Running is an excellent way to stay active and enjoy physical movement, but it comes with the risk of running-related injuries. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting your running journey in Rocky Hill, NJ, Twin Boro Physical Therapy – Skillman/Princeton is here to provide you with specialized, expert physical therapy.
Common Running Injuries and Treatments
Running injuries can range from minor nuisances to more severe conditions that may significantly impact your ability to run and enjoy an active lifestyle. Some common running injuries include Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (runner’s knee), shin splints, IT Band Syndrome, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, and muscle strains.
Twin Boro physical therapists conduct comprehensive assessments to pinpoint the root cause of your pain and limitations. Taking your running routine, training techniques, and any contributing factors, your physical therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan, implementing evidence-based treatment strategies that may include:
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: This technique involves applying gentle pressure to the soft tissues, such as muscles and fascia, to reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and promote tissue healing. Soft tissue mobilization can be beneficial for treating muscle strains, IT band syndrome, and shin splints.
- Joint Mobilization: Joint mobilization is a manual technique that aims to improve joint mobility, reduce joint stiffness, and treat joint-related injuries, such as runner’s knee and ankle sprains.
- Myofascial Release: This targets the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and other structures in the body, and involves applying sustained pressure to release tension and adhesions in the fascia, which can alleviate pain and improve flexibility. Myofascial release can be beneficial for treating plantar fasciitis and calf muscle tightness.
- Trigger Point Therapy: Trigger points are localized areas of muscle tightness that can cause referred pain and discomfort. Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to these points to release muscle tension and alleviate pain.
- Deep Friction Massage: Involves applying deep pressure and circular movements to the affected area to stimulate blood flow, promote tissue healing, and effectively treat tendinitis and other overuse injuries.
- Muscle Energy Techniques: Involving active participation of the patient in stretching and relaxing specific muscles under the guidance of the physical therapist, these techniques can help improve joint mobility and flexibility and are often used to treat hip and pelvic imbalances in runners.
- Joint Manipulation: Joint manipulation is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied to a specific joint to restore normal movement and reduce pain. Joint manipulation treats common dysfunctions, such as spinal misalignments or sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
- Active Release Technique (ART): ART is a manual technique that targets soft tissue adhesions and scar tissue to improve muscle function, reduce pain, and treat muscle strains and overuse injuries in runners.
- Cross Friction Massage: Applying transverse pressure to the affected tissue to break down scar tissue and promote proper tissue alignment can treat overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendonitis and patellar tendinopathy.
- Joint Traction: A technique that involves applying a gentle pulling force to the joint to create space between the joint surfaces, reducing pressure and promoting joint health.
In addition to treating existing running injuries, your physical therapist will provide valuable education on injury prevention techniques, including proper warm-up and cool-down routines, stretching exercises, and strategies to increase mileage and intensity gradually.
Start Recovering Today!
Running injuries don’t have to keep you from doing what you love. You can run confidently, knowing you have a dedicated team of professionals supporting your journey in Rocky Hill, NJ. To schedule an appointment, call 609.964.4442 or visit our office at Twin Boro Physical Therapy – Skillman/Princeton.
