Written by Em Wooden
One of the unique aspects of our clinic is the fact that many of our providers are athletes. The providers’ athletic interests range from hiking to yoga, climbing to triathlons; this gives them a unique insight into the mindset and priorities of the athletes they treat. While they offer an impressive range of services for all types of athletes, this month we are honing in on what our providers can do for runners.
Our physical therapists work with athletes to prevent injuries as well as to treat them. In fact, Doctors of Physical Therapy Lynn Pedersen and Sanatan Golden both have experience working with professional sports teams; most notably as the physical therapist for the Olympic Rugby Club and as the strength and training specialist for the Portland Stags respectively. With that in mind, runners or potential runners should consider booking an appointment with Dr. Pedersen or Dr. Golden. As a runner you may experience Iliotibial Band (IT Band) pain, hip pain, knee pain, sciatica, and plantar fasciitis. Our physical therapists look at the whole body and determine the root cause of the injury rather than just treating the symptoms. They are able to treat runners without telling them to stop running unless it is absolutely necessary, and offer some modifications that you can be applied while you recover. One unique opportunity that we offer at Evolution is an hour-long Complete Running Assessment. This service includes video analysis of the way you run on a treadmill, a Functional Movement Screen, and a Lower Body Y-balance test. By the end you will have identified several deficiencies in your movement that can lead to injury, and you will have learned a few exercises that will specifically benefit you as a runner. Focusing on these deficiencies can help prevent injuries or speed up your recovery if you have already been injured.
Those of you who would like to work with a Certified Sports Chiropractor should book an appointment with Dr. Adam Goulet, Dr. Montserrat Andreys, or Dr. Brad Farra. All three of them are dedicated athletes. They use their expansive skill sets to help patients identify and correct unhealthy movement patterns. Depending on your specific challenges and goals, the chiropractors may use tools such as kinesiology tape, Graston®, or a class 4 therapeutic laser. They may also teach you exercises that will strengthen weak areas. Runners struggling with pain in their legs, lower back, or SI joint may want to check out the article written by Dr. Goulet last May.
Runners often book sessions with one of our four licensed massage therapists before or after big events. Sandy Homer, John Knight, Brian Barthelemy, and Eric Fair-Layman, all have experience working with sports injuries, as well as working preventatively with athletes. This kind of work may include reducing adhesions in the lower back, hips, legs, and feet, or addressing posture issues, such as a tight neck or upper back. Many runners, especially ultramarathon runners, end up overtraining at some point. A preventative appointment with a massage therapist can be very helpful as the massage therapist can identify potential issues before they become problematic.
If you think you might be overtraining, you should also consider booking an appointment with one of our licensed acupuncturists: Cameron Li, or Danielle Melanson. Our acupuncturists can use acupuncture needles to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which suffers when athletes are not taking care of themselves. This will lead to better sleep and proper recovery. Acupuncture is also effective in treating inflammation, tendon pain, and repetitive stress injuries. Like massage therapy, acupuncture is an extremely helpful preventative tool as well as a recovery aid.
Our naturopathic physicians, Dr. Shena Vander Ploeg and Dr. Kai Herman, treat a wide variety of ailments for runners, from fatigue to hormone imbalances. One of the techniques that Dr. Herman employs is called prolotherapy; this may be a hit with runners who are recovering from overuse or traumatic injuries. Prolotherapy involves injecting a mixture of natural substances into the affected area, which helps the body to repair itself. Dr. Vander Ploeg’s work with runners includes IV therapy and neuromuscular re-education. She works with each patient to create a wellness plan that fits their specific lifestyle and goals.
Nutrition is an important part of improving as a runner, and meeting with a registered dietitian can be a game changer. You are in luck: Alex Borsuk, our Registered Dietitian, runs ultramarathons, so she knows exactly where you are coming from. Book a consultation today to learn how food is affecting your athletic performance, and which dietary changes could benefit you personally and as an athlete.
The practitioners and personal trainers at Evolution work together to ensure that their patients and clients are getting their needs met. Ask the practitioners that you already work with for a recommendation; chances are they will have some insight into trainers or classes that will help you reach your goals.
