Dr. David Cosman on Fascia, Foot & Sport Science

24/07/2019

12/06/2019

I am back in Hong Kong; I was in Padova Italy at The Stecco Institute where I attained Certification in Fascial Manipulation. Thanks to the chiros, physios, medical doctors and organizers who are involved in these amazing advances. I'm proud to be amongst you.

01/07/2017

When doctors/therapists are present at trail running events including mountain marathons, they are there to care for injuries and athlete maintenance. At many race events, the cost of the care is built into the event fees, so feel free to use this facility, even if your problem or question might seem minor.

Minor problems like cuts and abrasions are taken very seriously, as possible infection can be prevented or minimized. Don't be a hero by showing a little blood! Get it attended to immediately, and use your kit rather than braving it out to save a minute or two off your race time. Your antiseptic can save you.

At the fiish line, get the care that you need. The cramped up athlete can wait until we clean out your wound. And don't worry, Chlorohexadine and Betadine are rather painless.

Experienced race directors hand pick their support staff, and the touring sports doctor or therapist would be diagnosing and treating injuries, taping, stretching, adjusting joints and advising, From blisters and skin wounds to cramps and tendon injuries.

The advice will be about hydration, running technique, and educating how important healthy non-adhesive fascia allows for global muscle integrity that includes mechanical force of transmission and neurological coordination from segment to segment throughout the body.

Understanding fascia reveals how the root cause of pain and problems are not always at the site of the pain. Two distant segments can be totally related by adhesions in their fascia. Fascial adhesions can result in both acute injuries, and those "unknown cause" injuries; the ones that don't respond to rest or basic therapies.

Athletic therapy, chiropractic, fascia manipulation and implementation of the sports science of running technique with first aid are yours to use. Ask your race director or race staff what facilities the race offers as far as athletic therapy is concerned, and use it to your advantage.

30/06/2017

Sports Science Basics; Educational Blog for Runners
By Dr. David Cosman in Hong Kong

About the author:
Dr. Cosman has worked with runners and various athletes from every level since over 3 decades. His theme often reverts to technique fundamentals; the science of the sport.

In sports, fundamentals remain true; Dr. Cosman explores and explains the basics that many runners might have overseen.

Chiropractors often provide post race therapy and injury care services at sports events including mountain marathon races in Hong Kong and Asia.

19/12/2015

Strength & Conditioning Trainers are advanced personal trainers, teaching and supervising warm up, drills, exercise, technique and motivation They are well versed in how to implement these components in developing an effective rehab program following injury.

The education of a strength & conditioning coach can't be defined, but with the basic education in physical education, kinesiology or allied medical sciences,experience and seminars and courses and more experience shapes the wisdom of the strength & conditioning trainer.

Working with the strength & conditioning trainer, the doctor or head coach would discuss program goals and follow up on the results; it is a team effort, and these personnel are a major "facility" in a sport.

A main goal with therapy is to reset the system, to get the intended primary muscles to actually become the primary muscles in practical activities. For example, if primary muscles are weak, or if technique/form fails due to fatigue,then secondary muscles can become the primary muscles - but they are not designed for that and they cramp up easily, especially if they are not conditioned or not warmed up.

"Gmax Reset" is a name for a system of exercises, drills, teaching and understanding that allows the primary muscles to activate properly with proper timing. It works the body in a neurologically coordinated fashion.

Treatment plans blend exercises and drills from a variety of systems instead of staying within one brand. One might include vibration plates, Rumble Rollers, TRX , yoga, stretch bands, and other modes of exercises that contribute to satisfying the goals of the case including the Gmax Reset.

Dr. David Cosman, Hong Kong

15/07/2013

Still In Pain? Part 1 of 3

Many patients describe how they have a problem with an unknown cause; they may say it's because they didn't stretch enough. Stretching can surely be a component of therapy and warm up, but if there is even a minor nerve dysfunction in the fascia or in the spinal joints, painful problems can result.

If you had a sudden injury, the site of pain would normally be treated by chiropractors or other therapists. But if the cause of the pain is unknown, then the site of the pain might not be the root problem; the pain might be due to a comensatory stress. Treating the site of pain in this case might not help.

In the case with unknown cause, a full body or wholistic history and assessment can reveal the possible root cause.

Treatment with chiropractic manipulation focused on reducing the root problems are comon-place, especially is the sporting community. Chiropractic doctors are specially trained to know when and where and how to manipulate.

Sports chiropractors may also have expertise in Fascia Manipulation, which reduces nerve interference in the connective tissues that coordinates muslce activity. This expertise considers old injuries that many doctors and therapists might not relate to regarding the cause of the unknown pain.

The sports injury tool box can include chiropractic manipulation, Fascial Manipulation, massage, stretching, physical therapy, rehab exercise, taping, and technique advice specific to the sport.

The nervous system controls every activity in the body by sending and receiving nerve messages, controlling muscle length and tension; this in turn can influence joint alignment. You can stretch or strengthen muscles all you want, but if the spinal joints are slightly misaligned, or if the fascia has adhesions that compromise coordinated nerve and balance muscle activity, then muscles and joints may be functioning in a stressed fashion with sudden or eventual subsequent pain with unknown cause.

Chiropractors may move joints and work with muscles, but their main focus is nerves. Chiropractors are a valuable part of the athletic therapy team at every level in many sports, from little league to Olympics.

19/06/2013

Warm weather is approaching. Hydrate properly! Watch out for the mineral formulas on the labels of Bonaqua, Watsons Mineralized Water, Vittel, Contrex, Volvic and find the difference. (Hint: the term "mineral water" is abused in Hong Kong)

11/06/2013

A banker in Hong Kong tried to justify that runners are tougher than fighters by comparing her injured colleagues; the runners had injuries, while those who trained at fighting gyms did not.
She concluded that runners are, indeed tougher than fighters. She asked for my opinion.

I asked if the fighters consistently use coaches (trainers) to work with their technique.
I then asked how many of the runners use coaches to implement and maintain technique.

Coach-less runners cannot prevent injuries with training plan schedules alone. Coaching involves teaching and reinforcing technique over & over. I insist that my runners describe their technique before they force mileage with poor technique. If you can't describe your technique, then you might not have any (sorry, the forefoot strike you might have read about, might not be so good for you,... Youtube has some bad info.) Learn how to run efficiently. Then you can implement a workout plan with goals.

Dr. David Cosman in Hong Kong was taught basics of running technique during his 11 year stint with Coach John Cannon (Calgary Spartans, Calgary International, University of Calgary, and Canadian National Team), and with the athletes - distance runners, sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and Canadian and British bob-sleighers. These fundamentals are called GMax .

GMax technique provides efficiency and economy of motion - putting the onus on the primary muscles and allowing the secondary muscles to not be overstressed (injured). GMax allows for optimal strength, speed, endurance, and longevity in most every activity, from walking and running to jumping, tennis, golf, skating, fencing, squash, lifting, throwing and water skiing!

“Walk much?” Don’t be too proud,... learn how to do it right, at any age!