Runners at every level of participation will undoubtedly experience some sort of running related injury above and beyond the usual aches and pains.
More serious injuries fall into two categories repetitive or traumatic.
The most common traumatic running injuries are sprained ankles, strained hamstrings, claves and quads. Repetitive injuries, (often associated with overuse) include; achilles tendonitis; arch of the foot pain (plantar fasciitis); runners knee (anterior knee pain); iliotibial band (lateral knee pain) and hip pain.
Overuse symptoms tend to occur when the body either cannot adapt fast enough or is not properly aligned to cope with the ongoing repetition involved in increasing training levels. A body part then ‘gives’ or forces another area to ‘give’ causing pain and injury.
Runners that pick up any traumatic injury or have persistent, painful niggles in one area should seek professional help and under no circumstances ignore them. Depending on the nature of the injury runners may want to seek the services of either a Physiotherapist or Podiatrist.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy usually involves physical manipulation of the body to treat traumatic or repetitive injuries wherever they may occur.
Most running related injuries are to lower limbs and related to overuse. An example is achilles tendonitis which can often be related to an increase in running with poor footwear.
A physiotherapist can identify any areas of ‘damage’ and work to provide appropriate exercises to reduce the injury and suggest training strategies. A physiotherapist can also correct knee alignment and help strengthen the muscles of the body’s trunk to help reduce the risk of back pain.
Podiatry
Podiatry is the treatment of disorders and injuries of the foot, ankle and leg. A podiatrist can also assess your ‘mechanics’, which is the way you run, and offer advice, stretches or exercises to aid performance and prevent injury in the future.
Further advice
ASICS Running Clinics Pro Team can offer advice on training - click the links below to see their advice.
Comments
Steve Fowler:
I'm currently training with your programme which is great. However the problem I have having is calf pain from about halfway or towards the end of my run and usually 3 miles and up. The problem is it switches from right to left leg. I mean the other day i ran and I had pain in my left calf so I rested and today I ran and the pain was in the right calf. Is this to do with my gait?
Jan. 22, 2012
paul:
I have been get tight calfs after runs and first thing in morning, is there anything i can do to stop help this,i find it happens after most runs but not all
Sep. 21, 2011
dave:
Hi I am a full time cricket coach and had continual foot problems. Planta faciatus in my left foot having 3 cortizone injections, surgery to release the planta fascia has still not worked! continual pain in my rear foot and now also in my mid foot is a huge problem! Any advise would would be appreciated..... Which would be the best trainers for cushioning and support for the planta fascia? Regards Dave
Sep. 09, 2011
O Smith:
Hi, After a car incident MRI scans showed Osteochondrosis in cervical section of spinal cord.Protrusion of disc C4-C5. Sings of osteochondrosis in thoracic and lumbar section of spine. Extrusion of vertebral disc L1-L2. After having a 3D analysis lady devised Asics Gel-3030 after I've tried Nimbus 13 and Gel-3030. My issue is that o though 3030 is more supportive Nimbus 13 felt more cushioned and better for my back. How to make right decision as I'm not to sure if my spine injury have been taken to full consideration. Could you please help me as I badly need to run.
Aug. 17, 2011
Louise curran:
I recently discovered that i slipped a disc in my back some time ago and have been told to build muscle up on it but have been giving no advice on exercises or even what shoes to wear to help take the pressure of my back is there any advice that could be given? the disc i slipped is in my lower back.. I am 25 years old 5ft 6in and 10st exactly.
Jul. 01, 2011
Elizabeth Miller:
I am suffering from bursue /brusitis which has caused inflamed tendons in inner of my leg Under NHS I am doing physio but wonder if my shoes are right I wear Asics duomax trainers I think i supa pronate
May. 30, 2011
Elizabeth Miller:
I get a recurring bursue on my trochanter (hip) have had cortisone injections I also do excersise have tried resting also I have stopped running and walk only I also only wear Asics running shoes I wonder if you have any hints of exercises I can do
May. 30, 2011
Mike Wardle:
Ball of foot pain I've just bought a pair of Asics Kayano17 running shoes and after three runs I'm have problems with my left foot. I'm getting a burning sensation after about 3-4km into 8-10km training runs which is painful and making me adjust my running gait etc which is causing knee pain now. I have hard skin on the ball of both feet which I need to take care with but since buying the new shoes the burning sensation and ball of foot pain has increased. Is there an insert I can put into the shoe (over the current insert) to remove this problem? If I buy an insert will I have to remove the original insert?
May. 15, 2011
Balassa Bálint :
Balassa Bálint Budapest Spring 2010 is already gone in the running. I ran 36km in 1 week, but trouble: the ahillesz very sore left leg. Even in this district is korlátozott.1 months and had two weeks break. If you go 0-5km run (loosely) ahillesznél strange feeling. But strangely it does not hurt. What should I do? I am waiting for reply thank you.
Feb. 20, 2011
Balassa Bálint :
Balassa Bálint Unfortunately, the Achilles of the left leg pain or strange sensations. 1 year ago due to a sustained load heavily hurt. 1 month full training deprivation. Come up again later, a mild sensation. All is not well with him. I look forward to your reply.
Feb. 19, 2011
Eamon Deighan:
Sent a message before registering will this have been recieved. Regards Eamon.
Dec. 29, 2010
Eamon Deighan:
back in August I injured my hamstring, I believe it was a mixture of running and working I continued to run but only every ten days as the pain got more severe. I have had 5 lots of physio since it seems to be tethering of the sciatic nerve just on the inside below my glutes. I do not seem to be improving this has kept me out of running for 8 to 10 weeks do you have any advise. It is always worse after driving. regards Eamon.
Dec. 29, 2010
Jan Heaton:
I have a half marathon in 6 days and have trained well for it. Typically, on my last long run I developed hamstring problems. I can still run, the discomfort isn't too bad and tends to disappear and reappear, and I intend to do the half marathon regardless, but should I rest completely now until Sunday, or taper down my runs as I would normally do? Please advise quickly!!! thanks
Oct. 11, 2010
William Smith:
I recently bought a pair of asics 3020's from your asics store in london,They were fitted for me.after a consultation. My previous trainers were cummolous 10's,(which i loved)!!. I believed that i under-pronated,but was told i over-pronated by the assistant in the ascis store. I have developed a knee injury in my left knee,could it be related to the sudden switch in trainers.I would really appreciate your help on this matter. Regards William
Sep. 19, 2010
John Comiskey:
4 weeks ago I went over on my ankle, initially it was thought to be a chipped bone, so 2 weeks in a cast. On re-examination it was diagnosed as strained ligaments, it is healing well. I had been training previous to this for the Dublin marathon in October. I had got up to 12/15 miles. will it still be possible to do the marathon, 25th October. Is there anything I can do to help recovery and start my training again. regards John Comiskey - 45 - 16St
Jun. 24, 2010
Wendy Eastwood:
Whenever I buy new running shoes I get my gait analysed to find the best shoe for me. I overpronate quite a bit - is there any way I can strengthen/stretch to reduce/ irradicate this pronation rather than to just support it with a shoe?
Jun. 07, 2010