Do you have pain?

Take the first step in dealing with your pain, by calling for a FREE physical therapy evaluation!

Ascent Physical Therapy can help RELIEVE your pain, RETRAIN your movement, and RESTORE your function!

A FREE evaluation includes:
• One-on-one consultation with one of our experienced Physical Therapists.
• Evaluation of the problem, which involves testing your movement, strength and function.
• Discussion of the problem, evaluation findings and your treatment options.
• An opportunity to ask questions regarding your pain and learn about the benefits of Physical Therapy.

Call us today on 970.949.9966 to set up your free evaluation.

Achilles Tendinosis

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and is very vulnerable to injury, probably because of its limited blood supply and the variety of forces to which it is subjected during activity. If treatment and rest is not implemented in the early stages of tendon injury and pain, known as Achilles Tendonitis, and chronic overload of the tendon continues, the tendon eventually develops microscopic tears in it. This is known as Achilles tendinosis and because of the poor blood supply to the tendon, the ability to heal these microscopic tears is limited and tearing of the tendon continues. Enlargement of the tendon, weakness and scar tissue formation results, which causes further pain and potential for tendon rupture

Undue strain to the Achilles tendon results in over 230,000 Achilles tendon injuries per year in the U.S. alone. The undue strain could be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• tightness or weakness of the leg, knee, hip, or back muscles
• high or low arches, poor foot biomechanics
• uneven leg lengths
• alternating between high (2”) heels and exercise shoes
• sudden (rather than gradual) increases in training, such as running faster, further, or up steeper hills.

Treatment focuses on addressing any factors which could be contributing to undue strain, such as providing customized orthotics to correct poor foot biomechanics, a very carefully designed program of stretching and strengthening, and modalities to encourage increased blood supply to the tendon, such as laser therapy and soft tissue mobilization.

For more information on Achilles tendinosis or treatment options for Achilles tendon pain, please contact Ascent Physical Therapy at 970.949.9988

We Moved....

Its been a busy summer at Ascent Physical Therapy. After 5 years at The Lodge at Avon, we packed up our plinths, and have moved to the Avon Recreation Center. We are offering the same great services along with some exciting new ones, such as aquatic therapy, a lecture series and access to extensive gym equipment.

Featured Associate of the Month - Tammy Rodell, MSPT

Tammy Rodell, MSPT
Specialty: Pediatric Physical Therapy


Tammy received her Masters in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 1998. She has 10 years experience and has provided physical therapy services to the children of Eagle County for the past 5 years.

Tammy has experience with torticollis, plagiocephaly, cerebral palsy, prematurity, toe walkers, developmental delays and a variety of other pediatric diagnoses. Tammy works with newborns to school-age kids, helping them to achieve their full potential, and provides assistance to parents to help their child become as independent as they are able.


In addition to working independently, Tammy works with Child Find, a free resource for parents that evaluates children, age birth to 5, to determine if early intervention is warranted. Tammy is also contracted with Mountain Valley Developmental Services, which provides assistance to qualifying children, age birth to three, who are demonstrating a developmental delay, have an established condition, or who have developmental disabilities.

Tammy states, 'In my free time, I enjoy all that Colorado has to offer, and I especially enjoy spending time with my two sons'.