Attention Runners!
On your mark… get set… ouch?
Race season is finally here! After all the early mornings, long runs, ice baths, and miles and miles logged, it is finally time to race! By now your blisters have hardened, your sock tan line is blinding, and your body is fit and ready to compete.
But first, here’s a question–how is that nagging heel pain feeling? That knee soreness? That hip pain that you were hoping would go away on its own? Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by not being able to compete this season because of an injury. At Spooner, we are here to help you find an answer to your injuries, so you can compete at your best! It’s important to have a healthcare team on your side that understands the unique needs of a runner to keep you healthy throughout the long season.
Running places a very high stress on the body. It is important that all your parts are moving and working together not only to help keep you efficient and fast, but also to help prevent future breakdown and injuries. While running injuries commonly occur in the lower body, the root cause of these problems may actually be coming from your trunk, your shoulders, or even your neck! During functional movements, like running, the body acts like a chain, with all the separate “links” working together in unison. A dysfunction anywhere in this kinetic chain can wreak havoc on a runner’s body! That heel pain could actually be due to a problem with your neck or shoulder. And your left knee pain might really be caused by tightness in your right ankle, or weakness at your right hip.
Learn more about the kinetic chain in What Are Kinetic Chain Reactions.
A full body assessment by a physical therapist– looking at all the different aspects of movement– can help you figure out the best way to help you move better and feel better based on your individual needs. This can include functional movements assessments, running assessments, shoe wear recommendations, and a whole host of other tests designed to look at the strength, stability, flexibility, and stamina of a runner. At Spooner, we dig deep to uncover the root cause of your problem. Whether you have been fighting a nagging injury for the last couple of weeks that you can’t seem to foam roll out, or you’ve just experienced a new twinge of pain, it’s never a bad decision to come in and be evaluated.
If you are trying to push through an injury (or hoping to avoid a new one), turn to a Spooner therapist for a head-to-toe assessment to determine if any links in your kinetic chain could be contributing to your symptoms. It is always our goal to get you back on the course and racing to your full potential. See you soon! Schedule an appointment here today!