Sports Medicine PT Stefanie Bourassa #runHMF Chat Transcript

The Hartford Marathon Foundation just ran a helpful #askHMF Twitter chat at @RunHMF with senior sports med physical therapist Stefanie Bourassa. Learn about Stefanie and her team at Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network on their blog.

Flexibility and core strengthening can help Piriformis Syndrome. -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

When feeling well, abnormal fatigue, increased pain and general achiness are indicators that you're pushing too hard. -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Variables impact exercise when sick. Research shows exercise good w/common cold, but with sore throat/fever, don't exercise -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Best to drink before you feel thirsty. If you're sweating a lot and you feel your mouth getting dry. -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Foods w/high potassium include bananas, avocados, cantaloupe & spinach. If that doesn't work is could be a strength deficit -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Sounds like Exertional Compartment Syndrome, which is a chronic pathology, recommend seeing a sports medicine orthopedic. -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Glutes, hamstrings & calves. Backwards lunges, hamstring curls on a physioball, 3-way calf raises are recommended -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Barefoot running research is controversial; if you have the strength and no injury, it can help with form. -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Clamshells and bridges are a great start, lateral bandwalks and 4-way leg raise series will help isolate hip muscles -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

1st address footwear, then tightness in calves. Try using Theraband to strengthen ankle, if doesn't work you might need PT -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

There's diff levels of strain that lead to injury, depends how long its been. Generally recommend rest & gentle strengthening -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@26Point_2Miles Quick tip, roll out your foot on a frozen water bottle post-run -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@26Point_2Miles Keep track of mileage on shoes, stretch your gastroc & soleus (calf muscles) & stretch your hamstrings -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@shaneyzsweet Double up on your sports bra & work on postural strengthening, exercises such as lat pull-downs & rows -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@SethEHarrison Fatigue is usually a weakness in some part of the body or something lacking in diet -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@SethEHarrison For more specific advice & info on how to overcome your fatigue, please email us sportsmedicine@hhchealth.org -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@trigirl069 Try an ice cup massage - freeze paper cup of water, then peel back cup and rub ice on shins -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

.@restaurantsct A good rule of thumb is to heat before a workout and ice after -HHCRN #askHMF

— HMF Events (@RunHMF) May 28, 2015

Follow @RunHMF and of course @Marathoner, and you may want to cross-check her replies as some questions required multiple tweet answers and apologies if I missed one here or there. Thanks to the HMF crew for the helpful chat! Email sportsmedicine@hhchealth.org or see them at Amica #IronHorseHalf 6/7 for more info. You also can help them by taking this brief survey about exercise, health and injuries, and consider the Eversource Hartford Marathon this October.