When to See a Physical Therapist in Boulder, CO: Don’t Wait for Major Pain
- Colin O'Banion, DPT
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Many people wait until they're deep in pain before seeking help—but the truth is, there’s no wrong time to see a good physical therapist. Especially in Boulder, where an active lifestyle can push bodies to their limits, working with an experienced PT early can make all the difference.
Whether it’s a nagging ache, a sudden injury, or a persistent imbalance you’ve been ignoring, earlier intervention almost always leads to faster, more complete recovery.
Waiting too long can turn a simple issue into a complex one.
Not All Physical Therapy Is Created Equal
I’m a huge advocate for physical therapy done right.
Unfortunately, not every PT provides expert, comprehensive care—even here in Boulder. Especially when it comes to more complex issues like sciatica, labral tears, or chronic neck pain, subpar physical therapy can not only delay healing—it can make things worse.
That’s why when friends or family ask me about finding a PT in another city, I’m always hesitant to recommend someone unless I have a trusted referral. It makes a huge difference who you work with.
Should I See a Physical Therapist for Acute pain? Yes, Don’t Wait.
One of the most common things I hear is, “I’ll wait until my back feels better before seeing you.” But this is often a mistake.
Acute injuries—like back spasms, ankle sprains, or shoulder labrum tears—respond far better to early intervention. I’ve had clients walk into my office in significant pain and leave one session later with major relief. That’s not magic—that’s 20 years of clinical experience combined with the use of advanced tools like interactive neuromuscular stimulation or advanced manual therapy.
Early treatment not only relieves pain more quickly, but also helps ensure proper healing and prevents compensatory movement patterns from developing. And if the injury needs further investigation—like imaging or a specialist—I can refer you to a vetted, like-minded doctor in the Boulder area and often get you in sooner than if you called on your own.
5 days before my last marathon, I threw out my back, but thanks to Colin's treatment, I ran a PB. He genuinely cares about you.
- Sven B.
What About for Chronic Pain? You Need a Holistic Detective
Chronic pain cases are some of my favorites—especially when other clinicians haven’t been able to help. I love working with clients who have been told, “You just have to live with it,” and showing them that they don’t.
My success with stubborn pain conditions comes from: 20+ years of clinical experience, and a holistic evaluation framework that sees the whole person—not just the site of pain
Sometimes pain is clearly mechanical—related to a musculoskeletal dysfunction. But in many chronic cases, deeper lifestyle factors are at play.
These may include:
Poor sleep quality
Inflammation stemming from gut health issues
Emotional stress and mindset patterns
Airway dysfunction
Nutritional deficiencies
When appropriate, I offer health consulting services to dig into these contributing factors. And when needed, I refer out to a trusted network of like-minded Boulder-area clinicians and experts—people I know and collaborate with regularly to provide complete, whole-person care.
I started seeing Colin a few weeks ago for help with some elbow issues I had been dealing with for a long time. After going to another PT for months, I met with Colin. He recommended that we only try the Shockwave Therapy combined with soft tissue work.
He truly cares about the practice and wants to get you to a place where you don't need to come back for more visits but you are back out enjoying life and not dealing with nagging injuries
- Matt L
Last Stop Before Injections or Surgery
PRP, stem cells, cortisone shots, and surgeries all have their place—but they’re not first-line options. They’re tools we turn to when conservative treatment has been exhausted.
Many of my clients come to me already scheduled for invasive procedures.
Once we begin targeted, expert physical therapy, we often see enough improvement that they cancel those appointments entirely. It’s one of the most rewarding outcomes of this work.
Whenever possible, we aim for natural healing first—minimally invasive, deeply effective care that respects the body’s ability to recover. More aggressive interventions can carry trade-offs. If we can avoid them, we do.
If you're dealing with pain—acute or chronic—the best time to act is now.
Early, expert intervention could save you months of suffering, help you avoid unnecessary procedures, and get you back to doing what you love.
How to Connect with Me:
Colin O’Banion, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Colin is a licensed Physical Therapist and founder of Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy in Boulder, Colorado. With 20 years of experience, he specializes in solving complex and chronic pain cases through a root-cause, integrative approach. Colin combines advanced manual therapy, shockwave therapy, dry needling, and movement re-education to help clients return to the activities they love. His one-on-one practice is dedicated to clients seeking lasting solutions when traditional PT has fallen short.
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