5 Common Injuries Runners Face (And What You Can Do About 'Em)- Advanced Back and Neck Care

5 Common Injuries Runners Face (and what to do about ‘em) advancebackandneck.com /5-common-injuries-runners-face-em/

Running is a great cardiovascular exercise. It not only strengthens muscles and joints, but your bones too. But how do you know if your body needs rest or if you have an injury? And if you have an injury, what can you do about it? Here are five common runner’s injuries, and an overview of their treatment:

Shin Splints Shin splints are common in runners who change their routine or intensity level. This type of injury is simply caused by over training. The bones, muscles, and joints become too stressed.

Shin Splints Symptoms: Pain or soreness in inner part of lower leg Swelling

Shin Splints DIY Treatment: Rest Ice NSAIDs

Shin Splints Professional Treatment: Massage therapy

Sports training

Stress Fracture Stress fractures are very painful injuries that occur due to over exercise. A stress fracture is a crack or bruise that appears within the bone on the top of the foot, heel, or ankle. This type of injury is common in runners who don’t take enough breaks.

Stress Fracture Symptoms: Pain that is relieved by rest Pain that gets worse when walking or putting pressure on feet Swelling Bruising

Stress Fracture DIY Treatment: Rest Wear shoes with thick soles Ice packs Wrap the area with a bandage or cloth Keep your foot elevated

Stress Fracture Professional Treatment: Physical therapy with modified activities Brace shoe Cast Surgery

Achilles Tendinitis Achilles tendinitis is an injury that occurs in runners who increase the duration of their training. It’s an

injury to the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel. Without early treatment, this type of injury can become much more severe and even require surgery.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms: Ache in the back of the leg Severe pain that keeps you from running, sprinting, or climbing stairs Tenderness Stiffness and decreased flexibility

Achilles Tendinitis DIY Treatment: Avoid running and excessive activity Ice Wrap the leg with bandages or use a compression stocking Keep your leg elevated, even when sleeping

Achilles Tendinitis Professional Treatment: Crutches to decrease stress on tendon Physical therapy Surgery

Plantar Fasciitis Plantar fasciitis is a type of inflammation that occurs in the tissue and muscle on the bottom of the foot.

This issue is common in runners and people who don’t wear supportive shoes.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms: Severe pain in the heel Pain that is relieved by activity Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting for long periods

Plantar Fasciitis DIY Treatment: Weight loss Wear supportive, thick soled shoes Don’t buy used shoes. Replace your old ones after 500 miles Ice Stretches

Plantar Fasciitis Professional Treatment: Physical therapy Splints Massage therapy to stretch muscles

Custom cups or arch support Steroids to help relive inflammation Surgery to correct flat feet

Runner’s Knee Runner’s knee is an overuse injury that occurs not just from running but walking and biking. It is also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome. This is a type of nonspecific injury that has many different causes. Here are just a few of the causes of runner’s knee: Stressed kneecap Stretched tendons Misaligned kneecap Fallen arches Flat feet

Runner’s Knee Symptoms: Pain in the knee Worsening pain when running, walking, kneeling, or squatting Trouble walking downstairs or down a hill Swelling Kneecap popping

Runner’s Knee DIY Treatment: Rest Ice packs Compression stocking or sleeve Elevation Stretching Arch inserts

Runner’s Knee Professional Treatment: Massage therapy to relieve stress and help reposition the knee Physical therapy that includes yoga and stretching Surgery to reposition tendons and cartilage

Runner Injury Recovery Chandler, AZ These five injuries are common in runners. If you’re a runner, and you believe you may have one of the injuries above, don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Back & Neck Care. You can easily misdiagnose yourself. The symptoms of the injuries are common and not unique, and you could have a more serious injury requiring prompt medical care. Only attempt at home treatments after you seek medical care. It’s important to catch and treat injuries early, as many require surgery if left untreated. Advanced Neck and Back is a specialized pain management center that can treat these injuries and more with physical therapy, massage, and strength training. If you’re in pain, don’t hesitate to call.