The Four Most Common Running Injuries: How Physical Therapy Can Help

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.

The top 4 running injuries 

Runner's knee

Runner's knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is characterized by pain around the kneecap caused by the repetitive stress of running. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, and clicking or grinding sounds when bending or extending the knee.

Physical therapy can help alleviate the pain from runner's knee by strengthening the muscles around the knee joint. Exercises that focus on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes can help improve knee alignment and reduce stress on the kneecap. Your physical therapist may also prescribe rest until you can run pain-free.

Shin splints

Shin splints are another common injury, especially among younger runners. They are characterized by pain along the shinbone and are caused by inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue in the lower leg. You may experience pain, tenderness, and swelling along the shinbone.

Physical therapy can help relieve the pain associated with shin splints by reducing inflammation and improving circulation. Treatment may include stretching, massage, and strengthening exercises for the lower leg muscles.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects many people, not just runners. It is characterized by pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Symptoms may include pain while walking, swelling, and stiffness in the heel or arch of the foot.

Physical therapy can help alleviate the pain of plantar fasciitis by stretching and strengthening the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles. Treatment may include exercises focusing on the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and foot arch. Your physical therapist may also recommend orthotic inserts for your running shoes to alleviate future pain.

IT band syndrome

IT band syndrome is characterized by pain on the outside of the knee. It is caused by inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue that runs from the hip to the knee. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the knee.

Physical therapy can help relieve the pain associated with IT band syndrome by stretching and strengthening the muscles around the hip and knee joints. Treatment may include exercises focusing on the glutes, hip flexors, and quadriceps and prescribed rest periods to allow the tissue to recover appropriately. 

Do all runners need physical therapy?

Now you know more about common running injuries and how physical therapy can assist in your recovery. Physical therapy can be an excellent treatment option for injured runners, but you can also come to physical therapy without an injury. Any runner could benefit from a physical therapist’s assessment of their movement and personalized tips on preventing injury and achieving their goals. 

While injuries can be disheartening to any runner, if you rest well and get personalized recommendations for your recovery, you can return to running as soon as you are ready. Our Run program at EW Motion Therapy is tailored to the unique needs of the runner - whether you are a weekend warrior or training for a marathon, our team of skilled therapists can watch you run and determine areas of improvement so you can be faster and stronger. If you are curious about what else our Run program can do for you, click the button below to download our EW Run self-assessment.