Sappington, MO

Sappington, MO

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Beginner Running Program in Sappington, MO

Beginner running program in Sappington, MO. There are numerous benefits to starting a running program: it can improve your mood, help you manage your weight, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, and it’s one of the most convenient ways to get exercise. But, if you’re contemplating a beginner running program in Sappington, MO, you may have doubts about how to proceed, and how your body’s going hold up to increased exertion. Licensed physical therapists like the ones we have here at Axes know how to help people move their bodies safely and effectively. Whether you’re looking to get back to peak performance after a sports or work-related injury or are just trying to get healthier, our team can show you how to run safely, understand if you’re healthy enough to begin a running program, and treat any running-related injuries you may sustain.

Keep reading this article to see our beginner running tips, schedule an appointment through our website, or reach out to the Axes location nearest you to learn more.

Beginner Running Program Sappington, MO | Injury Prevention | Physical Therapy Near Sappington

6 Reasons to Start a Beginner Running Program

Running offers many physical and mental health benefits, including:

  1. Weight management — The average person burns roughly 80 to 140 calories per mile, making running an excellent way to lose weight.
  2. Improved cardiovascular health — Running improves heart and lung function and reduces heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
  3. Increased physical strength and endurance — Running helps to strengthen the muscles in the legs, abdomen, and back, helping to improve overall fitness and endurance.
  4. Better mental health — Running has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins and serotonin, the brain’s natural feel-good hormones.
  5. Increased longevity — Some studies indicate that running may lead to a longer lifespan. Running for just one hour may add 7 hours to your life.
  6. Convenience — Running is a simple and inexpensive way to get consistent exercise and you can do it pretty much anywhere with just socks, shoes, shorts, and a shirt. It it doesn’t require any specific skills or knowledge, and your program can be easily modified to suit individual needs, abilities, and limitations.

While you may feel that “runner’s high” right away, in order to get the full benefits of starting a beginners running program in Sappington, MO, you’ll need to do it consistently, and do it the right way.

6 Beginner Running Tips in Sappington, MO

Going from the couch to the track may give pause to some Sappington, MO residents, but in truth it’s as easy as putting on your shoes, going outside or to the gym, and hitting your stride. A beginner running program isn’t about competition with others; it’s about tenacity, constant improvement, and taking care of your body. The following are the top 6 beginner running tips to make sure you begin your program safely, and stay motivated to continue it.

  1. Be realistic and progress gradually — You may be excited to start your running program, and may be challenging yourself to one day run a marathon. But if you haven’t done strenuous physical exercise before, or you’re just starting physical activity again after an injury, doing too much too soon can have negative side-effects, and setting unrealistic goals may make you unmotivated. Begin your program at a slow pace, and gradually build up how long you run for in the coming weeks.

    If you feel like you’re very out of shape, may be a good idea to start by walking rapidly for 30 minutes and progress to running later. Another option is to switch between running and walking in 2-minute intervals.

  2. Get the right footwear — While shoes are the only “equipment” you need for running, it’s important to get the right ones. There are many advantages to getting good running shoes, including more comfort, better performance, and injury prevention.
  3. Warm up and cool down Even professional athletes need to warm up to be at their best and prevent injuries. Stretching and exercises like high knees that boost range of motion will help get your body ready for the rigors of running. After the run, it’s important to do static stretches and rest to help reduce the risk of injuries and reduce soreness.
  4. Complement your running program with strength and cross training — Running can lead to overuse injuries, so it’s a good idea to maintain your flexibility and keeping your muscles strong as you continue to run. A physical therapist can help you maintain and improve your current levels of flexibility and strength with a dedicated strength training program.
  5. Make sure you’re well-hydrated and maintain a healthy diet — Running and sweating increase the amount of fluid we need. Adequate hydration improves recovery and performance, and minimizes cramping and headaches.

    Running also burns up a lot of fuel. A healthy diet is necessary to get that fuel back. Having good nutrition will also enhance certain running benefits, like weight management and reduced stress.

  6. If you’re not feeling great, slow down or take a day off — Listen to your body when starting your beginner running program. While it’s important to make running a habit, you can injure yourself if you over-exert yourself. A little soreness should be expected. But, if you’re having significant pain, you should hold off on running until you heal. If the pain doesn’t subside or progressively worsens, seek out an appointment with your physician, or call Axes Physical Therapy for a free injury screening.

In some ways running will always be hard, as the more you improve the more you’ll have to run to reach your limits. But, the more you do it, the more you’ll experience the benefits and be motivated to continue your program.

How a Physical Therapist in Sappington, MO Can Help Your Beginner Running Program

Our Sappington, MO physical therapists are experts at treating injuries, or other problems such as easing chronic pain. But a licensed physical therapist can also contribute to a relatively healthy person’s well-being. With exercises and techniques proven to work through study and research, an Axes physical therapist in Sappington, MO can help your beginner running program with:

  • Assessing your current fitness level — A physical therapist in Sappington, MO can help determine what your current health level is, and develop a beginner running program based on that.
  • Create a customized exercise program — We can help you come up with a beginner running program based on your specific needs and limitations. We can also show you strength and flexibility exercises to complement your running program. A physical therapist can also push you to challenge yourself, and progress to more challenging running techniques such as varying speeds or fartlek training.
  • Teaching proper running techniques — Moving in the right way is essential to running safely and getting the most out of your running program. We’ll teach you appropriate posture and the best way to move your arms and legs, and we also use motion video analysis to clearly see any flaws in your form.

    We can also show you warm-up techniques to do before your run, and the best static stretches to do after.

  • Injury prevention Once you start being active, you want to make sure you stay that way. We’ll help you get in the best shape possible through a customized program that boosts strength, flexibility, endurance, and form while running and when engaged in other physical activity.
  • Addressing injuries as they occur — If you do sustain an injury, a physical therapist can help you return to running and other things you love doing most quickly and safely. If you’re suffering from significant soreness, a physical therapist can reduce inflammation and pain in your soft tissue.

Whether you’re looking to get into shape for the first time in a while, or get back to the top of your game after an injury or surgery, the Sappington, MO physical therapists at Axes are here to help guide you through your beginner running program with safe exercises and techniques that have been proven to be effective.

Our Sappington, MO physical therapists can also help you with:

Beginner Running Tips Sappington, MO | Beginner Running Running | Physical Therapists Near Sappington

Call Axes to Start Your Beginner Running Program in Sappington, MO

Starting a beginner running program in Sappington, MO can offer numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. However, many people aren’t sure how to begin, or are unsure how it’s going to go. Professional physical therapists like those at Axes can help by creating a comprehensive exercise program that will ensure you can enjoy the benefits of running without hurting yourself. If you want to start a beginner running program in Sappington, MO, contact us online, or call the Axes location most convenient for you.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Spine Specialty – Certified Manual Therapy
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
  • Certified Wellness Coaching

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Brian Wahlig
Front Office Supervisor
Sarah Schroeder
MOTR/L, CHT, Astym Cert
Mandy Carter
MSPT, CMPT, ATC, CWC
Ray Bauer
Clinic Director, MSPT, CMPT

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