Runner's Fix Book Review

Runner’s Fix Book Review
By Alexis Mercer

For the past 13 years, Mike Swinger has been a Physical Therapist who has seen and treated countless patients for a vast variety of injuries and pain. Much of the pain, he found, was coming from runners who had similar stories in how they got to the point of injury.

So Swinger decided to do something about that in order to better serve a wider number of people: he wrote a book called Runner’s Fix.

Two years ago I was introduced to Mike as he presented at the MITCA (Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association) clinic at the conclusion of the cross country season. He talked about injury prevention techniques and how to incorporate these techniques into our everyday activities as coaches.

After leaving the clinic, I started following Mike on Facebook and Twitter (@mikerunphys). He was putting out weekly information to assist people like me, as both a runner myself and also a coach of runners, learn to prevent common running injuries. I tuned in to many Wednesday night Facebook Live sessions to see the exercises first hand.

Mike Swinger is an incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and kind man who goes above and beyond to make the information he puts out to people as specific as possible to the inquiries he receives. He presents the information in a way that is easy to understand, but has the training and background to make it as technical as the audience needs.

This year Swinger returned to MITCA to present in multiple sessions. I attended each of them and furiously took notes, recorded videos and soaked in as much information as I possibly could from him. He also brought with him copies of his new book that just came out at the beginning of November.

I was able to purchase a copy of the book from Mike and also caught up with him to ask him some questions about why he wrote it and what he hopes to accomplish with the content.

If you are a runner of any ability level, I recommend this book without hesitation. I also recommend that you follow each and every social media outlet for RunPhys. Your body will thank you.

For our readers to hear your background, do you have any connection to Newaygo County?
My brother lives in Fremont and owns a drivers education business, Compass Driving School. I spent a week in Baldwin a couple summers helping to run a day camp. I grew up in Comstock Park, Kent County.
What drives you to do the job you do?
Injuries in high school significantly affected my participation in sports. I'm convinced that if I'd had good PT in those days, my career would have been a lot different.
Why runners in particular? Where did that passion/interest come from?
After college, participating in team sports became increasingly difficult. Running and triathlons became more interesting due to having many patients who were into both, as well as having several coaches request that I come speak to their teams about injury prevention. Once I started down the path myself, I became hooked!
Why did you decide to write a book?
I've visited XC camps for several years and performed hundreds of quick screenings on athletes. Patterns of dysfunction would often emerge, so I found myself giving the same recommendations to a lot of individuals. With prompting from one of the coaches in particular, he and I both felt that a book would be a good resource to address those common patterns. Essentially arming the coach or individual with tools to look after themselves. Also, there are too many "experts" out there giving lousy advice. I couldn't sit back and not contribute more reliable information.
Who do you hope the book reaches?
Runners of all levels, middle school through adult weekend warriors, high level collegiate and competitive athletes.
What is your favorite stretch/strengthening exercise of all those explained in the book? Pigeon pose and quad stretches are my favorite stretches, twisty superman squats and spot jumps are favorite strengthening exercises.
Where can people buy it?
On Amazon (Editor’s Note: I have included a link below)
Where else can people find you?
My website RunPhys.com
Email [email protected]
Social Media @mikerunphys on Twitter and Facebook, @runphys on Instagram
Do you run?
Yes, usually a half marathon and a couple triathlons, several 5ks every year
I think your book is unique because it is helping people to prevent seeing you! Usually people try to make MORE money by keeping their preventative techniques secret so potential patients would have to come in to the office to see them. What makes you different and willing to share the "secrets"?
Great question! With the cost of healthcare rising and people with higher deductibles, I felt that this book would provide them an option for taking care of themselves without having to see me. Also, I think many people experience pain, but aren't sure whether it's worth going to see their doctor about. My hope is that if someone isn't sure, they can follow the suggestions in the book, and if it works then they have their question answered. If they aren't able to take care of it themself, then they can be confident that they've tried their best and now they do need an expert's opinion.

You can order your copy of Runner’s Fix today on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Runners-Fix-Guide-Running-Pain-Free/dp/173279250X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542938835&sr=8-1&keywords=the+runner%27s+fix

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