For the mountain athlete, an injury isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a threat to your identity. Whether you measure your weekends in pitches, powder days, or vertical feet, your pursuits demand more from your body. A standard rehab plan that ignores the unique demands of scree fields, skin tracks, and crimp-strength simply won’t cut it.
That’s where alpine physical therapy comes in.
Here at Union Physical Therapy in Seattle, we are a team of Doctors of Physical Therapy who are also climbers, skiers, and trail runners ourselves . We don’t just understand the what of your injury; we understand the why—why it happened, and why it’s so important for you to get back to the mountains, stronger and more resilient than before .
What Makes Alpine Physical Therapy Different?
Alpine physical therapy is a specialized approach to sports rehab that focuses on the complex, high-demand movements of mountain athletes . We don’t just aim to make you “pain-free.” Our goal is to make you perform.
A “sprained ankle” for a trail runner is entirely different from that of a basketball player. Your ankle needs to be stable on uneven, off-camber terrain for miles on end. A “tweaked shoulder” for a climber isn’t just about overhead reaching; it’s about handling dynamic loads and complex rotational forces .
Our approach is built on this deep understanding. We combine high-level diagnostic skills, expert manual therapy, and a specific, progressive loading program designed to get you back to your sport .
Specialized Rehab for Rock Climbers
Seattle climbers are a core part of our community. We know that “rest” is the last thing you want to hear. Our climbing physical therapy program is designed to treat the root cause of your injury while keeping you as active as possible.
We treat the full spectrum of climbing injuries, from acute pulley sprains and TFCC strains to chronic shoulder impingement and “climber’s elbow” . We utilize advanced tools like diagnostic ultrasound in-clinic to get a clear picture of soft tissue injuries and track your healing, allowing us to be precise with your rehab plan .
What Our Patients Say:
“Exceptional care at Union Physical Therapy! As a climber dealing with a finger injury, I was specifically referred here due to their extensive knowledge of climbing-related injuries… From the very first session, I knew I was in good hands. The physical therapist conducted a thorough examination, including an ultrasound to confirm my doctor’s initial diagnosis… I wouldn’t hesitate to return.” 1111
— Don Sarver
Expert Ski Injury Rehab: Get Back to the Slopes
From the bumps at Crystal to the backcountry of Snoqualmie Pass, skiing and snowboarding place incredible demands on your knees, hips, and shoulders. An ACL tear or rotator cuff injury can feel season-ending, but a structured “return to sport” program is the key to a full recovery .
Our ski injury rehab program focuses on:
- Post-Surgical Protocols: We are experts in post-operative rehab, including ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, and rotator cuff surgery .
- Strength & Plyometrics: We rebuild your power, agility, and shock-absorption capacity to prepare you for the slopes.
- Building Confidence: A thorough rehab plan gives you the physical and mental confidence to trust your body again.
What Our Patients Say:
“I have been visiting Michelle from Union PT for the past 10 months after an ACL surgery. I can’t say enough how positive the experience was – Michelle is highly knowledgeable, professional, very patient and always knows how to adjust the treatment… After 10 months I am finally back playing volleyball and can’t wait to get back to skiing this winter season. Thank you so much!” 2222
— Eli Shechtman
Peak Performance for Trail Runners
Your arena is the trail, from Green Lake to Mount Si. Our running physical therapy program is tailored for the unique challenges of the alpine runner. We treat common issues like plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, and ITB syndrome by looking at the complete kinetic chain .
We don’t just treat the pain; we analyze your gait, your training load, and your goals to build a plan that addresses a “chronic overuse injury” and helps you come down mountains much more enjoyably .
What Our Patients Say:
“I’ve had an awesome experience with Lindsey at Union PT. She’s helped me build a wonderful strengthening routine for my knees (chronic overuse injury) to help me come down mountains much more enjoyably again. She holds me accountable, and takes the time to educate me and make sure I understand proper form & the ‘why’ of certain exercises. It feels amazing to see/feel my progress!”
— Chelsea Newton