Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Columbia Falls, MT
At Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy, our orthopedic physical therapy services help you recover from injury, surgery, and chronic pain. We treat the root cause of your condition so you can get back to moving without limitation.
Expert Orthopedic Care to Restore Strength and Mobility
Joint pain, post-surgical stiffness, and musculoskeletal injuries can limit your ability to work, exercise, and enjoy daily life. Our orthopedic physical therapy program is designed to identify the source of your pain and restore function through hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and patient education.
At Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy, every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who takes the time to understand your condition and goals. Whether you visit our Columbia Falls clinic or receive care through our mobile physical therapy services in Kalispell, Whitefish, or elsewhere in the Flathead Valley, you receive the same level of personalized attention.
What Is Orthopedic Physical Therapy?
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It is one of the most common forms of physical therapy and addresses everything from acute injuries to chronic pain and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and modalities such as dry needling. The goal is always to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to your normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Orthopedic Conditions We Treat
Our team provides specialized care for a wide range of orthopedic injuries and conditions. Below are some of the most common issues we treat.
ACL tears are among the most common sports injuries. Our ACL physical therapy program helps patients recover strength, stability, and confidence after injury or reconstruction surgery. We use progressive strengthening, balance training, and sport-specific exercises to support a safe return to activity.
Shoulder pain from a torn or strained rotator cuff can significantly limit your daily function. Our physical therapy for torn rotator cuff rehabilitation focuses on reducing pain, restoring range of motion, and rebuilding shoulder strength through targeted manual therapy and exercise.
Whether caused by disc issues, muscle strain, or poor posture, back pain affects nearly everyone at some point. Physical therapy for back pain addresses the underlying cause through core strengthening, spinal mobility work, posture correction, and hands-on treatment.
Amputee physical therapy supports patients before and after limb loss. We help with pre-prosthetic training, gait education, strength building, and learning to use a prosthetic limb safely and effectively.
Arthritis physical therapy treatment helps manage joint stiffness, swelling, and pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Physical therapy for arthritis in the knee is especially common, but we also treat arthritis in the hip, spine, hands, and shoulders. Treatment focuses on maintaining mobility, building strength around the affected joint, and reducing flare-ups.
• Total joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
• Meniscus tears and knee injuries
• Ankle sprains and fractures
• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
• Neck pain and cervical dysfunction
• Post-fracture rehabilitation
• Tendinitis and bursitis
Not sure if we treat your condition? Contact us to discuss your situation or schedule a consultation.
Who Can Benefit from Orthopedic Physical Therapy?
Orthopedic physical therapy is appropriate for a wide range of patients, including those recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or dealing with an acute injury.
• Patients recovering from joint replacement surgery (hip, knee, shoulder)
• Individuals with ACL, meniscus, or rotator cuff injuries
• People experiencing chronic back pain or neck pain
• Those diagnosed with arthritis in the knee, hip, spine, or other joints
• Amputees in need of rehabilitation and mobility training
• Anyone with muscle strains, ligament sprains, or fractures
• Active adults and athletes returning from orthopedic surgery
Treatment may include:
• Manual therapy and joint mobilization
• Soft tissue massage and myofascial release
• Dry needling for trigger point relief
• Therapeutic exercise and progressive strengthening
• Neuromuscular re-education
• Postural correction and ergonomic guidance
• Home exercise programming
Sessions typically last 45 to 90 minutes and are always one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist. We do not use aides or assistants for hands-on care.
In-Clinic and At-Home Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Our Columbia Falls clinic provides a comfortable, fully equipped space for orthopedic rehabilitation. You will have access to treatment tables, strength training equipment, and hands-on care in a private setting.
If you are recovering from surgery, have limited mobility, or simply prefer treatment at home, our mobile physical therapy services bring orthopedic care directly to you. We serve patients throughout Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, and the greater Flathead Valley.
What Our Patients Say
Every success story starts with a goal. Read how our patients have overcome injury, pain, and limitation through dedicated, individualized physical therapy.
Cindy Lamb
2026-03-23
Best PT ever!! Love Tanner, she gave me back the ability to walk.
Marijke Stob
2026-03-09
I am thankful that i decided to pursue physical therapy with Tanner at Glacier Peaks. I had back and hip pain while running and hiking and it turns out that everything was weak! Tanner equipped me with tools, knowledge and the confidence to strengthen my muscles and now im moving stronger than ever. I am so grateful for her thoughtfulness and expertise and highly recommend them for any physical therapy needs.
Austin Miller
2026-02-11
I came to Glacier peaks with a lot of pain and very limited mobility in my left leg. I’m extremely afraid of needles but Jackie made me feel very comfortable, didn’t push me to hard at trying more needles… The results were noticeable after the first treatment & continued to improve through our sessions until I was walking normal again! I cannot express my gratitude enough 🙏🏻
Tahnee Langford
2026-02-03
I had a fantastic experience with Jackie! In just 5 appointments over 10 weeks I’ve had tremendous improvement in back (teres minor) pain, rotator cuff pain, and elbow pain I had been dealing with for over a year. She also helped me with recent knee pain. We did cupping, dry needling, scraping, and I learned a bunch of rehab exercises to strengthen all the places I have weaknesses. When I tweaked my neck at the gym she helped me recover quickly. I’ve increased in strength already in the rehab exercises and I’m back to doing several pull ups without pain. She taught me to tape my knee so now I’m skiing all day without knee pain. I’m able to work a full schedule 20-25 hours a week at a very active job without pain! Jackie is super smart and also super fun to talk to 😃
Renae Smith
2026-02-03
I was very happy to see that Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy established a business in the church building that has been a mainstay of our town. I am a client of Tanner's and I can't say enough good things about her. She took the time to get to know me and my issues and worked with me to build strength in the areas that needed it, while working around areas prone to further injury. I would definitely recommend her for your needs.
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Orthopedic Physical Therapy in the Flathead Valley
Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy provides orthopedic physical therapy to patients across the Flathead Valley, both in our clinic and through mobile visits.
We serve Bigfork and surrounding communities with mobile physical therapy for joint pain, post-operative recovery, and chronic orthopedic conditions.
Visit our clinic at 535 4th Ave W in Columbia Falls for in-person orthopedic physical therapy in a dedicated rehabilitation environment.
We offer mobile orthopedic physical therapy in Kalispell, bringing post-surgical rehab, arthritis treatment, and injury care to your home.
Whitefish residents can schedule mobile visits or travel to our Columbia Falls clinic for orthopedic care.
Start Your Recovery Today
Whether you are preparing for surgery, recovering from an injury, or managing chronic joint pain, Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy is here to help. Schedule an appointment at our Columbia Falls clinic or book a mobile session in Kalispell, Whitefish, or Bigfork.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Do I need a referral to see an orthopedic physical therapist?
Montana allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning you do not need a referral from a physician. However, some insurance plans may require one for coverage. Contact us if you have questions about your plan.
2
How soon after surgery can I start physical therapy?
This depends on your surgery and your surgeon's protocol. Many patients begin physical therapy within a few days to a few weeks after surgery. We coordinate with your surgeon to ensure your care plan aligns with your post-operative guidelines.
3
How long will I need orthopedic physical therapy?
Treatment duration varies depending on your condition, severity, and goals. After your initial evaluation, we will provide an estimated timeline and adjust as you progress.
4
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. If you have imaging (X-rays, MRIs), surgical notes, or a referral, bring those as well. We will review your history and perform a full evaluation during your first visit.
5
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We are in network with Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allegiance, First Choice Health, Mountain Health Co-Op, and PacificSource. We also accept self-pay patients and provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.