Evolution of the running shoe: evidence & opinion
Forty years ago there was only one running shoe designed for long distance running. Itwas a black canvas shoe shaped like a track spike shoe with a gum rubber outsole andConverse was the manufacturer. Now there is a veritable plethora of running shoes tochoose from. Ten years ago I wrote an article highlighting the fact…
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Should you stretch it out – Pain too loose too stiff?
Generally, there are one of two scenarios related to musculoskeletal pain and injury. Either there is not enough movement or there is too much movement. If a muscle is in spasm, if a joint is stuck, or if a muscle-tendon unit has adaptively shortened in length are all examples of not having enough movement. If…
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Creditability of Shoe Selection Based on Foot Print Shape and Injury Risk
Running magazines and internet shoe sales sites often recommend that the shape of the wet foot print should be used to determine which type of running shoe should be selected. There is a common belief that a foot print reflecting low arch (flat feet) should select shoes designed for “motion control”. Motion control shoes are presumed to control excessive motion…
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Everybody has got their guy
Paul Ingraham writes a blog www.saveyourself.ca. Paul is a health science journalist and a former massage therapist. In a recent blog entitled “Every little thing a nice physical therapist does is magic”, he presented an interesting concept that “every body’s got their guy”. Individuals with chronic pain often have a healthcare practitioner that is their favorite that they “swear…
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Expectations Treatment Outcomes
The expectations of a patient, patient satisfaction regarding treatment and treatment outcomes are related in a very complex manner. Whether you have an over use injury as a result of recreation sports, a traumatic injury, or chronic musculoskeletal disease process like rheumatoid arthritis awareness of the interaction of your expectations, satisfaction with treatment provided, and…
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Orthopedic post-surgical protocols & Physical Therapy
If you have the misfortune of needing to have an elective orthopedic surgery, you will likely be referred to Physical Therapy following the surgery. You will likely follow a post –surgical rehabilitation protocol. Orthopedic surgeons and Physical Therapist have developed standard protocols for each surgical diagnosis or surgical procedure. The protocol will outline the step…
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Joint Sounds and Noise
Sounds often are used to assist a healthcare professional in making a diagnosis. The characteristic sounds and noise coming from the heart or lungs provide clues to determine whether something is wrong. Listening to the sounds of the stomach and bowels is an important clinical tool in diagnosing bowel obstructions. Sounds and noise coming from…
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Hip Pain: Gluteal Tendon Problems Postures & Positions to Avoid
Tendon problems are a common diagnosis at Achilles, knee (patellar tendon), shoulder (rotator cuff), and elbow (tennis elbow) pain. Interestingly though, pain on the side of the hip is commonly thought to be an inflammation of bursa. Recent investigation has shown that pain on the side of the hip commonly thought to be trochanteric bursitis,…
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Gait Retraining – Key Concepts
Gait retraining has become popular among avid runners and Physical Therapists. The proponents of gait retraining advocate if you improve the walking/running form you can walk/run faster, farther, and injury free. Many questions remain regarding gait retraining. Who can benefit from gait retraining injured individuals, non-injured, or both (Heiderscheit, B 2011)? When is the best…
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