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Get to know North State Sport & Spine

Endurance Athletes…No Problem

As sports chiropractors, we have the privilege of seeing many different kinds of athletes that vary all over in skill level.  The multisport athlete that presents to the clinic always offers a fun challenge due to the training requirements, biomechanics of the three sports, and volume management.  
From the swim, we tend to see a lot of shoulder pain from impingement syndromes.  This is usually caused by a lack of mobility and stability of the shoulder complex as it comes into contact with the rib cage and thoracic spine.

Due to the athlete’s posture while on the bike, we tend to see a lot of spine pain (usually mid and upper spine pain, but it can be anywhere), knee pain from repetitive stress (or a poor bike fit), and nerve entrapments in the upper extremities.
And from the run, we tend to see the common lower extremity conditions like plantar fasciitis, IT Band syndrome, and shin splints.
Our treatments depend greatly on what is causing the conditions.  We specialize in soft tissue treatments, including Active Release Technique, Dry Needling, Cupping, Graston, among other manual therapies.  We tend to use different taping techniques as well to keep our treatments holding longer after the treatment session ends.  We also find and adjust the dysfunctional parts of the spine in order to promote proper biomechanics and a return to function.  And of course, rehabilitation is also our specialty, prescribing specific exercises to give you homework to target the dysfunctional areas causing your pain.

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Massage & Body Work for Triathletes

Research shows that massage therapy can decrease pain and perceived fatigue after intense muscular use, such as triathlon activities – especially in a high endurance capacity such as Ironman competition.

Sports massage increases short-term flexibility and significantly reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness. It helps to maintain overall muscle health by identifying areas of tension, mobility issues, and muscle firing pattern dysfunction and/or weakness. As a preventative measure, these benefits keep athletes active, optimize training, and maximize performance. Including regular bodywork in your training regimen helps to prevent injury but is also a useful recovery mechanism in returning to training and competition.

Sports massage & bodywork is best implemented regularly in training. Much as you perform routine maintenance on your vehicle – it is important for athletes’ bodies as well. Taking preventative measures helps to mitigate the risk for injury by addressing issues before they become dysfunctional, and assisting in the reduction of training/competition-related stress.

BODY RESTORATION massage & bodywork is proud to sponsor the Carolina Multisports athletes!

To best serve Joel & his team, I have limited my schedule for new clients primarily to direct referrals.

Keeping you doing the things you love, performing your ABSOLUTE BEST!

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Welcome to North State Sport & Spine as 2022 sponsor

Dr. Evan Kahn, DC, DACBSP is a Sports Medicine Chiropractor. A graduate from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Dr. Kahn took a sports medicine path at the Southern California University of Health Sciences where he learned to blend physical therapy, orthopedics, and manual medicine. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2009 and has gone on to work with two USA Sports Medicine teams, has been published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, and operates his private practice in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

In his spare time Evan likes to play golf, go for a run, and hike with his wife, Tiffany, and German short-haired pointer, Wyatt.

      CERTIFICATIONS & SERVICES:

  • Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
  • Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
  • Active Release Technique, Full Body
  • Dry Needling
  • Hypervolt Vibration Massage
  • Functional Rehabilitation
  • Graston Technique
  • Kinesiotape
  • Cupping

Dr. Amanda LoPiccolo, DC is a chiropractic physician with 12+ years of experience.  Amanda graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ithaca College, earning  her B.S. in Exercise Science and a minor in nutrition, health, and coaching.  She continued to succeed at New York Chiropractic College, once again graduating Summa Cum Laude and as the class salutatorian.  Amanda moved from New York to North Carolina in 2013 to take the position as Team Chiropractor for Duke University Cross Country, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Men’s Tennis.  

Amanda is an accomplished runner and endurance athlete.  She was a high school state champion runner in New York and went on to capture 7 All-American honors in cross country and track and field in undergrad.  She was inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014, and is a 5-time USATF qualifier in events ranging from the 1,500m to 5,000m. 

For Amanda, running is a family affair, as her husband, Matt, is also a collegiate All-American and works as a personal running coach for Zap Endurance.   Amanda lives in Holly Springs with her husband, two young sons Owen and Eli, and dogs Barley and Tracker.

Have a Plant

Have a Plant!

Information provided by Produce For Better Health

  1. According to the American Gut Research project: By eating a variety of 30 plants per week, there is a greater diversity in Gut Microbial than eating just 10 different plants per week. Having a more diverse gut microbial availability offers a range of direct health benefits.

Fact: Only 5% of all Americans meet the target goal for fiber intake

  • By consuming more plants fiber intake is increased. Daily fiber intake requirement- Men: 30-38 grams/day   Women: 21-28 grams/day

Fact: #1 highest consumed food is wheat flour, #50 leafy greens!

  • Gut/Brain Axis- 2020 Australian government commissioned research for a link to gut health and depression- 1 in 5 Australians suffered with some form of mental health illness. The answer is YES. Poor levels of gut microbial more prevalent in people with symptoms of depression. Diet is a recognizable modifiable form of treatment for mental illness.

Fact: Antibiotics drastically reduce gut microbiome

  • Pay attention to eating more plants to promote a healthy gut especially if taking antibiotics.
  • During pregnancy and the gestational phase, biome is passed to the developing fetus in the womb and then through breast feeding.
  • During and after Menopause, dropping estrogen levels negatively impact the amount of gut microbiome. Eating a varied diet of plants per week will help this imbalance.

Fact: Top 3 plants eaten in the USA are POTATOES (fries) TOMATO(via pizza) and ONIONS.

And finally

Diet choices are meaningless … if we don’t get enough sleep. Poor sleep leads to raised blood sugar levels.

For more information and webinar slides of this and more topics go to

Fruitsandveggies.org/expert-professionals/webinars

Paulette Conquering the USA

Meet Paulette.

