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Upslope Physical Therapy & Performance Call
Back-pain rehabilitation exercise at UpSlope Physical Therapy

Back Pain

Back Pain Holding You Back? Let’s Fix It for Good.

We rebuild strong, resilient backs so you can lift heavier, hike farther, and live without flare-ups. Real gym. Hands-on.

We get it

Your back is the engine.
When it stops, you do.

Whether your back tightens up on heavy lifts, flares during long hikes, or nags you after sitting at work, back pain should not be a permanent part of your story. We help active adults fix the true cause so you can get back to lifting, training, exploring, and living without fear of the next flare-up.

Strength training for back-pain recovery at UpSlope Physical Therapy

Diagnosis

Most back pain is not a back problem.

Your back is the engine for nearly everything you do. Lifting, skiing, running, climbing, carrying. So when something is off, it shows up everywhere. Squatting or deadlifting. Hiking steep terrain. Bending or lifting at home. Playing with your kids. Active adults do not need rest. You need a plan that restores strength, control, and confidence.

It is rarely the back itself.

Most back pain is caused by how the back is being asked to work. Weak core or deep stabilizers, poor hip mobility, limited thoracic rotation, technique breakdown under load, prolonged sitting, underdeveloped glutes.

So we assess the whole system. Spine, hips, core, movement patterns. Not just the painful area.

Here is what we look for.

  • +Hip mobility and strength gaps that load the spine instead of the legs.
  • +Core and deep stabilizer weakness that no one has actually tested.
  • +Loading patterns from the gym or workplace that have reinforced the problem.

Most people are told to rest it. For active people, rest is not a plan. It is a setback.

We find the root cause.

Hands-on physical therapy for back pain at UpSlope in Fort Collins

Who we help

Active people who refuse to be careful.

We help Fort Collins lifters, hikers, climbers, runners, and active adults whose backs do real work.

If any of this sounds familiar.

  • +Sharp or nagging low back pain.
  • +Pain that comes and goes depending on activity.
  • +Tightness or stiffness that never fully goes away.
  • +Pain with heavy lifting or bending.
  • +Back pain from running or hiking.
  • +Sciatica or nerve irritation.
  • +Postural or workstation-related back pain.
  • +Back fatigue during long days on the mountain.

Whether you are deadlifting your last set of the day, packing a heavy summit, or grinding through a 50-hour workweek. We build the strength and control to keep you in your sport, not on the bench.

You stay in your sport.

What we treat

From acute strains to post-surgical rebuilds.

  • +Back strain or sprain
  • +Disc irritation
  • +Facet joint irritation
  • +Lumbar mobility restrictions
  • +Core instability
  • +Sciatica / nerve symptoms
  • +Chronic tight back from stress or overuse
  • +Post-surgical back rehab
Physical therapist working with a patient at UpSlope in Fort Collins

Should I see a PT?

FIND THE CAUSE. FIX THE PROBLEM. GET BACK TO LIFE.

When you are dealing with back pain, you might be wondering whether physical therapy is the right next step. Or whether you should rest, wait it out, get imaging, get an injection, or schedule surgery.

PT is the most effective first step when:

  • +Pain with sitting, standing, lifting, or bending.
  • +Back pain during workouts, sports, or daily activities.
  • +Stiffness or limited mobility in the spine.
  • +Recurring flare-ups that keep coming back.
  • +Pain that has not improved with rest or basic home exercises.

Back pain is often driven by how the spine works with the hips, core, and surrounding muscles. By addressing these factors early, most people avoid unnecessary imaging, injections, and surgery. They return to lifting, training, and daily life with more confidence and less pain.

Talk to us first.

The Upslope Method

Four phases. One outcome.

01

Find the root cause

A deep dive into movement, strength, mobility, and the demands of your sport. We pinpoint exactly what is causing the pain. And why it keeps coming back.

02

Reduce pain, restore function quickly

Hands-on therapy, targeted mobility, graded loading. You feel relief in the first sessions, not the eighth. And you understand what changed.

03

Build strength, control & durability

Movement quality is restored. Now we build the foundation that keeps it. Real strength work in the gym to restore your tolerance to load.

04

Unlock peak performance

Coached back through your sport-specific demands until you train with confidence again.

Patient story

Rebuilding strength and confidence.

“After a brain injury I had to relearn how to walk. UpSlope has been so supportive — I've gotten my confidence back and can do more of my daily activities again.”

