Running Injury Innsbrook, MO. Running is a favored and gratifying activity, but improving fitness and seeking that “runner’s high” includes the chance of injury. Whether you’re an veteran marathoner, a casual jogger, or focused on slimming down, running injuries can disrupt your routine and obstruct your progress. Getting the right treatment for these running injuries in Innsbrook, MO is crucial for a speedy recovery and stopping long-term issues.

At Axes Physical Therapy, our Innsbrook, MO physical therapists focus in treating running injuries with individualized attention and scientifically supported techniques. Our skilled physical therapists are dedicated to helping you get back to the activities you love, guaranteeing a secure and lasting return to running. Contact the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment today to get started. You may also 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 ways to achieve the benefits of running safely.

Common Running Injuries and How Innsbrook, MO Physical Therapists Treat Them

Grasping typical running injuries, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for successful treatment and prevention. Among the prevalent running injuries in Innsbrook, MO, are:

Shin Splints

Description: Shin splints, scientifically termed medial tibial stress syndrome, are characterized by pain along the shinbone (tibia) due to inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone 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 sudden boosts in workout intensity, running on hard or uneven surfaces, improper footwear, and possessing flat feet or overly stiff arches.

Symptoms: Tenderness, soreness, or pain along the inner side of the shinbone, mild swelling in the lower leg, and discomfort that improves with rest but can return with physical activity.

Treatment: Treatment is centered on 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 exert pressure on 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, especially evident when bending the knee, climbing stairs, squatting, or sitting for extended periods. The pain may intensify with activity and lessen 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 enhance alignment and muscle balance. Your Innsbrook, MO physical therapist may also recommend Kinesio Taping® to brace the kneecap and ease pain. This method contributes to reducing 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: Overuse from activities that involve repetitive stress on the tendon, abruptly ramping up your workout intensity, calf muscle tightness, wearing the wrong shoes, and jogging on irregular terrain.

Symptoms: Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon, notably upon waking 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 Innsbrook, MO physical therapist may also recommend eccentric loading exercises to strengthen the tendon. This method assists in promoting healing and preventing recurrence.

Plantar Fasciitis

Description: Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that spans the bottom of the foot.

Causes: Overuse from activities that involve repetitive stress on the feet, improper footwear, having high or flat arches, or 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, soreness, and swelling in the heel. Pain may intensify after prolonged standing or walking.

Treatment: A combination of rest, ice application, anti-inflammatory medications, specific stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy. Your Innsbrook, MO physical therapist may also recommend supportive footwear and foot care techniques. This method aids in reducing pain and promoting healing.

Stress Fractures

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

Causes: Abrupt boosts in workout levels, jogging on unforgiving or irregular terrain, improper footwear, insufficient recovery time, and nutritional deficiencies such as low calcium or vitamin D levels.

Symptoms: Gradual pain that worsens with weight-bearing activity, swelling and tenderness at the fracture site, pain that eases with rest but recurs during physical activity, and occasional visible bruising.

Treatment: Applying rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E), 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, focusing on physical and nutritional health.

Muscle Pull

Description: A muscle pull, also known as a muscle strain, occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn.

Causes: Sudden acceleration or deceleration during activities like sprinting, overuse or repetitive stress on the muscle, 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: The R.I.C.E method, 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 restoring function and preventing future injuries.

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 weaken the ligaments.

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. You might also experience instability in the ankle joint.

Treatment: The R.I.C.E method, and Innsbrook, MO physical therapy with strengthening exercises for the muscles around the ankle, balance and proprioception exercises, and manual therapy techniques. This approach helps 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: Repetitive stress from overuse such as running or cycling, jogging on irregular or inclined terrain, 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 on the outside of the knee, pain that increases with activity and improves with rest, and tenderness and swelling along the IT band.

Treatment: Applying rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E), and physical therapy with flexibility-enhancing stretches, strengthening exercises for the hip and gluteal muscles, gait analysis and correction, foam rolling, and massage techniques. These methods assist in relieving pain and promoting healing.

Blisters

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

Causes: Friction from shoes or socks that are ill-fitting, moisture from sweat that softens the skin and increases friction, jogging on irregular or harsh terrain, and wearing new or stiff shoes without proper break-in. Shoes that are either too tight or loose and not keeping feet dry can cause blisters, especially during long runs or intense training sessions. Additional factors include hot weather, inadequate socks, and extended periods of exercise.

Symptoms: Pain and tenderness at the site of the blister, a fluid-filled bubble or, if serious, blood, inflammation around the blister, and trouble with the affected area due to pain. You may also experience irritation when wearing shoes.

Treatment: Covering the blister with pads or bandages, careful drainage if necessary, moisture management, proper footwear and foot care techniques, and for more serious cases, Innsbrook, MO physical therapy with gait analysis and correction. This approach helps avoid further rubbing and aid in healing.

How Innsbrook, MO Physical Therapists Can Help in Your Running Injury Treatment

Physical therapists are vital in the recovery and restoration of injuries from running in Innsbrook, MO. Our knowledge and individualized treatment help Innsbrook, MO runners return to their activities securely and efficiently. Here’s how our Innsbrook, MO physical therapists can help you:

• Thorough Assessment and Diagnosis: We perform in-depth assessments to identify the underlying 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 often include 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 alleviate discomfort, 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 crucial components of rehabilitation. Our physical therapists offer targeted exercise programs to address muscle imbalances, enhance range of motion, and boost 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 optimal running mechanics.
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress Tracking: Throughout the rehabilitation process, our physical therapists carefully track your progress, making necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. This ongoing support helps ensure a safe and efficient recovery.

By leveraging our knowledge and personalized approach, the Innsbrook, MO physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy can effectively manage running injuries, aiding in your return to your favorite activities with confidence and reduced risk of recurrence.

Other services we offer in Innsbrook, MO include:

• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• 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 progressing to light jogging. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your runs as your body adapts.
• Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises: Adhere to exercises prescribed by your physical therapist to enhance strength and flexibility. Focus on the muscles most affected by your injury to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Don’t forget to add a thorough warm-up before running and a cool-down afterward. This conditions your muscles for activity and aids in 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: Verify you are running with proper form to reduce stress on your joints and muscles. Your physical therapist can give tips on optimal running mechanics.
• Use Appropriate Footwear: Invest in durable running shoes that provide sufficient 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. Don’t push yourself too fast too soon.

By following these steps and working closely with your physical therapist in Innsbrook, MO, you can securely return to running and enjoy the physical and mental benefits it brings.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy for Your Running Injury Treatment in Innsbrook, MO

Injuries from running can be a serious setback, but with the proper strategy to rehabilitation, you can get back to the activities you love. Addressing injuries promptly, participating in a comprehensive physical therapy program, and adhering to a gradual return-to-running plan are vital steps in ensuring a safe and effective recovery. Axes Physical Therapy is committed to providing personalized, evidence-backed care to help individuals in Innsbrook, MO overcome their running injuries and reach your fitness objectives.

If a running injury is keeping you from your favorite activities in Innsbrook, MO, don’t wait. Contact Axes Physical Therapy today to book an appointment and start your journey toward a full recovery. Our experienced Innsbrook, MO physical therapists are prepared to support you return to your favorite activities with confidence and strength.