Running is Great, until it’s not
In a nutshell, running is one of the most popular recreational activities enjoyed by people around the world. It is unique in the fact that you are not limited to inside, outside, trail, mountain road, or grass. You can run anywhere. However, an estimated 50% of runners become injured annually with an overwhelming amount of those injuries being overuse injuries (1). So what does that mean? An overuse injury typically occurs when musculoskeletal structures such as muscles, ligaments, and/or bones are overloaded (2). Those structures become overloaded with repetitive microtrauma over a long period of time, (2) including running mile after mile, day after day, month after month training for race day, compounding into an injury.
So the questions become what parts of the body are most prone to injury when running and what in the world can you or I do to prevent said injuries? Studies indicate the most frequent sites of injury include knee (41.2%), ankle (15.0%), and foot (10.6%). (3) The five most common injuries being patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) otherwise known as “runner’s knee”, iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) which often progresses to stress fractures without proper treatment, achilles tendinopathy, and finally muscle strains (1).
Running injuries are multifactorial and diverse as no one person or injury is the same. It is widely accepted that poor running mechanics play a significant role in running injuries when the muscles, ligaments, and/or bones are unable to tolerate the repetitive load placed on them daily leading to a breakdown of one of those structures. When addressing running form, research states the most common factors resulting in injury are significantly greater peak contralateral hip drop with forward trunk lean during stance phase, and increased knee extension with dorsiflexed ankle at initial contact (1).
Now, that sounds complicated, but stick with me. As a physical therapist and a certified USA track and field level 1 coach, I have the tools and knowledge to first assess you for injury prone movement patterns and/or weakness to prevent injury; while also being able to assess you following an injury to address limitations you may possess. I will then guide and educate you on how to improve upon those weaknesses through manual therapies, strengthening, and movement retraining to allow you to return to pain-free, joyous running!
But wait, it gets better! Not only will you have access to me, as your therapist, but when coming to CISM you get the opportunity to benefit from many of the unique tools we have access to such as BFR and dry needling. One of the most unique tools we have at CISM is DYNEXUS. It is unique for many reasons, but it is especially unique to the US as it is one of only three located in the States. DYNEXUS is a biomechanical lab that utilizes 4D motion recording via 8,000 footprint pressure sensors and joint point auto detection with AI software. This advanced technology provides an accurate biomechanical gait analysis that can print custom orthotics to aid in correcting running form in addition to physical therapy utilizing movement retraining and strengthening to prevent injury or re-injury.
Christopher Bramah, 2018
Alexandre, 2012
Emir, 2019
