Running Physical Therapy consists of exercises prescribed by a professional physical therapy that help to resolve injury aches and pains. Running is one of the most repetitive sports in the world, so you end up with a lot of repetitive use injuries. The only way to heal many of these injuries is with running physical therapy. It is important to remember when going through this healing process that many of these injuries were created over a long period and will take time to heal as well. Many give up on the process only three feet from the gold they seek.
Common Injuries That Require Running Physical Therapy
It is essential that you know that most running injuries can be treated by a physical therapist. If you want the best of running physical therapy, it helps to see a PT that specializes in sports medicine. Sports medicine providers are used to dealing with the following injuries.
- Runners Knee
- Hamstring Issues
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Shin Splints
- It Band Pain
- Achilles Pain
- Lower Back Issues
Running Physical Therapy Exercises To Get Started
CAUTION: Your best bet for many of the injuries listed above and below is to get in touch with a healthcare provider first. In our social media world, there are too many athletes trying to handle severe injuries on their own. If you think your injury is minor, these are the basics to get you moving in the right direction.
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Single Leg Balance and Squats
The key with the single leg balance squats is to get your body use to having to stabilize on one leg. It is one of the most important things you can do because you run on one leg. The key is to get the groin, hip, lower leg and feet stabilizers to activate and keep you from falling over. The key here is to do a lot of reps because when running these muscles fail due to getting tired. When stabilizers get tired, the body starts making more movements which decrease time and burn more energy.
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Glute Routine
When the glutes are not activated it causes issues for the hamstrings and lower back. The problem is that we sit too much in modern society and that shuts are glutes off every time. Doing the following will help you avoid having to do running physical therapy for back issues.
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Towel Scrunches
The feet have to be taken care at all times for all athletes, but this is especially true for runners. Your feet are the first things to hit the ground when running. If there is an issue with your feet, then it will work its way of your body and manifest itself as a different injury. The towel scrunches strengthen the feet and work on the intrinsic feet muscles.
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Lower Leg Strengthening
Lower leg strengthening can help to prevent injuries like shin splints. Strengthening these muscles can also help with stabilizing the foot, ankle, and knee upon contact with the ground.
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Lower Body Stretches
Below are a bunch of videos on stretches that every runner needs to do on a daily basis. The key areas runners need to keep loose include:
- Quads
- Hamstrings
- Hips
- Calves
Running Physical Therapy Exercise – Hamstring Strengthening
The faster you run, and the more your hamstrings are at risk. You can help most of the hamstrings issues with the glute routine above but if not here are some ways to attack it head-on. The glutes do not function in a typical concentric fashion when running. Much of the strain in the hamstring happens from the repetitive eccentric contractions.
What to Look For in Great Provider for Running Physical Therapy
The most important thing that a healthcare provider can have is a caring spirit. It does not matter what school they went to or what certificates they have. The key ingredient you want any health care provider to have is the ability to care about you. If they do that well they will be able to help you out. Someone can know everything in the world but if they don’t care they will not do their best to help you.
The second thing you want as a runner is someone who is continually learning. A learner will always be looking for new methods and techniques to help athletes stay healthy. They will never settle for what they learned in school or what worked last week.
The last thing you want to keep an eye out for is a sports background or a provider that loves to be around sports. The reason is that athletes think and approach things differently and you need someone who gets that. It will also help because if they can watch you in your sport and know what is going on, they will be that much better equipped to help you.
Some other non-tangible skills that make for running physical therapy:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Sound listening
- Critical thinking
- Empathy
- Active learning
- Friendliness
How to Find the Best PT for Your Running Physical Therapy
9INE POINT Health is a great way to find an excellent Physical therapist to get you healthy and running again. With 9INE POINT Health, you can search for today’s PT based on the skill sets you are looking for locally. You no longer have to open Google and hope you get what you need. Instead, go to 9INE POINT Health.com and search for whatever therapist you are looking for.
You can search for:
- Physical Therapists
- Massage Therapists
- Chiropractors
- Registered Dieticians
- Acupuncturists
- Sports Medicine Physicians
- Naturopathic Doctors
- And more…
Once you have a list of the local PTs near you, you can then chose which one you want based on their 9INE POINT Number. Any PT with a high 9INE POINT Number is going to be able to help with running physical therapy.
Using The 9INE POINT Number to Find Running Physical Therapy
The 9INE POINT Number considers three different factors to create a number out of 100 that makes it easy to compare healthcare providers.
- Ratings and Reviews
- Engagement within 9INE POINT Health
- ENdorsements from Other Providers
The 9INE POINT number makes it easy for you to take a quick glance at a health care provider and know whether you want to work with them or not. You don’t have to read reviews or check their profile if you don’t want to because the 9INE POINT Number will tell you what you need to know.
Remember, you save time and money when you speak with the right professionals.
Be back on your feet in no time. www.khohealth.com
KHO Health was acquired by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.
9INE POINT Health was created by 9INE POINT in '19 as a means to provide athlete-driven resources to "Protect Athletes' Minds, Body and Belly". As well as be a platform for healthcare providers and other specialists to display their knowledge.