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8-Week 5K Running Program by Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Click the link below to access the 8-Week Beginner’s 5K Running Program:

Excel PT 5k Run Program PDF 

Your strongest miles are ahead of you!

  • If you run into any issues during your running program, a Running Clinic Evaluation can help you continue to run, pain-free.
  • During a Running Clinic Evaluation, we examine your biomechanics to identify abnormalities in your running form and weaknesses that can be the underlying pain or injury cause.
  • We will develop a personalized physical therapy treatment plan to address gait flaws and fine-tune your body for better running efficiency.

Call us at 406-556-0562 to schedule.

Exercise Induced Muscle Cramps: Kind of a Big Dill

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

You know the feeling. You can see the finish line but you can’t get there because of a sudden onset of a muscle cramp in your calf that is demanding you stop. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance were originally thought to be the cause of muscle cramping; the current theory is one of central regulation. In other words, muscle fatigue or stress create an imbalance in signals from the muscle to the central nervous system. As a result, the central nervous system alters motor neuron control and signals the muscle to continue to contract resulting in a cramp. Factors thought to be related to exercise induced muscle cramps include prolonged activity, muscle fatigue, increased exercise intensity, high levels of static stretching prior to exercise, and multiple high intensity workout days prior to competition. Muscle cramps often resolve as spontaneously as they occur, and usually within a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Suggested treatment of a muscle cramp includes rest, prolonged stretching with the muscle at full length, and pickle juice! You might think that pickle juice is related to electrolyte imbalance, but a new theory suggests that certain molecules in pickle juice (or other pungent foods) attach to receptors in the mouth and upper GI tract that are directly connected with the central nervous system. These receptors help the central nervous system to reduce the signal to the cramping muscle, therefore diminishing the cramp and your discomfort. So the next time the end is in sight but a muscle cramp is holding you back, grab your pickle juice. Because finishing a race is an accomplishment – it’s kind of a big dill.

Murray B. How curiosity killed the cramp: emerging science on the cause and prevention of exercise-associated muscle cramps. AMAA Journal 2016; Fall/Winter: 5-7.

 

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Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS specializes in manual treatment of spinal dysfunction, as well as knee and shoulder pain and is a member of the Excel Physical Therapy running specialist PT team. Megan’s philosophy for physical therapy treatment embraces educating patients about the tools they need for enhancement of proper body movements during work and play to promote a pain and injury free active lifestyle. 

Sharing Running Training Principles from The Excel PT Running Camp

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

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Excel Physical Therapy recently hosted our biennial Running Camp that reviewed the mechanics of running, training principles, and footwear to help you stay injury free during your summer running program. As it turns out, errors in training are responsible for up to 70% of running injuries.  In case you missed it, here’s a re-cap of the training principles we discussed to help reduce the risk of injury: 

  • Avoid year-long training 
  • Avoid running more than 40 miles per week 
  • Train two or more but less than 5 days per week Rest days are important! 
  • Increase mileage by no more than 10% every 2-weeks 
  • Stretch daily to ensure normal joint mobility 
  • Do strength training exercises for your core 2-3 days per week 

As runners, up to 90% of us will sustain an injury over the course of our running careers that temporarily prevents us from running. Proper training principles will help to reduce the risk of injury and improve your chances of a successful running program. 

excel-LOGO-X

Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS specializes in manual treatment of spinal dysfunction, as well as knee and shoulder pain and is a member of the Excel Physical Therapy running specialist PT team. Megan’s philosophy for physical therapy treatment embraces educating patients about the tools they need for enhancement of proper body movements during work and play to promote a pain and injury free active lifestyle. 

Running Shoes: Comfort vs. Function

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Have you ever stood in front of a wall of running shoes wondering which shoe is right for you? Maybe the Hokas with the super cushioned sole that feel like you’re running on clouds? Or the Brooks trail runners since the trails have cleared up and you’ve been wanting to try out the North Cottonwood trail? Or maybe the Saucony minimalist shoes because you’ve recently read about the benefits of minimalist running? Or my personal favorite, the hot pink shoes with tie-dye laces?! 

You may think that based on the available technology for running shoes and advancements in materials used to create modern running shoes that a plethora of running shoe research would be available. However, this is not necessarily the case.

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Stress Fractures: From Trail to Icy Sidewalk by Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Snow flurries don’t stop most runners from running here in the Gallatin Valley and while running may continue well into cooler temperatures, don’t let a running injury inhibit your ski season! Especially a stress fracture. Up to 10% of runners may suffer from a stress fracture at some point during their running career, and the majority of these injuries are due to training error. Many runners don’t consider a change in terrain a change in training, but a change from trail to icy sidewalk can make a big difference in impact. A stress fracture begins with repetitive stress to the bone such that eventually causes microdamage. (more…)

Excel PT Team to talk at Schnee's Foot Health Seminar, 4/14/2016, 7-8pm

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Not sure why your feet are hurting? Or which kind of shoe will help? Join us at Schnee’s Boots Shoes & Outdoors, Thursday April 14th from 7-8pm for a Foot Health Seminar. Megan Peach, Chad Yoakam and Jason Lunden of Excel Physical Therapy will be discussing “Foot and Arch Myths and How They Impact Your Movement”. Special Guest, Scott McCoubrey of Scott Footwear. Bring your questions for Q&A after the talk. See you at Schnee’s Montana!

Prevention! See Us Before Your Injury

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Why wait until after you are injured to see a physical therapist? Did you know that a great time to see a physical therapist is before you are injured? I recently evaluated a patient who wanted to see a physical therapist to learn a home exercise program to prevent future episodes of low back pain. (more…)

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"Matt Schumacher, DPT was great, helpful and informative, gave good exercises and manual therapy." -- Bozeman Client

View more testimonials from Excel PT clients »