If You’ve Experienced Any of These 4 Running Injuries, Physical Therapy Can Help!

Do you enjoy running? If so, you already know that running is a great way to stay fit while also improving your health. Unfortunately, just like with any physical activity, there are many kidneys of injuries associated with running. We’ve listed out the four most common running injuries, as well as the best ways to treat them with physical therapy!

According to a wellness article in U.S. News, physical therapy may be a better option for treating running-related injuries than seeing a chiropractor or opting for surgery. If you’ve recently received an injury while running and you’re looking for safe, effective, and natural ways to manage or eliminate your pain, contact TheraFit™ Physical Therapy & Fitness Center today. We’re ready to help get you back on your feet!

The Top 4 Most Common Running Injuries

1. PPS, or “Runner's Knee”

The technical term for Runner’s Knee is patellofemoral pain syndrome, or PPS. This condition generally refers to the breakdown of cartilage under the kneecap. According to Runner's World, approximately 40 percent of injuries sustained by runners are in the knee. Although it is likely a runner's knee will often improve and heal on its own, sometimes physical therapy is needed to help someone with the condition. A physical therapist will be able to work with you to strengthen your upper leg and thigh muscles. He or she can teach you multiple exercises that you can do at home as well!

2. Shin Splints

Shin splints are an extremely common condition that nearly every runner has experienced at least once before. It involves painful inflammation in the tendons and muscles of the lower leg. Web MD states that shin splints are more likely to occur after you change your workout routine. Cutting down on the amount that you’re running, using over-the-counter pain relievers, and icing the affected area are all recommended treatments for shin splints.

Physical therapy can also help. Your physical therapist can show you strengthening exercises, stretches, and how to retrain muscles. He or she might also recommend using the RICE method from time to time at home (rest, ice, compression, elevation).

3. Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis is an injury that occurs in the heel of your feet, and according to ChoosePT, it is responsible for about 11% of all runners' injuries. It often results in pain and swelling and can make it hard to walk or stand. This condition can be brought on by running in old or poor quality shoes. Your physical therapist may suggest icing, and elevating the foot to reduce the swelling, as well as switching to shoe inserts for better support. Developing strong calf muscles will help to prevent relapses as well.

4. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one condition that not only affects runners. It can happen to almost anyone who walks a lot or stands on their feet for extensive periods, for example, a waitress who works long shifts in a restaurant. With this injury, pain radiates throughout the arch and heel. Plantar fasciitis can often be treated as a better quality pair of shoes and staying off your feet for a while. Orthopedic shoe inserts may also help.

What Should I Expect at a Physical Therapy Appointment?

Developing and maintaining a proper running form, investing in good shoes with ample support, and adding strength training to your exercise routine can often be the key to preventing many types of running injuries. Once injuries have occurred though, you may benefit from seeing a physical therapist a few times a week.

At your initial appointment with a physical therapist, he or she will assess your condition and overall physical abilities. They will also look at the area causing you pain to find any underlying factors that could be contributing to the problem. You may be asked a series of questions about your medical history as well. Your physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan for you, including targeted stretches and exercises to relieve pain and prevent future re-injuries.

He or she might also suggest rest and staying off your feet for a time, depending on your condition and diagnosis. Everyone’s treatment plan is different, and it’s important to remember that no size fits all, so what doesn’t work for someone else may work for you.

Contact Our Office Today

There is no reason to continue living in pain because of a running injury. We don’t want you to have to give up doing something you love, especially if physical therapy can offer a long-term solution to your pain! Contact TheraFit Physical Therapy & Fitness Center today to learn more and set up your first appointment with one of our therapists.

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Say No to Sciatica! 3 Indicators That You Need to See a Physical Therapist

Each of your sciatic nerves runs from either side of your lower back down to each of your legs. That’s why a classic sign of sciatica is having a shooting pain on one side only. While compression of one of your sciatic nerves can literally be a “pain in the butt,” it doesn’t always require medical attention. Yet sometimes physical therapy is your best bet to banish sciatica symptoms. So how can you tell when to go it alone, and when to call a physical therapist?

1. If Home Treatments Aren’t Working

There are plenty of things you can do at home to ease a mild sciatica flare-up. Alternating with cold and heat is a classic treatment for sciatica symptoms. Use an ice pack, followed by a heating pad, for about 15 minutes per application. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can also help. If you can’t get comfortable during the day or at night, try a reclining chair to redirect the pressure from your lower back. Going for walks often helps ease sciatica pain, because “babying” your condition can actually make it worse.

Yet while these methods may help with mild sciatica, there are times when a physical therapy session is a far better strategy. One sign that you should consult a physical therapist is if your home treatments are having little or no effect in reducing the pain and restricted motion. Another is if the symptoms persist for at least a week. Of course, the worsening of pain is the most important sign that physical therapy is needed.

2. When Symptoms Become Severe

If your sciatic nerve becomes seriously compressed, the resulting symptoms can go from uncomfortable to quite painful – and even embarrassing. You may become weak and numb on one side. Sometimes, even getting your leg or foot to move becomes impossible. If the pain hits you suddenly, and with great intensity, it’s probably time to visit a physical therapist to begin easing the pain.

Another telltale sign? The sciatic nerve can become compressed in the area that controls bladder and/or bowel function. If you lose control of either or both of these functions, you’ll obviously want to get professional help. Visit a doctor to rule out other problems. She will likely run tests, as well as refer you to a physical therapist.

3. If the Pain Follows an Injury

Mild sciatica can build up over time, and it may even go away on its own. But when you have an onset of classic sciatica symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or sports injury, contact a doctor and a physical therapist. The symptoms are more likely to be severe because of the greater impact on the area surrounding the sciatic nerve. It’s important to determine the severity of nerve damage. Your medical team needs to evaluate the need for surgery, steroid injections or prescription drugs.

Of course, even if your injury requires more aggressive treatment, physical therapy is often recommended as part of the recovery plan. Your physical therapist can help you with surgery rehab. He or She can also focus on extending the benefits of your injections and sciatica medication.

For many people with persistent or severe sciatica, physical therapy can be a lifeline. You’ll be taught targeted moves that strengthen your lower back. Strong muscles support the area around your sciatic nerve and can prevent future injuries. You’ll also work on improving your posture to keep sciatica symptoms at bay. Increasing range of motion is also part of physical therapy for sciatica.

Contact TheraFit™ Physical Therapy today to speak with an experienced physical therapist about how to manage – and even banish – painful sciatica flare-ups.