No Need To Be injured To Benefit From Physiotherapy

ST 050225

A New York Times article by writer Talya Minsberg published in today's Straits Time on page C3 in the Life section. I like the part where she quoted Dr Joe Uhan, a physical therapist (that's what they called physiotherapists in USA). 

"We're sort of the Swiss Army knife of orthopaedic health. We can push on bones like chiropractors can, but we can masage tissue like massage therapists can and we can exercise like a personal trainer can."

"Be wary of any clinic that feels like a "PT mill", a quote from De Charlie Homoky another physical therapist. You definitely should have the undivided attention of your physiotherapist, quality one on one time during the whole session. That is what we do in our clinics. You are NEVER left alone on a machine, nor with a rehab/ therapy aide or attendant. We may teach you 1 or 2 exercises at the end of the session for you will not NOT be doing any exercises during your time with us. We treat you mostly with our hands, treatment you cannot do yourself.

We are not just for sports injuries or post surgical care. we can help prevent injuries and improve your quality of life. Come see us in our clinics.

Those 'Ugly' Thick Midsole Shoes Again

Page A20 300423 Straits Times 

My last post on those 'ugly' Hoka shoes earlier in April 2023 being more popular now was echoed by the Straits Times deputy editor in yesterday's Sunday Times on page A20. 

The deputy editor wrote how she had to 'convert' from her delicate ballet flats (or minimalist type) to more sensible shoes after a foot tendon injury and foot joint stress.

Her family actually sniggered when she changed her shoes since her Generation Z children and husband had been wearing those 'ugly' maximalist shoes all the time. She explained that it was perhaps due to her "poor footwear choices over the years, from flimsy flip-flops to vertiginous heels".

I should draw your attention that evidence for "flimsy" footwear is actually very sound provided the wearer's running (and walking) technique is correct.

Using results of Daniel Liberman's study, runners who land correctly in their running technique will have benefits as impact is a lot less (even less than landing on your heels with cushioned shoes on).  If you land wrongly (with minimalist shoes) the impact is 7 times greater thus greatly increasing the chance of injury. See picture below.

(From Liberman et al, 2010)

Unfortunately most of us (runners) are very impatient for results and do not master the correct running/ landing technique while just using minimalist shoes thinking that will be sufficient.

 Also read why if you run in more cushioned/ expensive shoes, the more likely you seem to get injured to further support why running in minimalist shoes with correct technique is superior to running with cushioned/ expensive shoes. 

Page B5 Forum section

Moreover, a young reader (18 year old Amos Loh) wrote in today's Forun page B5 (pictured above) that this may "perpetuate a culture of consumerism and superficiality" since there is also pressure amongst Generation Z to keep up with te latest trends.

Reference 

Liberman DE, Venkadesan M et al (2010). Foot Strike Patterns and Collision Forces in Habitually Barefoot Versus Shod Runners. Nature. Jan 463(7280): 531-535.

Let The Children Play

ST 071122

As the author of the article (who is also a principal of a local school) said, physical education classes are most popular amongst our school children. 

Physical activity is definitely good for both the mind and the body. Let them play and definitely don't turn their childhood into a race.

Have alook at the article on page C4 under the Life Section.

Physiotherapy In The Forum Page

Forum page B10, Straits Times 200420

Physiotherapy services was initially on the 'essential' list but subsequently taken off the list.

The President of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association wrote in to the forum page of today's Straits Times on page B10.

Since many countries are similarly on restricted movement orders or lock downs, you can read from this article that physiotherapy is on the 'essential' list in Australia.

We definitely do understand that the government is trying to bring the number of transmissions down. Our clinics are still here for you for online/ video consultations.

Stay safe everyone and stay at home.

ST 090711 Athletic Myths

The above mentioned article in today's Straits Times (on page C20 under the Sports section) quoted one of Gino's ex colleague from the Singapore Sports Council on whether static stretching before running (or exercise) is of any benefit. Gino has actually written extensively on this topic before in both our blogs.

