The Equine Documentalist’s Post

Enhancing running injury prevention strategies with real-time biofeedback: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Shen et al, 2024 Join The Progressive Podiatry Project's monthly Research Round-Up for free. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gexV-yz9 🏃♂️ Loading Variables Assessed in the Study ▪ Plantar Loading ▪ Vertical Average Loading Rate (VALR) ▪ Vertical Ground Reaction Force (vGRF) ▪ Vertical Impact Peak (VIP) ▪ Vertical Instantaneous Loading Rate (VILR) 🔍 Monitoring and Changes with Biofeedback 🤓 Visual Biofeedback (VB) ▪ Utilised tools such as monitors, projectors, or watches to present visual cues related to biomechanical variables. ▪ Participants received immediate visual feedback during running or training sessions. ▪ Cues included setting a reduced level of Plantar Loading, Vertical Average Loading Rate, or Vertical Ground Reaction Force, and increasing step rate. ▪ Participants adjusted their gait based on the visual cues provided. 🗣 Auditory Biofeedback (AB) ▪ Integrated biofeedback into musical feedback, activating a warning sound in response to high-impact movements. ▪ Participants found it challenging to determine the extent of movement correction based on auditory cues. Combined Biofeedback (CB) was also utilised, offering a multi-sensory approach to gait retraining. 💡 Gait Modification Effects ▪ Significant reductions in loading variables observed post-training with both VB and AB interventions. ▪ VB demonstrated a greater impact on reducing metrics like Plantar Loading, VALR, and VILR compared to AB. ▪ VB interventions lead to more substantial effects on gait modification. Article Link: https://lnkd.in/gZrZUxBe #podiatry #sportspodiatry #gaittraining #running #runninginjur #runningrehab

Unraveling the Foot's Complex Movements: The Axis of Henke. Ever wondered how your foot can effortlessly adapt to uneven terrain, absorb shock, and propel you forward? 👣✨ The secret lies in its intricate movement around the Axis of Henke. What is the Axis of Henke? Named after the German anatomist who discovered it, the Axis of Henke is an oblique axis that runs through the foot, allowing it to perform a complex combination of movements. This dynamic interplay of motions is crucial for efficient and injury-free locomotion. The Three Planes of Motion. The foot's movement around the Axis of Henke occurs in three primary planes: - Sagittal Plane: This plane divides the body into left and right halves. In the sagittal plane, the foot undergoes dorsiflexion (lifting the toes towards the shin) and plantarflexion (pointing the toes downward). - Frontal Plane: This plane divides the body into front and back sections. In the frontal plane, the foot experiences inversion (turning the sole inward) and eversion (turning the sole outward). - Transverse Plane: This plane divides the body into upper and lower halves. In the transverse plane, the foot undergoes adduction (moving the foot towards the midline of the body) and abduction (moving the foot away from the midline). The Role of Pronation and Supination The combination of these movements, particularly in the frontal and transverse planes, gives rise to two essential foot motions: - Pronation: A complex movement involving eversion, abduction, and dorsiflexion. Pronation unlocks the foot, allowing it to adapt to uneven surfaces and absorb shock. - Supination: The opposite of pronation, involving inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion. Supination locks the foot, providing rigidity for propulsion. Why is this important? Understanding the Axis of Henke and the foot's intricate movements is crucial for: - Injury Prevention: Recognizing abnormal pronation or supination can help identify potential risk factors for injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures. - Performance Enhancement: Optimal foot mechanics can improve running efficiency, reduce fatigue, and enhance athletic performance. - Gait Analysis: By analyzing foot motion during gait, healthcare professionals can identify gait deviations and recommend appropriate interventions. By appreciating the complexity of the human foot and its remarkable ability to adapt to various terrains, we can take steps to maintain foot health and optimize our movement. #footbiomechanics #gaitcycle #sportscience #biomechanics #podiatry #physicaltherapy #running #walking #exercise

The Power (Or Destruction) of the PT Warmup: How often do we give this typical warmup to our more ACTIVE patients? ⦁ "Hop on the NuStep for 8 minutes!" ⦁ "Let's do the treadmill for 8 minutes." ⦁ "Start on the bike for 8 minutes." ⦁ "Arm bike: 4 minutes forward, 4 minutes backward!" We could just record ourselves saying, “Treadmill, 8 minutes!” and play it for patients when they walk in. We say it's to help them "warm up." But is it really effective for patients who can be on their phones or those who just finished at practice or finished exercising on their own? Or is it a way to: ⦁ Take a longer break before starting our day or our break after lunch ⦁ Fill 8-minute billing codes and call it "skilled care"? ⦁ Catch up on documentation Better Alternatives for the ACTIVE Patient: "Let’s hit the *xyz* machine for 4 minutes HARD and stay above this speed." ⦁ This gets the heart rate up faster. "Let’s do a dynamic warmup with stretching and mobility." ⦁ Walking lunges, side lunges, high kicks, walking RDLs, etc. "Let’s do a dynamic warmup with low-level plyometrics." ⦁ A skips, B skips, broad jumps, ladder drills, etc. These alternatives are more engaging, intentional, and help patients feel better prepared for their exercises. Why not aim for quality and effectiveness from the start?

