CORA Physical Therapy’s ActiveTracks program works to prevent, evaluate, and treat acute and chronic injuries resulting from overuse or participation in high-impact or high-repetition sports. Through community outreach, the program provides athletes with a comprehensive approach to injury prevention, rehabilitation, wellness, and education.
Our community-first mentality is what allows us to thrive, so we are always growing and adapting our efforts to meet the needs of those we serve, which is a reason a Jacksonville-based running club became a springboard for our sports medicine program.
In 2014, we partnered with a running community known as Personal Running Solutions (PRS). Through our early work with this running organization, we have been able to not only offer PRS runners treatment and prevention for common injuries, but as an added bonus, develop a long-term vision for our ActiveTracks program.
Personal Running Solutions, or PRS, was founded by a group of friends who felt that Jacksonville needed a running club where runners of all ability levels could meet on any day of the week, “for a great run and a good time.”
Unlike many running groups, PRS has its own coach, Chris McCaffrey, and its own club president, Paul McRae. This running club provides custom-tailored and individual training to local long-distance runners and endurance athletes.
When CORA first partnered with PRS, the club’s members had a passion for running and needed to make sure common injuries didn’t hamper their abilities and competitive strength.
Our goals aligned closely with the mission of PRS, that is:
To empower members to lead healthy lives through the benefits of running, community, and personal excellence.
CORA Partnership Beneficial to PRS and Its Runners
CORA provides sports medicine services to PRS by committing CORA Clinicians (PTs/PTAs/ATCs) who are dedicated solely to PRS members at race sites. For bigger races, such as the Donna Marathon, which is one of Jacksonville’s larger events held annually, CORA staffs up to 10 tents and 20 clinicians to make sure that all runners remain healthy and able to perform to the best of their abilities and recover quickly.
Partnering with CORA has enhanced the performance and health of PRS runners by:
- Streamlining and tailoring treatment for more than 600 runners.
- Providing comprehensive support and care during various races, including the Donna Marathon, Second Wind Race Timing events, the Gate River Run, plus more.
- Providing runners with complimentary injury assessments on-site, allowing for more vigilant implementation of treatment plans.
- Providing post-race treatments, including Astym therapy, Kinesio Taping, stretching, and manual therapy.
- Ensuring high-quality immediate and emergency care.
We’ve been able to sustain our initial volume of patients, which speaks to the importance of our team to these athletes. These long-lasting relationships go well beyond the treatment table.
We listen to our athletes’ needs, ask for feedback, and provide support in our clinics with new technology and evidence-based practices, which is something that has earned the members’ trust from the get-go, says Club President Paul McCrae:
“CORA is always quick to react to PRS’ needs, which is huge, as injured runners seek immediate attention to return to the sport they love as quickly as possible. As athletes, our members have a strong desire and passion to want to get back in the game!”
In fact, it was McCrae and his team that inspired our investment into AlterG anti-gravity treadmills in the Jacksonville area. The partnership has been of great benefit to PRS members, allowing them to:
- Miss fewer training runs
- Participate in the most events possible
- Increase compliance for return-to-running plans
- Alleviate parental concerns (for our minor athletes)
- Reduce healthcare costs.
We take pride in the success of the athletes we work with. For example, one of our CORA Athletes, Marc Burget, took home first place in the 2016 Donna Marathon. Burget, an “ultra runner,” was one of eight athletes to represent the U.S. in the annual Spartathlon 2017 in Greece. The Spartathlon, one of the most difficult ultra-distance races in the world, follows ancient Athenian long-distance runner Pheidippides’ run from Athens to Sparta in 430 B.C.
ActiveTracks: Keeping Athletes in the Game
CORA’s ActiveTracks partners with a variety of sports organizations, including indoor and beach volleyball, baseball, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Quidditch, soccer, lacrosse, ice hockey, football, mixed martial arts, and golf, and our sports medicine program continues to grow.
In just three short years, our program has blossomed. Our clinicians provide treatment for a variety of conditions and approach injuries with prevention in mind. Our work with athletes helps them lead healthier lives through the benefits of their chosen sport and the ability to stay engaged in their communities. We strive to help them achieve their personal definition of success.
To find out more about how our clinicians can help you and your sports club stay healthy and avoid injury, contact one of CORA’s 210+ locations throughout Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois and Missouri.
