Have you ever bought a pair of running shoes, thrown them on then hit the pavement but the pavement hit back? Now everything hurts- shin splints, calf soreness and your back feels like it was hit with a three piece KFC can't even compete with. Many people may even think that's the price of getting into running, right? Not really!
Runner's Optimization System
The Runner's Optimization System helps you determine why you are feeling what you do when running, and provides you with evidence-based solutions to address the limitations so that you can increase your running enjoyment and performance.
In order to run efficiently you need the proper strength, mobility and motor control. Through a systematic approach this system helps you discover where you're weak and restricted. It begins with a Runner's Optimization Assessment and if needed a full running gait analysis performed by a physical therapy certified gait analyst.
The Runner's Optimization Assessment helps determine if you have the strength and mobility required to run without compensation by:
Testing all key muscle groups associated with running.
Testing upper and lower body mobility associated with running.
Testing motor control associated with running.
Testing you foot's ability to support you properly while running.
Determining if further investigation into the cause of your pain is needed.
Following the assessment you will:
Review and be provided with a home program of illustrations and descriptions of the activities to address the muscular weakness Discovered during the ROA.
Be provided with illustrations and descriptions of activities to address any mobility limitations discovered during your ROA.
Be provided with illustrations and descriptions of activities to address any motor control limitations discovered during your ROA.
It's not always impairments causing your pain, often your pain is responsible for your impairments. When this occurs further physical therapy treatment may be required to address the central cause of your pain. Once your pain is addressed an ROA can be performed again to give you a more accurate representation of the limitations affecting your running.
You now have the strength, mobility and coordination but you're still having pain while running, what's next?
Running Gait Analysis
A running gait analysis is a detailed look at how you move while running and takes less than 20 minutes. It's an opportunity to discover intrinsic and extrinsic causative factors affecting your symptoms. A running gait analysis is performed not only to determine biomechanical issue but can also be utilized as a performance enhancement tool.
Running Gait Analysis Helps:
Identify flaws that impair economy.
Identify flaws that promote injury.
Help build hypothesis for imbalances identified.
Calibrate "normal" to allow for your structural uniqueness.
Provide cues to moderate tissue load.
Practice and provide feedback until you can reproduce the cue on your own.
Benefits Of A Running Gait Analysis:
Integrate cues into your runs at various times independently.
Integrate cues into your runs at various speeds independently.
Eliminate the causative biomechanics associated with diagnosis's including but not limited to:
Medial tibial stress syndrome
Patello-femoral pain syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome
Low back pain
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendinosis