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Getting your gait assessed in store when buying trainers is no bad thing if you have no idea what type of runner you are.

But the rules they use to match you to a pair of shoes are very over simplified. They can guide you on what shoes may suit your running style but they have no knowledge on the underlying causes of why you run like that. You may be advised to wear a stability shoe due to flat feet or overpronation – but in fact if your foot shape and movement is down to skeletal structure as opposed to muscle function and you will find a stability shoe too aggressive and uncomfortable.

These people tend to say ‘I was advised to get a stability shoe to address my foot posture but I had to stop wearing them because they felt like the arches were poking into the soles of my feet.’ These shoes are therefore not appropriate. If it doesn’t feel totally perfect in store then they are not going to start to feel good once you’ve left the store.

Any shop selling you running trainers should have the availability for you to try the trainers whilst running. You will move in a totally different way when running compared to standing or walking and what feels good standing in a shop does not necessarily mean it feels good to run in.

 

When you get home with your new running trainers:

The key thing with any new running trainers is to break them in gradually. Even between brands and between models within brands there are variations in the technology and materials used. Changes in the amount of shock absorption or areas of stability/mobility will change how much stress goes through each area of your foot and ankle. Any sudden change in stressors will have the potential to overload tissues in the body and lead to injury.

Start with shorter runs and build up the time spent in new trainers gradually. Be guided by any ‘hot spots’ of soreness you feel after a run in them. If you run too far too soon you are more likely to miss these warning signs and get a full blown injury.

 

Lastly:

More expensive does not mean better. It also does not mean more comfortable or any less likely to cause you issues. The latest fashion new releases are also not always a great place to start. High fashion does not mean they will suit your needs. Also if they do end up feeling good and you want to buy more in the future you want a reliable line you know they will continue to reproduce. The elites get away with running events in the latest footwear because they are strong enough and well trained enough to tolerate regular changes in footwear, they factor this in to their training schedules. It is also likely in their contract that they have to wear them, whether they like them or not!

Toe box, heel cup, heel lift, cushioning, support

Look at your feet – an aerial view of the shape of your trainer should be a similar shape to your foot. – If you have a wide foot you will need a wide trainer and/or a wide foot box (bit where your toes go). If you have a narrow heel you will need a suitable heel cup to ensure your rear foot does not slide around.

Pronation is a normal part of gait that is both necessary and important. Your foot shape and skeletal structure will play a role in determining the posture and mechanics of your foot. Just because someone tells you that you have flat feet or that you pronate, do not be scared into trusting they know what trainers will suit you.

If you have limited ankle range of movement, have super tight calves, or spend a lot of your day in heels then you are likely to need some heel drop, going to a totally flat sole may cause you issues.

Does your trainer meet the needs of the demand of the type of running you intend to do?

Does it fit properly and is it comfortable to wear? It should be totally comfortable right from the start.

Buying a shoe that fits and is comfortable and is specifically suited to your sport and body type is the most important thing.

Buy trainers which you find comfortable and designed to meet the needs of your event/body size. If you run sprints on track then buy light, spike designed shoes; if you run marathons spend the money on marathon shoes which have cushioned soles for running longer distances; if you are heavy set then buy something with lots of cushioning to try and help protect you joints. Whatever you buy…break them in gradually.

 

I first opened the door of The Physio Clinic in May 2007.  Just me. It was a big decision.  I say ‘just me’ but I had the support of family and friends and most importantly, Tracy, my wife.  I’d been working very successfully as a private physiotherapist for several years for BUPA hospitals, The Jonathan Webb Clinic and at other private practices.  I’d taken the bold step to set up my own clinic!  Why?  To deliver my vision of what physiotherapy should be – that understanding and treating the cause of the problem and educating people, not just helping with pain, was fundamental to my success in helping my patients achieve their goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had taken several months of planning and hundreds of hours of thought and decision making from what to call the company, to what type of paper to use for the letterhead.  Decisions, decisions, decisions…. I’d like to make special thanks to Lisa from ‘Drawn 2 Design’ for helping with the company image and brand and Wayne from ‘Tooze IT’ (now Blaze Concepts) for getting the first website up and running, two of the most important aspects to getting the company off the ground.

 

 

The doors first opened on the single room with me working only part time at the clinic as I was still working 20+ hours for The Jonathan Webb Clinic and 30+ hours for myself!  Very quickly clinics were filling up as the demand for high quality physiotherapy and my reputation for providing a first class service grew.  Within the first year I had taken on a part time physiotherapist to help with demand and a sports massage therapist to provide additional support and services to the clinic.

Growth continued and in 2010 we relocated to a larger space, still within Riverside Leisure Club.  Two treatment rooms with a small reception area, a satellite clinic at a local GP surgery and an external occupational health contract.  By now I was working full time at the clinic alongside two part-time physiotherapists and a full-time massage therapist.

The Movement Health message was starting to grow.  The ethos and the team was really coming together.  The principles of understanding and treating the cause of peoples’ problems was speaking volumes and patient numbers continued to grow.  Our Google reviews gave testament to our customer service and reputation.

Further growth, and in 2016 the clinic expanded again at Riverside Leisure Club.  Now three treatment rooms and a larger reception, extended occupational health contracts, sports contracts, links with running groups and organisations including DB Max.  The team had now grown to 6 physiotherapists, 2 massage therapists, Movement Specialists, plus other support staff, administrators and coaches.  Our range of services has grown and now encompasses a broader range of ways to maintain and improve health, wellness and performance.  We now offer Movement Screening, Strength and Conditioning coaching, running analysis, Pilates, Acupuncture, Compex Electrical Muscle stimulation, and more…..

 

So yes, we are going strong.  But sadly, success doesn’t come without a cost and that cost has been my clinical time.  Over the last 10 years I’ve built up a large list of clients whom I’ve helped overcome many varied problems, often seeing them on repeated visits for different complaints, not to mention holding many sets of ‘Happy Families’ where I’ve treated several generations of a family.  Unfortunately balancing my passion for clinical work and running a successful company has resulted in a reduction in the number of clinics I now run and my availability.  I now take this opportunity to say to all my previous clients and future users of the clinic that I am proud to have a team of therapists and support staff who share my values and clinical ethos. A team who I trust to deliver the quality of service that people have grown to expect and a team that I will continue to be a part of, both as clinician and mentor, delivering expert care and overseeing the growth and continued success of The Physio Clinics vision of what Physiotherapy should be.  So, rest assured, if I’m not available to assess or treat you, my team has my back and will provide you with the care and service you and others have come to expect, building our success for the future.