Runners-Need help strengthening your diaphragm for better breathing? See Lori’s latest video blog…
Posted 08/13/2010
Happy Running!
Lori
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Blog
Blog Entries by Lori Thomsen
What Muscles Do You Need to Push Off Your Left Big Toe? Read Lori’s Latest Blog to Find Out…
Posted 06/28/2010
Happy Running!
Lori
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Can You Find and Feel Your Right Arch? And Why is This Important? Watch Lori Explain…
Posted 06/04/2010
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Lori
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Instability of the Feet in Runners - Here is Lori’s Latest Running Blog!
Posted 05/25/2010
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Lori
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Lori Addresses the Transverse Plane in the Third & Last Installment of her Three-Part Video Series..
Posted 05/07/2010
Happy Running!
Lori
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Dynamic, Functional Warm-up Activities for Runners… Check Out Lori’s New Video Blog!
Posted 04/28/2010
This week, Lori clarifies the dynamic warm-up activities which were previously discussed on this blog.
Happy Running!
Lori
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Activities to Strengthen your Frontal Plane - Second installment of Lori’s three-part series…
Posted 04/21/2010
Frontal Plane Strengthening Activities from Hruska Clinic on Vimeo.
Happy Running!
Lori
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The Sagittal Plane - The Importance of Squatting… Lori’s first in a three-part series.
Posted 03/29/2010
For more on Squatting, click here to read Lori’s article titled “The Reverse Squat: Backing Away from Traditional Strength Training Exercises”.
Happy Running!
Lori
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The Importance of Hip Shifting
Posted 03/19/2010
The Importance of Hip Shifting from Hruska Clinic on Vimeo.
Happy Running!
Lori
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The Proper Running Warm-Up
Posted 02/26/2010
Many runners know the importance of warming up prior to exercise, however when I see athletes stretching or touching their toes, I get discouraged. I feel the need to educate and get the word out about the proper warm-up. Stretching is an outdated concept and actually causes the muscles to weaken and be less responsive to exercise which can lead to injuries (see previous blog by Dave Drummer). Dynamic stretching, however, can increase power, flexibility and range of motion. This new concept has the individual using the muscles with movement, and when sport specific, it can be really effective. Click on the video link below as I demonstrate two dynamic hamstring activities that would be good for the runner to warm-up versus the traditional static stretching. Also, if you want more information about dynamic stretching, read Stretching: The Truth by Gretchen Reynolds for more information.
Happy Running,
Lori
Winter Running - treadmill or outside?
Posted 02/08/2010
What a run. I just got done running six miles outside in balmy, 37 degree weather, with a light snow falling and Lee Greenwoods “God Bless America” in my ear. It was awesome! These last couple of months have not be the most ideal conditions for outdoor running...brutally cold temperatures, ice, and snow packed sidewalks and trails. These circumstances have caused us to either run on a treadmill (boring) or brave it and run outside anyway. The result has been increased complaints from my patients of back and hip flexor tightness, or knee pain. Ideally in my biomechanical world, we would all run outside. The ice and snow cause us to change the mechanics of how we run, thus resulting in postural changes and positioning, leading to injury…..let alone the risk of a falling. The treadmill on the other hand, does not allow our powerful hamstrings and glutes to push us forward. Instead the belt pulls us through, therefore these muscles weaken which cause a change in our positioning and create pain. So what is the answer? My colleagues would tell us that we would get more out of walking the mall and going up the steps backwards (works the hamstrings and glutes), or cross training on the elliptical on bad days, rather than taking to the streets or the treadmill. These activities would enable us to stay more mechanically sound and decrease our risk for injury. If, however, you need to run no matter what, then I would encourage you to either run the track at your local gym or run the treadmill on an incline of .5 to 1.0 as this will help to keep those hamstrings and glutes working for you. Split the time between the two to break up the boredom of it all. The other opition is to hope that the Ground Hog was wrong this year and that spring is only six weeks away!
Happy Running,
Lori
Questions? Comments?
Welcome to our Running Blog!
Posted 01/13/2010
Happy New Year! Welcome to the first ever Hruska Clinic Running Blog. It’s four months until the Lincoln marathon, and my hope is to assist you in finishing a strong and healthy race this year. My goal is to provide you with insight, tips, and suggestions regarding biomechanics, shoes, healthy eating, breathing, and other topics to assist you in achieving optimal health and performance. Being a passionate runner myself, these are tips that have worked for me personally; although they may not work for everyone. Since implementing Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) principles in my life six years ago, I have been injury free. I have finished 10k’s, and half and full marathons, hitting PR’s and most importantly, running pain free!
In 2003, I finished my first full marathon; however I experienced severe right hip pain. I had been running for a few years prior to the marathon with right hip pain, occasional right knee pain, and altered sensation down my right leg. I thought these problems were due to running and just part of pounding out the miles while training. A couple of months after I completed my marathon, I decided to begin preparing for another marathon, and dedicated myself to training harder. I was more consistent with weight training, speed work, and tempo runs only to find myself again injured after a couple of months. I could hardly walk, let alone run. I took the long trip down from North Dakota to see Ron Hruska. After 5 months of performing PRI exercises, I was pain-free for the first time since I started running, and my form improved dramatically. I now knew what it was like to run pain free, and it was so much more enjoyable! This trip and my personal experience completely changed my professional life, and I continue to dedicate myself to helping other runners.
Here at the Hruska Clinic, we have a strong belief that 1) Our bodies are asymmetrical and we tend to favor our right side. 2) Asymmetry of the body demonstrates a predictable pattern demonstrated with objective testing and 3) These patterns are treatable by inhibiting some muscles groups and facilitating others. Please see our website under “our approach” for more information. This will help you in the coming weeks with information that will be provided from this blog.
I hope you’re as excited as I am about 2010 and your personal fitness goals. Until the next entry, Happy Running!
Lori Thomsen, MPT, PRC
Questions? Comments?
Lori Thomsen will speak at the first annual Interdisciplinary Integration course
Posted 03/27/2009
The Postural Restoration Institute is offering the first annual Interdisciplinary Integration course March 26-29, and Lori Thomsen will be one of the featured speakers. For more information, click here!
YMCA Marathon Training Talk
Posted 03/06/2009
Lori Thomsen will be speaking on February 25 to the YMCA Marathon Training group. She will be addressing the issue of PELVIC SYMMETRY FOR THE RUNNER. This group of runners is instructed by Ann Ringlein, manager of the Lincoln Running Company, assistant Cross Country and track coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a 25+ year competive runner. Lori is also a competitive runner, and enjoys working with runners of all levels.
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