Our Practice
The Running Institute is a team of professionals dedicated to providing a caring environment with the most advanced techniques to return our patients back to a pain-free lifestyle.
We understand the athlete mindset and develop individualized treatment plans to return the athlete back to their sport healthily and with the least risk of recurrent injury.
You will have access to our sports-specific physicians who can provide non-operative sports medicine care, nutritional consultation, chiropractic therapies, acupuncture, video gait evaluation, customized orthotics for sport or dress shoes, and surgical management of foot and ankle disorders
Services & Specialties
Our Team
The Running Institute was founded by Dr. Michael J. Chin, a board certified sports-medicine podiatrist, who understands the mindset of athletes. He works in a preventative manner to improve longevity and performance of his patient athletes. His approach to acute injuries includes a safe return to activities based on biofeedback and utilization of physical therapists focused on sport-specific exercises and treatments.
Dr. Robert S. Ardell
Dr. Ardell is board certified and trained in many aspects of Podiatric Medicine with over 37 years of practice experience. Dr. Ardell is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf, tennis and walking. He is a lifelong Chicagoan, currently living in Skokie, IL.
Dr. Balu Natarajan
Dr. Natarajan, is a physician double boarded in internal and sports-medicine. His approach to patient care is based on a partnership and a patient’s willingness to succeed. He provides excellent management of the complex body and strives to return to the sport of running.
Dr. Sarah K. Kelly
Dr. Kelly, a chiropractic physician and certified acupuncturist, is an avid runner and completed the Chicago Marathon in 2007 and 2008. She also has a specific interest in nutrition and holistically combines her treatments with her sports-medicine experience.