by Sue on August 12, 2010
I’ve been running for at least 30 years- wow, that sounds a bit strange to say, given that I’m in my thirties… but as I write this, I consider being a RUNNER to be one of my defining characteristics. My first group runs would be those obligatory runs in gym class where our teacher sent us out for a 2km run around the community. At that time, I had a sole mission and purpose…beat the BOYS! I can still recall that head to toe exhaustion, being on the verge of puking, but feeling on top of the world during and after those runs.
As I got older, group runs came in the form of training for cross-country running in the fall in Edmonton, through the river valley with the dry leaves crunching under my feet and the crisp air making the hairs on my arms stand up. I loved trail running, even then, as a teen. At a time when fitting in and just surviving high school were my main goals, running those beautiful trails put me instantly at peace- I knew, for a few moments at least, who I was and that this was where I belonged.
After that, I found my place amongst a group of “first time marathoners” through the Running Room just before university began. They became somewhat of my family- on Sundays we squeaked along in the snow (have you ever run in -20 degrees…the snow really does squeak) with several layers on putting in our long runs trying not to slip on the ice. Four weeks before my marathon debut, I had terrible knee pain on both sides that left me unable to push past about 90 minutes of running. Off to the sports medicine doctor, who apparently specialized in runners, who told me that because of my poorly aligned kneecaps, I really wasn’t built to be running marathons and maybe I should take up something else. Of course, I was just as stubborn then, and maybe even more so, but I opted not to listen to his advice and ran in the pool for every planned workout for the next 4 weeks (have you ever run back and forth in a swimming pool WITHOUT AN IPOD for 3 hours in a row???). Well, my stubbornness paid off with an unbelievable marathon run, which, to this day remains one of the highlights of my life. I had mentally rehearsed it over and over again, it went perfectly and while my goal had been just to finish, I was in the top fifteen women in the whole Edmonton Marathon that year.
So, after a sort of retirement of many years where I did triathlons and turned to mountain biking here in Squamish, I chose during the past 15 years to run mostly solo. Recently, however, I’ve decided that it is time to return to the group run thing, for the reasons featured above…but this time I am choosing the role of leader in helping others find that love of running, that stubbornness of reaching a goal and that family away from home that really understands what an accomplishment it is to get up early and run for several miles before others even get out of bed.
If you would like to push yourself this fall, we are offering a running training program to prepare for a half marathon. Check it out here!
Otherwise, if you just like to read about running once in a while, I’ll be posting a regular blog about the program and my latest adventure- running with those 5 finger Vibram shoes…when my shoes get here, I’ll let you know all about it!
by Sue on August 11, 2010
Yes, for 13 years now, my artistic skill has not gone beyond stick people (sadly). It always seems like the quickest and EASIEST way to communicate to my patients what I’d like them to do at home (although once, a client mentioned that my stick person looked more like a coat hanger than a person, I try…). The problem with the stick men is that, even when they are decipherable, they get abandoned quickly, like the latest outrageous fashion trend. 
Sadly, many clients “fall off the wagon”, so to speak, when physio is over but even more commonly WHEN THE PAIN HAS GONE AWAY. Ah ha! This could be YOU, I’ve described…well, trust me, I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about how I could have an impact on compliance with home exercises.
WHY does it matter? A study published this month’s issue of Arthitis Care and Research followed clients with knee and/or hip arthritis to see the effects of home exercise on their level of pain, physical function (as they saw it), physical performance and such. BIG RESULT OF THE STUDY…(drum roll please…) The compliant ones had better outcomes (less pain, better function). But, as expected, exercise adherence fell to 44% after 15 months post-discharge from physio and to 30% at 60 months. Now when I look at those time frames I think WOW! I wonder how many of my clients with stick men on their fridges are still doing there exercises at 15 weeks!!!
Which brings me to my SOLUTION to this problem of compliance. On June 28th, we launched a NEW program, Efficient Movement Class, at the clinic for clients who might want a COST EFFECTIVE way to do physio exercises with supervision, while learning about their bodies, learning exercises for other parts of the body and how to use those funny tools we get you to buy from us (foam rollers, fascia balls, small pink pain-inducing balls etc.). These classes can also be attended by people currently going to physiotherapy too.
Instead of ME telling you more about this class though, I thought I’d let one of our PARTICIPANTS, Dr.Judith Knapp, tell you about her experience:
| “I am a well educated woman, holding several degrees, including the following: Bachelors of Science in Education, Masters and Doctorate. I am very athletic and physically active in life. I have had chronic back pain for many years as well as hip and knee issues. In order to deal with the pain and limited mobility, I have gone to a combination of physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care for years. Having a formal academic education didn’t eliminate or help me deal with my pain. It also didn’t help improve my quality of life.
It wasn’t until now that I am really learning to understand, manage and treat my own pain when and where it arises. Combined with the specific exercises given to me by Susan and Donna, the information I have received in the Movement Classes has allowed me to better understand how my body works and how I can self treat my pain. The Movement Classes have also given me many strategies to use to prevent stress and strain in various muscle groups throughout my body. I feel I have more control over my wellness in general. Specifically, I can immediately deal with such things as a stiff neck, tight muscles or aches while I relax at home. I am more knowledgeable and independent. I can take care of my pain and discomfort, wherever I am. This knowledge has enhanced and improved my quality of life in general.
Sure, I will still visit the professionals when needed. Having the understanding and ability to self help my body are amazing advances in my personal life education.
Sue, thank you and the staff at Reach Physio Solutions for having the foresight to help people help themselves. Thank you for an education in knowing my body!
As a side note, my husband is an experienced athlete and aerobic instructor. He has attended three classes and has openly admitted to his friends that he learned a great deal about managing his muscle pain through stretches, rolling and applying pressure. He was most impressed with the proactive approach to understanding how the body works and using preventative measures to stay flexible and pain free. Plus, he added that his neck has never felt better in years!” |
If you want to know more about the class, visit this page. We are offering a special promotion if you purchase a package of 8 sessions before September 1st, each session will be less than $10 a class. The code is MOVEAUGUST2010 and you can use this link to purchase the Movement Class 8 Drop-in Pass there and enter the code when asked…
