Running is the most common form of exercise on the planet. You don’t need dumbbells, specialized equipment or a gym membership, you just need to lace up your shoes and put one foot in front of the other. Running can also be quite hard on the body, especially if you’re constantly challenging yourself to go further or beat your best time. Because of this, running injuries are far too common.
That’s where we come in. Not only can we help you prevent and treat some of the most common running injuries, but we can also work with you to make you a better runner in a number of different ways. In today’s blog, we explain how our team of physical therapists can help make you a better runner.
How PT Can Improve Your Running Abilities
If you’re trying to overcome a running injury or you want to beat your best time at an upcoming race, here’s why you should consider connecting with a physical therapist.
- Injury Treatment – Regardless of whether you’re a novice or regular runner, odds are you’re going to feel some of the effects of your exercise in your body. That could be pain in the knee in the form of Runner’s knee, leg discomfort caused by shin splints or a more serious strain or sprain. Your physical therapist can help develop a rehabilitation routine that helps the area recover and ensures it’s stronger than it was before, reducing your risk that the problem will return.
- Injury Prevention – We can help you recover after an injury, but you don’t need to be injured in order to sync up with a physical therapist. We can also help prevent problems before they develop, which can be especially helpful for individuals who are training for a big race or who are working on hitting certain running milestones for time or distance. As we push our bodies further, we need to ensure they can handle all that’s being asked of them, and a physical therapist can help you develop training routines that will safely prepare your body for this new stress.
- Improved Efficiency – Our team of physical therapists can also help to make you a more efficient runner. At OrthoRehab Specialists, we have assistive technologies that can spot deficiencies in your stride or running pattern. We can then help to tweak your form so that you become a more efficient runner. Not only will this help prevent wasted energy, which is extremely important during longer runs, but it can also help with the above point by working to prevent injury. If you’re landing too heavy on your feet or your arms are leading to wasted energy, we can help correct these deficiencies.
- Cross Training Program – Becoming a better runner isn’t just about running every day and eventually getting faster. Sure, putting in more runs will help with your endurance, but there’s another aspect to improving your running ability, and that’s a strong cross-training program. Workout routines that target your calves, hamstrings, ankles, hips and core muscles will all help build muscles that are crucial during your run. Varying your workouts also helps to prevent overstress injuries, which can occur more frequently if running is your only form of exercise. Let our staff develop a cross training program for you.
- Diet And Hydration – Finally, our team can help explain how your diet and hydration regimen can help or hinder your running ability. What you eat helps to fuel your body during a run and a workout, and improving what you put in your body can improve what you get out of it. Similarly, your body needs to remain hydrated in order for muscles and joints to work optimally. We can work to improve your dietary choices so that they can help to fuel your run.
For more tips on how a physical therapist can help take your running ability to the next level, or to set up your first session with a PT, reach out to OrthoRehab Specialists today.