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ALTA:
Experience the Best in Physical Therapy & Pilates
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Greetings!
Running Yourself into the Ground
Who doesn't know at least a handful of runners side-lined with an injury at any one time? The statistics say up to 8 of 10 runners are injured every year. Slow, fast, fit or not, chances are good you'll run yourself right into an injury soon enough.
That's why the book Born to Run intrigued me. In it, author Chris McDougall questions many beliefs we have about running, and he makes some darn good points. Most noteworthy: with all the advances in running footwear since the 70's, running injuries are actually on the rise.
So why should you spend the big bucks on fancy running shoes? More and more scientists are saying you shouldn't. Bernard Marti, MD at the University of Bern in Switzerland found in a study of 4,358 runners, people who spent the most on their shoes were most likely to be injured. All the other variables, such as distance, surface, speed, and weight didn't matter. But another camp, equally fervent, says cushioned, motion control shoes and orthotics are a must for many runners. Who has the answer, or could they both be right? Learn more.
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 Foot Strike VideoTraditional running shoes, shoes that imitate barefoot
or barefoot - which is right for you?
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Uncle Lyle just might have been right. As a kid, when he wasn't
barefoot, Lyle was clad in "no tech" shoes, running around the fields of
his family farm in central California. As a student at Stanford, Lyle
was chosen to be an alternate miler for the 1932 Olympics.
50
years later, in 1982, I was three years out of PT school and pretty sure
I knew all the latest and greatest information on the biomechanics of
running. And I did. I went round and round with Uncle Lyle about proper
running form. "No one should land on their heel" said Uncle Lyle. He was
an accomplished runner well before the 1970's when foot wear and
running philosophy changed so radically. He never got hurt, through his
entire running career. So why was I so sure he was wrong back then?
Over
the nearly 30 years since we had those conversations, most black and
white issues have turned to shades of gray. Standing in the middle of
the controversy between minimalists and those who advocate running with
the most hi-tech and supportive motion control shoe, there are a range
of possibilities.
The philosophy at ALTA has always been to
treat the individual, not the diagnosis. A patient with a running injury
such as plantar fasciitis can have a myriad of dysfunctions leading to
plantar fasciitis, and unless a therapist looks at each unique
circumstance, runners might not be satisfied. People's needs may fall
anywhere along the spectrum of supportive footwear --- from "barefoot is
best" to "shoe wear made for a Clydesdale". Running shoes and orthotics
need to address one's specific anatomy, physiology and running form.
To
see where you fit along the continuum of footwear options, we are
assembling a panel of experts. Come prepared with your problems and
questions. We look forward to an exciting evening.
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BIG NEWS
Alta Physical Therapy is partnering with the new Colorado Athletic Club in Boulder. Charlie Merrill, MSPT, was at the club Monday evening April 5th and and will be back the first Monday of each month thereafter, providing complimentary injury evaluations to CAC members. If you are not a member, we have 3- day passes for ALTA clients interested in giving the CAC a test drive. Spread the word-- forward this to your friends and family who are already CAC members, so they can take advantage of this great service. See you there. 
Mark Your Calendars:
Don't miss an exceptional panel discussion about the pros and cons of running barefoot. Hear what experts with varied opinions have to say.
Come with your questions and get ready to be educated.
When: Wed. April 28th
6:30 pm (doors open at 6)
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