22 Jul Preventing Running Injuries

Preventing Running Injuries

When summer comes around, many people begin a health kick to secure that beach body they’ve always wanted. Running is a common theme among those trying to lose weight or just stay in shape. Unfortunately, running can lead to a plethora of different injuries all over the body. There are many factors that go into a runner experiencing an injury. It could be anything from the way they run or the surface they’ve been running on. Take these easy steps to ensure your safety when going out for a run.

The most important criteria for a runner is knowing their limits. If the body isn’t strong enough to support the four mile run it is currently on, it will start to show. As certain muscles in the leg begin to fatigue, other muscles and ligaments begin an attempt to compensate for them. Overcompensation can lead directly to injury and often in some cases they can be severe. When feeling fatigue in a certain part of the body, the runner becomes weary and slows their pace down.

Strengthening your entire body is also a good way to lessen the impact of the runners feet hitting the ground. Each and every time the foot is planted into the ground, there is a large amount of force that goes up the leg. Muscles are much better suited to take that impact and less of the brunt is put on important ligaments and tendons. Increasing muscle can also lead to better posture and proper running form.

One of the keys to running on a daily basis is recovery. Any aches or pains a runner might have should be treated with either physical therapy or rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Rest is crucial because the body can’t take the beating it does every day when running. Ice, compression, and elevation help reduce inflammation and swelling. This will speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of future of injury.

It is always good to get healthy and try to improve personal image but it could come at a cost with running injuries. Taking these simple steps can make running a more enjoyable and less painful activity while leading to a healthier life. Speak to a therapist at Lake Country Physical Therapy and Sportscare today for some running tips and advice!

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.