Have a look http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/02/does-stretching-improve-performance-or.html,

http://physiosolutions.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-necessary-is-stretching.html,

http://physiosolutions.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-one-stretch-can-slow-you-down.html,

http://physiosolutions.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-on-stretching.html

Sunday Times 130311

Two of our staff from Sports Solutions were mentioned in today's (130311) Sunday Times newspapers by Dr (Prof) Lee Wei Ling in the "Think" section on page 39 on how she drew strength from an arduous test.

Go and take a look.

Barefoot Running ST 201210

Many of our patient's and friend s have been asking us about running barefoot. Well you can take a look at the article published in today's Straits Times under "A Runner's Diary" in the sports section on page B10 or you can have a look at what our other blog has written before on February 3 this year.

Here's the link http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2010/02/barefoot-running-versus-running-in.html

Recovery After Your Marathon ST 041210

You should sleeping by now and not reading this if you are racing tomorrow. For those of you still awake remember the recovery strategies you read from to day's Straits Times in the ST Sweet 16 Marathon Training Plan after your race.

Go to page C23 under the Sports section and you will see Sports Solutions quoted.

All the best to all our patient's taking part. Now those of you awake really need to go to bed. Now.

Your Pre-Race Rituals ST 291110

Go take a look at today's Straits Times under the Sports section in page B11 and you will see Sports Solutions quoted.

Also have a look at http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/11/last-week-before-your-marathon.html and
http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-of-your-race.html.

All the best for all our patients who are running this weekend.

ST 151110 Tapering For Your Marathon

Well, if you haven't taken a look at today's Straits Times, go take a look on page B21 under the Sports section and you'll see Sports Solutions quoted on what not to do for your taper.

Our other blog also has written on some of the suggestions, please have a look here http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/11/3-weeks-to-go.html

Knowing Your Pain Part II ST 251010

This weeks Straits Times Sweet 16 marathon plan in today's paper under the Sports section (page B11) continues on understanding your common running injuries after Part I last week. Go take a look.

Come see us if you have problems with your training, we can definitely help you.

Understanding Your Pain ST 181010

Go take a look at today's Straits Times (181010) and you'll see Sports Solutions quoted. Under the Sports section on page B11 on decoding or understanding your pain.

This is what both our clinics Physio and Sports Solutions do best, treating the cause of your pain rather than treating just your pain.

Come let us treat you if you have any injuries.

How To Get Faster ST 130910

Those who you who ran the Singapore Bay Run yesterday must be feeling a little tired today.

If the year end marathon is your next target race, have a well deserved rest day today, you've earned it. 

Go have a read on how to get faster in today's (130910) Straits Times under Sports on page B11 and you will see Sports Solutions quoted. Go take a look.

To help you run better and faster we have a popular weekly running club at Sports Solutions. Give us a ring to let us know if you are coming.

Good Warm Up Practice ST 300810

Are you training for a race at the moment? Learn not to be too stressed about your warm up from our Sports Physiotherapist Gino Ng, in today's Straits Times Sports Section page B13.

He's actually written about it before in our other blog (http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/07/no-need-for-long-warm-up-in-heat.html) and also have a read of all the links in this post on stretching (http://physiosolutions.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-on-stretching.html).

We Are Built To Run - Straits Times 160810

Today is the first of the marathon tips that will be featured for the next 16 weeks in the Straits Times Sweet 16 Marathon plan on page B15 under the Sport section in the Straits Times.

As the article by Lieberman and Bramble (2007) suggests, we humans can adapt to hot weather, have spring like ligaments and tendons in our legs and feet, an exceptional cooling system and very good balance. Our caveman ancestors needed all that as they had to hunt and look for food.

Sports Solutions supplied the article and was quoted as well in the papers, go take a look. So with correct training and preparation, most runners can complete the marathon. So if you are still thinking about attempting the full distance, go for it.

Please also have a look at this (http://weloverunning.blogspot.com/2009/10/human-body-is-built-for-distance.html).

Email us if you want the article.

Reference

Lieberman DE and Bramble DM (2007). The Evolution Of Marathon Running Capabilities In Humans. Sports Med. 37(4-5) : 288-290.