She recently joined the Carolina Multisports team and shared with me her ambitious goal of completing at least 1 endurance event/race in all 50 states! She has a great start having completed several marathons and other races.

After moving to North Carolina, she discovered the sport of triathlon and joined our team to hone her running skills and develop her newfound love of cycling and swimming.

I’m continually amazed by those around me and their accomplishments. Keep up the great work and remember, “Your next victory is inside you!”

Stay tuned as we update her travels and races here.

Maryland #18

Maryland! Quirky, local triathlon 1600yard swim, 18 mile bike (but with a 15 mph max speed limit-whaat?) and finish with a 10k run. I thought I had the watch in triathlon mode but it was recorded all as a swim! Everything about this race was strange and a little off. But I #racehappy#runtheusa#dohardthings

Also Baltimore MD was a lovely city #charmcity

Pennsylvania #19

When in Pittsburgh, run 10 miles! #racehappy #AnotherStateDown #GoSteelers #mrrogersneighborhood

2021 National Championships -Clermont, Florida

I returned to Florida again this year to compete in the USAT National Championships for the 104.6 mile distance.

It was a brutal race and lived up the hype of being the toughest race in the southeast with no wetsuit, 90 degree air temps, and 6700’ of climbing on the bike (in FL of all places)! I missed the podium by 11 minutes and placed fourth in my age group. (I got a flat on my bike and that set me back a little.) But I have no regrets. I had nothing left in the tank. I gave it all I had and I have nothing but respect for everyone who raced.

To that point, I race for life, and when life throws you a flat tire, your training kicks in and you do what you have to do. Not only do I train for each discipline, I practice all my transitions, changing a flat, going through aid stations, etc. (My neighbors think I’m weird running around the house and in and out of my garage changing gear. 😆) All the little things make a big difference over the course of a race.

Life is the same. All the little decisions we make along the way, especially when no one is looking, is what defines us. Am I sad that I missed to podium? Sure. But to see the face of the guy that got third at the awards ceremony the following day was special. He was the only athlete that brought his entire family to the ceremony. They were also dressed to impress. They weren’t in their comfy clothes like the rest of us. I don’t know what his story was, but I could tell his finish and placement meant something more. Yes, for humanity, I was completely satisfied to step aside and enjoy the success of others. Few if any other sports are so difficult and bring out the best in people.

Beth places 3rd

Last buoy turn. Finishing strong.

Setting & Crushing Milestones

Carolina Multisports athlete, Beth Cook, represented well with her 3rd place finish in her age group this weekend at the Hurricane swim at Jordan Lake. Currently living in Roanoke, VA, Beth was searching for a break through in her open water swimming.

Beth was an regular at the local Master’s Swim team. But even though her coach was only feet from her, she wasn’t getting the feedback and coaching she needed.

Not knowing it if was even feasible, Beth reached out over the summer. Not being local, we communicated often, managed her workouts through her TrainingPeaks account, and her husband sent me several videos of her swimming. Coupled with video analyses, drills, and specialized workout sessions, Beth put in the work and broke through this weekend with a huge PR, dropping 15 minutes off her 2 mile time!!!

We’ll done Beth. I can’t wait to see you crush your next goal.

CM athletes having fun this weekend at the Sandling Beach Triathlon, both racing and volunteering. David and Paulette tore up the course while a couple of us volunteered behind the scenes.

ITU Multisport World Championships, Almere, Netherlands

Racing with Team USA this year was an experience of a lifetime! The certainly rolled out the red carpet for us.

Traveling during the COVID -19 restrictions made the visa application process much more difficult and stressful but everything came through just in the nick of time. One big perk of traveling during COVID restrictions was the empty transatlantic flight! I had an entire row to myself! And with a plane that seats several hundred people and with only about 20 of us on the flight, I practically had the entire plane to myself too!

I went several days early to get acclimated to the time change. Being able to get out and do some sightseeing helped keep me busy so I could get used to the local time.

It didn’t take long to get into race mode. I scouted to course and did a few workouts to familiarize myself with the lay of the course.

Before I knew it, race morning had arrived.

The swim went great! I set a personal record.

The first transition came and went effortlessly.

Heading out on the bike felt great too. But shortly after doing so, my stomach started feeling bad. It kept getting worse and worse and I kept getting slower and slower.

T2 was a relief mentally because the bike portion was over but little did I know, the toughest part of the race was just ahead.

Once I started the run, the bouncing of my stomach was too much. I visited every porta-potty for the first half of the marathon! Not only was it physically taxing to just complete the race, but the added complications made it excruciating. On top of that, I was fighting the mental and emotional battle of not quitting. Many of my teammates gave me encouragement and support. I was also fortunate to have a couple of personal friends that made the trip with me that provided a lot of support.

In the end, I finished. It wasn’t the race I wanted or planned for, but being able to focus enough to persevere through the darkness moments taught me a lot about myself.

Niki, Mike, & Degaulle IMCHOO 2021

Purposeful Racing

I watched an episode recently of, The Little House on the Prairie, where Charles Ingalls was traveling for work and he was asked by another if he could join him for his company while he too traveled to look for work. In the end, it was the friendship developed that was more valuable an gold.

This weekend was a similar experience for me. Traveling to Chattanooga this weekend to cheer on some friends in an Ironman triathlon was truly a pleasure and an unforgettable experience.

For Niki, it was her first. For Mike, it was number 26! For Degaulle, it was a return to the sport that helped save his life. As night fell and the fatigue of the day started to set in, it was moving to watch each of them dig deep to find the victory that was inside each of them. Everyone has a different reason for doing an Ironman event. I was inspired this weekend with each of their stories and I’m humbled and grateful to be called a friend.