Free Injury Consults

With fall sports starting this week we just wanted to remind everyone of our free 10 minute injury consults with our Certified Athletic Trainers.

If you or a loved one get injured this fall just give us a call and we will fit you in, usually that same day for a free injury consult.  We can help you decide which doctor to go to, if physical therapy would be an option, or some advice on what to do at home to manage the injury.

Our clinic numbers are:
Chanhassen- 952-448-9081
Eden Prairie- 952-873-7400
Minnetonka- 952-512-2400

Good luck this fall season!

Tough Mudder

TOUGH MUDDER

Are you tough enough?

-By Serena ATR

Two weeks ago I ran my first Tough Mudder in Somerset, Wisconsin. Below are some tips and hints I feel would have helping me in my planning and training leading up to the event.  I am already pre-registered for next year and can’t wait to do it again!

What is the Tough Mudder?

The Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed to test mental and physical toughness. It benefits the Wounded Warrior Project and encourages camaraderie over speed. The innovative events include barbwire, water, electricity, fire, heights, and of course MUD! It is such a great event; you’ll be surrounded by very positive and encouraging people. Everyone is cheering each other on and willing to help each other out. The “opening ceremony” before each wave begins will make you feel like a rock star, a great pep –talk before beginning your crazy adventure.

How to train?

It is important to strength train, as many of the obstacles require upper body strength. However, it is still a 12 mile event through very uneven terrain. Remember this is a team event and few obstacles are independent, you will need help from your teammates.  It is a long course, there will be a lot of hills and they are steep, be sure to incorporate off road running in your training. During the event there were frequent water stations with bananas and energy chews. There are parts of the course where you’ll hit a bottle neck or some obstacles may require a short wait, so you’ll have many chances to take breaks if needed. If nature calls there are porta-potties half way through the course.

What to wear?

This is a race designed around mud; mud likes to cling to clothes, so for this event less is more. Pick clothing that will stay in place when wet or muddy. Make sure to wear good running shoes! Even though your shoes will be ruined after the race it is still 12 miles on uneven terrain and you’re going to need descent support. I would suggest no wearing no-show socks, as then get wet they will bunch up. Dig out your craziest knee high socks and show them off.

How big of team do you need?

To complete this event I would suggest at least a team of 2 if you are both very fit. If you’re a little more on the average side 4 would be ideal. Big teams are great too, we had 10 on our team and I saw many teams near 20. Teams tend to split up during the run and reconnect to help each other with the obstacles.

After the event

Following finishing your Tough Mudder you’ll be given your finisher headband and t-shirt! They also have water and protein bars at the finish line. In the participants area there are food vendors, Mudder gear, beer trucks, and a DJ/band. Our team stayed in the VIP Mudder Camping, it was very convenient, as it was only a short walk to check-in Saturday morning and a short walk back after finishing. It was very easy to arrange through the Tough Mudder website, check-in and check-out was very simple, and it is right across the street from the Apple River, if you’re feeling up to that after your event.

Official Tough Mudder Website

www.toughmudder.com

Check out these tough videos and pictures!

Tough Mudder Minnesota Official Video

http://youtu.be/zOxBm_Sy_RQ

Bike Fit

Two more of our Physical Therapists spent this last weekend in Kirkland Washington to learn all about Bike Fit.

Here are some photos from their educational packed weekend!

Mt. Rainer

Josh Rolfes DPT, Instructor Kit, Dana Birkholtz DPT and Instructor Dan

What happens in Las Vegas, doesn't stay in Las Vegas

Monday, June 24th kicked off the 64th National Athletic Training Association annual meeting and clinical symposium in Las Vegas.  A few athletic trainers from OSR Physical Therapy attended to discuss and learn from peers in today's current concepts in sports medicine.

Topics ranged from ACL rehabilitation, hamstring strain prevention and rehabilitation, head injuries and concussions, emergency preparedness and much more.  Speakers ranged from athletic trainers, physical therapists and physicians.

One of the more intriguing presentations given during the three day symposium was from NATA president Jim Thornton.  He discussed the recent decision on keeping the profession name, athletic trainer, as that has been a hot topic for some time now. Athletic trainers often fight the public perception that personal training and athletic training are one in the same professions.  

Making it well known that athletic trainers are board certified health care providers is important to the profession and OSR Physical Therapy as they play a key role in the everyday patient care at OSR Physical Therapy.

Below is a link to help explain exactly what an athletic trainer is (and is not):

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/NATM-2011-AT-Not-Trainer.pdf

Improving jump height

Do you practice plyometrics? Do you want better jumping abilities? Take a look at the science and program design behind plyometrics to really help understand how to improve your training plan!

Tips for golfers!

Do your holiday plans include golf outings? OSR has 2 employees that are also instructors with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). We thought that sharing these tips from the NASM blog might help with injury prevention for your game! Have a question? Leave us a post!

Triathlon season is here

Triathlon season is here and ramping up over the next couple of weeks.  Do you compete?  A lot of people compete in them worldwide every year.

Here is an interesting write up on male triathletes over 40.  Since we work with a lot of male endurance athletes we wanted to share it.

Enjoy!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-20/men-over-40-should-think-twice-before-running-triathlons.html