Healthy Wealthy & Smart 229: Dr. Christian Barton: Myths of Running Retraining
Thanks for tuning into the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast! On this week’s episode, Dr. Christian Barton joins me to discuss the running retraining program. Dr. Barton is a physiotherapist in Melbourne, Australia who has published over 40 papers in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Biomechanics journals and he is also an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
In this episode, we discuss:
-Current evidence on the optimal foot strike pattern
-Do traditional PT interventions have a place in a running retraining program?
-How to configure a physical therapy plan of care for limited office visits
-Managing expectations on recovery timeframes for runners
-The growth in wearable devices and how to use them in your practice
-And much more!
An important aspect of running retraining is educating patients on how they can self-modulate their technique while they run. Dr. Barton states, “When you're doing running retraining, it’s not trying to dictate the way someone runs for an entire run, but it’s giving them options that they can use throughout that run and try things. Often, if they do try these things, they can find a happy ground where they can run pain free again.”
Offering the most value to patients with limited office visits can be challenging. Patient education is integral so you can prioritize exercise rehabilitation and running retraining during your treatment sessions. Dr. Barton believes, “Most runners are incredibly motivated… If you’re giving them value in terms of their running and you’re giving them great guidance with their rehab and great guidance with their running technique and they can see that after a few months, they will probably pay for another couple of sessions to follow up and keep progressing things.”
Managing expectations and setting realistic goals is important for optimal patient satisfaction and outcomes. Dr. Barton stresses, “You have to talk to your patient. It’s about a shared decision process. I don’t think we get to dictate to every patient exactly what they need to do. We need to ask them that question at the beginning—what is the most important thing for you moving forward? Is there a short term goal you really, really want to get to... At the end of the day, it's about patient choice and working with them to their goals.”
The growth in technology allows physical therapists to make better clinical decisions and help with patient buy-in. Dr. Barton states, “[Technology] is just a great facilitator and a great way of measuring things. It’s educating the patient as well. It’s not only your analysis but it’s also your ability to educate the patient on what’s going on.”
For more on Dr. Barton:
Dr. Christian Barton is a physiotherapist who graduated with first class Honours from Charles Sturt University in 2005, and completed his PhD focusing on Patellofemoral Pain, Biomechanics and Foot Orthoses in 2010. Dr Barton’s broad research disciplines are biomechanics, running-related injury, knee pathology, tendinopathy, and rehabilitation, with a particular focus on research translation.
Dr. Barton has published over 40 papers in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Biomechanics journals, and he is an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Resources discussed on this show:
British Journal of Sports Medicine
British Journal of Sports Medicine Facebook
British Journal of Sports Medicine Podcast
British Journal of Sports Medicine App
Conversation with Dr. Claire Hiller
La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre Twitter
La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre Blog
La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Facebook Group
Make sure to follow Dr. Barton on twitter to get exposed to more on the latest research!
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Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!
Xo Karen
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