Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 User Group Meeting! This weekend was made possible by Noraxon staff, inspirational speakers, and most importantly, our users who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. We are so thankful for the opportunity to receive their feedback and insights each year so that we can continuously improve our products, support, and customer experience. We truly appreciate being able to build lasting connections and host this incredible event each year!

Here’s a quick recap of what happened over the weekend:

2023 Keynote Speakers:

Four individuals are shown in separate hexagonal frames with the names Dr. Chris Powers, David Lemke, Sally Crawford, and Dr. Michael Steimling beneath their pictures.

Dr. Chris Powers is the founder and owner of the Movement Performance Institute. His primary focus is on understanding the impact of modified kinematics, kinetics, and muscular activities on lower-extremity injuries. Of particular interest to him are the pathomechanics that underlie dysfunction in the knee and patellofemoral joint. As the co-director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory and director of the division’s biokinesiology program, he plays a pivotal role in advancing this field.

Sally Crawford attended University of Rochester graduating with a BS in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics. She went on to complete Masters Degree in Neuromuscular Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics. Sally’s Dissertation, published by Northeastern BMES, IEEE, and RESNA, initiated Hands-Up! which is an adaptive video game platform designed for the rehabilitation of children with severe orthopedic disabilities.

David Lemke became interested in core function as a patient with back pain. Following pain relief and functional improvement brought about by gifted and well-trained manual therapists, he began his own apprenticeship with a renowned Canadian bodyworker in 1985. A decade later, he innovated sequenced motor point manipulation, relieving frozen shoulders. His expertise is trusted by athletes, dancers, and those recovering from orthopedic issues. Lemke collaborates with special education teachers, addressing motor coordination problems in children. A Certified Dartfish Video Coach, he’s influential in biomechanics, advising Champions Sports Medicine’s lab and consulting with Baylor University researchers.

Dr. Michael Steimling serves as an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, specializing in musculoskeletal education. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 and completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Drexel University in 2013. Dr. Steimling is recognized for his expertise in sports and orthopaedic rehabilitation, holding certifications as an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedics since 2015 and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists since completing the Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy from Regis University in 2018.

Our keynote speakers delivered informative and educational lectures on a variety of topics:

“Attacking the Ache: A Guide for Evaluating and Treating the Runner with Anterior Knee Pain” by Dr. Chris Powers

Dr. Chris Powers reviewed the underlying mechanics related to the development of runner’s knee and discussed how to perform a basic running assessment to determine potential contributing factors. Additional implications for rehabilitation and injury prevention were also discussed.

“Wired for Success” Decoding Pathways to Performance with Kinesiological EMG” by Dave Lemke

Dave Lemke discussed kinesiological EMG and how it is used to understand and affect adaptive motor patterns. Through insightful case studies using kinesiological EMG data, different pathways and corrective exercise strategies that led to high-level human performance were explored.

“Infinite Health: Enhancing Performance Through Personalized Recovery Optimization” by Sally Crawford

Sally Crawford discussed how the integration of Noraxon technology helps her team optimize personalized performance outcomes while highlighting the exciting discoveries in exercise recovery footwear that are translating into realistic gait interventions and delivering substantial impact in wellness medical programs.

“Running Foundations: Exploring the Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Running Kinematics” by Dr. Mike Steimling

Dr. Michael Steimling delved into the role of pelvic floor muscles during running and how a better understanding of this function could lead to improved treatments for stress urinary incontinence and related conditions.

2023 user group meeting presentation
2023 user group meeting presentation
2023 user group meeting presentation
2023 user group meeting presentation

The interactive break-out sessions allowed users to see, in real-time, how others are using Noraxon in various applications:

“Using Video Analysis to Treat Anterior Knee Pain in Runners” by Dr. Chris Powers

This workshop demonstrated how to evaluate and treat anterior knee pain in runners using 2D video analysis.

“Testing the Kinesiological EMG Model” by Dave Lemke

This workshop explored the effects of adaptive motor patterns through kinesiological EMG feedback and analysis.

“Investigating the Effects of Exercise Recovery Footwear on COP Variability” by Sally Crawford

This workshop focused on examining COP variability changes after maximal fatigue through exercise cool down and recovery footwear.

“Analyzing and Retraining Running Gait for Optimal Performance” by Dr. Mike Steimling

This workshop reviewed the role of instrumented gait analysis in identifying potential causes of running-related issues and discussed targeted running gait retraining as a viable treatment option for various conditions.

A man stands in front of a large screen displaying colorful waveform data and an image. He appears to be giving a presentation to an audience in a room with glass walls.
A man runs on a treadmill in a gym setting, observed by two other individuals. The background features a large graphic with athletic imagery.
2023 user group meeting presentation
2023 user group meeting presentation
A man runs on a treadmill in a gym, with video capture equipment and a large screen showing his movements in the background. Another person is seated at a desk with a laptop.
A person runs on a treadmill
Two women are standing in a room with computer equipment. One is speaking and gesturing, and the other is wearing a powered exoskeleton and appearing to adjust its fit.
A shirtless man and a man lying on a table with electrodes participate in a study while seated individuals observe from the background.

And perhaps most importantly of all – the speakers, attendees, and Noraxon staff developed meaningful relationships and long-lasting connections:

Dimly lit lounge with green and blue lighting, featuring cushioned seating and tables, a long bar counter on the left, and colorful decor.
A group of people seated in a gym classroom watch a man stand shirtless on a platform in front of two large projection screens displaying mirrored fitness data.
A group of people, some standing and some sitting, listen to a man presenting near a large screen displaying anatomical imagery in a meeting room.
A group of people are gathered around a presentation in a brightly lit room. Some are standing, while others are using a massage table as a prop. A screen displaying graphics is visible in the background.
A group of people stands in a circle in a bright room with wooden floors, engaging in a discussion. Two yoga mats are on the floor. A presentation screen is visible in the background.
Four women pose next to a robot illustration, with one of them taking a selfie. The robot has "NORAXON" written on its chest.
A group of people stand in a circle in a room with yoga mats and a large screen, engaged in conversation or instruction. The room has mirrors, wooden flooring, and tables in the background.