At St. Pete Physical Therapy, our Doctors of Physical Therapy are running rehab experts. Some injuries will allow you to keep running, for some injuries, you may have to modify your training or stop running for a period of time. It will always be our goal to keep you running and minimize any time off from running. With our extensive knowledge about running injuries, strength and conditioning specific for runners and familiarity with the training needed to compete in races, you will work with the best running rehab experts in the industry to get you through these tough times of injury.
Common Running Injuries?
Perhaps the most common injury that people endure from running is an overall feeling of soreness, caused by overusing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. When the muscles, tendons, or ligaments are overworked, the tissues experience minor damage in the form of microscopic tears. This typically occurs when completing an exercise that the body is not used to, or exercising for the first time after a prolonged period of rest. The soreness may linger for a few days but usually goes away on its own. However, the severity of the microtears will determine how long the body will need to recover
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy who are running rehab experts will guide you through proper strength and conditioning exercises, stretches, movements, and body control, in order for you to be able to reach your goal. To reach your goal, you need to have a plan. This plan starts at St. Pete Physical Therapy.
Many injuries occur due to improper techniques or overexerting your body. Some of the most commonly sustained injuries include:
Shin Splints
Runner's Knee
Achilles Tendonitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Sprains/Strains
It is important to note that it is in your best interest to have a Doctor of Physical Therapy make sure a sprain or strain is fully healed before returning to your normal level of physical activity, as it is common for old sprains and strains to develop again in the future if they have not been properly rehabilitated.
Achieve Your Goals With St. Pete Physical Therapy
St. Pete Physical Therapy has been amazing helping me recover from a running injury that kept me 6 months without running to now training for a marathon staying injury free! I worked with Makayla but everyone is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. I genuinely look forward to coming each session and have noticed so much progress since I started over the summer!
How can I prevent these injuries?
While it is always a wise decision to consult with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, there are some tips you can implement into your personal life as well, in order to decrease your risk of sustaining an injury. These include:.
- Hydrating and eating nutritious meals. Did you know that your body is over 70% water? Because of this, it requires water in order to remain supple and function properly. Without adequate water and nutrition, your body’s tissues are more prone to over-stretching and injury. As a runner, especially when training for events longer than 1 hour, it is very important to hydrate and take in sports nutrition to give your body the necessary energy it needs to keep performing. If you are new to sports nutrition or you are a seasoned runner with questions about sports nutrition, the runner rehab experts at St. Pete Physical Therapy can answer your questions.
- Staying within your abilities. It is important to train and practice for any physical activity you’d like to try. Start small in the beginning and build up from there. For example, if you aren’t used to running but you’d like to complete a 5k, don’t start off with 3-mile runs. Begin with a run- walk program. When you push your body past its current limits, you make yourself more prone to injuries because your body is not prepared for the physical demands being asked of it. A physical therapist can help you understand the limits of your body and can create an exercise plan and training plan for you to reach your physical goals.
- Using the proper equipment. When engaging in any type of physical activity, it is important to make sure you have the right equipment. For example, the right running shoes can help you avoid injury and stay safe while doing the activities you enjoy. They can make a bigdifference when it comes to preventing injuries.
What should I do now?
If you are suffering from a running related injury, or you are interested in what you can do to help prevent running injuries, contact St. Pete Physical Therapy today. One of our running rehab physical therapists would be happy to meet with you for a consultation and discuss how our different programs can help you remain active and pain-free!
Ready to Move Better ?
Whether you are recovering or training, your next step starts here.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. We will build a plan around your goals so you can get back to doing what you love with confidence.