Prevent Running Injuries

4 Effective Ways to Prevent Common Running Injuries

By cg@prpwebs.com
By September 6, 2023
Pain or Frozen Shoulders?
Get on a consultation with shoulder expert

You are probably someone who takes a lot of exercise, possibly in the form of running.

Running is a common fitness activity and it’s a great way to get in shape, but it can also lead to injuries that diminish pleasure in exercise. As the popularity of this activity continues to increase, knowing about running-related injuries and how to prevent them can keep you on track toward reaching your fitness goals.

Most injuries are caused by overuse – a result of applying repeated force over a prolonged period of time. Acute running injuries are rare and consist mainly of muscle injuries, sprain, or skin lesions (like blisters and abrasions).

Running is one common sports that give rise to overuse injuries of lower back and the leg. Running injuries of the lower leg, foot, and upper leg are common. According to UK Healthcare, common injuries among runners include:

Achilles tendinitis – This injury is marked by dull or sharp pain along the back of the Achilles tendon, calf tightness, and early morning stiffness. Proper stretching can help prevent this injury. For treatment, rest, and stretch until the pain is gone.

Plantar fasciitis – This injury is an inflammation of the plantar fascia –a thick connective tissue which supports the arch of the foot. For prevention, proper stretching is recommended. If pain occurs, anti-inflammatory medicine, stretching, and ice compresses help relieve pain.

Shin splints – This is a painful inflammation of the muscles around the shins –the front part of the leg between the knee and the ankle. These muscles hold the front part of your foot up as the foot descends, then contract as the heel strikes the ground. This is caused by overuse or poor conditioning. It gets worse when you run on hard surfaces. One treatment is to rest from running, then stretching until the pain is gone.

 

HOW TO PREVENT COMMON RUNNING INJURIES

Injuries can lead to temporary or even permanent discontinuation of running. Strategies are needed to prevent high incidences of running injuries in the adult population. The UK Healthcare of the University of Kentucky recommends the following strategies to prevent injuries:

 

#1: It’s a good idea to determine your running goals – Setting goals can greatly help you observe a safe pace and this will keep you from overexertion which can result to injury. You may choose to start running to lose weight, improve your figure, and increase cardiovascular fitness or just to socialize with friends. Whatever reason you have, it’s always a good idea to determine a particular goal when creating your exercise program. For instance, “if you want to improve cardiovascular fitness, you should run at a quick pace to maximize your heart rate.” On one side, “if you’re running to lose weight or reduce body fat, it’s better to run at a slower rate for a longer time.” Depending on your goal, it’s better to decide what exercise program is appropriate.

 

#2: It’s better to have a physical evaluation – There are certain health conditions that can decrease your running performance and increase your risk for injury. Not to mention, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other degenerative joint diseases can increase the risk of injuries for adults. If you have health issues, you should discuss these with your healthcare provider before you start to run.

 

#3: Warm up before you run and stretch after you run – Proper stretching before and after you run can actually prevent some of the most common injuries. It’s important to stretch muscles that move your leg and ankle joints. “These include the calf muscle, which moves the knee and ankle, and the hamstring, which moves the knee and hip. Walk or gently jog for 5 minutes. Cooldown at the same pace for another 5 minutes at the end of your run.”

 

Wear Correct Shoes

#4: Wear the correct shoes – Choosing appropriate running shoes can help prevent running injuries. Find a shoe that fits your foot type or visit our experts here at OrthoSports to recommend what running shoes are appropriate for you.

Subscribe to get a free e-book

    We are affiliated with best insurance provider

    We do have direct billing agreements for outpatient visits with the insurances and companies listed below.
    See All Our Affiliations
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image