Fixing exercise aches and pains

From Dr. Ken Donovan, my chiropractor, who I think of as my amazing fitness doctor, I learned about the way a chiropractor goes about his work and why it’s effective. His work with me involved using his hands and sometimes special instruments to manipulate joints in my body. He keeps my body tuned up and ready to go.

I wear good running shoes now. I’m 92, but back when I first started running as part of my exercise routine, I used an old pair of canvas shoes and they were fine for a couple of months until I realized I needed really good shoes with cushion, stability, and arch support. It was 1970 and I bought my first New Balance shoes. By 1978 I was living in New York and had several more pair. In January I started training for the NYC marathon later that year.

Here are the old leather orthotics (a shoe insert) that Dr. Weisenfeld custom-made for me, along with the generic brand orthotics I use currently.

Training for a marathon meant a lot of distance running and I began having problems with my right foot. Training stopped and I went to see Dr. Murray Weisenfeld a podiatrist who was the go-to doctor in the New York running community at the time. In 1980 he published a book, "The Runners’ Repair Manual," that many runners believed was the best do-it-yourselfer available. The title of the first chapter is “I tried running once and didn’t like it”! Sound familiar? I’ve heard that more than once.

Dr. Weisenfeld concluded my right leg was a bit shorter than my left leg. He made me a pair of leather orthotics (a shoe insert) which I still have.  They’re an amazing example of fine leather craftmanship. That resolved the discrepancy and my foot problem went away. I used them for many years. I went on training and ran the NYC 1978 marathon.

A couple of years ago I was referred to a chiropractor with extensive sports experience. I had a problem with my neck, shoulder, and right knee. He fixed them all and he actually found a way to equalize my leg lengths by doing something with my spine and hips. So, my legs have been adjusted and the length disparity if it ever actually existed is now not an issue.

My primary doctor, Andre Leonard MD (on the right), is a marathon runner and Iron Man participant, who understands the needs of athletes.

However, I have high arches and I like the feel of support so I bought a generic brand of orthotics designed for my type of feet and I wear them all the time They’re very comfortable.

As you can imagine I have seen quite a few medical doctors over my many years. I’ve found that medical practitioners that are fitness conscious themselves are the ones that do the best job for me. My primary care doctor is a marathon runner and has competed in several triathlons including an Iron Man. My chiropractor is a top long distance bicycle racer, and works out regularly at a gym.

I feel comfortable when I am in the care of professionals like this. They understand what being fit is all about!