Why would a Family Doc be researching Running Techniques in his spare time?

Written by Mark Cucuzzella MD, FAAFP

I have been a runner since age 13 and ran competitively at University of Virginia in the mid 80’s.  My interest in medicine was sparked after experiencing our team physician Dr. Danial Kulund of Charlottesville try some seemingly bazaar at the time and innovative approaches to running injuries.

He was the first to have people run in the pool and built orthotics in his toaster oven. It seemed like there must be better ways to treat these maladies and Dr. Kulund blazed his own path.  Oft injured Mary Decker Slaney was one of the first of Dr. Kulund’s patients to have running rebirth by his methods. Runners train in water now not just as injury rehab, but for prevention and supplemental training. 20 years into my medical career I am reviving the passion I felt at that time by witnessing how ChiRunning is giving many, including myself, running rebirth. 

Dr. George Sheehan was another pioneer and his ideas were also way ahead of his time. I read “Running and Being” in high school and did not really understand a lot of what he was talking about then…but now I do.  Holism, prevention, understanding movement and the root causes of injury- that is the holy grail of running pain free for life.

“If athletes were given less care and more thought, the doctors might come up with some original ideas on why illness persists, why injury doesn’t clear up. 

"If more non-physicians could be induced to lend their ideas and talents, we might see a completely new approach to sports medicine.” 

Dr. George Sheehan 1975