Physical Therapists (PT) can be invaluable allies for runners looking to maximise performance or avoid injury, offering invaluable advice, treatment plans and preventive exercises designed to keep running as pain-free as possible for as long as possible. Keeping one on speed dial can ensure optimal running performance or avoidance altogether.
Sports physio Adelaide for runners conducts comprehensive evaluations on runners to detect imbalances that could lead to injury and provide strength training exercises to reduce injuries and enhance performance.
Preventing Injuries
Running can be taxing on your body. Sports physio Adelaide for runners physiotherapist is your go-to resource for staying injury-free; they’ll assess your balance, flexibility and strength levels to identify areas that could be vulnerable to injuries.
A good therapist will offer guidance and advice on how to train smarter rather than harder, including decreasing overall training volume, switching up long and short mileage days and cross-training to reduce injuries and help protect from potential strain.
At risk for running injuries are any past injuries; your physiotherapist can assess these as part of their assessment of you. They may also offer advice on the most suitable footwear and aid you in creating a training program to get race-ready.
As a runner, it is imperative not to ignore any pain or discomfort while running. Even mild twinges could be early indicators of injury – seeing a physiotherapist could mean the difference between meeting your running goals or staying sidelined.
Treating Injuries
Sports physio Adelaide for runners can assist runners experiencing chronic injuries like runner’s knee or shin splints, as well as those suffering sudden injuries after long runs or personal bests – even sudden ones! Their treatment focuses initially on relieving pain and inflammation reduction, while subsequent phases focus on restoring movement, increasing strength, improving flexibility and meeting running goals.
With your gait analysis and functional assessment results, we can offer tailored recommendations designed to enhance running biomechanics and minimise injuries. These may include footwear recommendations, tapering strategies (gradually decreasing training volume) or specific exercise/training modifications.
Recovering From Injuries
These conditions include insufficient core and calf strength, overpronation, improper stretching techniques or an inefficient running style. A therapist can recommend exercises to strengthen these muscles and advise on footwear selection and gait analysis.
Following an injury, physiotherapy can assist in your gradual return to running while considering any instructions from doctors or surgeons on how much exercise to perform. This approach can be constructive in avoiding future injuries while returning you to your previous fitness and endurance levels.
Getting Started
Runners’ injuries are often the result of improper training techniques, excessive running mileage, or insufficient recovery periods between runs. Working with a physiotherapist to identify weaknesses in training techniques, assess running mileage or recovery periods between runs and formulate an individualised treatment plan can significantly lower injury risks while helping runners meet their running goals more easily.
Professional athletes often enlist a team dedicated to helping them perform at the highest level, such as coaches, physiotherapists, massage therapists and nutritionists. While ordinary runners may not be able to afford such assistance, physiotherapy services still help runners meet their running goals by conducting thorough body screenings, footwear advice and insole recommendations, and developing detailed home running programs with recommendations and information on training variables.
Running is a great way to stay active, get a workout in and maintain your health. It is low-impact and can be done almost anywhere, requiring no expensive equipment. It can also be a great social activity and is known to have positive effects on your mood, overall wellbeing and mental health. However, nagging injuries due to running can put a big dent in your training and could force you to take a long break. If you have suffered from a running injury and are struggling to recover or want to prevent injuries in the future, then having a physiotherapist on speed dial is crucial.