Now that every Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, and Personal Trainer claim to be a running gait, and biomechanical expert, I felt the need to share a letter and my thoughts with you.

"Hey Dr. Greenapple, I came and saw you awhile back, I ran for xxxx at xxxx High School, and I am pretty sure I had seen you about hip flexor issues.  I had a stress fracture on my right big toe my junior year ( I am now a freshman in college), and I think ever since then it has sort of thrown off my junning form and has given me and on and off hip issues.  You had said I'm sure it was a strength and flexibility problem, and gave me some exercises to do.  Since then, I've sort of just dealt with it, my whole senior year XC season I was pretty much pain free until track season when I started haveing issues again.  I went and saw xxxxx, and he told me it wasn't as much strength issues but my form because I was sinking back and running on my heals.  Anyway, I took off and really haven't been running too much at all lately, but I've noticed since late summer I've been getting the same ailments again off and on.... I find I have good weeks where I'm pain free and able to work out comfortably but then all of a sudden I'll just regress back into having pain and most of the time it alternates sides so sometimes my left hip hurts, sometimes my right hip hurts, and I even had lower back issues at one point..... The most pain comes whenever I try to accelerate, I find that I can hardley sprint most days if I ever have to, plus apparently I walk with a limp now....Anyway, sorry for such a long stream of consciousness, but I really want to jsut get rid of this problem once and for all, and was hoping maybe you could give me some advice.... Do you think it is a strength issue?  I just don't understand how I've been able to run so many miles and do so much other exercising, yet still they aren't strong enough.  Also I've been stretching a lot and have good flexibility......."

This is classic!!!  Everyone out there is telling runners how to run.  There are books with hundreds of pages and certifications you can get (online courses), weekend seminars etc, that tell you to lean forward. I guess that now makes you an expert?  Let me give you my opinion (call me if you want to know my so called expertise on running biomechanics).  First of all, I do believe there are inherently important aspects to running, form, and biomechanics.  However, you must be strong enough, balanced enough, flexible enough, and most important stable enough to try and get into a more effecient style of running.  You should not try and change to someones so called " correct form".  One must look at the entire equation.  The function of the athlete and their ability to perform certain movement patterns is the key to changing your form.  This "kid" was the perfect example.  He was told he was sitting back and running on his heals.  This is a strength issue!  His gluteus medius was not firing properly to hold him up.  He was told to lean forward at the ankles and stand up.  Now he was in the "correct" running posture.  The problem is, he is still totally dysfunctional!  Now he running correctly, and everything is hurting and falling apart.  His question as to how he can be weak with all the activity he is doing is also classic.  The answer is simple, specificity.  It's not about how many sets, and how many miles.  It's about figuring out what exactly is wrong and correcting those issues. Be careful when trying to change your gait, and form.  Everyone has their own uniqueness, body types, and style.  There are many aspects to form and function be it running, swimming, or on the bike.  Look at the entire equation, not just what someone told you is the "correct way".  Now that there are so many books and experts out there changing athletes forms, my office is booming.

Saturday, May 14th 9:00-11:00am: 

Greenapple Sports and Wellness   

 Our friends from Greenapple Sports and Wellness will be at TrySports on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00am.  Dr. Scott Greenapple and Dr. Mike Duffy will be doing Computerized Video Gait Analysis, going over gait mechanics, corrective exercises, running drills,and offering ART treatments.  Dr. Greenapple will be answering all questions on Sports- Specific Acupuncture for anything from ITB to Plantar Fascia problems.  He will also be fielding questions on Laser, ART, kinesiotape and all other current treatments that he has introduced to the Charlotte running community.  Read more about Greenapple Sports and Wellness at DrGreenapple.com.  To RSVP, email justinbreland@trysports.com  Spots are limited.

Another great Tri event yesterday.  So many patients and friends coming by the booth after the race (and some before for some last minute kinesiotape and "tune ups). We added two massage therapists due to the demand of athletes wanting treatment after the race, and now were able to handle the long lines we typically have at these events.  Thanks for everyones patience.  Also, we have brought on Robin Farina owner of Uptown Cycles, top 10 pro female racer, and pro bike fitter.  She has been on hand to offer free bike fitts, and consultations about riding in general.  She will also be holding some bike clinics in the fall, so make this off season count and tune up on your skills.  With ART, Kinesio taping, massage, functional movement screens, gait analysis, and bike fitts, it was a busy, but productive day.  All this after team Greenapple (Dr. Duffy and Dr. Clay) did the race as a relay, and I did the race solo.  Makes for a long, but fun morning.

Best story:  A guy came up to me after I finished racing and was working on someone, and asked if I remembered him.  Honestly, I did not.  He told me about 13 years he came to my office (this is when I first moved to Charlotte after practicing in California for 10 years) due to on going back pain.  He was told by two orthopedic Doctors he needed surgery for his back.  He told me after two treatments by me he was 90% better and after six, he was pain free.  He told me he was so skeptical at first because he didn't "believe" in Chiropractors (guess I was a figment of his imagination) and did not expect to feel anything except increase in his pain.  He then moved to Charleston and has tried many Chiropractors over the years for off and on back issues, but was never satisified.  He did find one, but she has moved away.  He told me he remembered all those triathlon pictures we had in the office and it inspired him to try one last year.  This was his second race, and ironically saw me there and came over to share his story.  Its stories like this that make me remember why I became a Doctor of Chiropractic.  Good luck to everyone and stay healthy.

Great day at LKN Triathlon.  So good to see so many of our patients, friends and athletes with strong finishes, and survive the swim with the goose dumping ground in the lake!  Thanks to all for stopping by and getting some Chiropractic care, ART, Kinesiotape, and bike fitting from Pro Cyclist Robin Farina.  Hope we got to everyone, as it was busy, busy, busy, the way we like it.