Special thanks for this blog post to Ron Veilleaux with MT ErgoFit. We honor the hard work Ron has put in to help Fit to Fight transition as the key ingredient to organization and implementation of this year’s Peak Triathlon.

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This year Fit to Fight took over the running of the Peak Triathlon.  This would be the 6th year of the Triathlon and we were very pleased to be able to take this over as Fit to Fight’s main fundraiser of the year while maintaining the core partners of the event: The Peak Health and Wellness Center, and our Race Director, Kayla Johnson.  

This year we had over 230 competitors, and over 95 volunteers.  Additionally this year we had a new Corporate Cup division, with 9 teams competing for their business to bring home the Corporate Cup.  The team from First Security Bank edged out some close competition to win the 1st Corporate Cup. 

The Peak Triathlon always has some great stories.  This year we had two teams compete in the Triathlon that were alumni from our last Fit to Fight session.   It is truly inspiring to have our alumni competing in the event showing their strength after their battles with cancer.  As in years past there were plenty of first timers.  The first timers are the most fun to follow on the course as they always seem to have a bundle of nerves at the start to an overwhelming sense of accomplishment at the finish line. Finally, we had a new course record set this year by Dylan Gillespie, tearing through the course in 52:44.

The Peak Triathlon truly can offer something to any level of athlete.  The proceeds from the triathlon go directly to Fit to Fight and help us offer our three free sessions each year for folks that are battling or recently battled cancer.

Health Inspired Ergonomics for Your Office
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Ron Veilleux, CEAS
406.370.7040 p
888.704.4765 fax
www.mtergofit.com

Most Friday nights are spent watching a movie as a family, perhaps going downtown for dinner and a night out, or enjoying time with friends and family. Several Alpine physical therapists and staff chose to spend their Friday night at the first annual Health Fair at the Peak Health and Wellness Center on Blue Mountain Road. Joining the fitness and training staff from the Peak, Alpine Physical Therapists helped spread the word of wellness to the Missoula community.
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Brace Hayden was joined by several University of Montana PT students providing free balance testing at the event. Morgan York-Singer and Leah Versteegen educated participants of the importance of their core, and Matt Schweitzer was joined by Ana Soulia providing postural guidance for daily life and exercise. Participants ranged from young to old; some were current members at the Peak, while others were simply interested members of the Missoula community.

Kayli Julius, the coordinator of the event and a Health Coach at the Peak envisioned a community gathering to promote the concept of Health and Wellness. Vendors included local businesses such as Great Harvest and Lolo Peak Brewery. Fitness instructors from the Peak provided free 10 minute classes, such as Oula , Spinning, Pilates, and Yoga. Staff members from the Spa at the Peak were present to give massages and free wax services.
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The night was a success with participants finding new ideas and approaches to living a healthy lifestyle. Special thanks to Alpine physical therapists who led the way with their guidance on improving overall wellness. We at Alpine are already looking forward to next year’s Health Fair!

Alpine Physical Therapy is hosting two free presentations with Dr. Hammerstein of Northern Rockies Orthopedics. Both presentations will be presented at each of Missoula’s Peak Health & Wellness Centers . Our topic this week is titled “Sorting Out Sciatica.” Get key information on what sciatica is . . . and what your options are for treating this condition. Here are the dates and times.

• Tuesday, January 28th, at 12:00 PM at Peak Downtown, 150 Spruce St.
• Thursday, January 30th, at 6:00 PM at Peak South, on Blue Mountain Rd.

Each of presentation will include helpful information and insights by Dr. Hammerstein and by Alpine’s Brent Dodge, PT. Following each seminar, participants are invited to consult with one or both presenters and to have the opportunity for an orthopedic assessment.
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For questions or for more information, call Alpine PT at 406-251-2323.

Here are some valuable insights from one of Alpine’s star PTs, Antara Quinones:

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Thanks in part to all the new babies at Alpine Physical Therapy, I’ve had the pleasure of working at all three Alpine locations.  I’m frequently asked which location I prefer, to which I can honestly reply: all of them!  While all of our clinics maintain a high standard of care, each offers specialized services that makes them individually valuable to Alpine and our patients.

The North Clinic, located behind Johnny Carino’s off North Reserve, shares a space with The Core Studio.  The clinic offers private treatment rooms and a calming atmosphere.  Women’s health, chronic spine pain, Real Time Ultrasound, and sports and running assessments are among frequent services offered.

For a fun atmosphere that’s always hopping, our South Clinic is in the Peak Health and Wellness Center on Blue Mountain Road.   The open space allows for a lot of camaraderie between patients and staff alike. Aquatic therapy, vertigo treatment, and PRRT are all available.

The latest addition to Alpine, our Downtown Clinic, is in the Peak Health and Wellness Center off Spruce Street.  Come play ‘80’s Thursday trivia’ while you get a bike fitting, or let one of our sports specialist therapists help you get back to 100% on the field.  Like all of our clinics, therapists at downtown frequently utilize Core Align and Pilates based rehabilitation.

