Running is a very popular sport. It’s one of the best cardiovascular workouts because of its positive effect on your overall health—plus you get to decompress and clear your mind.

That being said, as a sport that requires the strength from your entire body, running can take a physical toll on you. Sometimes you might just feel sore for a few days, other times strenuous exercising can cause serious damage to the alignment of your body.

That can’t fly for many people who see running as more than a workout—it’s a part of who they are as a person. If you are injured and unable to put your feet to the pavement, your life feels completely out of sync. Withdrawal from your runner’s high is unbearable to those who have experienced it.

But you don’t have to be injured for long. Here’s why it’s important to heal and how a chiropractor can get you back to running your best.

Why is it important to heal?

Many injuries in the joints and bones are the result of repeated movement, which is why runners have so many injuries.

It takes the biggest hit on your knees, which carry about 45% of your weight. Your feet, made of 26 bones, can be injured without support from the right shoes. Surprisingly, while running, your legs endure an impact that is seven times stronger than the force of walking.

If running is your passion, simple injuries can quickly accumulate and prevent you from running in the future. Whether it is simply running to stay in shape or vigorous training, the injuries can occur regardless.

Injuries from overuse can damage your joints, muscles, and bones. This will not only prevent further training, but will affect how you perform your activities of daily living. Ultimately, the pain will cause a decrease in your range of motion, therefore causing more dysfunction.

Your body undergoes a lot of impact when running and your body cannot heal without proper intervention.

It may be difficult to know exactly how to treat the pain, though. When everything hurts, it may be difficult to know what exactly needs to be treated. On top of being in tremendous pain, one can become emotionally frustrated and overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t be?

When you get to this point, it is clear that you need medical attention.

Many people think that chiropractic care is specifically for the spine, however, it is actually about healing and aligning the entire body. Clearly, for any runner who is feeling pain, chiropractic treatment is the most effective plan of care.   

As chiropractic care is centered on realignment, this is the perfect treatment not only for people looking to heal but for prevention methods.

An estimated 90% of professional athletes use chiropractic care to heal and improve performance—however, you certainly don’t have to be an Olympian to benefit from this treatment. Regardless if you are trying to train for a 10K or just running down the street, a chiropractor can help you get back to running and moving in the correct way.

Through a variety of methods, physicians work to restore and improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination. Whatever your level of running is, adjustments will benefit your performance and limit strain on your joints.

How does chiropractic help runners?

As said in past posts, chiropractic treatment works to heal the whole body and improve your overall health. This is done through manipulation of the joints and bones as well as stretching.

When you make the first consultation, the physician will ask you about your medical history and ask specific questions regarding your running routine. Questions may include what type of terrain you run on and what type of shoes you wear.

They essentially want to get an idea of your workout routine.

This way, the doctor will better understand your aches and pains and what your expectations are. There will also be a physical exam to identify the problem and develop a strategy for the correct treatment.

No runner is alike. Not in the way you train or in the way pain affects you personally. The chiropractor knows this and specializes the treatment to meet your specific needs and goals to get you back to the sport you love.

That being said, runners may have different injuries, therefore the techniques used may vary.

Although running may not cause back pain, knee and hip pain can actually be treated through manipulation of the lower spine. The manipulation would take place specifically in sacroiliac joint where the pelvis and hip meet.

Adjustments in the spine have a domino effect on the rest of your body due to the role it plays in your central nervous system.

Knee pain can also be treated through physiotherapy if the ligaments are torn. If the tears are not severe, bracing and stretching can help to restore elasticity. This stretching will not only heal soft tissue but strengthen your knee in the future and actually improve your performance.

Another common injury that requires manipulation and stretching is shin splints. Adjustment of the calf, ankle, and foot bones will allow blood flow to be restored, therefore enhancing the healing process.

Stretching in the thigh and calf muscles also prevent future injuries, just as stretching does for the knees. Check out examples of stretches for shin splints and how to do them here.

If you have pain in your foot, it is usually due to collapsed arches. This can lead to additional injuries in your ankles due to loss of balance and support.

After the readjustments described earlier, chiropractors may work with you to find more supportive shoes so the pain is eliminated in the future. Visit this link to learn tips for buying running shoes.

Clearly, chiropractic treatment involves healing the entire body and, ultimately, making you a stronger runner in the future.

Visit A Chiropractor Today

The reason this treatment is so beneficial for runners is that you can go back to your chiropractor even if you are not injured but to prevent injuries from happening again. You can go to get better and stay healthy.

Improve your coordination through adjustments and stretches to get balance back in your run and balance back into your life. Learn more and schedule a visit at your local Montgomery chiropractor Dr. Scanlon’s Progressive Chiropractic office.