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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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Why Videotaping your Running is Important

July 22, 2018 By Denise Schwartz 1 Comment

Why Videotaping Your Running is Important

It’s impossible to see the nuances of running with the naked eye, so it’s important to videotape your running and watch it in slow motion. I use an app you can download on your phone, which makes it easy to grab a running buddy and videotape each other.

Over the years, I’ve seen Carney with various injuries. He is an amazing 65+ age group triathlete who recently tore his left calf muscle. He quickly overcame his injury by abstaining from running and faithfully doing his physical therapy exercises. In 6 short weeks, he was ready to hit the ground running. But, before he jumped back into his regular training routine, we videotaped his running at various speeds (his typical training paces) to see if he had any issues at the faster paces. Overall, at all 3 speeds his basic running form looked good.

What does ‘good running form’ look like?

  • Running tall and looking straight ahead
  • Engaging the core/lower abdominals  (Watch this video to see how to engage your abs)
  • Swinging your arms at 90 degrees, close to body, driving elbows back, but not crossing your body
  • Foot strikes landing close to your body
  • Knees pointing straight ahead
  • Ankles leaning slightly
  • Cadence around 172-185 steps/minute

Carney had great running form, but when we looked beyond the basics we found some issues.

Looking Beyond the Basics

For runners, it’s important to look beyond the basics of good running form to identify issues such as muscle imbalances or weaknesses, decreased joint mobility or loss of movement, and neuromuscular timing issues. In Carney’s case, here’s what I found:

  • At a 10 min pace, no significant issues
  • At a 8:30 pace, a mild right hip drop
  • At a 8:00 pace, an increasing right hip drop

Why Videotaping Your Running is Important

What does this indicate?

When the right hip drops greater than the left hip drop, it indicates a weakness of the left glute and decreased neuromuscular control between his left foot and left glute. In other words, Carney’s left foot wasn’t working with his left glute efficiently.

Correcting Your Running Form

To correct this, Carney was instructed to run no faster than a 10-minute pace for the next 3-4 weeks. He was also given exercises to integrate his left foot/calf and left glute. He also worked with his tri coach to continue strengthening his left leg.

Carney returned to see me 6 weeks later and we videotaped him again at all 3 speeds and — Voila! His right hip drop decreases, thus improving his left glute strength and integration of his left foot and left glute. He was then able to run safely at the 8:30 pace for short periods and gradually worked up to longer runs at faster paces.

The Moral of the Story

Having your running analyzed by a physical therapist will help you identify and correct those little nuances that can keep you healthy throughout the race season. If you’re determined to stay healthy this season, come in a see me! I’d love to see you run.

 

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: race training, running, running analysis, running form, running portal, triathlon training, videotaping your running

About Denise Schwartz

Denise Schwartz, PT, IMT, C is the owner of The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. For over 30 years, she has been helping patients reduce pain and improve quality of life using a whole body approach. Denise specializes in chronic pain, spinal conditions, running/triathlon injuries and prevention, balance/vestibular disorders, functional exercise, kinesiotaping, and various non-traditional and traditional & manual therapies. Contact Denise at denise@themanualtouch.com

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Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength. The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to reh… Read more
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Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, after only two sessions. This is the best my elbow has felt in a year. Denise ‘gets it,’ if you will. You tell her your situation, she truly understands the problem, gets to work, and starts fixing the problem. She has, in fact, exercised herself…so… Read more
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I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking and sitting, activities which previously caused me to be in pain for several days afterwards.  But today, I’m just a little sore.  I feel I’ve made very good progress in feeling better, stronger and feel less pain.
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I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and a pain in the shoulder would be treated with strengthening the muscles around it. It never worked because shoulder pain can actually originate in other places – like hip stiffness caused by bad posture, shoes, soft chairs, etc. She really cares and edu… Read more
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I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT with good manual skills and someone who excelled at evaluating postural and functional issues.  Denise is that person and she corrected my biomechanics with exercises and manual therapy.  There are only a few PT’s that possess skills like Denise.  … Read more
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I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 visits with Denise, the pain lessened and my function improved.  After 8 visits, I was nearly painfree.  Denise and I continue to work together to improve my overall movement and muscle strength.  My body feels better than it has in years.  I hav… Read more
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I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  
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I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my strength and pain in lower back decreased from 6-7/10 to 3-4, which is give my normal life back.  Thank you very much
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When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly reduced the sensitivity to pressure that was caused by my open-heart surgery.
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Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series of exercises to increase my mobility of the lower extremities.  She was able to accurately determine the course of treatment. Denise instilled in me the importance of a continuing daily routine of exercises to decrease stiffness and increase my … Read more
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Our Mission


We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
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Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others… Read more
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, af… Read more
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking an… Read more
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and … Read more
I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT wit… Read more
I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 … Read more
I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  … Read more
I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my … Read more
When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly r… Read more
Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series… Read more
Read More

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