Should I keep running?

Running is a great exercise for the entire body. Running can cause injuries, even for avid runners. Most runners experience injuries at one time or another. Physio Wembley determines that 27% of women and 20% of men complain of musculoskeletal pain. Most of these people keep running with the pain. Let’s take a peek at a few of the most common injuries acquired from running, and how to treat each one.

Reasons why you may need to change your running habits

1) Sensitive tissue – Sometimes pulled muscles are not the cause of the pain, but instead sensitive tissue. Tissue can become sensitive after becoming damaged. This causes the tissues to become enflamed, and can cause even an avid runner to take a break from running.

2) Healing tissue – Damaged muscle, tissue, or tendons need time to heal and recover. During this time, a runner may need to reduce their exercise load or stop running temporarily. Continuing to run without any modification increases healing time and the chances of worsening the injury.

3) Reduced performance – If the discomfort is severe enough, it may reduce your ability to perform your best. Therefore, it may be beneficial to take a break from running or modify your running routine.

Certain injuries caused by running

Tendinitis - Achilles or hamstring

Your physio West Leederville has treated many athletes that suffer from painful tendons, which includes the hamstring and Achilles’ tendon. Classic tendinopathy refers to feeling pain or discomfort at the beginning of the warm up or run. Runners can still run during this time until the run is over. They can adjust variables such as their speed, modify the terrain they run on and wearing the correct type of shoes.

Kneecap pain

PFP, or Patellofemoral pain, is another common injury for runners. About 50% of injuries caused by running involve the knee, with about half of those of the kneecap. If the pain is slight-to-moderate, runners are still able to run. However, if the pain is moderate-to-severe, you should stop running. Continuing to run through this severity of pain could cause additional injuries and more recovery time. Work on recovering and repairing the injury before continuing. Wait to start running again until your physio Wembley gives you the green light.

Calf and Hamstring muscle complaints

Muscle strains of the calf and hamstring are very common for runners. A physio West Leederville can assist in scoring the injury depending on pain, usually on a scale from 1 to 10. Smaller injuries usually require less rest and recovery time, usually between 2 and 7 days. Larger or more severe injuries take longer time to heal.

Use your best judgment

When deciding whether to continue running through an injury or take a break, it’s best to consider many factors. Consider seeing a physio Wembley. They can assess the injury and come up with a plan for your recovery. Second, listen to your body. You know what feels normal and what doesn’t. Lastly, use common sense. Do not try to be a super hero and run through the pain if it is higher than a mild-to-moderate level.