Are you a soft tissue therapist who works with injured runners? How much do you focus on their balance? Does balance for you mean putting the runner on a wobble board or are you aware of the role of the Vestibular System and Inner Ear Controls for Balance?

In Ep.64 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, we are delighted to welcome back as special guest Paul Coker, owner of MOVE Physiotherapy and former Medical Director of Rocktape UK.

Paul was a hugely popular guest in Ep.9 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, entitled 'Adjuncts: Do We Need Them' so were very excited to have him back to share his considerable experience, and this hour is absolutely crammed with a fantastic look at the role of the Vestibular System in balance, symptoms of issues in runners, tests and solutions.

To see the slides that Paul describes in the episode and the vestibular tests he demonstrates, see the YouTube recording here.        
 

Topics discussed include:

• What is balance?
• Signs that a runner may have a balance issue:
  - history of ankle sprains
  - non radiating unilateral back pain
  - the sensation that one side of the body is weaker than the other when running
  - terrain choice and avoidance of running downhill due to history of falls
  - preference of treadmills over outdoor running
  - unilateral tightness in upper neck
  - experienced runners who run very slowly
  - history of issues with the inner ear (migraines, ear infections, etc.)     
• The link between strength training & balance
• The limitations of stability cushions and wobble boards 
• Structure of the Vestibular System
• Simple ways to test balance by challenging the vestibular system
• Vestibulo-Occular Reflex Cancellation (VORc)
• Angular Vestibulo-Occular Reflex (aVOR) 
  
  

Websites/Social Media

• MoveCornwallPhysio.co.uk
• ZHealtheducation.com
• Paul Coker on Instagram: @paul_the_physio  

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All episodes are streamed live to our YouTube channel and remember all soft tissue therapists (non members included) are welcome to join us for the LIVE recording on Tuesdays at 8pm (UK time) on the Sports Therapy Association Facebook Page

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