How Running Injuries Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care

How Running Injuries Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care

Step. Ouch. Step. Ouch. Step. Ouch.

No one wants to suffer from a running injury. Especially if they're using running as a fitness activity. Hopefully, you can maintain good running form and decrease the chance of injuries by the information we have applied in this article.

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise and offers many benefits. It can be done anywhere. It tones the lower body and it burns a ton of calories. Pounding the pavement over time, however, can result in injuries to the feet, knees, ankles, and hips.

Whether you run a few miles a week to keep the extra pounds off.  Or, hoof it in several marathons as a distance runner a year. There is, unfortunately, a good chance you will get hurt at some point.

The first step to recovery, if you injure yourself running, is to give your body time to heal. A visit to the doctor or physical therapist, ice packs, and over the counter pain medication are all ways to treat an injury. However, one of the best ways runners can treat their overuse injuries is by visiting a chiropractor.

If you are dealing with a running injury and think a chiropractor may be able to help you get back on your feet with less pain, you are most likely correct. Here are four important things to know about chiropractors and how runners can benefit from chiropractic care:

Chiropractors work on more than necks and backs

It's a common misconception that a chiropractor's sole purpose is to adjust their patients' necks and backs. The full-body can benefit from chiropractic manipulation. For example, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) states that common running injuries are bunions, neuromas, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome(runners knee), iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, and stress fractures.

Barefoot running can also produce its share of injuries—from frostbite to tendinitis, metatarsal stress fractures, lacerations, puncture wounds, abrasions and stone bruising.

Chiropractors are often able to work with an injured runner and bring about a positive outcome. Strains, sprains, and other trauma to your body's joints can be treated by a chiropractor. Soft tissue around the joints benefits from chiropractic treatment. Which can greatly ease an injury to the feet, ankle, knee, or hip.

Chiropractic promotes quicker healing of the injured area

From increasing blood flow to the hurt area to breaking up restrictions with manual manipulation, chiropractic treatment helps the body heal itself. Chiropractors view the body in its entirety and may use manipulations, adjustments, and physical therapy on other parts of the body to stimulate healing of the afflicted area and improve your long term overall health.

Chiropractors assist in pain management

Running injuries can often cause great pain that lasts for weeks. Visiting a chiropractor can help reduce the severity of the pain and shorten the amount of time you experience pain. This is an especially attractive benefit for those who avoid taking medicine. Chiropractic care helps manage the discomfort and soreness associated with the injury, allowing the patient to rely less on drugs.

Chiropractic reduces the risk of getting re-injured

A common reason runners end up hurt is their bodies had something “out of whack” in the first place. Since chiropractors take the wellness of the body as a whole into consideration, they often work with runners on injury prevention to minimize the chance of re-injury or suffering a different injury. By making certain an individual's body is in alignment and functioning properly through functional strength training. A chiropractor can help the runner feel comfortable moving back into the routine of running.

Running is a great form of exercise and stress relief, and many people run for years without incident. However, it's vital to take steps upfront to minimize the chances of getting hurt, including choosing proper running shoes that can help support their plantar fascia, stretching beforehand, and avoiding overexertion.

When running, for a form of fitness, proper foot care is necessary to help maintain proper foot health. Also, make sure that you have proper footwear that supports your feet correctly.  This is necessary for the long-term support and health of your feet.

If, however, you feel a twist, pop, or crack as you are out for your morning run or finishing your half marathon with friends and family, know there are chiropractic treatment options available to you that will decrease pain, healing time, and the risk of re-injury. Just pick up the phone and contact us. Or, schedule an appointment. We're here to help!