So take advantage of all of the latest and greatest services we offer, and come see us at a location that is most convenient for you knowing that, where ever you do go, you’ll get consistent and effective care!

For more information on Alpine and its locations and clinics, visit our clinic website by clicking here.
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Antara Quinones, DPT
Alpine Physical Therapy, North
2965 Stockyard Rd.
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-2606
www.AlpinePTmissoula.com

Special thanks to the Missoulian for inviting Alpine Physical Therapy to be a part of their segment on Missoula business involved in recent expansions. That’s us . . . for sure, as we just this year opened our 3rd clinic within the brand new Peak Health and Wellness Center in Downtown, Missoula. Here’s the intro to the article:

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Step in to our third Alpine Physical Therapy clinic within the Peak Health and Wellness, Downtown, on 150 E. Spruce St. You’ll immediately feel the downtown vibe. The ambiance reminds me of the 4th stanza in Petula Clark’s “Downtown.”

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown – waiting for you tonight
Downtown – you’re gonna be all right now

Yes you will. A few sessions with our therapists in our stunning new location, and “you’re gonna be all right now!”

Indeed you can forget all your cares, because we’ve gotcha covered: Free parking for Alpine clients, free childcare, expanded Pilates rehab area, and access to all that the Peak has to offer!
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Check out these photos of the new clinic. Seeing is believing! Gotta love the new digs!

Look up at a mountain peak. Therein lies it’s alpine counterpart. Likewise, when The Peak Health & Wellness Center had its grand opening back in 2006, Alpine Physical Therapy was there . . . within the Peak! This relationship has steadily deepened, proving the fantastic synergy between healing, health, and performance.

Now a new Peak has arisen . . . Downtown! And once again, Alpine is joining forces. Having a third Alpine location affords people convenient access to Missoula’s top choice for expert physical therapy services.
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In addition, we are continually expanding our referral base. Dr. Robert Amrine, MD, is a Sports Medicine specialist practicing here in Missoula. He recently presented to our team of 13 physical therapists some exciting conservative approaches he utilizes, particularly among active and athletic patients. Here Dr. Amrine is shown demonstrating to us his use of diagnostic ultrasound.

This spring, Dr. Amrine will team up with Alpine’s Kerri Houck, DPT, for a presentation at The Peak Health & Wellness Center on common upper extremity sports injuries and rehab approaches.
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Our services are expanding too. Several of our therapists recently trained to perform Functional Dry Needling (click here for more information on this approach). Of the nearly 400 sessions we’ve done since our initial training, the results have proven stellar. Additionally, Brent Dodge, PT,  will attain national certification in this approach upon completion of his upcoming advanced training in Brighton, Colorado.

We will also be expanding our outreach in rehabilitation for vestibular and dizziness disorders. Brace Hayden, DPT, will soon be completing six days of training and national certification through the Emory University program taught by internationally renowned instructor, Sue Herdman, PT, PhD. Brace will be positioned to take rehabilitation for vestibular and dizziness to a substantial level in Missoula through completion of his upcoming training.

For more information, visit our clinic website by clicking here.

Alpine Physical Therapy is the largest free standing outpatient physical therapy service in Missoula. It’s success is largely due to the fact it ‘s south clinic is uniquely positioned within Missoula’s premier fitness facility, the Peak Health and Wellness Center.

When you put a rehab clinic like Alpine in a top-notch fitness facility, great things happen. First, you have a lot of active people who, when injured, are motivated to get help and get better faster. Second, you have a lot of people coming to Alpine who see others enjoying a fitness lifestyle in a marvelous environment. “Patients are often attracted to that,” says Alpine’s owner, Brent Dodge. “In fact, they start asking questions about their own health and wellness. And oftentimes, they conclude their PT experience by progressing to some form of a more active exercise and lifestyle.”

You don’t have to be a member of the Peak Health and Wellness Center in order to come to Alpine for physical therapy. And people who conclude their PT don’t have to join the Peak. They can do a home program, join a fitness class, or get started at a gym that’s convenient to them. Dodge adds, “We want to help our patients find a way to maximize their health in a setting that makes sense to them.”

Another benefit of housing a PT clinic in a fitness facility is that it fits a sport model. Many of the 10 physical therapists at Alpine have interests in the biomechanics of sport. So it made a lot of sense for us to put together sport-specific clinics, such as The Runner’s Clinic, The Golf Clinic, and The Court Sport Clinic at Alpine. We’re able to help people improve their body in ways that catapult their sport. . . while reducing the chance of injury when they play.

Patients who access our physical therapy services at our south location get access to the Peak Health and Wellness during and after the time they are a patient with us. In fact, patients who attend physical therapy at Alpine are offered a 30-day free pass to the Peak as part of their stay in physical therapy, and their initiation fee is waived if they choose to then join the Center (a $150.00 savings).
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For a list of reasons that answer the questions Why Us? Why Alpine? click here.