Run On Softer Surfaces Or Improve Running Technique?

I read with interest two recent letters written to the Forum page in the Straits Times in the past month. One writer suggested making softer surfaces for runners at park connector paths to take care of runners' knees.

Another writer said it's not the running surface but a runner's poor running technique that causes the knee joints to wear out.

In today's Forum page, another two writers wrote in with their comments. The first writer acknowledged that both running surfaces and running technique may be the cause of knee problems. However, he thinks that excess weight may be a contributing factor too since 30 percent of 500 respondents in a survey said they had gained 5kg during the pandemic (of course there were many others who lost weight too).

The second writer, a medical doctor suggested brisk walking rather than running for joint longevity. He also said that his heathiest octogenarian patients maintain a healthy weight by being active through walking rather than pursuing 'exercise achievement goals'.

Running definitely does not wear out your knees. I've written about this before and there is so much research supporting this.

If anyone should be paranoid about running wearing out the knee joints, it should be me after 3 knee operations. The following are my personal views, backed by published articles. 

Although research has shown that there is no difference between running on the road versus grass in terms of leg inflammation, I personally feel it is much softer to run on grass or the soft sand on the beach compared to running on the pavement or road.

If you're heavier, that can put more load on the joints definitely, but running does not wear out the joints. By all means improve your running technique or do deep water running if you have to.

Be patient, increase your training load gradually, have at least one rest day a week and don't do too much too soon.

*Have a look at page A17 in today's Straits Times (270121)

Patient Waited 5 Hours For Appointment

Has this happened to you before? The patient above, mentioned that there was a waiting time of about three and five hours respectively during the last two visits to see the eye doctor.

I've had many of my friends and family tell me about the same thing happening to them. Attending a medical appointment would often take up a whole day. 

On a personal note, I remember having to accompany my mother for a doctor's visit and we had to wait for over two hours as well. Such a waste of time.

At our clinics, we promise you will never have to wait more than five minutes. We will try our utmost to see you on time. We never ever book two patients or more for the same slot. 

You will not be attended by a therapy assistant if you're seeing the physiotherapist. We do not employ any therapy assistants in our clinics. If you're seeing us for an hour, you will have our undivided attention. We will not put you on a machine and attend to another patient. 

The first session with us is longer as we take the time to ask questions and assess you thoroughly to find the cause of your problem. We treat the cause of the problem and not just treat your pain. If you get better after one session, we will not ask you to come for another session.  

Rest assured, you would never have to put aside a day to see us for physiotherapy. We respect your time.