Jackie Oliver, DPT, physical therapist with Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, recently completed the Kevin Wilk Shoulder and Knee Course in Seattle, Washington. This advanced-training course presented the most recent, relevant and state-of-the-art treatment options for the most challenging and unusual problems of the shoulder and knee joints. This evidence-based course also focused on the most comprehensive and effective information regarding shoulder and knee post-operative treatment as well as rehabilitation tactics for general knee and shoulder pain. Kevin Wilk is our country’s leading authority in sports and orthopedic injury rehabilitation.

Nearly all injuries in alpine skiing are classified as traumatic, or due to a fall.  As mentioned earlier, under Strength & Injury Prevention, the majority of knee injuries in alpine skiing occur on the left knee.   Therefore it is important to work on your ski technique to be able to turn equally well to your right and left.  With the snowpack being shallower and conditions not yet epic, the early season is a great time to work on perfecting your turns.  Aim to stay balanced on your skis with your hips centered and perfect your turns to both sides.  A Professional Ski Instructor or coach can make all the difference, so take the time to perfect your technique by taking a lesson at one or our local ski resorts, or sign-up for coaching from a community ski team such as the Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF).

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To reduce your risk of injury it is important to make sure your bindings are properly mounted and maintained.  Your ski is effectively a long lever arm and if your ski does not release properly it will put a tremendous amount of force through your knee.  Therefore it is important to make sure your DIN is set properly, and to check that the release mechanism is working properly regularly.  Keep in mind that due to gender differences in strength and morphology, the DIN on women’s bindings should be set at 15% below the recommended universal setting.   So before you get out for your first turns of the season, check your equipment and get assistance from your local independent ski shop if necessary. (more…)

Check out the latest issue of Outside Bozeman for Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS’s article, “Best Foot Forward” for the benefits of custom orthotics in ski boots.

http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/winter-2015-16/best-foot-forward

Developing and performing a proper pre-season/dry-land strengthening program can help to reduce your risk of injury and improve your performance.  Alpine skiing is unique in that it places equal demands on both sides of the body, as one has to be able to turn equally well to the right and the left.  Research has found that the left knee is most often injured in alpine skiing¹.  Therefore it is important to compare the strength of your right and left legs to get the most out of your workouts.  (more…)

Winter Injury Prevention: Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, & Snowboarding: Part 1

At Excel Physical Therapy, winter is often our busiest time of year; and with good reason, many of us choose to live here for our winter pursuits of skiing and snowboarding.  Unfortunately these sports have a high injury rate and can lead to serous injuries resulting in the need for surgery and extensive rehabilitation.  While one cannot completely prevent injuries in skiing and snowboarding, your risk can be reduced by following injury prevention guidelines.   This series of blogs will focus on injuries and their prevention for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing.

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The following article is from the Winter 2013/2014 issue of Outside Bozeman. Click Here for the full article link: http://www.outsidebozeman.com/activities/skiing/tight-lines

Here is a snapshot from the printed issue:

“Tight Lines – Look Gook and Ski Great”

by Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS