For the 9th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 17 physical therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Matthew Schweitzer, DPT, CSCS. Matt is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

​All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

For the 7th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 14 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Kristi Moore, MSPT. Kristi is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.
​

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

For the 6th consecutive year,  Alpine Physical Therapy will be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 14 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Kristi Moore, MSPT. Kristi is our sport biomechanics expert associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse The Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have three locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center South on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, Downtown
  We are also located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center Downtown at 150 E. Spruce, Ste A.  406-549-0064.

​
All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

If you’re planning to run in this year’s Missoula Marathon, you are invited to a free seminar at the Good Food Store on February 11th at 7 PM.

Our topic is titled “How to Prevent Injury While Training for the Missoula Marathon” and will be presented by our two top physical therapy running specialists at Alpine Physical Therapy, Kristi Moore and Angela Listug-Vap.

This is a free event and is chalk full of ideas on how to train while preventing injuries. Get there early to get a seat, as it is well attended every year. The information is appropriate for runners, walkers, and run-walkers.
​
For more information on the services we provide to area runners, then be sure to check out our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine by clicking here.

If you’re planning to run in this year’s Missoula Marathon, you are invited to a free seminar at the Good Food Store on February 27th at 7 PM.

Our topic on Injury Prevention in Runners will be presented by our two top running specialists at Alpine Physical Therapy, Kristi Moore and Angela Listug-Vap.

This is a free event and is chalk full of ideas on how to train while preventing injuries. It is well attended and appropriate for runners, walkers, and run-walkers.
​
For more information on the services we provide to area runners, then be sure to check out our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine by clicking here.

If you’re planning to run in this year’s Missoula Marathon, you are invited to a free seminar at the Good Food Store on February 27th at 7 PM.

Our topic on Injury Prevention in Runners will be presented by our two top running specialists at Alpine Physical Therapy, Kristi Moore and Angela Listug-Vap.

This is a free event and is chalk full of ideas on how to train while preventing injuries. It is well attended and appropriate for runners, walkers, and run-walkers.
​
For more information on the services we provide to area runners, then be sure to check out our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine by clicking here.

The 5th Annual Missoula Marathon is slated for Sunday, July 10, 2011. Notably, Alpine Physical Therapy has been on hand every year, providing pre-race injury consultations, educational talks, and post-race massages.

According to the readership of Runner’s World magazine, Missoula was named in 2010 as the top Marathon destination. Resultantly, registrations in 2010 jumped 4 times to nearly 5,000 people. In addition, fitbie.msn.com recently listed the Missoula Marathon as one of the Ten Best Beginner Marathons in the US, mainly because it is a relatively gentle course and because of the excellent community support of Missoulians!

Growth every year, especially last year by 4x (5,000 registrants and from every state), largely on the heels of the news that Runner’s World magazine named it the top Marathon destination of 2010 . . . and the fact that many runner’s return because they love the course and the community support.

According to Race Director Anders Brooker of The Runner’s Edge, registration is about on par with last year, which is great considering all the promotion behind the award last year. We have all but two states, Rhode Island and West Virginia. A couple cool additions for this year are better more visible mile markers and the best shirts we have ever had!

Alpine is ramping up its involvement again for the big day in July. We’ve already provided several education seminars. And all participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations (before and after the race) with one of our physical therapists.

Additionally, many race participants are taking advantage of a unique service offered at Alpine Physical Therapy. It’s called the Runner’s Clinic at Alpine.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!

Be sure to stop in at our booth at the Expo on July 9th in the center under the Caras Park canopy. We’ll be in full force, with all our PT staff and reception team, on the west end again on race day providing post-race massages.
​
For more information, be sure to visit our clinic website at www.AlpinePTmissoula.com.

Alpine Physical Therapy will, for the 5th consecutive year, be the exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.  This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of 10 therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.

We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic, which is overseen by expert physical therapist, Angela Listug-Vap, DPT. Angela is the only Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in the state Montana. As such, she is an expert diagnostician, particularly as it relates to sport biomechanics associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination.  Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance.  The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one!  For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website by clicking here.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse the Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners.  Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face.

We have two locations in Missoula.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, North
  We are located at 2965 Stockyard Road in the North Reserve Business Center, just behind Carino’s.  406-541-2606.

• Alpine Physical Therapy, South
  We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road.  406-251-2323.

​
All participants of the Missoula Marathon are provided free injury consultations with one of our physical therapists. Call to schedule a free injury consultation or to schedule for The Runner’s Clinic.

Back in Part 1, I presented some of the more traditional functional strength assessments that are applicable to runners. I hit on ideas like the functional squat, forward lunge, balance, and jumping.

We use these and other tests to get an idea of functional strength. Results guide us in designing a preventive exercise program or in treating an existing injury.

In Part 2,  I introduced some specific strength drills and encouraged you to try then at home.

And today in Part 3 of this series, I’d like to outline dynamic tests and treatments that you may find helpful.

1. Soft strike – practice a soft strke to decrease impact forces.
2. Active heel rise – start with soft strike, and follow to toe off.
3. Retro running – use as a dynamic stretch after a static hip flexion stretch
4. Bounding – opens up your stride angle, helps to compare sides, and becomes a dynamic after static stretch to hamstrings and hip extensors
5. High knee skipping – use it as a dynamic stretch after a static hip extensor stretch, to increase calf propulsion, or to get your arms in sync if  their timing is off.
6. Side to side shuffles – these can improve trunk extensor strength, while also acting as a hip adductor dynamic stretch after a static stretch.
7. Carioca (braiding) – gives you a sense of trunk and pelvic rotational capabilities while also acting as a good rotational dynamic stretch after a static trunk rotational stretch.

Use these ideas to help you know what you need to train. With them, I hope you are able to “Get Your Run On!”
​
Click here for more information about our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine Physical Therapy.

​You run, right? Then you absolutely need to know whether your core is strong. That’s what this segment is all about, measuring it so you know.

In Part 1, I posted some stats on injury incidence in runners. I then outlined some traditional strength tests.

Today, I’ve got some cool “core” stuff for you to try. By going through these 5 self-assessments, you’ll know right away if your core is strong. If it is, keep up the good work. If you find one or more tests that challenge you, the test itself becomes your exercise program, which you can swiftly carry out at home or at the gym.

I’ll list the test position, including a picture. If you find you are unable to complete the repetitions or you can’t keep your body aligned and your core muscles activated, you’ll need to get to work on strengthening your core.
​
Here goes.

1. Sustained bridge with small marching quick steps (30 reps). Keep a straight line from your knees through your hips to your shoulders (notice that my hips have dropped a bit).

2. Prone on elbows with quick small toe taps (30 reps). Keep your body straight in line.

Remember, if you’re not able to maintain the position or you fatigue before completing the prescribed number of repetitions, use that particular test position as your new exercise. Consider doing the exercise daily during your training period, and keep up on it until you can pass the test with flying colors!

Good luck. Next time in Part 3 of this series, I’ll outline dynamic tests and treatments that you may find helpful.
​
And for more information for area runners, be sure to click here to learn more about our Runner’s Clinic at Alpine Physical Therapy.