Physical Therapy for Runners
Physical Therapy for Runners

Physical Therapy for Runners

Physical Therapy for Runners

Do you notice your knee hurts every time you run? Are you tired of dealing with plantar fasciitis or worry the repetitive impact of running will lead to arthritis later in life? At Soleil Physical Therapy, our highly trained physical therapists are experts at treating all types of running-related injuries. We use the most advanced treatments and technology, including the Alter-G treadmill, to ensure you can run pain-free!

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise worldwide. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most injury-prone activities, with over 50% of all runners experiencing pain or injuries every year. Long-distance runners are even more at risk, with up to 80% experiencing some injury. 

If you love running, you understand the importance of proper form and training methods to ensure you can run without pain or injury. Too often, runners either ignore or try to push through their pain and injury, only to make their situation worse and extend how long it takes to recover.

Our highly trained physical therapists use research-backed strategies to manage your pain and resolve any underlying issue to keep you running, whether out on a trail, preparing for a marathon, or simply jogging through the neighborhood.

If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain or looking for a thorough assessment with proven recommendations to help resolve your issues and prevent future injuries, call Soleil Physical Therapy today!

Our Patients Get Great Results

“How can I start? There’s not enough words to express how thankful I am. After almost 2 years of extensive back pain/herniated discs, after several chiropractors and several things that never worked out, I decided to go to this place. It was destiny because it wasn’t my first option (I had another one closer) but things didn’t work out over there, so I decided to go to this one (2nd closest). I need to tell you guys, THIS HAS TO BE YOUR FIRST OPTION, ALWAYS, PERIOD. Ever since I started, everything was perfect. The girls at the front desk helped me out real quick with my insurance to know how much it will cover. Then, I got introduced to Adam who understood all my issues. Long story short, the first couple of days I started with only stretches and a couple of exercises. I was naive, I knew nothing and I was like, mmm how is this going to help me out. Well, when you don’t know something, its better to stay shut. Because actually the day after those couple of therapies, I was already seeing improvements. I kept going to my therapies. 2 months later I have been released and BETTER THAN EVER!!! Before I couldn’t even go to the gym nor even run. Now I’m back baby!!! Running, lifting, squatting!! I really can’t believe and I’m writing this in tears because of how thankful I am to everyone, Ron, Ash, Adam, Nigel and Dave. Everyone who helped me out in this journey, forever thankful!”

– Roberto L.

Leave Us A Review

What are the most common running-related injuries? 

Although acute running injuries can happen, they are relatively rare. The most common acute-type injuries include sprains (i.e., ankle sprains) or injuries to the skin, like blisters and abrasions. These injuries are sudden and difficult to prevent due to their unpredictability.  

The vast majority of running-related issues are overuse-type injuries. These injuries are most commonly the result of repetitive strains or improper technique and/or training errors. The most common injuries occur to the soft tissues in the lower extremities.  The most common mistake runners typically make is ignoring an issue when it is mild or training too fast. Trying to “push through” pain or ignore aches and pains when increasing mileage or speed will often lead to overuse-related injuries. 

The most common overuse injuries include:

  • Runner’s Knee
  • IT band syndrome
  • Shin splints
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Plantar fasciitis

The knee is the most susceptible region in the body for running-related injuries, but the foot and upper thigh/hip regions are also vulnerable. The most significant risk factor for all injuries is a previous injury that has not been fully resolved during the last 12 months. This is why getting proper guidance is so essential to ensure you can keep running and avoid future problems from standing in your way.

Request Appointment

How Physical Therapy Can Help You Keep Running

Rather than ignoring your pain/injuries, let our running specialists assess your gait, mobility, and strength to ensure the fastest recovery possible. Our physical therapist will thoroughly analyze your joints, muscles, and gait to identify any limitation or weakness that may lead to a running-related injury. Our goal is to give you the tools you’ll need to recover, return to running and learn how to train correctly to prevent future problems from limiting your enjoyment of running!

Our physical therapists at Soleil Physical Therapy help runners in various ways, including a comprehensive injury assessment and gait evaluation. We typically start with a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to identify all the factors contributing to your pain and/or injury. 

We will also conduct a thorough medical history that includes questions about your training schedule, history of previous injuries, and overall health status. We use this information to create an individualized program tailored to your specific needs. Our therapeutic interventions are designed to address any limitation, restriction, or weakness you may have. Our cutting-edge treatments include targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening exercises, and appropriate balance and coordination techniques to resolve your pain, improve your gait and restore your ability to run pain-free.

Our team also uses the Alter-G treadmill to minimize or alleviate pain while running so you can work on your technique and return to pain-free running at home. The Alter-G treadmill was developed by NASA and uses Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology to precisely calibrate air pressure in the pressurized case on the treadmill. This pressured air acts to “unweight” or reduce the effects of gravity on the patient while allowing them to exercise without the harsh impact of normal gravity. Your Soleil therapist will adjust the percentage of your body weight so you can safely walk and run without pressure on your lower extremity joints and muscles.

No matter what type of running-related pain or injury you’re dealing with, physical therapy at Soleil Physical Therapy will provide the foundation for a successful return to running while reducing future injuries!

Contact Us to get started today!

If you are a runner and want strategies to prevent injuries or recover from an existing injury, request an appointment with our team today!

Request Appointment

Meet Our Team

Shannon Paisley
Read More

Shannon Paisley

Office Manager

Wernjane Yue
Read More

Wernjane Yue

MS, MAOM, Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist

Ron Maciel
Read More

Ron Maciel

B.S., PTA

Dave Bacani
Read More

Dave Bacani

PT, DPT, MSPT, MTC, Cert. DN Clinical Director

Recipe of the Month: Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • Four 6-ounce chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 ears corn, halved
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, olive oil, garlic, ginger, honey and lime zest.
  2. Using 12-inch sheets of foil, build four packets. Place a chicken breast in the center of each. Season it with cumin and paprika. Divide the asparagus among the packets. Brush the chicken and asparagus with the honey-ginger sauce and season with salt and pepper. Fold the foil over the food inside and crimp several times to seal.
  3. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the packets until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. About 5 minutes before the chicken is finished, add the corn to the grill and cook until it’s browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  5. Garnish the chicken with cilantro and green onion before serving.

3 Tips for Starting a New Workout Routine Without Injury

As physical therapists, we’re fans of exercise. The CDC recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, and regular exercise will boost your mental and physical health. That said, you can’t immediately jump from a completely sedentary lifestyle to intense, hour-long daily workouts. For one, you’re likely to burn out and quit regular exercise altogether. But you also run the risk of injuring yourself.

Fortunately, there are a few strategies that can help you safely start up a physically active lifestyle:

  1. Talk to your physical therapist: Ever notice how workout videos tell you to consult with a medical professional first? If you’re new to exercising, this is crucial advice! Before you dive into a new routine, schedule an appointment with our PTs. We’ll perform a comprehensive assessment and help you guide you toward the right exercises for your needs.
  2. Start slowly and gradually build the intensity: If you’ve ever talked to marathon runners, they’ll tell you they spend months training. No one jumps off the couch and immediately runs 26.2 miles! Follow their lead and start with low-intensity workouts. Over time, you can add more time or more challenging exercises to your routine.
  3. Warm up and cool down: Make sure you begin every workout session with ten minutes of mobility exercises or light cardio and end each session with gentle stretches. Warm-ups prepare your body for movement, and cool-downs help bring your breathing and heart rate down to non-exercise levels.

At Soleil Physical Therapy, we love helping our patients get active safely and at their own pace. Call us today for personalized advice about starting your new workout routine.

Sources