OrthoCore’s January Patient of the Month is Claire Gadrow, a runner who came to us in November after winning a 100 mile trail race in New Hampshire in October.
“Originally we were treating the expected post-race tightness but within a couple weeks more serious issues surfaced. The race exposed issues with my running gait caused by lack of flexibility The issues with my gait were causing the foot issues. We had only 6 weeks to correct serious foot issues - moderate inflammation in toe joints in right foot and a more serious Achilles injury in left foot.”
Claire received what we refer to as the ‘works’ package of treatment which included dry needling, cupping, soft tissue massage, scraping, stretching, mobility and stability exercises. “And some mental health on the day I came in after a 3 hour run with an Achilles that looked a "bear cub foot". We decided that day to focus on the injury and not the upcoming 100K national championship. There was some great coaching given that day.”
Claire also adds, “I have always been proactive with PT but this is the first time dry needling and cupping was performed. It was highly effective to treat an Achilles issue.We caught it early and treated it with methods that were effective - in an area that is hard to get blood flow for healing. My running friends are amazed that I was able to bounce back with weeks and compete. One week after a very grueling race on the gnarliest of courses - I am still free of any pain or stiffness in my Achilles. I TRUST OrthoCore.”
Of course, we couldn’t send Claire home without some ‘homework’. “My assignments included daily foam rolling, eccentric exercises with rubber bands, flexibility and mobility exercises. Whatever Kristen assigned to me, I did. And we communicated on my weekly training schedule and adjusted my PT based on the type/timing of my daily run or bike workout prescribed by my running coach. I also communicated back to my coach in Flagstaff AZ, the scope of each PT session. It was a team approach. My running coach who is an elite runner was amazed that one PT office could offer all the services under one roof that OrthoCore offers.”
And as far as Claire’s comfort level after all of this committed work? “My injury dramatically improved to the point that I was able to compete in the National 100K Trail Championship in Bandera Texas on January 6. I was able to compete and place 8th. The course was 8,000 feet of climbing on loose jagged rocks.”
With all this improvement, Claire is vocal in her praise of OrthoCore. “OrthoCore treats the root of your injury so not only is the pain is reduced but there's also a focus on why the injury occurred in the first place. Kristen Cavaco is also a runner who has raced at the ultra distance so she understood what is needed as an athlete to train and compete at 100 mile distance. She also treated me at 7AM so my work schedule wasn't interrupted. I felt like Kristen and Ian were invested in my recovery and were aggressively treating me so that I'd make my goal race AND become a better runner with improved mobility.”
Thanks, Claire, for sharing your experience and we wish you success with all of your upcoming races!
Inspired by Claire’s results? OrthoCore Physical Therapy can work with you and get you back to doing the things you love. Call us today 401-667-0131.