Page 79 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • HEALTH

On the run Q & A

HEALTH AND FITNESS
Amanda Sumner
The team at PhyxMe provides Senior Physiotherapist
some timely advice for new –
and experienced – runners. Why did you choose physiotherapy?
I knew that I wanted to be a
Words: Emma Forbes, Physiotherapist physiotherapist from the age of 14. As
a teenager in the UK, I was a county
Whether you want to record a faster level high-jumper and would always
5km park run, or complete your first suffer with recurrent ankle sprains, so I
half marathon, many of us (including Progressive training Most running became interested in how rehabilitation
myself) have turned to running since injuries will occur due to training error. could help me improve. My parents
the closure of gyms and pools. A If you’re looking to increase distance, only also received cardiac and orthopaedic
common complaint in the PhyxMe add 10% per week. rehabilitation, so it broadened my areas
clinic is the feeling of hard and tight of interest in the subject.
muscles during or following a run. Runners are most prone to injuries
Naturally, stretching seems to be the in their first year after dusting off the Do you have a special area of interest?
solution, but most people will find running shoes. Paying attention to how I have undertaken further study in
little relief from vigorous foam rolling the body is responding is important for treating people with dizziness and
or muscle stretching. Muscle tightness preventing injuries and improving overall vertigo and also enjoy using equipment
will often occur due to overload, where run times and distances. based Pilates to rehabilitate people with
the demand for power is greater Physiotherapists at PhyxMe are skilled movement compensations due to pain.
than muscle supply. This could be in dealing with injuries and can Since becoming a mother of two boys,
because the muscle itself is weak, or if provide a comprehensive assessment I have also expanded my skill to treat
surrounding muscles are not working of running mechanics and efficiency. paediatric patients too.
correctly then other areas are prone to Our biomechanical run assessments are
being overloaded. designed for people of all abilities who Tell us about your most challenging case.
I always love the challenge of treating
want to take their performance to the patients who are suffering from BPPV
THE SOLUTION next level. (a type of vertigo). It can be a very
Strength training. Use slow exercises overwhelming condition due to the
where the muscle is lengthening TOP TIPS FOR INJURY vertigo and nausea associated. I spend a
under load (eccentric training). This FREE RUNNING lot of time reassuring my patients during
will stimulate muscle growth and assessment but know that effective
the addition of more working motor 1. Start small treatment with the Epley Manoeuvre will
units. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Run resolve their symptoms and this can be
alternating days, and make sure to finish
your run with a little left in the tank. life changing for people.

2. Invest in gear that’s right for you
On Running is the fastest growing shoe
brand in the world. Their innovative All we have to decide is
Swiss-engineering will make a difference
to your training. Come into the clinic to what to do with the time
get shoes fitted to your running style. that is given us

3. Mix up your training JRR Tolkien
Have fast days and slow days, train on Author
pavements and in parks.

PHYXME IS THE Focus on cushioning, Freedom for Harness balance Running is a sport,
EXCLUSIVE STOCKIST not correction your feet & momentum not an illness
OF PERFORMANCE Instead of correcting A team of cloud Your running shoe Flat feet and other
RUNNING SHOES BY your movement, elements on the should transform deficiencies are
ON, A SWISS BRAND On lets you run how sole actively reacts your motion into not static but can
WITH A UNIQUE you were meant to your individual forward momentum. be improved through
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY. to run. running motion. training.

79 • tropicnow.com.au