OPT Foot Orthotics Patient PATRICK TODD gets the sacred “Sub-4″ in Mile Run

Patrick Todd, University of Virginia, Olympic Foot Orthotic patient, last week joined the elite running circle as a “sub 4-minute miler”.  Patrick ran a 3:59.76 at the Music City Distance Meet.  Originally from Highland Park, Texas, Patrick was a standout runner at U. Texas and the Big 12 1000M Champ as a Freshman.  He was injury plagued and then  transferred to UVA.  In the Summer of 2010 Patrick traveled up to the Wakefield office of OPT and he received a set of OPT Custom Foot Orthotics and some Therapeutic Exercises for his injury care.  Patrick’s Dad e-mailed the latest news about Patrick’s triumph of breaking the sacred 4-minute Mile barrier.  Patrick has been running pain free and training hard, and it is a testimony to his perseverance, effort and pride that he is now going full steam ahead.

Incidentally, Patrick’s Dad also brought Patrick’s sister up from Dallas for her own foot evaluation.  She is an elite champion runner as a freshman in High School, and is also using OPT’s orthotics and running strong.

 Hey Bert,

Yes, my pops is still on cloud 9. It was really great to have my whole family in Nashville. The race could not have set up more perfectly. The gun went off and I settled into the middle of the pack. The rabbit took us through the half in 2:00. My teammate, John Minen, and I surged into the lead.  As we came into the last lap I saw 2:59 on the clock, heard the bell ring, and realized I was going to run a sub 4 mile. I got boxed in coming around the last turn, but thankfully got out in time to dip under 4 min by a quarter of a second. It was a surreal moment seeing my name with 3:59 on the board, but I wish the board could have displayed all the names that made that race possible: the LORD, my family, coaches, teammates, trainers, and doctors such as yourself. 

I have not had any feet problems at all this season. Thanks again for all your help!

Best,

Patrick Todd

“Like having a painful thorn removed from my foot…”

“One of the guys at work recommended I go to Olympic Physical Therapy.  I had never been before, and was worried that (foot) orthotics were too expensive.  My problem was that my left calf, after two days of running, would lock up.  I had to hobble back home, and take days to recover.  I saw an Orthopedist, had an EMG which was negative…I had a circulation test which was negative.  The surgeon admitted, “I don’t know”.  With Bert’s help at OPT, he made an off-the-shelf insert, he manipulated the bones in my foot (cuboid), and that took care of the problem.  $20…now I’m all set, and I’m back on the trail.  It’s like having a thorn removed from my foot”.   Ben C.

William (Bill) Michonski C.Ped, Pedorthist

William Michonski received his Pedorthic Certification in 2005 from the Medical College of Wisconsin.  He worked in the footwear industry for more than twenty years, and has provided care to everyone from extreme medical cases to professional athletes.  He had competed in collegiate cross country and track and field, and has since participated in ultra-distance running and triathlon events.

Certified Pedorthic Clinicians are orthotic and footwear experts. They are one of the few healthcare professionals trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and biomechanics.  Pedorthists help to alleviate pain, abnormalities and debilitating conditions of the lower limbs and feet that if left untreated could result in limited mobility.

Bill is trained in the fabrication of foot orthoses, and at Olympic PT he uses the AmFit Computerized Digital measuring system.  http://www.amfit.com/#

Suzanne Kosinski

Graduating Magna Cum Laude, Suzanne earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island in 2005. In 2010, Suzanne graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the URI and honorably received the Academic Excellence Award from the Faculty. During her time at URI, Suzanne was actively involved with the development of an exercise program for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Currently, Suzanne is active in volunteer events with the ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) Association RI Chapter, as well as many other community-based volunteer events such as “The Power of Play”, an event promoting health fitness and physical activity in children. In Nov./Dec. of 2009, Suzanne spent time internationally as a graduate physical therapist working with children and adults with disabilities in Guatemala, Central America. While there, she extended the concepts of “The Power of Play” to a non-profit multicultural school called The Life School in Panajachel, Guatemala. Suzanne is currently an avid cyclist and runner, and is continuing her education in Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Program through the Gray Institute for Functional Transformation (G.I.F.T.) via the functional video digest series.

Guerrino Boni, MSPT, CSCS

Clinic Director, OPT Wakefield

Guerrino received his masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 2003. In 2001 he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He graduated from Fairfield University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a medical concentration. Guerrino has studied under the Gary Gray Functional Rehabilitative Method and completed a 9 month Fellowship with the Gray Institute for Functional Training in Applied Functional Science in November of 2007. Guerrino has played competitive soccer throughout his life including tournament play in Europe and Scandinavia. He has worked as a personal trainer for six years and currently serves as the strength coach for the University of Rhode Island Women’s Lacrosse team.  He is also involved with many local High School sports and currently assists in Strength Training for the Narragansett Boy’s Soccer Team.

Bert Reid, PT, DPT

Co-Owner Olympic Physical Therapy / Olympic Core Orthotics

Bert Reid received his Master’s Degree from URI in 1993. He graduated cum laude from Tulane in 1987, where he was the captain of the varsity golf team and Academic All-American. He recently finished his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Mass. General Hospital.

Bert has taken over twenty-five advanced training seminars in specialized topics ranging from foot and ankle biomechanics, functional rehabilitation, performance training, mechanical low back and neck pain, Team Physician Sports Medicine, jaw pain, advanced orthotic fabrication, shoulder and throwing mechanics, and many more.

In 2008 Bert completed a 10 month Fellowship in Functional PT Rehab and Sports Biomechanics through the G.I.F.T. Program of the Gray Institute. In 2009 he completed the course and passed the exam of the Titleist Performance Institute Certified Fitness Professional. He conducts Golf Fitness Training seminars and classes. Bert has also worked as the sideline medical care specialist for the Narragansett High School Football Team for over 12 years based on his training with the ACSM Team Physician courses.

Sam Fischer, C. Ped

Sam received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Rhode Island in 2005. He is a Pedorthist, Certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics. He has advanced training in foot and ankle biomechanics and its affect on the kinetic chain, as well as diabetic foot care and orthotic fabrication techniques.

Sam continues to be an active volleyball player at tournaments throughout the Northeast. He was the captain of the URI Men’s Volleyball Team and was selected Second Team All-Tournament at the 2005 Men’s Volleyball Nationals. He has also coached and instructed skill clinics at both the high school and collegiate levels.