What to know about Running injuries

Running has become increasingly popular in recent times, especially during the pandemic when there was very little else to be doing!! Even though it is a great way to stay active and get out in the fresh air, many people have to deal with running related injuries at some point in time. Due to the repetitive stress placed on the body from the hundreds, maybe even thousands of foot strikes, there is bound to be excess load placed on soft tissues, joints and bones. The lower body is the most common area affected when running. This can include the upper and lower leg, pelvis, groin, lower back, hips, knees, ankles and feet.

The majority of running injuries develop over time and are related to repetitive stress and load. The most common ones include:

Patellofemoral syndrome/runner’s knee
Achilles tendinopathy
Shin splints
IT band syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Stress fractures

However, it is important to mention that sudden acute injuries such as ankle sprains or muscle strains can also occur while running.

Physiotherapy has a key role to play in running injuries. We can perform a full detailed assessment and clearly identify your problem area, and most importantly, the ‘why’ behind the problem. We can then perform hands-on treatment and provide you with a specific rehabilitation plan to get you back running pain free and allow you to meet your personal goals. We can also help in injury prevention for the future by identifying any areas that may need to be strengthened and provide you with personalised advice and tips and tricks in order to improve your overall running capabilities.

So whether you’ve been running for years or you’re a newbie to the activity, if you feel like you have developed a running injury or have a niggle that is stopping you from performing at your best, then don’t hesitate to contact us here at Fox Physiotherapy so we can help you to get back enjoying running pain free.