Tati · Active Adult

Proof

We have done this work. A lot.

1500+
Patients Helped
225+
Google Reviews
90%
Success Rate

At UpSlope, we pride ourselves on an active approach to rehab. You will never hear us tell you to stop the things you love, because we get it. You want to stay in the gym, on the trail, on the court. Not on the sidelines.

In their words.

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google

  • Jennifer Boltz

    ★★★★★

    I highly recommend Dr Ryley and UpSlope physical therapy! Everybody was super friendly, professional, and informative. Dr Ryley was extremely helpful in strengthening my impinged shoulder muscles and giving me back my mobility.

    Google
  • Lex H

    ★★★★★

    I’ve had such a great experience at Upslope! Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and I always feel comfortable when I’m there. My physical therapist (Nick) has been amazing, knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely cares about helping me feel better and make progress. I always leave feeling like I’m moving in the right direction. I would definitely recommend Upslope to anyone looking for a great physical therapist!

    Google
  • Yash Salvi

    ★★★★★

    These guys are truly amazing! Two months ago, I walked into UpSlope Therapy with a shoulder injury I suffered during a Spartan Race. I went from being someone with a very active lifestyle to barely being able to lift my arm. I regularly lift weights, play softball, and love hiking, so being injured meant I was missing out on a huge part of my life — the workouts, the games, the hikes, and honestly, all the fun that came with being active. The pain was even affecting my sleep at night. During my initial assessment, Dr. Riley took the time to thoroughly evaluate my shoulder, explain what was going on, and walk me through a clear recovery plan. Since getting back to an active lifestyle was so important to me, we put together a two-month plan focused on gradually rebuilding my mobility, strength, and confidence. Every session was attentive, personalized, and incredibly helpful. We started slowly and worked our way up, focusing on progress without pushing things too quickly. With every session, I could feel the difference — I was gaining more mobility, getting stronger, and slowly getting back to the activities I had been missing. One of the best moments was realizing that I could finally move my shoulder normally again and start lifting weights at the gym. Two months later, I’m back to my normal mobility, rebuilding my strength, playing softball, getting back out on the trails, and most importantly, enjoying my active lifestyle again. The entire team at UpSlope Therapy has been incredibly friendly, supportive, and encouraging throughout my recovery. They didn’t just help me heal; they helped me get back to doing the things that make life fun. I’m extremely grateful for my experience and would absolutely recommend UpSlope Therapy to anyone recovering from an injury or trying to get back to the activities they love!

    Google
  • Mary Quintero

    ★★★★★

    If you are having pain or dealing with an injury – even an old one Dr Lizzie is worth checking out! She has taken me from being in a lot of pain and limited mobility to back to being active, and most importantly – NO PAIN! What really stands out is her humor and how much she genuinely cares. Every session is tailored to what I needed and she is good at adapting the plan to meet you where you are physically. Her encouragement and clear explanations have given me tools to keep up my progress down the road. If you are dedicated to changing your life and want results – Dr Lizzie can get you there.

    Google
  • Kristen Casselman

    ★★★★★

    I had an amazing experience with Lizzie at Upslope! Before I came here, I was terrified that I may never be able to hike, do yoga, or get back into the gym without always having horrible pain in various parts of my body. Lizzie helped me work through my various issues and was willing to pivot as needed to whatever flare up I had going on at the time; this is something I had really struggled with when seeing previous physical therapists. She helped me get back to doing all of the physical hobbies I love, and I am so grateful for her and Upslope for getting me through a really challenging time!

    Google
  • Fay Ng

    ★★★★★

    I had an amazing experience at Upslope! I visited from California and was so fortunate to find Upslope. Dr. Frankie is so personal and knowledgeable. She has exceeded my expectations of PT and taught me so much during the short period of time I was able to work with her. The whole team is so compassionate, friendly and fun. If you’re lucky, Lizzie will make her snake impressions for you!

    Google

Read all 217 reviews on Google →

Questions

Before you reach out.

Do I need a referral?

No. Direct access in Colorado means you can come straight to us. No doctor visit first.

How long does back rehab take?

Most people are back to their sport in 8 to 12 weeks. Some sooner. We will know after the first session.

What sets you apart?

More floor space than treatment tables. We coach you under load. That is how backs actually get strong.

Get started

Get your back back.

Stay in your sport, get out of pain, build the body you want.