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2012 Women's Mentoring Events
The ACA is very happy to support the efforts of our beginning women racers with a series of mentoring events. Held at ACA races, these events enlist the support of friendly, helpful experienced racers, and focus on such skills as safe cornering, pack riding, and basic tactical knowledge.
Our first event in 2012 was at the Louisville Criterium, and 35 women in the Senior Women 4s benefited from the help of our great mentors!
Information for the ACA's 2012 Women's Programs is Here.
In addition, the CSP Weekly Criteriums in Golden will feature mentoring events for women, juniors and senior men. Please watch the ACA website and race flyer for the appropriate mentoring dates.
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Healthy Sport
by the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine
Cyclists suffer through various ailments during training and throughout a racing season. Over-training, faulty biomechanics, systemic issues, and accidents, are some of the various causes. Musculoskeletal injuries are particularly common due to the repetitive nature of the sport and the physical demands of training racing. There are many good remedies out there to treat your aches and pains and one in particular is Trigger Point Dry Needling. Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) is a technique that uses small monofilament needles to treat trigger points within muscles. Active trigger points develop due to injury, musculoskeletal dysfunction, overuse or other abnormal stresses. When muscles develop trigger points, they often become shortened and can create compression on the structures around them which can be perceived by the body as pain. An active trigger point impairs an individual's ability to lengthen and or contract a muscle and is generally associated with OUCH!
One of the theories behind TDN is that trigger points are surrounded by numerous chemicals known to cause inflammation and are also known to have abnormal electrical activity. Research has shown that when a needle is successfully inserted into a trigger point and causes a local twitch response, it can return the electrical and chemical environment within the muscle to its normal state and the muscle "lets go". Deactivated trigger points draw white cells and plasma cells into the area and creates a healing response. While there are no double blind studies to support dry needling, there is some scientific evidence that supports the above theory. We know at a trigger point there is an altered PH and altered rate of neuro transmitters. Following dry needling, the PH and the rate of transmission of neurotransmitters becomes more normalized. Clinically after dry needling we see improved muscle length, flexibility, and a long SIGH of RELIEF!
Patellar tendonitis is a common affliction in cyclists and can occur for many reasons: biomechanics, over training, and muscle tightness/imbalance issues. The effectiveness of TDN depends on which of these factors are contributing to your current problem. If muscle tightness issues are the primary cause then you would be a good candidate for dry needling. A physical therapist would be able to complete an evaluation and determine if you would benefit from the technique. Factors that would be taken into consideration are muscle length, bony alignment issues, muscle imbalances, and biomechanics. There are many other problems that you may encounter as a cyclist that would benefit greatly from TDN such as acute or chronic strain/sprains, neck pain, back pain, shoulder impingement, hip, knee, and ankle pain. TDN is used as an adjunct to other Physical Therapy techniques and treatments in order to maximize healing.
Cathy Fraser PT and Sue Nakaoka PT are Physical Therapists at the Boulder for Sports Medicine. They specialize in manual therapy and TDN. Mrs. Nakaoka is currently training to be a teaching assistant for TDN courses.
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New Official Partner!
Megan Hottman, an attorney and competitive cyclist, is the owner of Hottman Law Office (aka TheCyclist-Lawyer.com). Her practice specializes in cycling-related cases and litigation. Megan is excited to announce that her brand new office is located in north Golden and will officially open later this summer.
