How Physical Therapy Can Keep You Active in Bend All Summer Long

Southside PT
Jun 16
3 min read

Tumalo Falls Waterfall outside Bend, Oregon where Southside Physical Therapy is located. — Tumalo Falls Waterfall outside of Bend, Oregon.

Summer in Central Oregon is nothing short of epic. From mountain biking Phil’s trail and hiking the Cascades, to kayaking the Deschutes and enjoying paddleboarding Elk Lake - there’s no shortage of ways to get moving outdoors!

But with all this activity comes a higher risk of injury, overuse, and flare-ups of old pain and problem areas. That's where we can help.

At Southside Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you stay strong, mobile, and injury-free so you can make the most of every hike, ride, and adventure you find this summer.

Why Summer Injuries Happen - Even to the Active

Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts can end up on the sidelines during the summer months. Why?

Jumping into high-intensity activity after a sedentary winter
Repetitive motion (like paddling, hiking, or biking) can cause overuse injuries
Poor movement patterns or muscle imbalances that go unchecked
Minor aches or past injuries that resurface with increased activity

The good news? Most of these issues are preventable and highly treatable with the right plan and training in place.

How Physical Therapy Helps You Stay Active All Summer Long

Upper Body Resistance Training; a training tool performed at Southside Physical Therapy

Whether you’re dealing with a nagging issue or want to prevent future injuries, physical therapy is a smart, proactive way to support your summer goals.

Here’s how we can help:

1. Personalized Movement Assessments

Every body is different. We begin with a one-on-one evaluation to identify movement limitations, muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, or past injuries that could be holding you back or putting you at risk.

Example: If you’re a trail runner dealing with recurring knee pain, we’ll assess your gait, hip strength, and ankle mobility to find the root cause.

2. Injury Prevention Plans for Your Favorite Activities

Whether you’re training for a hike, playing in summer rec leagues, or paddling every weekend, we’ll create a custom program to help you perform better and avoid common injuries tied to your activity.

Our plans might include:

Core and glute strengthening for hikers
Shoulder stabilization for paddlers
Mobility work for cyclists and runners
Balance and proprioception drills for trail use

3. Hands-On Treatment That Supports Recovery and Performance

If you’re dealing with pain or soreness, our therapists use hands-on techniques like manual therapy, joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and dry needling to reduce discomfort and restore movement quickly.

4. Smart Return-to-Activity Progressions

We help you safely return to your favorite activities after injury, so you’re not rushing back too soon or risking reinjury. Our goal isn’t just recovery; it's helping you come back stronger than before!

Common Summer Injuries We Treat

Low back and hip pain from hiking or biking
Shoulder strains from paddling or throwing sports
Knee pain from trail running or downhill hiking
Ankle sprains from uneven terrain
Overuse injuries like tendonitis, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis

You Don’t Have to Be Injured to Benefit From PT

Many of our patients come in before anything goes wrong, just to make sure their body is moving well and ready for a full season of activity. Think of it as a tune-up for your movement functions.

Whether you’re chasing your kids, chasing your next peak, or simply want to move better and feel stronger, physical therapy can help you stay in motion, pain-free.

Don’t let pain, tightness, or old injuries slow you down this summer. At Southside Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you move with confidence, recover faster, and stay out doing what you love in the great outdoors of Central Oregon.