Physical Therapy Blog

Runners, known for their dedication and endurance, often face musculoskeletal challenges. As they push their limits, the repetitive stress and strain on their bodies can lead to various conditions. This is where dry needling, a unique and effective therapy, comes into play, offering relief and improved performance. Dry needling often works best when combined with physical therapy - many of our physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy are dry-needling certified. They can incorporate it into any runner’s treatment plan. But even if you decide that our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on as we explore dry needling for runners, its benefits, common conditions it can alleviate, and how it integrates with physical therapy and other treatments.

Running is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and for many, it becomes more than just a form of exercise. But every runner knows that their favorite sport can also lead to injuries. The repetitive stress on the body can cause various injuries that can affect your performance and limit your ability to train. And any runner who does not incorporate rest into their routine can risk injuring themselves even further. Fortunately, physical therapy can help you recover from these injuries and get back to running safely. We help our runners do this every day at EW Motion Therapy and teach them techniques to prevent more injuries in the future. Even if you decide our services do not fit your needs, you can still read on for our discussion of four common running injuries and how physical therapy can help you recover.

When you’re running, pain is likely the last thing you want to think about. But any runner knows that when you are in pain, it’s one of the only things you can focus on. Pain in some areas is ok to run through and work out, but other types, especially foot pain, could point to a more problematic condition or issue than regular soreness. So what do you do when your feet start hurting during a run? Do you have to stop altogether?

If running is one of your primary hobbies, you probably have a routine figured out. You know the mileage you can handle and understand when to push yourself. But even if you don’t realize it, running takes a toll on your body over time, whether you’re a high school track star or a marathoner. Many runners often overtrain simply because they are enjoying themselves or following what their friends are doing. But how do you really figure out how much your body can tolerate? And how do you figure this out before getting hurt?

When you want to get serious about running as a sport, there are a few things you need to consider. First, you think about your goals. Do you want to do that marathon with your friends next year, or just learn to love running as a daily activity? Then, once you figure out your goals, it may be time to go shoe shopping. But how do you know what shoes would suit you best?

There is no other sport that has inherent freedom like running. It requires no equipment, no gym membership, no team - just your body, and the sheer will to always be better. Running is truly unique in the sports world, and runners are consequently exceptional athletes. Because other than shoes, your body is the only equipment required, it requires extensive care to maintain performance. But how do you figure out what your body needs to recover and perform to meet your goals? Where should you go for this kind of specialized advice?

Picture this: you’re scrolling through Instagram one day, and you see a picture your college friend posted from a 10k they just did that past weekend. They are sweaty and smiling, wearing their assigned race number with pride as they pose at the finish line. You suddenly feel a longing to accomplish something great for yourself. If your friend could do it, why couldn’t you? So you decide, right there sitting on the couch, that you want to run a marathon.

From ancient Greece to the present day, athletes have been stretching. Stretching can improve flexibility, blood flow, and overall tissue health. There are many types and applications of stretches, from yoga to static, to ballistic or dynamic. Your choices can be overwhelming, so what should runners do to prepare their body for running?

Every athlete needs to ensure their body is performing well. A lack of appropriate awareness can lead to health complications, overtraining, and reduced performance. For female athletes, this is especially important. If they do not maintain an appropriate energy level, they put themselves at risk for serious health conditions, such as the female triad.