Up & Running in the New Year?

Along the beach, boardwalk, parks or on the street, there are plenty of runners in Santa Monica and throughout LA. (After all, look at our weather compared to the icy mess back East!) And while most will tell you to start with selecting a good pair of shoes and equipping yourself with the right gear, our advice is to start from the "inside-out" by starting with preparing your body.

The proverbial "wall" that you hit with running should be from endurance and having to build up your cardiovascular system. Most people, however, will hit the wall that comes in the form of musculoskeletal pain. Whether knee pain, foot pain, hip pain, back pain or otherwise, the joints of your body that are not functioning properly will start to complain.

Pete Egoscue says in Pain Free;

Running gets the worst rap of any major sport, and many of its loudest critics are former runners. Their primary objection to running is its impact on the load-bearing joints. When those joints are unstable and out of alignment, their capacity to manage the shock of each foot strike is indeed impaired. Fancy shoes and knee braces won't help, nor will adjustments in (running) technique.

So, before you run out to get the best shoes and the stylish garb, spend some time restoring proper function within your body by doing some simple e-cises. If you've taken a significant break from running, it is likely that your gait muscles have become dysfunctional from the time off. Wake up these dormant muscles and your body will thank you for it, and you'll be able to stick to your running program a lot longer!

Egoscue can help you identify what is causing your pain or help you get on track with your workout routines by setting up your posture and function for success. Come into the clinic for a free consultation or get started by reading one of Pete Egoscue's books. I recommend "Pain Free" if you have symptoms. You can also get started with the exercises on Egoscue.com. Call to set up your free consultation and find out what the best path is for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.