Mend Experts
Dr. Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS
Key Areas of Expertise
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
“I firmly believe that proper exercise, combined with a focus on lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, and stress management, are the most powerful ways that we can rehabilitate from an injury as well as prevent the onset and slow the progression of the chronic diseases that plague our society.”
About Dr. Ian Nay
Dr. Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist in Colorado who specializes in helping weightlifters, CrossFit athletes, barbell athletes, runners, and active adults return to training and sport after injury. His clinical focus combines orthopedic physical therapy with strength and conditioning principles to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance.
Originally from Southern California, Ian was a competitive multi-sport athlete participating in soccer, basketball, and baseball. After experiencing a soccer injury as a teenager, he developed an early interest in physical therapy and began shadowing clinicians while still in high school. This experience shaped his long-term goal of helping athletes recover fully and return confidently to the activities they enjoy.
Ian earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with Magna Cum Laude honors from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in Colorado. He later achieved Board Certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS)through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, reflecting advanced clinical expertise in musculoskeletal injury management.
His treatment approach is fitness-forward and movement-based, emphasizing strength development, load management, biomechanics, and progressive return to activity. Ian regularly works with individuals experiencing pain during squatting, deadlifting, Olympic lifting, running, and high-intensity training. Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, his goal is to improve resilience, performance capacity, and long-term injury prevention.
Education, Credentials, & Associations
- Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy
- Functional Dry Needling
- Spinal Manipulation and Manual Therapy
- Barbell Specific Rehab through Barbell Medicine
- Sports and orthopedic rehabilitation through the Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE)
Commonly Treats
- Low back and neck pain in active individuals and lifters
- Shoulder injuries related to overhead lifting and CrossFit
- Hip and knee pain associated with squatting and running mechanics
- Headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Return-to-sport and return-to-lifting rehabilitation
Patients who work with Ian are typically motivated individuals who want to stay active, continue strength training, and return to sport safely. His approach is especially well suited for strength athletes, recreational and competitive weightlifters, CrossFit participants, runners, and fitness-focused adults seeking individualized, one-on-one care.
Specializations
- Weightlifting Injury Rehabilitation
- CrossFit & Functional Fitness Physical Therapy
- Barbell Biomechanics and Movement Analysis
- Return-to-Lifting and Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation
- Low Back and Hip Pain in Lifters
- Shoulder Pain with Overhead Lifting
- Running Injury Rehabilitation
- Performance-Based Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Strength Training Injury Prevention
Outside of physical therapy, Ian enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and pets. He has performed Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and CrossFit himself for years. He enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, cooking, reading, and playing golf throughout Colorado.
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Testimonials
Our clients trust us and for good reason. Don’t take just our our word for it, hear it from them!
Ian did a fantastic job helping me resolve my shoulder issue (impinged nerve). He was able to quickly diagnose, release the muscles, and prescribe exercises to rebuild strength and avoid the issue happening again. I really appreciated the exercises he gave- they were incredibly effective and only a few movements I had to add to my routine. I was back to lifting my normal weights way faster than I expected, and my pushups are stronger than they’ve ever been. Highly recommend if you’re any sort of injured athlete in Boulder, but especially if you’re a weight lifter.
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