Sports & Dance Injuries

Get your joints, muscles and brain working in a more balanced way and avoid injuries, train smarter, and enjoy improved efficiency and movement ease.

Avoid Injury – Recover Quickly – Achieve Ambitious Goals

Dr. Lavine has nearly 35 years expertise helping the serious endurance athlete achieve ambitious goals. His focus is on improving body awareness, alignment, and movement control, releasing tight connective tissues, and restoring normal joint play – all with the goal of developing an efficient and stress-free running style.

How Dr. Lavine helps the endurance athlete

Begin with a thorough evaluation of your running alignment, lower extremity biomechanics, spine posture, and freedom of joint play. Your initial visit isn’t complete until Dr. Lavine is sure you understand some specific therapeutic exercises or changes in posture and running mechanics you can institute to address your condition.

As a long distance runner, I’ve had bad IT Band issues over the past several years and Ron has helped me work through and past that injury. I’m back to my normal training routine and see Ron monthly to help with alignment. He also provides great exercises for me to do on my own that focus on strength and stretching. Allison P.

Then, continue with an ongoing treatment plan – a potent combination of corrective exercises, release of connective tissue restrictions, and, as needed, mobilization of the joints. Custom foot orthotics are also provided in select situations.

Ask about special pricing for runners when you book your appointment.

Why 20-30% of entrants to the NYC Marathon don’t even show up at the starting line

Because they’re injured due to overtraining and repetitive stress on their joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Here are some of the common problem areas for runners that Dr. Lavine could help you with:

Iliotibial band friction syndrome

His research into problems of the IT band led to the Dec. 2010 publication of Dr. Lavine’s article “Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome” in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. The article illuminated the differing views of this common overuse injury of runners and in particular debunked the overly simplified notion that a tight IT band was a major cause.

In fact, common IT band stretches are only marginally effective at targeting the band in the first place. Moreover, a taut iliotibial band is a necessity in order to support proper alignment of the torso as the body shifts weight side to side during running.

Instead, a comprehensive approach to treatment of IT band friction syndrome requires the practice of complex patterns of lateral weight shift, maintaining freedom of motion of the hip joints while activating the hip joint rotators.

Patellofemoral syndrome

This common cause of knee pain is often attributed to tight quads or an imbalance of the inner versus outer quads, leading to poor patellar tracking.

Dr. Lavine helps you strengthen the body’s movement control systems to organize the alignment of the knee and pelvis over the foot with each gait cycle. You build awareness of this fundamental building block of running alignment by starting with simple knee-bending exercises, progressing to more complex patterns, and integrating proper motion control into your running gait.

Plantar fasciitis

Painful tightness of the sole of the foot is another problem common in runners. It can be frustratingly persistent. Deep friction massage of the plantar fascia, stretching of the Achilles tendon, and custom foot orthotics can all work to interrupt the pain cycle.

However, an overlooked factor in plantar fasciitis is restricted joint play of the joint above the heel bone, between the calcaneus and talus. “In addition to adjusting the subtalar joint when needed,” explains Dr. Lavine, “I also palpate the fascia in the region just below the inner ankle bone. If it’s tight, it can impinge on nerves that feed the sole of the foot.”

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“Dr. Lavine’s treatment addresses several conditions that I developed early: fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, knee pain, and foot problems. You’d think I was a walking disaster! But at 61 I lead an active life and manage quite well. I don’t need pain medicines and my overall health is better. I can work long days reading, writing, teaching, and making jewelry– all of which I love.”

Mariana R

“I have been going to Ron Lavine for a number of years. His neurotactile therapy works wonders for the aches and pains which I have. I think it feels better than a massage. I highly recommend him.”

Liz Cook

“I have known Ron for over 20 years. I have had to use his services from time to time because of either back problems, or shoulder and neck issues. Every time, Ron solved my problems through efficient treatments.”

Michel Couturier

About Dr Lavine

Dr. Lavine’s background in modern dance and ballet began his career-long commitment to understanding and treating the injuries and body alignment issues common to dancers, athletes, and all those involved with the moving body.

Full bio

FAQ

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes.

Is chiropractic care gentle?

Dr. Lavine uses a range of treatment methods, some of which are extremely gentle. Part of his experience lies in choosing the right style of treatment to get you system functioning better as quickly as possible.

Are there negative side-effects?

The most common side effects of chiropractic care are positive ones – feeling healthier and more robust. Another common side effect is a temporary increase in soreness. This typically resolves within a day or two. More significant side effects – worsening your underlying condition or creating a problem you didn’t already have – are exceedingly rare.

How long will Dr. Lavine spend with me?

There’s no set length for an appointment. But Dr. Lavine never typically schedules more than two patient visits per hour, and leaves double time for a consultation with a new patient.

Will Dr. Lavine treat me on the first visit?

Most often, yes.

Will Dr. Lavine crack my back?

Maybe. One method that Dr. Lavine uses is manipulation of the joints of the spine. This sometimes results in a popping noise as the spinal joints regain their normal mobility pattern. It’s a safe and painless procedure. Nonetheless, it’s not suitable in all cases and it’s never suitable for someone who doesn’t feel comfortable with that method of treatment.

Will I need to come for a series of treatments?

Most often, yes. The goal of the initial visit is to begin to determine what’s causing your problem and begin to find a way to fix it. Sometimes that means that you’ll respond strongly and immediately to the initial treatment and you’ll soon be heading back toward health. But far more often, a series of visits is needed to fully understand all of the ways your body needs help and allow your system a chance to heal.

I’ve heard that people keep coming to their chiropractor for months or even years. Is that true?

Most patients will begin to respond positively within a handful of treatments. Once they’ve achieved their initial goals, some patients choose to continue with periodic tune-up visits to alleviate stress as it builds up and keep on top of their game. That’s an individual choice.

Does Dr. Lavine take my insurance?

Dr. Lavine is not an in-network provider with any insurance network. Insurance networks are designed for the provision of generic chiropractic treatment, not the personalized, diversified treatment that Dr Lavine offers. If you have an insurance plan that covers out-of-network doctors, Dr. Lavine may be able to accept your case on an assigned-benefits basis. Call to find out more.

What about Medicare coverage?

If you have traditional Medicare (not a Medicare Advatage plan) you’ll pay doctor Lavine’s fees and he will submit a Medicare insurance claim on your behalf. You’ll get partial reimbursement based on the Medicare chiropractic fee schedule. Call for more information.

Is Dr. Lavine’s treatment suitable for older people?

Yes

Is Dr. Lavine’s treatment suitable for children?

Yes

What about X-rays? Will I need X-rays or MRI’s?

There are occasional situations in which imagining tests such as Xrays or MRIs would be useful in determining your diagnosis. But this is infrequent.

What specific methods does Dr. Lavine use?

Dr. Lavine uses a variety of manual therapy techniques designed to help your body reorganize itself to alleviate pain and allow for an optimal pattern of body movement. Broadly, there are three components of treatment: mobilization and manipulation of the joints, connective tissue treatment, and therapeutic movement. Within each of these three broad categories there are innumerable specific types of treatment that Dr. Lavine is skilled in. Every patient is different and every treatment plan is unique.

Will Dr. Lavine work with my regular medical doctor? Orthopedist? Physical therapist?

Of course. With your permission, he’ll send a complete report outlining his examination findings and treatment plan to any of your other physicians or therapists.

Will Dr. Lavine show me what to do to prevent my problem from coming back?

Yes. Any treatment plan also includes self-care tips, therapeutic exercises to do at home, and useful lifestyle modifications to deal with ongoing stressors.

Ronald Lavine, DC

Hand-crafted healthcare since 1981