Tools, Resources, and Recommendations
I created this page to highlight resources, books, and tools that I recommend to patients and friends who are looking to further their education or support their goal in moving fearlessly. There are so many products out there, I wanted to provide a place with valid recommendations to help guide others.
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small compensation if you buy the item through the links provided. Everything I post here are things that I myself have used and found helpful, or have found helpful for my clients and patients.
36'“ foam roller.
A foam roller is an essential mobility tool for anyone who is looking for a low cost, easy way to improve movement. Foam rollers are great tools to decrease perceived tissue tension, opening a physiological window to improve strength and movement. Check out this video on a great way to use a foam roller to improve thoracic mobility:
One of the best ways for targeted soft tissue work, a lacrosse ball is a great tool for anyone’s mobility basket.
Check out this video on how to work on the muscles in the back of the knee.
And watch this one if your low back could use a little love!
Running Shoes
I’m a big fan of shoes that have a wider toe box. Too often, our feet get crammed into shoes that are too narrow, decreasing our base of support. While everybody’s feet are different, below are a few pairs of shoes that I like (I run in the Altra Lone Peaks myself) and generally recommend. However, since every body is different, I always recommend getting a professional and personalized examination, especially if you’re a long distance runner, before changing your shoes!
Altra Torin 5 - I use these for running on the road. I like them for the same reasons I like all Altras - they have a wide toe box, and no drop between the front and back of the shoe, which puts your calf in a more advantaged position. I highly recommend these shoes!
Topos ST-4 - Topos are a great choice for people who may still need a little support in their shoe with either rocking through their foot while running, or supporting a shortened calf muscle.
Casual Shoes
Xero Women’s Prio Cross Training Shoe - I love xeros. These are my shoes I wear daily. They are a minimalist shoe with the usual wide toe box that I love. They have very little support, which is great if you have trained your foot and its muscles to support you appropriately. Because they lend such little support, I very rarely recommend these as your first shoe until we have evaluated your feet and ensured your muscles don’t need to depend on the arch of a shoe to support them.
Toe Spreaders
Most of us spend our lives in shoes that push our toes together and can cause foot, hip, knee, and back issues. I recommend these to a lot of my clients and wear them myself to help improve my foot’s ability to support my body.
Altra Lone Peaks - great trail shoe with a wide toe box, good traction, and no drop between your heel and toe, which can help your calf muscles generate more force when running
Dr. Jessie’s Book Club
The brain is a muscle just like any other. As such, it needs to be worked out just like any other muscle. Below is a list of some of my favorite reads, both physical therapy and movement related, and otherwise.
Movement Books:
Fiction
