TRIGGER POINT Performance Therapy Australia

I love pushing my body to its limits! As a sports physiotherapist and elite marathoner I also know that I could not achieve my personal best performance without really good soft tissue therapy. Whilst training in Boulder, Colorado last year I started using Trigger Point products to help cope with my big training and racing load (up to 170km running per week training and multiple road races in 2010). I have used many different foam rollers/massage balls etc in the past but nothing compares to the Trigger Point range of products.  In my opinion it is the “Rolls Royce” of soft tissue/trigger point/myofascial release products and I highly recommend it to all serious athletes and health professionals. Since returning back home to Australia I have been consistently using the hip dysfunction kit and consider it to be an essential part of my weekly program. It is definitely a “love/hate” relationship as I am able to inflict lots of nasty pain on myself…especially my calves –which are always tight and painful! I loved attending the Trigger Point Regen Class held in my home city of Melbourne in March and learned many valuable tips from Kristian on how best to release different body parts including some I did not even realize were that tight and sore!

You can check out their full range of products at www.tptherapy.com.au I am a big fan of the footballer, quadballer & the baller block for releasing any tight spots from the toes all the way up to the neck! The Grid Foam Roller is hands down the best foam roller on the market and an essential part of my home therapy kit. Kristian also has some great video clips explaining "how to" release different body parts which are well worth watching to get the most out of the products. 

Happy rolling...and grimacing! Just remember "no pain...no gain!" Your body will thank-you for it when you are out your next run :-)

From Karen

TERRA PLANA VIVO BAREFOOT…the perfect casual minimalist shoe.

What to wear on your feet when you are NOT RUNNING!

Yes. You read it right. NOT running!

The recent trend to hit the running world is minimalist or barefoot running.  Many people these days have read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. If not, I highly recommend reading it. Barefoot running is natural, biomechanically efficient, and has the potential to reduce injury and improve performance when carefully incorporated into a person’s training program.

I am a huge fan of barefoot walking and believe it really helps keep my feet flexible and strong. I also train and race in lightweight running shoes.

It is fantastic to see so many people embrace the barefoot running concept. However it is disheartening to see many people who run barefoot continue to further stress their feet by wearing incorrect street shoes. Especially considering a normal running person will only spend up to 1-2 hours per day in running shoes and 8-10 hours in casual shoes. So what is the best way to strengthen your feet when you are not running?

Terra Plana make a range of minimalist shoes called Vivo Barefoot designed for barefoot walking and or running. For the past month I have been testing out the Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot Dylan. It is a super cute, eco-friendly summer casual canvas shoe which doubles as the perfect “barefoot” shoe. It has a very thin sole that is puncture-resistant and unlike most casual shoes it has a nice WIDE TOE-BOX which is essential for proper foot function. Terra Plana also make several other styles in their Vivo Barefoot range including the Aqua and Lucy which are extremely popular casual shoes in the USA. All styles come in men’s and women’s colours and sizes and can be used for walking. Their latest shoe is the Vivo Barefoot EVO which is a specific running shoe.

Running people really need to pay more attention to what they wear outside of their sport. This can be just as important for injury prevention and performance as the shoes you wear when you are running. Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot are an excellent adjunct to your running regime when worn as a casual shoe during work/walking/leisure activities. It can only benefit your feet (and body) and might just help mend or prevent you from further injury this year!

You can check out the Vivo Barefoot range at:

http://www.terraplana.com.au

Happy Bare Footing!

From Karen