Dive into this interesting read on "5 Things Every Athlete Should Know About the Pelvic Floor", and how it impacts athletic performance. From understanding the role of pelvic floor muscles in core stability to recognizing the signs of overactivity, this resource provides valuable insights for improving athlete care. Some key takeaways include: 1. The pelvic floor is often overactive, not weak. 2. It’s a crucial part of the core, impacting overall stability. 3. Kegels may not always be the solution for tight pelvic floor muscles. 4. These muscles work in tandem with the hips and spine. 5. Proper breathing techniques are essential for pelvic floor health. Click the link below to read more and guide your patients in enhancing their performance and preventing injuries, and comment your takeaways! 💪 #PelvicHealth #CalderaMedical #AthleteCare #HealthcareResources #PatientEducation

Powerlifting requires immense strength, precision, and technique, but it also places a lot of strain on your body, particularly on your spine and joints. As a chiropractor specialising in sports performance and a powerlifter myself, I understand the challenges you face. Common Injuries in Powerlifting: Powerlifters often experience injuries related to overuse, poor lifting form, or muscle imbalances. The most typical injuries include: · Lower back pain due to excessive pressure on the spine during deadlifts and squats. · Knee pain from repetitive squats and leg presses. · Shoulder and elbow issues from bench pressing and overhead lifts. · Wrist or hand strain from gripping heavy weights. While you might be used to pushing through these "niggles," ignoring them can significantly impact your performance and lead to more serious problems down the line. Chiropractic treatment is an invaluable tool for powerlifters. Modern chiropractic care integrates cutting-edge technology and holistic methods to address both acute injuries and the underlying imbalances that lead to them. Here’s how we help: · Spinal adjustments: These can correct misalignments caused by heavy lifting, helping to reduce pain and improve movement patterns. · Soft tissue therapy: This aids in releasing tension, improving muscle elasticity, and promoting better recovery. · Percussion therapy & other advanced methods: Target deep muscle knots and promote blood flow to speed up healing. · Postural analysis & biomechanical assessments: Ensure your lifting technique is on point, reducing the risk of future injuries. If you’ve been feeling the strain of heavy training, or just want to optimise your performance, chiropractic care can make all the difference. A proper recovery and injury prevention plan tailored to your needs will keep you at your peak and performing your best. #Powerlifting #SportsChiropractor #Chiropractor #StrengthTraining #CounterBalanceTherapy

Farmer’s walks are a compound exercise that primarily works on glutes, quads, hamstrings, as well as your traps, shoulders and arm muscles. In addition, spinal muscles, core muscles and other body muscles are involved in the movement to aid balance, support and stabilization. 🌀Benefits of Farmer’s Walks ⚡Strengthen Grip ⚡Gain Muscle Mass ⚡Increase Postural Strength and Control ⚡Enhance Core Stabilization and Bracing ⚡Develop Athleticism ⚡Maximize Pulling Strength Aim for Stronger Glutes "greater stride length and reduced ground contact time.” Enhance Core Stabilizationand Bracing the ability to resist spinal rotation, flexion, and extension. That means that ⚡maintaining a rigid spine throughout the walk challenges the core that is key to injury prevention and force production. ⚡stronger trunk extension and hip extension and an increase in maximal lifting power. increase the muscle thickness of the internal obliques 🌀When good technique is used during running or daily tasks, power is generated through the hips and is transmitted through a stiffened or “braced” core . 🌀Core bracing and dynamic stability is key in both athletic movements and essential in both strength and conditioning rehabilitation

Why You Need Good Glutes! Your Glutes are some of the most important muscles for walking, balance and function! Gluteus Maximus extends your hip- helping to propel you forwards while walking. Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus abduct your hip- taking your hip out to the side essential for stability when weight-bearing.   Problems with the glutes can cause pain, difficulty with function such as walking, balance, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair. Here are 5 reasons why you need strong glutes: 1. Stability: Strong hip abductor muscles are essential for stabilizing the pelvis during activities like walking, running, and standing, preventing pelvic drop and maintaining proper alignment. 2. Balance: Hip abductor strength contributes to maintaining balance and preventing falls, particularly when weight shifts to one side during movement. 3. Injury Prevention: Weak hip abductors increase the risk of various lower limb injuries, including hip, knee, and ankle issues, as well as compensatory injuries in other parts of the body. 4. Functional Movement: Adequate hip abductor strength supports smooth and efficient movement patterns, ensuring proper biomechanics during daily activities and sports. 5. Rehabilitation: Strengthening the hip abductors is crucial for rehabilitating conditions like Trendelenburg gait, as it helps restore normal gait patterns and prevents further complications or secondary injuries. See our full guide here: https://lnkd.in/e3eeJsNx

