Running injuries can be broadly classified into two categories: acute trauma injuries and overuse injuries.
Acute trauma injuries are caused by sudden, forceful impact and can include torn ligaments or broken bones. Overuse injuries, on the other hand, are the most common type of running injury and result from repetitive stress on a specific area of the body, leading to muscle, tendon, or bone damage over time.
Runners can reduce their risk of injury by warming up, stretching, and gradually increasing mileage, while seeking prompt medical attention and treatment if an injury does occur.
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Running is a popular form of exercise, but it can also lead to various injuries. The most common injuries caused by running are overuse injuries, including plantar fasciitis, bursitis and tendonitis, shin splints, stress fractures, runners knee, and iliotibial band syndrome.
Preventative measures include regular stretching, wearing good shoes with shock-absorbing features, and gradual increases in mileage and speed. If you experience pain or discomfort during or after running, it is important to rest and consult with a chiropractor immediately.
Chiropractic treatment for running injuries involves a full medical history and examination, x-rays when necessary, gentle manipulation and adjustment techniques to free stiff joints, and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the injured area, improve flexibility, and prevent recurrence of the problem. Chiropractic treatment aims to restore normal function to joints, muscles, and the nervous system, increasing control, coordination, and muscle strength.
The cause of plantar fasciitis is stretching or tearing the broad connective tissue on the bottom of the foot (plantar fascia) which goes from the base of the toes and attaches to the heel.
The symptoms are pain in a specific area on the bottom of the foot towards the heel, possibly radiating towards the ball of the foot.
The foot feels tender early in the morning and becomes less painful with movement. It is often associated with pronation and a fallen arch.
Prevention: regular stretching of the calf and Achilles tendon. It is also important that the feet are assessed for any biomechanical problems. Orthotics or insoles may also be prescribed.
The most common problem areas include the knee and ankle.
Bursitis is an irritation, inflammation of the bursa, a fluid filled sac which sits between the tendons and bony protrubances, to protect tendons from friction.
Causes include, trauma, pressure or mechanical dysfunction.
Symptoms include pain and stiffness on movement with no visible swelling at first, but swelling can occur later as the condition worsens.
The Achilles tendon is the connection between the heel and the most the calf musculature and is a very common site for a disabling injury for runners.
To prevent a chronic problem, do not run through pain. If your Achilles tendon is sore, get it treated immediately.
It is also important that the feet are assessed for any biomechanical problems. Orthotics or insoles may be prescribed and the use of soft heel-lifts are effective as part of chiropractic treatment.
The cause can be faulty posture, poor shoes, fallen arches, insufficient warm-up, muscle fatigue, exercising on unyielding surfaces or poor running mechanics.
The symptoms would be pain or discomfort on the front, the inside and/or the outside surface of the shin bone or directly on the shin bone.
It can be prevented by wearing good shoes with shock absorbing features, heel toe landing for the minimum impact and calf stretches. Sports taping will also help.
These small fractures occur due to excessive stress (overuse of the bone) or an increase in intensity or distance running, resulting in gradual breakdown of the bone.
The symptoms include pain, which occurs especially in the foot and lower leg, which becoms more intense with weight bearing activity.
X-rays appear negative initially but fractures become visible up to two weeks after the initial injury.
Running on level ground rarely results in an ankle sprain but cross country running, trail running and stepping in a pot hole all could potentially lead to an ankle sprain.
Treatment: Treat immediately. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Note: Ice should be applied for about 15-30 minutes at a time, with at least 15 minute intervals between application.
This essentially means softening of the cartilage covering the knee cap.
Portions of the cartilage may then be under either too much or too little pressure.
This may result in cartilage deterioration at the inner surface of the knee cap.
Pain is usually felt during running and also felt after sitting for a long period of time with the knee bent.
This is pain or aching in the outer side of the knee and usually happens in the middle, or at the end of a run.
It is often seen in runners who train only on a track or on uneven ground. Read more about Chiropractic treatment for Iliotibial Band Syndrome.
The majority of running injuries occur from overtraining. Therefore, the general advice is to avoid doing too much too soon.
This is always a challenge in long distance running because to get better, you have to put in the miles.
The key to reduce the risk of injury is to get enough rest and not load the same structures all the time.
Cardiovascular training can be done in many different ways.
An unrelenting increase in mileage from one week to the next, will ultimately result in a breakdown.
Preventing sports injuries.
At the initial consultation at the clinic, the chiropractor takes a full medical history, investigates lifestyle, posture etc, carries out a thorough examination and takes x-rays when necessary. Once the diagnosis is made, a treatment plan is prepared.
Chiropractors use gentle, specific manipulation and adjustment techniques to free stiff joints, restore normal movement and remove spinal irritation.
Chiropractors may also use modalities such as Low Level Laser, Ultrasound and Interferential treatment.
Once painful symptoms settle, the chiropractor will encourage you to follow a programme of rehabilitation exercises to help strengthen the injured area, improve flexibility and prevent recurrence of the problem.
Chiropractic treatment aims to restore normal function to your joints and muscles as well as your nervous system, which will increase control, co-ordination and muscle strength.
For more information on how chiropractic could help you and your family, call us or contact the Isis Chiropractic Centres here.
Winter is a season when many individuals experience health issues that can make everyday life rough. Whether it is a cold, flu, or a skiing injury, many people will find their overall health compromised at some point during winter.
Thankfully, chiropractic care can help keep you healthy during winter. Paying a visit to your chiropractor during the cold season can help reduce, if not prevent, health problems as well as keep you feeling your best.
Bone and Joint Action Week is held annually between 12th and 20th October to raise awareness worldwide about prevention, disease management and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, spinal conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis and trauma.
Lower Crossed Syndrome is a common muscular imbalance syndrome seen in chiropractic, which is often caused by poor posture, prolonged sitting and a lack of core stability for the spine.
The most common form of bad foot biomechanics is over-pronation, which is the dropping of the arches and rolling inwards of the feet and ankles, causing flat feet.