Running Injury Valley Park, MO. Running is a popular and rewarding activity, but improving fitness and aiming for that “runner’s high” comes with the possibility of injury. Whether you’re an veteran marathoner, a occasional jogger, or aiming to shed pounds, running injuries can disrupt your routine and slow down your progress. Getting the appropriate treatment for these running injuries in Valley Park, MO is crucial for a speedy recovery and preventing long-term issues.

At Axes Physical Therapy, our Valley Park, MO physical therapists focus in treating running injuries with customized treatments and proven approaches. Our knowledgeable physical therapists are committed to helping you get back to the activities you love, ensuring a secure and lasting return to running. Contact the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment today to begin your recovery. You may also visit any one of our locations for a free injury screening.

You can also explore our Beginner Running Program Tips and Beginner’s Guide to Running for how to get the benefits of running safely.

Common Running Injuries and How Valley Park, MO Physical Therapists Treat Them

Knowing frequent running injuries, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for effective management and prevention. Some of the most common running injuries in Valley Park, MO are:

Shin Splints

Description: Shin splints, medically known as 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, jogging on unforgiving or irregular terrain, improper footwear, and having flat feet or excessively rigid arches.

Symptoms: Tenderness, aching, or pain along the inner side of the tibia, slight swelling in the lower leg, and discomfort that improves with rest but can return when you resume activity.

Treatment: Treatment focuses on easing pain and inflammation and stopping 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 muscle tightness in the hamstrings and calves, as well as imbalances in soft tissue.

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 improve alignment and muscle balance. Your Valley Park, MO physical therapist may also recommend Kinesio Taping® to support the kneecap and ease 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, sudden increases in training intensity, tight calf muscles, wearing the wrong shoes, 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. There may be discomfort that intensifies during physical activity.

Treatment: A regimen of rest, ice application, anti-inflammatory drugs, targeted stretching and strengthening routines, and professional physical therapy. Your Valley Park, MO physical therapist may also recommend eccentric loading exercises to enhance tendon strength. This approach helps in promoting healing and avoiding future issues.

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, 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, tenderness, 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 Valley Park, MO physical therapist may also recommend supportive footwear and foot care techniques. This approach helps in alleviating discomfort and facilitating recovery.

Stress Fractures

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

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

Symptoms: Slowly developing pain that worsens with weight-bearing activity, swelling and tenderness at the fracture site, pain that improves with rest but returns with activity, and visible bruising in some cases.

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 both physical health.

Muscle Pull

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

Causes: Quick changes in speed 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. There may also be 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 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: Abrupt twisting or turning of the ankle during activities such as running or jumping, uneven surfaces that cause the ankle to turn unexpectedly, 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 Valley Park, 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 avoiding recurrence.

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 feeling on the outside of the knee, pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, and tenderness and swelling along the IT band.

Treatment: The R.I.C.E method, 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 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 involve repetitive rubbing of the skin. These annoying bubbles can develop 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 heightens rubbing, running on uneven or rough surfaces, and wearing new or stiff shoes without proper break-in. Poorly fitted footwear and lack of moisture management can result in blisters, especially during prolonged runs or intense training sessions. Additional factors include hot weather, 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, inflammation around the blister, and trouble with the affected area due to pain. You may also experience irritation when putting on footwear.

Treatment: Protection using blister pads or bandages, draining the blister carefully if needed, moisture management, proper footwear and foot care techniques, and in severe cases, Valley Park, MO physical therapy with gait analysis and correction. This approach helps prevent further friction and promote healing.

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

Physical therapists play a crucial role in the recovery and restoration of running injuries in Valley Park, MO. Our expertise and personalized care help Valley Park, MO runners resume their activities securely and effectively. Here’s how our Valley Park, MO physical therapists can help you:

• Thorough Assessment and Diagnosis: We perform in-depth assessments 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 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: Strengthening and stretching exercises are essential components of rehabilitation. Our physical therapists design targeted exercise programs to correct muscle weaknesses, improve flexibility, 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 ideal 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 Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, 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 moving on to light jogging. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your runs as your body adapts.
• Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises: Maintain exercises prescribed by your physical therapist to keep up strength and flexibility. Pay attention to the muscles most affected by your injury to stop re-injury.
• Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Never skip a thorough warm-up before running and a cool-down afterward. This prepares your muscles for activity and aids in recovery.
• Monitor Your Body: Listen to any signs of discomfort or pain. If you notice any symptoms of your previous injury, stop running and consult your physical therapist.
• Maintain Good Running Form: Make sure you are running with proper form to reduce stress on your joints and muscles. Your physical therapist can provide guidance on optimal running mechanics.
• Use Appropriate Footwear: Invest in reliable 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. Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon.

By following these steps and collaborating with your physical therapist in Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, MO

Injuries from running can be a major setback, but with the proper strategy to rehabilitation, you can return 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 Valley Park, MO recover from running injuries and achieve your fitness goals.

If a running injury is preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities in Valley Park, MO, don’t wait. Contact Axes Physical Therapy today to book an appointment and begin your path to a full recovery. Our experienced Valley Park, MO physical therapists are here to help you get back to the activities you love with confidence and strength.