Many cases of neck pain, back pain, and even sciatica   develop from the positions we spend the most time in each day. When the spine and pelvis stay in stressed positions, like slouching while sitting, standing unevenly, or sleeping in poor alignment, certain muscles, joints, and nerves absorb more load than they’re designed to handle. Over time, that repeated stress can lead to irritation, stiffness, and persistent pain. Why Posture Can Lead to Pain From an orthopedic and

Have you already tried physical therapy, chiropractic, or the “wait and see” approach for scoliosis—and still feel stuck? I see it all the time. Many people come to me after working through conventional treatments that failed to deliver long-term relief. At my Boulder-based clinic, I offer expert-level scoliosis physical therapy designed for those ready to move beyond generic care and get real results. With over 20 years of experience treating complex pain and spinal conditi

Sciatica is one of those diagnoses I’ve seen a lot over my 20 years of experience. I get asked about it all the time, even outside the clinic. (Often at kids' birthday parties and soccer games.) It’s really common, but it’s also one of those complex issues that requires a bit of detective work. What I love about treating sciatica is getting to do just that — being the problem-solver, figuring out the root cause of what’s really going on. What Is Sciatica and Why Is It So Com

If you're a runner in Boulder dealing with nagging pain that just won't go away—even after stretching, foam rolling, or taking time off—you're not alone. From hamstring strains and plantar fasciitis to hip or low back pain, recurring injuries are a frustrating part of the running journey for many. But there's a smarter way to solve them. At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, I focus on identifying and treating the root cause  of your running pain, not just the symptoms. In work

Still in pain even though your tests are “normal”? It might not be your body — it might be your brain. In my Boulder physical therapy practice, I often see clients who’ve tried everything from MRIs to massage, with no real solution to their pain, and no closer to the answer of what is causing it. In many of these cases, the pain isn’t due to ongoing tissue damage — it’s coming from the nervous system itself. This is called neuroplastic pain  — when the brain stays stuck in a

I often meet clients in Boulder who have seen multiple doctors, specialists, and therapists in search of relief, but still have no clear answer for their chronic pain. What I consistently find is that most providers are focused on isolated systems: a joint, a tendon, a lab result. But pain isn’t always compartmentalized. Sometimes the root cause isn’t physical injury. It's stress, or your body’s inability to regulate and recover from it effectively, which is a common pattern

A client recently brought in her mom after noticing something subtle but important in how she was moving. The way her mom was walking had changed. Her steps were shorter, more cautious. She looked down more often, as if scanning the ground for danger. And while nothing was “wrong” in a medical sense, she could see what was happening — a quiet erosion of confidence. This kind of shift is common, and it doesn’t happen overnight. For many people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, chang

If you've been struggling with chronic pain in Boulder that hasn't responded to physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections, or massage, you're not alone. Many patients come to me frustrated, wondering why nothing seems to work. Often, the true driver of persistent pain isn't just mechanical. It's stress, and it may not be obvious. My Approach: Start with a Thorough Evaluation and Assessment As a holistic physical therapist , every initial session begins with a compreh

Neck pain can be frustrating, confusing, and deeply disruptive — especially when nothing seems to work. If you’ve tried massage, chiropractic, or even traditional physical therapy and still  feel tension, stiffness, or nerve pain in your neck or arm, you’re not alone. At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy in Boulder , neck pain is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — issues I treat. With over two decades of clinical experience and a personal journey through chronic