Chain Reaction Physical Therapy

12/26/2025

What’s the connection between dorsiflexion and hip pain?

Several things.

We need 10-20 degrees of dorsiflexion to walk or run. If we don’t have that, we’re going to get it from somewhere else. Which means looking further up the chain.

🦶The quad, which connects to the hip, sometimes has to then work harder to help pull us forward.

🦶The glutes, which cover the back of the hip, may have to overcome limited range of motion at the foot and work harder to extend the hip.

🦶The hip flexor, which crosses the hip, may work harder to flex the hip to help clear the toe off the ground.

When something has to go above and beyond its job description, it often starts to let us know. Sometimes that looks like pain in that area.

We all always know to check the joint above and below a patient’s pain point. But a lot of times, zooming out even further gives us the answer we’re looking for.

12/22/2025

Hey fellow rad femmes, quick announcement:

We are not apologizing for our pace anymore.

A phenomenon I’ve noticed on the trail is that whenever I’ve pulled over for someone who is climbing up the opposite way, the females almost always offer some sort of apology as they go past. The males (the polite ones) will just say thanks.

I know there is still plenty of disparity in endurance sports. And that it took a literal passing of a law (thanks Title IX!) to give us the same access to sports as our male counterparts.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t belong out there. And it certainly doesn’t mean we have anything to apologize for.

Get out there and own your space. And be sorry about nothing.

(Facets this also applies to: trail running, road riding, going too slow OR too fast, daily living).

12/22/2025

Cleat position isn’t just about comfort. It affects how your foot, ankle, and power all work together on the bike.

When a cleat is set too far forward, it can:
🦶Increase pressure through the toes
🦶Contribute to numbness or tingling in the foot
🦶Encourage an excessive toe-down position during the pedal stroke

That toe-down pattern matters because:

As you push down and then try to pull back through the stroke, a forward cleat:
1️⃣ Requires more ankle dorsiflexion to reset
2️⃣ Increases ankle motion with every revolution
3️⃣ Creates a less stable base for power transfer

If ankle mobility is limited (which is common), that extra motion can lead to power leakage and unnecessary fatigue.

Cleat placement should balance:
✔️ foot pressure
✔️ ankle mobility
✔️ stability through the pedal stroke

A more stable ankle means better power, less strain, and happier feet over long miles.

And if you’re riding with scoliosis or a spinal fusion: this is your reminder that your body isn’t fragile; it’s adaptable. Cycling isn’t an “automatic” position for any human body, and a standard fit won’t always honor things like rotation, pelvic asymmetry, or how you breathe and hold yourself on the bike. The goal isn’t to force you into a cookie-cutter position. It’s to use your contact points (feet, saddle, hands) to support your shape so you can ride strong, take a full breath, and keep showing up.

Make sure you’re following for all things bike fit and strength training, and .g.dpt for all the tips on living your best life with scoliosis and spinal fusion.

📺 And if you liked this clip, comment “BIKE FIT” for the link to watch the full interview on YouTube

12/15/2025

What I hear in my mind when cornering.

12/15/2025

New Blog Post!

Cycling with scoliosis? Learn bike fit adjustments that improve comfort, breathing, and power—without forcing it.

12/09/2025

Had a GREAT talk with yesterday regarding bike fit considerations for triathletes, especially triathletes with scoliosis or fusions.

One important difference between road bike and triathlon fit is taking into account the fact that the rider has to go on to do an entire run once they get off the bike. That often means putting a little less stress through the hamstrings so that they have the ability to generate the force we need on the run.

Check out my Youtube or Dr. Laura’s to watch the entire chat - we cover everything from leg length discrepancies to breathing on the bike!

bike

11/25/2025

Success in physical therapy looks different for everyone.

I’ve helped patients with each one of these goals this year. When it comes to PT, nothing is too simple or too complex - the only thing that matters is that the plan supports whatever that person wants to achieve.

If you’re a PT, make sure you’re listening to what your patients really want to accomplish.

If you’re a patient, make sure you’ve got a PT who understands and knows how to get you to where you want to go.