Our physical therapists are experts in their fields and passionate about patient care. Get to know our key staff.
Clinicians
DR. CHRIS VANDERFORD
DPT
Owner and Dr. of Physical Therapy, Christian Vanderford started Action Point as an opportunity to help people meet their goals and care for their bodies in ways that promote wellness, acknowledge the holistic nature of physical therapy, and is individualized to each patient. He is currently taking new patients.
DR. GARRETT FISCHER
DPT, Cert DN
Garrett is our principle Physical Therapist, He joined Action Point Physical Therapy in 2023. Originally from Rockford Illinois, he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Carroll University in Wisconsin. He has been a part of the Sandpoint community since 2017. He specializes in orthopedics, post-surgical rehabilitation, concussion/vertigo treatment, manual/myofascial therapy, and sports medicine. He holds certifications in dry needling (Cert. DN.) and concussion health/vestibular rehabilitation.
Garrett’s coming to Idaho wasn’t just by accident. Having a passion for the outdoors, the Great Northwest piqued his interest immediately. He is an avid snow sports, hunting, and fishing enthusiast. His fishing adventures are the envy of patients and co-workers alike, and his exploits and BIG fish are clearly documented in the photos he shares.
Rebecca Thomas
PTA
Rebecca is our Physical Therapist Assistant, joining Action Point Physical Therapy in 2023. Originating from the Midwest in Belvidere, IL, she moved to the Pacific Northwest twelve years ago and studied at North Idaho College to receive her PTA license in 2020. She has been working in the field for three years now and is excited to help patients reach their goals. She specializes in pelvic floor therapy, treatment of orthopedics, post-surgical rehabilitation, manual/myofascial therapy, and pelvic floor therapy.
When Rebecca isn’t at work, she can be found on the mountain- skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. She enjoys spending time in her garden and being outdoors most days.
Ashmel Vargas MSAT,LAT,ATC,
TMR,CMYK
Ash is our newly hired Certified Athletic Trainer at Action Point. Ash is originally from New York City and obtained his Master's degree at the University of Idaho in Athletic Training. He has published in the Journal of Sports Medicine Rehabilitation with an emphasis on the Functional movement screen and improving scores in movement to optimize Athletic and recreational performance.
In practice, Ash utilizes evaluation screening methods such as the “selective functional movement assessment”, and the “functional movement screen” to help better guide patients out of pain and optimal movement. In addition, Ash specializes in treatment paradigms such as “Mulligan '' mobilization with movement, “positional release therapy”, primal reflex release technique, myokinesthetics nerve treatment, and total motion release.
Ash has a passion for going big and “sending it” on his mountain bike, hitting jumps stories long! When he is not “sending it” he is out in the woods finding fruit and mushrooms to further optimize his health. Ash also has a background in competing in jiu-jitsu, bodybuilding, and powerlifting which further drives better performance for his passion for mountain biking in the off-season.