Running is a wonderful sport and has many well documented health benefits, however running injuries are very common and need to be given the appropriate assessment and attention. When an injured runner comes to us for Chiropractic care our goal is to get them running again as quickly and safely as possible, after which our long-term aim is to keep them fit and allow their body to perform as efficiently and smoothly as it can.
Many of the injuries that we see in runners are due to spinal and/or pelvic misalignments that interfere with the nerve supply to the lower limbs, preventing the proper function and balance of muscle that are being used in a repetitive motion. Just like a car needs proper wheel alignment to prevent tyres from wearing out unevenly, runners need an aligned spine to allow their legs to work smoothly too. A misaligned spine often leads to shin splints, knee pain, foot/ankle pain, back pain along with various muscle and tendon inflammatory issues.
Unfortunately many runners wait until they have pain before they get their spine checked. We think it’s wise to be proactive and get checked before an injury presents itself and allow the best possible performance.
We know how you feel!
At Putney Chiropractic we love to train and play hard. Dr Luke has run a few marathons and longer distance events in the past. Dr Craig has competed in numerous triathlons including a 2hr 19m in the Windsor Triathlon in 2010. Dr Edwina regularly joins the BMF running club and Dr Bec includes running as a part of her Lawrence Price Fitness routine.
Dr Luke reveals, “After having read our book of the month ‘Born to Run‘ I decided to look into the barefoot running trend that is growing around the world. I came across this interesting article that answers a number of questions and has some interesting references to research done so far regarding common injuries associated with and adaptations needed for – barefoot running.”
We’ve collected a few stories below from the personal accounts of our clients. Read on and see you for a running tune up soon.
Stephanie Case
Running ultra marathons without a chiropractor – bad idea…. ‘I went into see a chiropractor in South London, Dr Craig McLean at Putney Chiropractic Centre, for a much-needed crack of my geriatric back. He did a very thorough assessment as I nattered away about my “robust” injury history.
After seeing the state of my right hip, he asked “So Stephanie, how are you going to run this race on one leg?” After replying that I hoped it would be a loop course, he went about his business, adjusting me from the neck down to the foot (for which I am very grateful!!). The adjustments definitely helped, but there is only so much one doctor can do.’ Read more about her racing in her blog – Ultra Running Girl.
Mark – 2011 London Marathon ‘crash course’
This time last year, all I could muster was a 15 minute run which was followed by some very uncomfortable hip pain. After a series of adjustments with Dr Craig the hip pain went and I eventually built up to running a half marathon in September 2010 for CLIC Sargent. But this would be my fist marathon, with 9 weeks notice!
A running coaching service offered their advice to those running for the charity and they tailored a raining plan for me. Rigidly following the plan and with weekly adjustments from Drs Luke and Craig I made it to the start line in as good a condition as I could have possibly been in.
On the day, the knee pain kicked in at 2 miles, the blisters arrived at 7, but the smile lasted the whole 26.2 miles and still remains… Apart from those minor niggles, I felt great throughout the run and finished in 4hrs 25mins raising £3,688 for CLIC Sargent!
Thanks to Drs Craig and Luke for the adjustments! They really helped and I couldn’t have made it through the training in the same way without them! The marathon was such an all round fantastic and positive experience that I’ll definitely do another one! But I hope to have a little more notice next time!
Leigh Gardiner
Edwina and the team have helped me through some amazing times in my life. Every time I have an adjustment leave feeling a million dollars and I can’t say enough about how much the team have done for me. Leigh’s story.
Pounding the pavement for hours on end in preparation for your event (be it 5km fun run, the london marathon or a 100mile ultra) puts undue stresses and strains on the biomechanics of your low back, pelvis, knees, ankles and feet.
The causes of low back pain, hip pain, ITB strain, knee pain, shin splits and foot pain can be often be discovered by a thorough spinal assessment and alleviated by specific chiropractic treatment aimed at balancing the spine and nervous system. We have close connections with our friends at Profeet who can provide extra support from the ground up.
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