50 patients and guests with us for that victory! 🎉

Good luck to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in their playoff game tomorrow! ⚽

See you tomorrow night! We will be having another pop up clinic March 12 at Gripstone Climbing to serve the members and ...
03/12/2024

See you tomorrow night! We will be having another pop up clinic March 12 at Gripstone Climbing to serve the members and guests. Ask Doctor Scott any questions you would like and get some help staying healthy for climbing!

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02/19/2024

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Address

5815 Mark Dabling Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO
80919

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