New Physical Therapy Clinic Expands Access to Aspen Valley Health’s Network of Care

Aspen Valley Health (AVH) has reopened its physical therapy clinic in downtown Aspen in a new—and some say better—location.

AVH’s new Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine clinic opened in November inside the Clark’s Market complex, approximately three years after the old clinic closed due to redevelopment of the Aspen Athletic Club building.

“The new clinic ensures Aspen Valley Health patients have access to the care they need in the location that works best for them,” says Chief Operating Officer Alyssa Franklin. “We expect it to be just as popular with Aspen residents as the previous, smaller clinic we operated next to Jean-Robert’s Gym.”

The new location is in many ways an upgrade from the older site. For one, it’s larger. The new clinic has space for two therapists instead of one, and all the equipment needed to help people reach their rehabilitation goals.

“The Aspen clinic is well equipped for the footprint we have in the new location,” says Louie Carder, director of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. “There’s a treadmill, stationary bike, squat rack, cable crossover machines, leg press, balance equipment and other tools needed to help people get back to doing the things they love to do.”

Another big advantage is the parking. It’s plentiful and free. And there are several designated handicap spaces for patients who need to park closer to the clinic. Parking was one of the challenges at the Aspen Athletic Club building, where people either had to pay for a spot or find one several blocks away in the east end of town.

The Aspen clinic marks the fifth location in the Roaring Fork Valley where patients can receive therapy services through AVH’s Network of Care. The others include the Medical Center on Castle Creek Road, two sites in Snowmass Village and the clinic in Basalt, conveniently located near the park and ride.

The Aspen clinic will only provide physical therapy services, at least for now. Occupational therapy, speech therapy and other specialty services are offered at the Medical Center. Occupational therapy, specifically, is also available at the Basalt clinic.

Serving the Demand

“There’s been such high demand and need for therapy services in this valley—whether it’s people recovering from surgery, treating sports-related injuries or alleviating chronic pain,” Carder says. “We want to make sure we are meeting the needs of our community, and the new clinic helps us reach that goal.”

The Aspen clinic will have ripple effects throughout AVH’s Network of Care by making treatment more accessible up and down the valley. One reason is simply space.

Carder says the additional space will take some of the scheduling pressure off the other locations, giving therapists another place to work with patients. And once the Aspen clinic is fully up and running it is likely more therapists will be added to the team, further improving the patient experience.

Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at AVH has been expanding its services for much of the last decade. It is staffed with licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists who provide a wide range of services.

The department also has a Traumatic Brain Injury program, and offers both vestibular and concussion management therapies. It employs specialists who are trained in pediatric therapy, pelvic floor therapy, cardiopulmonary rehab and pulmonary rehab. And its oncology rehabilitation program works with cancer patients holistically throughout their entire treatment process.

Much of the therapy provided in the Roaring Fork Valley involves helping people recover from sports-related injuries, which is reflected in the department’s name: Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine.

“We have a great team of talented therapists who are able to provide more than acute care if people want additional help getting back to a specific sport,” Carder says. “They are all familiar with the sports and activities people enjoy here.” Patients are matched with therapists to focus on a program that helps them get back in shape for skiing, biking or any of the other activities they want to do.

“We’re giving our patients better access to our amazing professionals who are really experts in injury recovery, pain management and getting everybody back to the sports and way of life they live here for,” says Franklin.

Meeting People Where They Are

Reopening the Aspen clinic reflects AVH’s role as a multi-faceted healthcare organization providing a comprehensive Network of Care that meets people where they are.

“Aspen Valley Health is so much more than just a hospital,” Franklin says. “We are always looking for ways to expand access while continuing to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.”

To book an appointment, call 970.544.1177 or consult your primary care physician.