DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Helen Hall, a movement therapist and running coach who analyzes posture and movement using advanced technology. She discusses the importance of head position and how it can impact pain and injury, busting the myth that running is bad for knees. Hall explains how walk-run strategies can help reduce injury, recover faster, and run faster without trying harder.
Hall emphasizes the significance of foot wiping, a simple practice that can improve overall movement and ease. She advocates for spending time barefoot and wearing minimalist shoes, arguing that cushioned shoes can lead to compensations and problems. The conversation highlights the body's innate ability to move efficiently when given the right input and conditions.
The episode offers hope for those struggling with movement-related pain or limitations, encouraging them to pay attention to their head and feet positioning. Hall's message is optimistic, suggesting that with the proper awareness and techniques, people can move without pain and improve their overall mobility and efficiency.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Head position is crucial for overall movement efficiency and can contribute to knee pain and other issues.
- Running is not inherently bad for knees; the way one runs and underlying movement patterns may be the cause of pain.
- Walk-run strategies can help reduce injury, recover faster, and improve running performance without trying harder.
- Foot wiping is a simple practice that can improve movement and reduce pain by enhancing proprioception and foot function.
- Spending time barefoot and wearing minimalist shoes can promote natural foot movement and strength.
- Paying attention to head and foot positioning can help individuals move more efficiently and without pain.
- Simple solutions, such as proper positioning, should be explored when complex treatments fail to address movement-related issues.
- The episode offers hope for individuals struggling with movement-related pain or limitations.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Running per se cannot be bad for your knees. We're not so badly made that we should be injuring ourselves every time we move.“ by Helen Hall
- “If somebody's got knee pain, I'm always wondering where their head is. On average, an adult head weighs about five kilos, and the further forward it is, there's a mass management effect going on in the rest of the body.“ by Helen Hall
- “So often when the complex hasn't worked, maybe the simple is being missed.“ by Helen Hall
- “Don't stop running, find out why the knee is upset. It's the biggest joint in the body.“ by Helen Hall
- “Think about your heads, think about your feet, and don't assume that you can no longer move without pain.“ by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
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Episode Information
Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Dr Rangan Chatterjee
3/13/24
Today I’m thrilled to welcome my dear friend, Helen Hall back to the podcast. Helen is a movement therapist, a running coach, a pain expert and one of the best coaches in any modality that I have ever come across. She has had a lifelong passion for analysing posture and movement, and her clients include elite athletes, whether they be runners, cyclists or premier league footballers, but also everyday folk who simply want to walk or run pain-free.
She combines objective clarity from the most advanced motion analysis technology in the world, with 46 years of visual experience and study in the field, to seek out the root causes of chronic pain and injury, that often seem resistant to standard treatment protocols.
In order to help more people than those able to visit her in person, she first shared her movement philosophy in her wonderful book ‘Even With Your Shoes On’. She has gone on to create a series of online videos to help more people move pain-free. Helen has also launched an online course called ‘PFM Pilot’ which is getting fantastic reviews - it is aimed at both professionals working in the field of movement, pain and injury, and also amateurs who are keen to learn more and help themselves.
Helen first came on my podcast on Episode 216 in November 2021 and many of you got in touch to say how helpful the tools shared in that episode were.
In this conversation, we continue where we left off:
- We talk again about the vital importance of our head position – and how to become aware of how you’re holding your own head, if you’re struggling to know.
- We bust the myth that running is bad for your knees.
- We discuss walk-run strategies and how they can help all of us reduce injury, recover more quickly and run faster.
- We discuss why ‘foot wiping’ - a very simple practice that I do on most days - could help you move with more ease.
- We talk about the importance of spending time barefoot.
- We discuss minimalist shoes and why we are both big fans.
Since I began working with Helen she’s become a cherished friend, whose wisdom and insights cover much more than walking and running. Her message for this brilliant episode is straightforward and optimistic: think about your head, think about your feet – and don’t assume that you can no longer move without pain. She is an inspiring lady, this is an inspiring conversation, I hope you enjoy listening.
Thanks to our sponsors:
https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore
Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/434
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
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