From Injured Athlete to Trail-Blazing Therapist
AJ Cohen’s drive toward running physical therapy began with his own struggles as an injured athlete.
- His graduate school experience at a high-volume clinic, seeing multiple patients every hour, left him exhausted, and he even injured himself.
- Though he pivoted into oncology and later worked in nursing homes, his passion for helping active adults and trail runners never faded.
- Fueled by vision and frustration, he made the bold choice to start his own clinic tailored to what he believed physical therapy could be.
Read more about AJ Cohen’s journey and the creation and vision of his PT clinic, Up and Running at https://voyagedenver.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-aj-cohen-of-up-and-running-physical-therapy
From Basement Sessions to a Thriving Clinic
AJ began with one-on-one sessions in his basement before expanding into a small 200-square-foot space inside Whetstone Climbing Gym.
Through dedication, learning, and business coaching, his dream took shape.
Now, Up and Running Physical Therapy operates out of a 3,300-square-foot facility in Midtown Fort Collins, staffed by six physical therapists and two front-desk professionals—all devoted to providing effective running physical therapy.
A Deeply Personalized, Results-Driven Approach
At the heart of Up and Running’s success is AJ’s signature 3-Step Method:
- Find the root cause of your issue through detailed biomechanical assessment
- Fix your specific weaknesses with individualized therapy, strength training, and functional dry needling
- Build resilience and performance, not just recovery—helping you come back stronger than before
This method matches perfectly with training needs, whether you’re tackling ultramarathons or local foothills trails. There’s no one-size-fits-all here—only specific, performance-based rehab.
Supporting Fort Collins’ Running Community
AJ isn’t just treating runners—he’s part of the running ecosystem. He actively shares his expertise through community races, training runs, and education.
He’s even contributed to marathon training and injury prevention discussions, emphasizing
- Biomechanical assessments
- Gradual load progression
- Addressing mental and nutritional factors holistically
A Team That Covers Every Athlete’s Need
Up and Running now features therapists specializing in trail running, aging athletes, powerlifting, climbing, and more.
Despite their varied backgrounds, the entire team is united by a shared commitment to deliver high-quality running physical therapy that gets people moving safely and confidently again.
Runners Tell the Story
The clinic has earned its status as the most highly rated PT practice north of Denver.
Runners and active adults consistently share how personalized treatment and expert guidance helped them return stronger and pain-free—whether it’s pacing through ultras, mastering gym sessions, or just moving comfortably again.
Redefining the Future of Physical Therapy
AJ believes traditional PT models—overbooked clinics, passive modalities, generic prescriptions—are failing active people.
He’s working to shift the norm toward strength-based, gym-like, one-on-one rehab. At Up and Running, that’s the standard already in place.
