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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, Triathlon 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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Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making you feel cared for.
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Denise has worked on areas of severe pain and has diminished them to a tolerable level.
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The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return to playing basketball.
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I needed help.  Denise and the manual touch provided the best customized, targeted therapy I could have found.  She put my torn knee back together, straightened my back, worked with me to regain the mobility I’d lost due to a neck injury, even had me doing dance steps I’d not done in 60 years.  I didn’t think I could do this; she showed me I could.
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I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic condition which affects the connective tissue throughout my body. As a result of this disorder I deal with ongoing severe acute and chronic pain and a variety of other rare overlapping conditions such as thoracic outl… Read more
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I had constant neck pain from a car accident 2 years ago.  I went through PT somewhere else without any good results.  I then was recommended to come to The Manual Touch PT. At my first appointment I could tell that Denise was able to get right to the point of my problems.  After numerous therapy sessions I felt such a relief of my constant pain.  It is better now, I can sleep better and use less pain medication.  My goal is to avoid surgery and I feel hopeful that will be possible.
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Denise Schwartz at Manual Touch is a marvelous diagnostician and therapist. During the past few years, I’ve sought out Denise’s care for various physical limitations. I am continually amazed by her ability to determine my discomfort’s cause as well as by the effectiveness of the exercises she recommends to ease my pain. She also knows how to best manipulate my aching joints to bring relief. I can whole-heartedly recommend Denise because she is a skilled, proficient, compassionate professional. … Read more
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I saw Denise for ongoing heal pain as well as an athletic back pain injury. My back pain is gone and my heal pain (which I’ve had for several years) is significantly better so that it doesn’t interfere with activity. The exercises Denise gave me have strengthened my core and will prevent future injuries. Not only that, she provides personalized and attentive treatment the entire visit (much more personalized care than traditional PT centers). I highly recommend Denise!
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Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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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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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

Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making… Read more
Denise has worked on areas of severe pain and has diminished them to a tolerable level.
The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return… Read more
I needed help.  Denise and the manual touch provided the best customized, targeted therapy I could have found.  She put my torn knee back together, straightened my back, worked with me to regain the mobility I’d lost due to a neck injury, even ha… Read more
I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlo… Read more
I had constant neck pain from a car accident 2 years ago.  I went through PT somewhere else without any good results.  I then was recommended to come to The Manual Touch PT. At my first appointment I could tell that Denise was able to get right … Read more
Denise Schwartz at Manual Touch is a marvelous diagnostician and therapist. During the past few years, I’ve sought out Denise’s care for various physical limitations. I am continually amazed by her ability to determine my discomfort’s cause as well a… Read more
I saw Denise for ongoing heal pain as well as an athletic back pain injury. My back pain is gone and my heal pain (which I’ve had for several years) is significantly better so that it doesn’t interfere with activity. The exercises Denise gave me have… Read more
Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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
Read More

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The information provided on The Manual Touch Physical Therapy website is for personal and noncommercial use only. The resources and content provided should be used for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for appropriate medical care. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort please seek medical attention.