The NYC Marathon is one of the most exciting race venues on the planet, and just being there in the midst of fellow runners is a rush. Whether you are a seasoned endurance athlete looking for a competitive edge, or a novice newbie just hoping to make it across the finish line, you are probably ready to do whatever it takes to prepare for the big race. Training timetables, controlled nutrition and optimal hydration all factor into your ultimate race performance, but there are many other strategies you should consider to optimize your training and sail across the finish line injury- free.
Mechanics are Critical
Poor gait mechanics can be a runner’s biggest enemy. Even seasoned runners need a gait evaluation and re-training from time to time. Poor running habits die hard. For new runners, gait evaluation and training are even more critical. Correcting your running mechanics early on can save you from unnecessary injury and prolong your running lifestyle. The sports medicine professionals at NYDNRehab Clinic have access to state-of- the art technology to thoroughly evaluate your gait and recommend modifications. There are no one-size- fits-all solutions to resolve deficient mechanics. A personalized evaluation and retraining program are critical to peak performance.
Treat Yourself with Care
Training for a race is time-consuming, especially when you are trying to juggle it around your work schedule and family life. In the process, it is easy to neglect yourself. Take time to soak your achy muscles in Epsom salts to boost your magnesium levels, and pay attention to pain that does not respond to normal soaking, icing and NSAID treatment. Persistent pain can signal a stress fracture or soft tissue tear. In your drive to train, you may try to ignore persistent pain, but it can lead to more serious injuries down the road that cannot be remedied. You may even have to stop running altogether. The health care professionals at NYDNRehab Clinic can provide you with top-notch treatment and therapy for your running injuries so you can quickly get back in the race.
Pace Your Training
Recovery is an important ingredient in the recipe for optimal training. In your zeal to improve your distance and run time, it is easy to fall into a trap of overtraining that leads to pain and injury. The most common types of running injuries are repetitive use injuries that result from continually pounding the pavement. A frequent injury is runners knee, an injury that results from excessive pressure on the patella, or kneecap. Because your patella anchors your large quadriceps muscles, it is subjected to a great deal of force. The injury can often be resolved by rest, ice, compression, elevation and NSAIDs, but when pain does not respond to treatment, it is time to consult an orthopedic specialist at NYDNR. You can avoid runners knee by allowing for ample rest periods in your training schedule to give your soft tissue time to recover.
Never Skimp on Shoes
Just like a helmet is requisite safety gear in sports like hockey and football, shoes are a runner’s protective athletic equipment. They support your feet, align your gait and cushion your entire body from the repetitive shock of impact. There are many athletic shoe brands, and most of them offer a variety of models that range in purpose, price and quality. Selecting the best shoe for your foot is critical to preventing injury. You can avoid trial and error by having your gait and foot structure professionally analyzed by the knowledgeable practitioners at NYDNRehab Clinic. They can steer you toward the ideal shoe that will perform best for you. Good athletic shoes may seem pricey, but they are well worth the investment if you intend to keep running. However, be advised that If you run daily, you will need to replace your shoes frequently. Many athletes buy new shoes every two to three months.
Get Serious with NYDNRehab Clinic
Whether you are an amateur runner and in it for fun, or a serious athlete who is in it to win it, the professionals at NYDNRehab Clinic can help take your running game to the next level through gait analysis, gait retraining, physical therapy and injury rehab. If running is important to you, it is worth the time and investment to seek guidance from the running experts at NYDNRehab Clinic, who can personalize your care, training and treatment.
Testimonial
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed to be a complete tear with muscle contraction under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
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