Endurance Digest is an ever-growing collection of physical therapy based, injury prevention and training blog posts, video podcasts, and newsletters to support endurance athletes.
Feb 10
Wednesday February 10th, 2010 – Permalink
Real PT clinics that cater to cyclists provide dynamic bike fit by pairing a Computrainer, Dartfish motion analysis software, and adjustable components with a professional dynamic assessment from a certified, knowledgeable orthopedic physical therapist.
This comprehensive dynamic fit typically takes about three hours and includes a physical therapy assessment, a static bike assessment, and a dynamic assessment.
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Feb 10
Wednesday February 10th, 2010 – Permalink
Traditionally, the purpose of physical therapy is to return a patient to functional levels of activity. In the eyes of insurance companies, this includes average activities of daily living without pain. Climbing stairs, walking around at your job, tending to your flower or vegetable garden are all activities that fall within the average activities of daily living category.
Traditionally, this does not include brutalizing your body during marathons or even ultra marathon. Participating in an Ironman competition and swimming Alcatraz just for fun are also not considered average activities of daily living. However, endurance athletes are not “average” folks. So what do you do after your insurance company deems you rehabilitated? Traditional PT clinics would discharge you with a smile and a pat on the back for a job well done.
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Feb 10
Wednesday February 10th, 2010 – Permalink
Imagine watching the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the Grand Prix, or any other high action sport without the benefit of multi-angle, slow motion, video replays. Seeing it in real time just does not have the same impact. You miss things. You get distracted. You find yourself looking at the wrong location as the action is happening elsewhere. The same issues hold true in a clinical setting.
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Feb 10
Wednesday February 10th, 2010 – Permalink
“Custom” means different things to different people. When building a new house, the homeowners may have options and the opportunity to “customize” the house. This typically means choosing between five or six options for things like type of flooring, style and wood type of cabinets, and grade of kitchen appliances. A truly custom home entails sitting down with an architect and builder to design the house from the foundation up.
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Feb 9
Tuesday February 9th, 2010 – Permalink
Searching for a health care professional who can relate to your athletic lifestyle is difficult at best. A quick search of “sports medicine and physical therapy” yields many hits that are essentially strike outs. Looking for “sports medicine” within a company’s name does not ensure that the medical treatments are different or better than a general orthopedic practice.
All too often, endurance athletes are simply advised to “take it easy.” Some medical professionals recommend cortisone injections to help “deal with the pain.” Some athletes are encouraged to just “hang up the bike cleats, running shoes, and Speedo.” While a good case can be made for some to give up the Speedo, injury shouldn’t be one of them.
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Feb 8
Monday February 8th, 2010 – Permalink
It is challenging to find the right physical therapy clinic to treat endurance athletes. At many STINO clinics (“Sports Therapy in Name Only”), it is not uncommon for athletes to be evaluated only to be told they should avoid running or cycling.
For those who share a love for endurance activities and have trained so hard for races, this is simply not acceptable. In many cases, with a thorough biomechanical analysis and systematic therapy, this does not always need to be the status quo.
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