Pain along the front or inside edge of the shinbone (tibia) is commonly referred to as shin splints. Shin splints on the front of the tibia are called anterior shin splints. Posterior shin splints cause pain along the inside edge of the lower leg.

Anterior shin splints tend to affect people who take up a new activity, such as jogging, sprinting, or playing sports that require quick starts and stops. The unfamiliar forces place a heavy strain on the anterior tibialis muscle, causing it to become irritated and inflamed.

Posterior shin splints are generally caused by imbalances in the leg and foot. Muscle imbalances from tight calf muscles can cause this condition. Imbalances in foot alignment, such as having flat arches (called pronation), can also cause posterior shin splints.

Shin splints often produce a dull, aching pain felt where the involved tibialis muscle attaches to the tibia. Redness and swelling can also occur in this area. Tenderness is felt where the muscle attaches to the bone. Anterior shin splints are usually felt on the front of the tibia, especially when using the anterior tibialis muscle to bend your foot upward.  Posterior shin splints produce symptoms along the inside edge of the lower leg.

Got shin splints? Don’t let this condition keep you from working out! Physical therapy treatments are often effective at addressing and eliminating this condition. Deep tissue massage is commonly done along the junction where the sore tibialis muscle meets the tibia. Stretching and specific exercise is important.

Physical therapists also evaluate your posture and alignment to see if you have problems with pronation (arch flattening). If so a small heel wedge or even an orthotic placed in your shoe can help. Additionally, taping techniques and cold laser, available at Alpine Physical Therapy, are effective treatments to ease pain and get you back to the activities you enjoy.
​
For a  more detailed explanation of shin splints, visit our clinic website, which is rich in patient resources, by clicking here.

Okay. At Alpine Physical Therapy we haven’t figured out yet how to make physical therapy as easy as a drive through. But we have taken steps to provide convenient access to physical therapy for people on both ends of Missoula.

To the south, we’re located within the prestigious Peak Health and Wellness Center on the corner of Hwy 93 south and Blue Mountain Road. You don’t need to be a member at the fitness center to access our team of eight therapists there. But you do get access to the Peak during and after your stay at Alpine.
​
To the north, we’re located in the North Reserve Business Center. We just recently opened our very own and brand new 4,300 square foot building

It’s super easy to get to our north clinic from anywhere on the north side of Missoula. Simply head east on Stockyard Road between Jiffy Lube and IHOP. You’ll see our signs on the right.

Convenience. Yet another reason why people choose Alpine Physical Therapy.
​
For a list of other reasons that answer the questions Why Us? Why Alpine? click here.

Join us at Alpine Physical Therapy in welcoming Jamie Terry, DPT, CSCS,, a 2010 graduate of the University of Montana School of Physical Therapy.  Jamie is currently finishing a post professional sports residency program at the University of Montana and upon completion will sit for the Board Exam to become a Certified Sports Specialist. Jamie’s treatment interests are in orthopedics, sports medicine, spine care, and total body wellness through injury management and prevention. Contact Jamie by calling our clinic at 251-2323.

Hello Team Alpine!

Nice work out there last week. I think we have the makings for a pretty sweet team. I look forward to more game time to hone our passing skillz and relative field positions.
​
Kudos to Angela Listug-Vap for taking (at least one of) our sweet team pictures and getting some action shots.

Alpine PT did pony up the lion’s share of the league regulation fee, but I’d like everyone to bring $14 for a snazzy new green T-shirt to promote Missoula’s greatest PT clinic, Alpine Physical Therapy.

Cheers to you all.

We’ll look forward to seeing you out the Rick Bean S. E. Fields by Community Med Ctr. @ 7:15 on Thur.
​
– Brace

By now you may have heard, the community of Missoula has an incredible program for cancer fighters.  It is a cancer support group based on exercise, wellness, and education called Fit to Fight.The program is a non-profit that is supported largely by many volunteer hours, in-kind donations, Alpine Physical Therapy, and the Peak Health and Wellness Center.

Last month the Peak Tri (a sprint distance triathlon that is great for first timers and coordinated by personal trainer, Kayla Johnson of Missoula) helped the Fit to Fight program increase awareness, inspire others, and raise funds for the program. There were 368 racers, nine of who were alumnus of the Fit to Fight program.

The Peak TriI helped Fit to Fight raise over $3000.00!  Then to top it off last night at the post-race follow up meeting, Kayla Johnson announced she had an additional $500.00 for the program!  Alpine Physical Therapy is so proud to be a major sponsor of not only the Fit To Fight program but also to work with individuals like Kayla and events like the Peak Tri that truly give back to the community.
​
For more information on Fit to Fight program, click here.

Alpine Physical Therapy will, for the 5th consecutive year, be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 10 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Angela Listug-Vap, DPT. Angela is the only Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in the state Montana. As such, she is an expert diagnostician, particularly as it relates to sport biomechanics associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse the Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have two locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.