It’s estimated that one in every three runners will have a running-related injury. Injuries are common because this activity requires the heavy and extensive use of several different bones and muscles of our feet, knees, legs and ankles.
Why do I keep getting injured while running?
Although running injuries are common, you might experience them more often because of the following:
Overtraining (pushing yourself too hard)
Incorrect footwear
Incorrect technique
Hard surfaces and uneven terrain (which might cause fractures)
Sudden movement and acceleration (might lead to torn ligaments)
Minor and major accidents (slipping and tripping)
So if you want to prevent getting injured, it’s good to slow down a bit, get enough rest, wear proper footwear and practice correct running techniques. It also helps to ask for professional guidance from qualified physiotherapists.
How physiotherapy can help with preventing and treating running injuries
Physiotherapy is often about the treatment of injury through physical methods (e.g. therapeutic exercises, massage, joint mobilisation, posture, ergonomic and activity guidance). It directly involves the patients in their own care and recovery because they have to do certain things by themselves (such as performing many instructed exercises).
If you got injured because of overtraining, physiotherapy can help you experience pain relief as well as help bring back your movement and function. This can be achieved through the following:
Education and advice (about how you’ll warm up and how to run correctly)
Tailored and targeted exercise to mobilise and strengthen your feet, knees, legs and other parts of your body
Manual therapy (e.g. to relieve pain and stiffness, physiotherapists use their hands to move parts of the patient’s body)
Physiotherapists can help you with your recovery and mobility if you got any of the following conditions due to running or overtraining:
Knee injury
Fracture in the foot or lower leg
Kneecap dislocation
Muscle strains
Sprains and strains
Torn ligaments
Other injuries or if you’re feeling unusual pain suddenly after running especially in your lower limbs
Here at ProMovement Physio, we are here to help you properly recover as well as guide you in minimising injury recurrence as you carry out your sports, running, exercise and training activities.
