The sport of running is a popular pastime for many people. Running has many benefits, whether it’s the thrill of competition or the peace that comes from being outdoors. But with all those miles on your feet, you’ll experience some discomfort and pain. Our osteopaths at Crofton Healthcare in Guildford can help ease these common injuries by providing hands-on treatments and exercises designed specifically for runners.
The article lists common running injuries like shin splints, runner’s knee, IT band syndrome and Achilles tendonitis and how osteopaths treat them so readers can learn more about what they can do to take care of themselves before their injury worsens.
Runners Knee
Runner’s knee can be a range of injuries, all focusing on the knee; it is a common term used in the sport to describe any pain, niggle or injury in or around the knee. There are several reasons you can get knee pain from running; the first and most common one is being overweight; running is strenuous on a physical level for fit people, and having extra weight can damage your knees.
One of the other main damages you can do to your knee whilst running is your kneecap can become unaligned. This is due to your kneecap wearing away through running; when this happens, your knees become painful during general day-to-day activities. This includes climbing the stairs, squatting, or sitting at a desk. By seeing an osteopath, you can get help treating this kind of sports injury, don’t just keep running and hope it goes away. It won’t.
Achilles Tendon Issues
The dreaded Achilles tendons are a runner’s nightmare when injured. This muscle is always under a lot of strain and stress when you run, it mostly feels like a tight muscle and stiff, but it can get increasingly worse. There are several reasons runners can get Achilles tendon issues; some of the most common are;
- Lack of stretching
- Badly fitted footwear
- Over exercise
- The dramatic change of movements (jump squats)
If you think you have damaged your Achilles tendon, you must rest it. Please do not think after a few days; it will have healed itself and go out running again. Come and see our team for a sports massage; we can also show you stretches to prevent this kind of injury in the future.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis – A Runner’s nightmare. One of the most painful and troubling injuries can be caused by running. This occurs on the thick tissue on the bottom of your foot, stretching between your toes and heel. As one of the most painful running injuries, you will feel sharp stabbing pains right through the arch of your foot, making weight-bearing difficult even when walking.
The main problem with plantar fasciitis is that overnight, while you sleep, the muscle along the bottom of your foot contracts, making it incredibly painful first thing in the morning.
The best way to manage plantar fasciitis is by stretching, stretching, stretching! Use a foam roller; we know they can hurt, but trust us, they are the best for helping in recovery. Alternatively, come see your local osteopaths; we can help with your recovery and prevent recurring injuries.
Sprained Ankle
Undoubtedly, the most common running injury nearly all runners will have experienced is going over on their ankle, spraining it and returning to square one in minutes. Generally, this occurs when you go in over on your ankle or you twist it, and you will feel the pain.
Sprains do usually recover with rest, ice, and elevation. However, seeing an osteopath for a sports massage, recovery procedures, and stretches to strengthen your ankle is still a good idea.
Pulled Hamstring
Several reasons cause pulled hamstrings; fatigue, running at a strained pace, and issues with other muscles that add extra strain on your hamstring. Pulling your hamstring can be incredibly painful and can happen at any point in the muscle.
Generally, with a 6-8 week recovery, seeing an osteopath can be helpful to speed up this recovery process by a little bit, but it won’t fix the problem in a few days. Seeing an osteopath gives you a chance to have sports massages, recovery treatments and prevention plans put in place. The most important thing to remember is, do not to rush back to running; take it slow and steady. A hamstring injury can recur very easily.
Get In Touch With An Osteopath In Guildford Today!
If you have a running injury, seeing an osteopath is essential. Crofton Healthcare in Guildford provides excellent and professional care that can help with all your running injuries, including shin splints, Achilles tendonitis or other pain from sports-related activities such as football.
Whether you are just starting out on the track for the first time or someone who has been at this sport for years, finding peace of mind is essential when it comes to knowing if you can run again without your body failing us due to pain and discomfort.
The last thing any runner wants is their body preventing them from doing what they love most! I recommend having an osteopathic assessment before every race; call Crofton Healthcare in Guildford to learn more.
