Muscles all knotted up??

Some runners have to put them selves through what people would call TORTURE to be able to run strong.  And no, I’m not referring to hill repeats or 1000m repeats on the track.  And no, I’m not referring to deadlifts or high box step ups.  
I’m talking about another form of therapy called Graston Techniques.  This form of therapy really looks like a form of torture because of the TOOLS involved!!

Today, Dr. Cupido discusses why and how Graston can help you RUN STRONG.

Graston® Technique for Runners

 
Most runners have heard of ART®, but Graston® is just starting to become better known within running circles.  This technique has been around for close to 20 years now and is part of the curriculum at 38 colleges and universities.  It was developed and researched at Ball Memorial Hospital and Ball State University in Indiana and since, the company has continued to place an enormous focus on medical research to prove its effectiveness for managing various injuries / conditions.

Graston Technique® employs specially designed stainless steel instruments with beveled edges to perform muscular and fascial mobilizations.  A multidirectional stroking technique is applied to the skin at a 30 to 60 degree angle.  In addition to removing scar tissue adhesions, this technique is proposed to enhance the proliferation of extracellular matrix fibroblasts, improve ion transport and decrease cell matrix adhesions.  That is geek talk for improving tissue health.

The following conditions respond very well to Graston® Technique:

-Fascial Adhesions / Scar Tissue
-Nerve Entrapments
-Muscle Strains (Acute or Chronic)
-Iliotibial Band (ITB) Irritation / Syndrome
-Anterior / Posterior Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
-Tendinopathies
-Runner’s Knee / Patellar Tendinopathy
-Achilles Tendinosis
-Plantar Fasciitis
-Snapping Hip Syndromes
-Post-Ankle Sprain Muscle Dysfunction
-Post-Surgical Scar Tissue
-Superior Tibiofibular Joint Fixation

As previously mentioned my blog on A.R.T.® for runners, determining and managing the cause of the injury or muscle tightness is imperative to ensure it does not return. Therefore, orthopedic, muscle, and functional testing should be performed to develop an optimal plan of management that will include not only passive care provided by the practitioner, but of course active rehabilitation performed by the patient.

Remaining healthy in the sport of running is a team effort.  Due to the demands running places on your body, tissue maintenance and preventative functional testing is a good way to remain healthy and strong. Individual rehab and “prehab” programs remain an integral component to every successful runner’s plan!

As Jon Kawamoto says, RUN STRONG!

*****

Dr. Carla Cupido, Hon. B. Kin, D.C.
Certified in A.R.T. ®, Graston® Technique, Kineio® Tape & Functional Movement Systems™
www.drcarlacupido.com

I heard really good things about it from my sister, and I could see the positive results she was getting.  I needed to do something.  I was overweight, depressed, and recovering from a back injury.  I had reached a point where simply getting up out of a chair was becoming difficult.  I knew that if I didn’t do something about it my senior years would be very burdensome to the people close to me.  I’m so glad I did!  After just a few weeks my day-to-day pain was drastically reduced, and my mobility increased. I had the confidence to try sea kayaking, and I now play ice hockey twice a week!

The key difference is the expertise.  The trainers know the gym equipment and the exercises, but they also have degrees in kinesiology, and can apply what they know to your workout.  As someone who was in poor physical condition starting out, I was worried about hurting myself.  Previously I tried an outdoor weekly bootcamp and injured my knee by pushing too hard.  The trainers at JKC constructed a program that started at the right level for me, evolving it as I grew stronger and more fit.  I feel well looked after.

My initial goal was to find qualified personal training services in a personalized small gym setting. I have never been a fan of large gyms. JKC offers a friendly, happy gym experience that motivates me to strive for bigger and better results every week. Jon, Thomas and Craig are genuinely talented and always excited to celebrate everyone’s success.

I have a passion for challenging myself to achieve or beat goals. My favourite memories take me back to greater wins than I ever imagined with deadlifts and after a lot of determination and hard work, being able to do multiple chin-ups. Training at JKC has been one of the best experiences of my life – thank you for your commitment to helping me stay fit!!💪🏼😅

I’m 43 and started at JKC just over a year ago. I started at JKC because of multiple recommendations from existing clients. There are 2 main elements that distinguish JKC for me. Firstly the sense of community. I’ve been to multiple gyms in multiple cities/countries, you just  can not manufacture the sense of community and support you get from other gym goers and the team. It’s very motivating and happy to say I’ve made some friends at JKC.

The other major distinguishing factor for JKC is the expertise and passion of the team. Jon, Thomas and Craig craft highly personalized programs based on my fitness goals and know how to push me best without being pushy. They pay close attention to ensuring my form is solid before encouraging me to take on more weight for the exercise. Plain and simple they love what they do and it shows.

The people and the training set JKC apart from other gyms or programs I’ve tried in the past. Truly Jon and Thomas meet you where are and help you get to where you want to be. There are no expectations and never any judgement. You can go there having the worst day and you always leave feeling better. Truly JKC has given me a level of strength and confidence I would not have had otherwise ❤️.

I joined JKC because I wanted to better care for my physical health, but didn’t really know how, or where, to begin.  Seeking help from a trainer seemed like a wise choice, and I had heard great things about the staff at JKC. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate exercising.  So, I’ve only ever tried sticking with a gym routine twice in my life.  Each experience consisted of me wandering around, not knowing what to do, and settling for an elliptical machine or something else that seemed comfortable and non-threatening.  Each session was the same, and I felt like I was wasting my time.

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