Running is effective for both recreational and fitness purposes; however, it also happens to be a high-impact sport, placing a lot of strain on a person’s body and thus increasing the risk of injury. There are several types of injuries that commonly pop up among runners, and one of the most effective ways to address these is by undergoing Ealing physiotherapy treatments. Here are a few of the common injuries you need to watch out for while running and how your local physiotherapy clinic can help you.

Plantar Fasciitis

When you feel a stinging pain at the bottom of your foot, you’re probably experiencing plantar fasciitis. This condition is an inflammation of your plantar fascia, the muscle underneath your foot. This usually happens when you’re overtraining or not wearing the proper footwear to support your feet. Though it can be irritating at the start, plantar fasciitis can quickly become very painful. To treat it, an Ealing physiotherapy practice like CK Physio would use a soft-tissue technique called active release. It’s a type of massage that aims to break up internal scar tissue and help restore normal muscle function.

Achilles Tendinitis

Your Achilles tendon is a band of muscle that attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone. If it gets irritated or damaged, you can expect to feel a lot of pain around the back of your leg. Tight calves can be the culprit for this injury; however, improper footwear or a sudden increase in the intensity of your training can also lead to this condition. Your physiotherapist would recommend a regimen of rest, icing, and stretching to help relieve the pain, along with exercise to strengthen your lower legs for long and intensive runs.

Shin Splints

Another common complaint by runners is pain around the shin. Called shin splints, these happen when the muscles in your tibia are inflamed. This usually happens when you have trained too much or have suddenly intensified your training. This is why it is often seen in beginning runners. Eventually, once you’ve gotten used to the activity, the pain will go away. A physiotherapist would advise rest and icing to relieve the pain, while recommending some exercises that will restore the limbs’ full range of movement. Furthermore, physiotherapists can recommend a modified training program to strengthen the muscles causing the pain.

These are just some of the injuries that any runner may experience. Knowing that a physiotherapist is ready to help can give you peace of mind and be more relaxed as you start your running regimen.

(Source: The 5 Most Troublesome Running Injuries, Competitor.com)