Can a turtle neck cause running injury? 🐢🏃♂️ I have to admit this study made me laugh! When do you ever see the term ‘turtle neck’ in a scientific paper?! 😂 Alongside forward head posture (FHP), pelvic drop also appeared to be associated with running injury: “The difference in hip hike and FHP emerged as key predictors of running-related musculoskeletal injury occurrence from our logistic regression analysis” But I’m not sure how they can truly be ‘predictors’ when the this was a retrospective study of runners who had previously been injured (compared to those who have never had a running injury). Studies of this type can’t establish cause. The method also raises some questions. Forward head posture was measured from a rear view camera without sensors. I’d expect this to create measurement error and be less accurate than a side view. So these findings need to be interpreted carefully but it is valuable to assess the whole runner including head and neck position during gait. Then we can reason through whether they may be placing more stress on sensitive tissue and consider cues that may help. Reference: Nam, H.W.; Yang, J.H.; Park, S.G.; Rhim, H.C.; Kim, H.J. Is There a Pathologic Running Motion Associated with Running-Related Injuries? A Methodological Study Using a Motion Analysis System without Sensors. Medicina 2024, 60, 1249.

Is it time for a massage??? Does something feel off with your horse but you can’t put your finger on what it is? Your vet has checked and finds nothing wrong? Here are some examples of when a massage is required: Is your horse disruptive? Is this behaviour new for your horse? Signs include; ⭐️head tossing ⭐️struggling to change or keep canter leads ⭐️bucking/rearing ⭐️evading the bit ⭐️won’t stand still to be mounted ⭐️biting when saddling/girthing up Does your horse have low energy? If a general health check and feed check has been ruled out and your horse feels flat when being ridden, or is unusually fatigued then a massage could help to perk your horse back up. Massage stimulates circulation and energises the horse. Imbalanced? Does your horse prefer one rein to the other? A massage can help to rebalance your horse, by eliminating one sided stiffness and increasing flexibility and suppleness. Agitated and defensive? Has your horse suddenly started biting, pinning back ears, making faces? Massage releases endorphins as well as pin pointing areas of stress and tension, endorphins are chemicals the horse releases to relive pain and increase mood. Chronic health problems? Does your horse suffer pain, decreased mobility or imbalance? A regular massage is important for pain relief with chronic health problems such as arthritis and navicular. Post illness or surgery? After vets approval massage can help to aid recovery, massage stimulates the circulatory system and helps to speed cells to aid healing. Massage reduces pain, stiffness and inflammation. Massage helps to maintain muscle tone which is important for horses on box rest and also helps the horse to relax. Ridden work Regular massage maintenance is important for all horses no matter what there discipline. Massage helps to work out muscle spasms and improves range of motion. Release stress and trigger points. Massage helps with the removal of lactic acids from the muscle tissue. I treat a range of horses from pleasure horses to Grand Prix. Every horse will benefit from a massage. #beccimillerequinemassagepractitioner #healthyhorseisahappyhorse #horselife #equinemassage #massage #massagetherapist #muscles #horses

Unraveling the Interconnectedness of Frozen Shoulder: A Muscle System Specialist's Insight Unlocking the intricate dynamics of the human body reveals a web of interconnectedness within the muscle system, where every movement is a symphony orchestrated by the harmonious interplay of various muscles. As a Certified Muscle System Specialist, delving into the complexities of conditions like frozen shoulder unveils a profound understanding of how disruptions in one area can reverberate across the entire system, influencing function and movement. At the epicenter of this intricate network lies the shoulder, a pivotal joint that serves as a nexus connecting the upper body's musculature. When afflicted with frozen shoulder, this once-fluid joint becomes encumbered with inflammation, stiffness, and restricted mobility. However, the repercussions extend far beyond the confines of the shoulder joint itself. The interrelation between muscles extends beyond isolated movements; it encompasses a delicate balance of tension and relaxation, where each muscle's function is intertwined with its counterparts. In the case of frozen shoulder, this equilibrium is disrupted, triggering a cascade of compensatory mechanisms throughout the muscle system. A restriction in shoulder mobility can trigger a domino effect, affecting adjacent joints and muscle groups. Compromised mobility in the shoulder may lead to compensatory movements in the neck, upper back, and even down to the lower body, predisposing individuals to musculoskeletal imbalances and discomfort. Understanding this intricate relationship offers a blueprint for intervention tailored to alleviate pain and restore optimal function. By addressing not only the symptoms of frozen shoulder but also the underlying imbalances within the muscle system, Certified Muscle System Specialists can implement targeted strategies to promote healing and rehabilitation. As Certified Muscle System Specialists, it is our mission to unravel these complexities, offering insight and intervention to empower individuals on their journey toward optimal musculoskeletal health. #muscles #system #exercise #tampa #florida #shoulderpain