Running Program

Specialized treatment for runners and endurance athletes

Our team of sports clinical specialists help runners and endurance athletes prevent injury and improve performance by identifying certain movement patterns that put them at risk. Running injuries are often caused by muscle imbalances, weakness, poor body mechanics, improper footwear and/or overtraining.

We have physical therapists trained in movement analysis and injury prevention to help you run safely, stay healthy and achieve new personal bests.

How physical therapy can help reduce injuries and improve performance

There are more than 40 million runners in the United States.1 More than 45% of those athletes experience at least one overuse injury during training,2 with more than 90% of those injuries occurring in the toes, feet, ankles, lower and upper legs, knees and hips.3

Common injuries, include:

The majority of all running injuries are non-contact (no traumatic impact, fall or collision) and largely preventable.4

  • Runner's knee
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Hamstring issues
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Shin splints
  • Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
  • Stress fractures

What to expect

Our expert team will work closely with you to improve movement patterns that help avoid running injuries and meet your goals. A comprehensive, one-on-one examination of your gait using various technology such as dorsaVi™ Movement Suite and ViPerform™ Athletic Movement Index™ will identify fundamental and functional movement patterns and any mobility, stability, strength or flexibility deficits of those movement patterns.

We’ll closely examine your hip, knee and ankle motion as well as your:

  • Leg symmetry
  • Average ground reaction force and contact time for the left and right leg
  • Average steps per minute
  • Total distance
  • Average speed
  • Hip drop

Your therapist may also discuss your foot alignment and make shoe recommendations.

We want to ensure that you're performing at your maximum potential and that you will cross the finish line. Let us help you do that by avoiding running injuries.

References:

  1. Messier S, Legault C, Schoenlank C, Newman J, Martin D, Devita P. Risk factors and mechanisms of knee injury in runners. Med Sci Sport Exerc. 40:1873-1879. 2008.
  2. McKean K, Manson N, Stanish W. Musculoskeletal injury in masters runners. Clin J Sports Med. 16:149-154. 2006.
  3. Cipriani D, Swartz J, Hodgson C. Triathlon and the multisport athlete. J Orth Sport Phys Ther. 27:42-50. 1998
  4. Hauret K, Bedno S, Loringer K, Kao T, Mallon T, Jones B. Epidemiology of exercise and sports related injuries in a population of young, physically active adults. Am J Sport Med. 43:2645-2653. 2015.

Get the Help You Need for Your Injury