Running Injury Edwardsville, IL. Running is a common and gratifying activity, but getting fit and chasing that “runner’s high” entails the possibility of injury. Whether you’re an veteran marathoner, a occasional jogger, or trying to lose weight, running injuries can disrupt your routine and obstruct your progress. Getting the effective treatment for these running injuries in Edwardsville, IL is vital for a prompt recovery and averting long-term issues.

At Axes Physical Therapy, our Edwardsville, IL physical therapists focus in treating running injuries with individualized attention and proven approaches. Our knowledgeable physical therapists are committed to helping you return to the activities you love, ensuring a risk-free and sustainable return to running. Contact the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment today to begin your recovery. Or, you can stop by any one of our locations for a free injury screening.

You can also look into our Beginner Running Program Tips and Beginner’s Guide to Running for tips on gaining the benefits of running safely.

Common Running Injuries and How Edwardsville, IL Physical Therapists Treat Them

Knowing frequent running injuries, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is essential for proper handling and prevention. Some of the most common running injuries in Edwardsville, IL are:

Shin Splints

Description: Shin splints, scientifically termed medial tibial stress syndrome, are characterized by pain along the shinbone (tibia) due to swelling of the hard and soft tissue around it.

Causes: Shin splints are primarily caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach muscles to the bone. Factors contributing to this stress include abrupt increases in training intensity, exercising on solid or bumpy grounds, improper footwear, and having low arches or overly firm foot structure.

Symptoms: Sensitivity, aching, or pain along the inner side of the shinbone, mild swelling in the lower leg, and discomfort that eases with rest but can recur with physical activity.

Treatment: Treatment aims at alleviating pain and inflammation and avoiding recurrence. Strategies include rest, ice, compression, elevation (the R.I.C.E. method), and physical therapy with exercises that improve strength, mobility, and flexibility.

Runner’s Knee

Description: Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, involves pain around the kneecap due to improper alignment or overuse.

Causes: Weak or imbalanced thigh muscles, improper running form, overuse, and activities that stress the knee joint, such as excessive running, jumping, or squatting. Other contributing factors include tight hamstrings, calf muscles, and soft tissue imbalances.

Symptoms: Pain around or behind the kneecap, particularly noticeable when bending the knee, climbing stairs, squatting, or sitting for extended periods. The pain may increase with activity and improve with rest. Discomfort can occur during physical activities or even while resting.

Treatment: A comprehensive approach involving rest, ice application, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises, and professional physical therapy to improve alignment and muscle balance. Your Edwardsville, IL physical therapist may also recommend Kinesio Taping® to stabilize the kneecap and reduce pain. This method helps easing pain and providing additional support.

Achilles Tendonitis

Description: Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the large tendon at the back of the ankle.

Causes: Repetitive stress from overuse during various activities, abruptly ramping up your workout intensity, calf muscle tightness, improper footwear, and jogging on irregular terrain.

Symptoms: Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, swelling, and limited range of motion in the ankle. You may notice discomfort that intensifies during physical activity.

Treatment: Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching and strengthening exercises, and physical therapy. Your Edwardsville, IL physical therapist may also recommend eccentric loading exercises to strengthen the tendon. This approach helps in promoting healing and preventing recurrence.

Plantar Fasciitis

Description: Plantar fasciitis is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot.

Causes: Overuse from activities that involve repetitive stress on the feet, wearing the wrong shoes, high arches, flat feet, tight calf muscles, or sudden increases in training intensity.

Symptoms: Sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially during the first steps in the morning or after periods of inactivity, tenderness, and swelling in the heel. Pain may intensify after prolonged standing or walking.

Treatment: Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy. Your Edwardsville, IL physical therapist may also recommend supportive footwear and foot care techniques. This method aids in alleviating discomfort and facilitating recovery.

Stress Fractures

Description: Stress fractures are small cracks in a bone resulting from repetitive force, often from overuse.

Causes: Abrupt boosts in workout levels, running on hard or uneven surfaces, improper footwear, inadequate rest periods, and dietary shortages such as low calcium or vitamin D levels.

Symptoms: Slowly developing pain that intensifies during weight-bearing activities, swelling and tenderness at the fracture site, pain that improves with rest but returns with activity, and occasional visible bruising.

Treatment: The R.I.C.E method, and physical therapy with strengthening and stretching exercises. Nutritional counseling to ensure sufficient levels of calcium and vitamin D may also be recommended. Your physical therapist will guide you through recovery, emphasizing physical and nutritional health.

Muscle Pull

Description: A muscle pull, commonly referred to as a muscle strain, happens when muscle fibers are strained or torn.

Causes: Sudden acceleration or deceleration during activities like sprinting, repeated stress or overuse, inadequate warm-up or stretching before activity, and fatigue or muscle weakness.

Symptoms: Immediate, intense pain at the site of the injury, swelling and bruising, muscle weakness and difficulty using the affected muscle, stiffness, and limited range of motion. You may also experience a noticeable decrease in strength and mobility.

Treatment: Applying rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E), and physical therapy with gradual stretching and strengthening exercises. Manual therapy techniques to reduce muscle tension and promote healing may also be recommended. This approach helps in facilitating recovery and avoiding recurrence.

Ankle Sprain

Description: An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, commonly due to a sudden twist or roll of the ankle.

Causes: Sudden twisting or rolling of the ankle during activities such as running or jumping, irregular surfaces that lead to unexpected ankle turns, improper footwear, and previous ankle injuries that compromise ligament strength.

Symptoms: Pain and tenderness around the ankle, swelling and bruising, difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot, and limited range of motion in the ankle. There can also be instability in the ankle joint.

