News and Info

When running, many things will keep you healthy, logging miles and feeling good about your fitness routine. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet, staying well hydrated, getting plenty of sleep and adequate rest/muscle recovery should be integral factors in any type of fitness routine, Yet, perhaps the most important and often overlooked factor is the running shoe. Wearing the right shoe will help you prevent injuries and recover from those that you might have already sustained. A proper evaluation of your gait, foot type and running shoe recommendation from your physical therapist is something that can help keep you running with proper form and prevent injuries.

There are three basic categories for running shoes and having your gait and your feet evaluated will help you figure out which type is right for you.

Neutral or Cushioned: This type of shoe is for the runner who supinates, has a very high arch and pushes off from the outside of their foot. Supinators do not absorb ground reaction force and shock well, so they need a very cushioned shoe with midsole shock absorbing materials.

Stability: This type of shoe is for the runner who mildly pronates, has a normal to low arch and pushes off from the middle to the inside of their foot. Mild pronators absorb ground reaction force adequately, but they need a bit more midfoot, sometimes forefoot control to prevent abnormal motion and biomechanics. Mild pronators need a shoe with moderate medial support with dual density midsole materials.

Motion Control: This type of shoe is for the runner who overpronates, has little to no arch and pushes off from the inside of their foot/first toe. Overpronators do not need cushioning as they adapt to terrain and ground reaction force well, but need a tremendous amount of control to prevent abnormal motion at their foot and subsequent abnormal motion at their ankle, knee, hip and low back. Overpronators need a shoe with dense, thermoplastic reinforcement, little to no cushioning.

Throughout the remainder of the summer and into the fall, keep this information in mind as you think about preventative measures and ways to stay healthy. Enjoy your leisurely runs and your road races and remember: if the RIGHT running shoe fits, wear it!

Be well, Stay In Motion.

All truths are NOT self evident, and NOT all are created equal. At least, not at In Motion. You see, in the proverbial pursuit of health and happiness, all physical therapists are NOT the same, not by a long shot….but, why does that matter? Because at In Motion, we believe that you, our patient, deserve the unalienable right to the best healthcare possible.

How do we deliver? Through education and specialization.

Three of nine of our clinicians are board certified in orthopedics. What’s the big deal you say? Well, out of 205,000 physical therapists employed in the USA, less than 8,500 or 4% of those are board certified…. nationwide. At In Motion, three of the nine on staff or 33% of our PT’s are board certified right here in Downingtown, PA. Two of our physical therapists have advanced credentials in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, AKA McKenzie Certified in the spine. One PT is Maitland Certifiied (COMT) in manual therapy; In Motion has clinicians certified in Kinesiotaping, and the Graston technique and ALL, yes All 9 of our clinicians are ART (Active Release Technique) certified.

So, when you consider what factors are important with respect to your healthcare needs, I hope you will think of In Motion and the emphasis that we place on combining caring and concern for you and your individual goals, personal investment in you as a unique individual, and our continued education and specialization to ensure that your health problems are history, a thing of the past!

Be well, stay In Motion!

In the beginning of May, I began to have knee pain. On the weekend of May 17th. I had to stop during a training run because the pain was so bad. On May 20th, I emailed Dr. Meyer (Christine Meyer, MD and Associates) in a panic. I thought my race season was over. That same day Dr. Meyer replied and sent me to see Kristy Harper at (In Motion Physical Therapy and Fitness Center). I saw Kristy on Thursday, May 22nd. Ten days later I raced in the Black Bear Triathlon and finished. Today, as I write this, I feel confident in my ability to complete and be competitive in my first Ironman 70.3. This is undoubtedly a result of the fast action of Dr. Meyer and the magical hands of Kristy Harper. This isn’t the first time the pair has worked together to get me back into ‘fighting shape’ but they certainly earned a lifetime of loyalty and a vocal advocate for their services, which are second to none.

See Josh’s Sponsor Info.

Neurodynamics is the idea that the nervous system: the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body are one continuous system that needs to be able to stretch, compress, and move when we move. When the nervous system loses the ability to move when we move, symptoms can be felt.

The nervous system is capable of creating a variety of symptoms including: pain, tingling, numbness, and burning just to name a few. There are many reasons why the nervous system may cause symptoms including direct trauma such as spinal cord injury, repetitive stress such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, and when the nerve roots become compressed by a intervertebral disc in the spine.

A Physical Therapist – through a thorough evaluation and using the most up to date treatments – can help restore the nervous system and the surrounding tissues to a healthy condition, resulting in less symptoms and a better quality of life.

The popularity of running and participation in sports across all ages has increased over the past few decades. While there are many health benefits to running and sports, injuries do occur. Injuries such as tendonitis, and especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears continue to limit this participation. These injuries occur in active individuals of all ages and participation levels.

There is a lot of information available, however only with expert assessment, is it possible to find the correct information for you. Out of this desire to prevent and treat injuries has evolved the Run & Sports Injury Prevention Clinic. The 2014 Run & Sports Injury Prevention Clinic is designed to give both the novice and professional runner and athlete valuable information about lower extremity biomechanical issues that can minimize injury while maximizing performance.

Chester county runners and sports participants, mark your calendars!  The second Run & Sports Injury Prevention  Clinic will be held on March 8, 2014 at the Downingtown facility of In Motion Physical Therapy and Fitness Center from 9-11 AM.  This year’s focus will be on ACL and Tendon Injury prevention.

Learn more at http://clinic.gotoinmotion.com/

In Motion Physical Therapy staff will be giving a lecture on low back pain and posture at the West Chester Area Senior Center on Aug 14th at 12:45. We look forward to seeing you there.

In Motion presents the First Annual Run-Sport Clinic.

Where: In Motion Physical Therapy, Downingtown, PA

When: Saturday March 2, 2013 9-11AM

Who: Open to anyone looking to improve performance and prevent injury, beginners to experts.

The popularity of running has significantly increased over the past few decades. While there are many health benefits to running and being active, injuries do occur. These injuries occur in runners of all ages and participation levels. There is a lot of information available, however only with expert assessment, is it able to find the correct information for you. Out of this desire to prevent and treat injuries has evolved the run-sport clinic.

The 2013 Run-sport clinic by In Motion Physical Therapy is designed to give both the novice and professional valuable information about lower extremity biomechanical issues that can maximize performance and help prevent injury.