Meet Our Staff

David Rakita | PT, OCS, Cert. MDT
David is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and is Certified in the McKenzie Method of Spinal Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. David is the longest established physical therapist in the Durango area (since 1972) and is also a world-class competitive triathlete, winning first place in his class at the 2010 XTerra Triathlon World Championships.

Having practiced in rural Durango for his entire professional career, Dave has chosen to pursue his advanced professional credentialing as a way to stay current with the best evidence based practices in physical therapy. As a result, he enjoys his work more and provides exceptional service to his patients. Dave offers the following credentials, training, background and experience:

• Certificate in Physical Therapy, University of Pennsylvania, 1972
• B.S., Springfield College, 1971
• Board certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, 1993, re-certified 2003
• Credential in Spinal Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, McKenzie Institute, 1996
• APTA member since 1972, Orthopedic and Private Practice section member
• Physical Therapy assessment provider, 9Health Fair, Durango, 1986-2006
• Attendee at over 50 continuing education seminars since 1972
• Killington, VT Ski Patrol 1969-72, Purgatory NSPS 1972-81, Patrol Leader 76-78
• Former USSA Soccer referee, USS &CHSAA Swimming Referee
• All New England football defensive cornerback 1970
• USA Triathlon All-American
• Invited Speaker: Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango Motorless Transit
• Publications: Durango Herald

Dave lives with his wife Bobbi, a Nurse practitioner, in Durango. Their daughter, Brittany, is an ACI culinary grad and works at the Double Tree Hotel in Durango. Their son, Branden, is a civil engineer, bike mechanic and professional triathlete. Dave has completed 8 marathons and over 100 triathlons in the past 43 years. He is a 4 time Xterra USA mountain bike triathlon champion and 2010 World Xterra champion. He also enjoys hiking, tennis and Nordic skiing.