Treatment: The R.I.C.E method, and Edwardsville, IL physical therapy with strengthening exercises for the muscles around the ankle, balance and proprioception exercises, and manual therapy techniques. This method aids in enhancing stability and preventing future sprains.

IT (Iliotibial) Band Syndrome

Description: IT band syndrome involves inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh from the hip to the knee.

Causes: Overuse from repetitive activities such as running or cycling, running on uneven or sloped surfaces, weak hip and gluteal muscles, improper running form, and shoes that are either worn-out or not suitable.

Symptoms: Pain radiating from the outer knee to the thigh, a snapping sensation along the outer knee, pain that increases with activity and eases with rest, and tenderness and swelling along the IT band.

Treatment: The R.I.C.E method, and physical therapy with stretching exercises to improve flexibility, strengthening exercises for the hip and gluteal muscles, gait analysis and correction, foam rolling, and massage techniques. These methods help in alleviating discomfort and enhancing recovery.

Blisters

Description: Blisters are fluid-filled bubbles that form on the skin due to friction. They are common among runners and athletes who engage in activities that entail repetitive rubbing of the skin. These painful bubbles can form on any part of the body, most often on the feet.

Causes: Friction from shoes or socks that are too tight or loose, moisture from sweat that softens the skin and heightens rubbing, running on uneven or rough surfaces, and wearing new or stiff shoes without proper break-in. Shoes that are either too tight or loose and lack of moisture management can lead to blisters, especially during extended runs or intense physical activities. Additional factors include high temperatures, wearing improper socks, and extended periods of exercise.

Symptoms: Pain and tenderness at the site of the blister, a raised bubble filled with clear fluid or, if serious, blood, redness and swelling around the blister, and difficulty using the affected area due to pain. You may also feel irritation when wearing shoes.

Treatment: Covering the blister with pads or bandages, careful drainage if necessary, keeping the affected area clean and dry, proper footwear and foot care techniques, and for more serious cases, Edwardsville, IL physical therapy with gait analysis and correction. This approach helps prevent further rubbing and aid in healing.

Running Injury Treatment With St. Louis Physical Therapists

Physical therapists play a crucial role in the healing and rehabilitation of injuries from running in Edwardsville, IL. Our expertise and individualized treatment help Edwardsville, IL runners resume their activities safely and effectively. Here’s how our Edwardsville, IL physical therapists can help you:

• Thorough Assessment and Diagnosis: Our physical therapists conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify the root cause of the injury, providing an accurate diagnosis.
• Development of Personalized Treatment Plans: Based on the assessment, our physical therapists create customized treatment plans tailored to your needs and goals. These plans typically involve a combination of therapies and exercises designed to promote healing and prevent recurrence.
• Manual Therapy and Advanced Techniques: We utilize manual methods such as massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue manipulation to reduce pain, improve mobility, and accelerate recovery. We may also employ advanced modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and dry needling to enhance treatment outcomes.
• Exercise Prescription and Guidance: Targeted exercises are essential components of rehabilitation. Our physical therapists design targeted exercise programs to address muscle imbalances, improve flexibility, and enhance overall strength and stability.
• Education on Injury Prevention: Our physical therapists inform individuals on proper techniques, footwear choices, and training regimens to reduce the risk of injuries. This includes gait analysis and correction to ensure efficient running mechanics.
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress Tracking: Throughout the rehabilitation process, our physical therapists closely monitor your progress, making necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. This ongoing support helps ensure a safe and efficient recovery.

By leveraging our expertise and personalized approach, the Edwardsville, IL physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy can successfully handle running injuries, helping you get back to the activities you love with confidence and reduced risk of recurrence.

Other services we offer in Edwardsville, IL include:

• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment

Getting Back to Running After Your Injury

Returning to running after an injury demands a careful and gradual approach to ensure long-term success and avoid further injury. Here are key steps to follow:

• Gradual Return: Begin with gentle exercises like walking or swimming before moving on to light jogging. Slowly increase the intensity and duration of your runs as your body adapts.
• Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises: Stick to exercises prescribed by your physical therapist to maintain strength and flexibility. Target the muscles most affected by your injury to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Make sure to incorporate a thorough warm-up before running and a cool-down afterward. This readies your muscles for activity and supports recovery.
• Monitor Your Body: Pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain. If you feel any symptoms of your previous injury, stop running and consult your physical therapist.
• Maintain Good Running Form: Ensure you are running with proper form to reduce stress on your joints and muscles. Your physical therapist can assist on optimal running mechanics.
• Use Appropriate Footwear: Invest in good-quality running shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning. Replace them regularly to avoid wear and tear that could lead to injury.
• Set Realistic Goals: Be patient and set achievable milestones for your return to running. Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon.

By adhering to these guidelines and collaborating with your physical therapist in Edwardsville, IL, you can safely return to running and enjoy the physical and mental benefits it brings.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy for Your Running Injury Treatment in Edwardsville, IL

Running injuries can be a serious setback, but with the right approach to rehabilitation, you can get back to the activities you love. Addressing injuries promptly, engaging in a comprehensive physical therapy program, and adhering to a gradual return-to-running plan are essential steps in ensuring a safe and effective recovery. Axes Physical Therapy is committed to providing personalized, evidence-backed care to help individuals in Edwardsville, IL recover from running injuries and reach your fitness objectives.

If a running injury is preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities in Edwardsville, IL, act now. Contact Axes Physical Therapy today to book an appointment and start your journey toward a full recovery. Our experienced Edwardsville, IL physical therapists are here to help you return to your favorite activities with confidence and strength.