3 Running Pains and How to Fix Them

Whether you run to get some exercise or professionally, you’re probably no stranger to running pains.

Running pain isn’t always caused by a specific event, like rolling your ankle. Instead, most running injuries result from overuse or not giving your body enough time to recover after a workout.

These are the three most common running pains and how they’re fixed with chiropractic care. 

Common Running Injuries

1. Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee is an umbrella term for pain in and around the kneecap when you’re active or after sitting for a long time. It’s usually caused by a structural defect or improper form when walking or running.

A few symptoms of this condition include:

• Weakness or instability
• Stiff ankles and hips (the stiffer these are, the more pressure is placed on your knees)
• Kneecap that’s tender to the touch
• Grinding or clicking sounds when you bend and straighten your knee.

How it’s treated: The best call is to stop running until it’s no longer painful.

There are also several chiropractic treatment options for knee pain. For instance, your chiropractor may gently adjust your knees and spinal joints to alleviate pain and improve your range of motion. They can also teach you corrective exercises to help you regain your strength and flexibility.

2. Hip Pain

Almost as common as runner’s knee, hip pain usually stems from overuse. Whether you have a muscle strain or tendinitis, you may feel a painful stiffness in your hips when you run or flex the affected area.

Other symptoms commonly associated with hip pain may include:

• Pain or tenderness in the outer hip or thigh
• Difficulty moving your hip or legs
• Trouble sleeping on your hip
• Clicking or popping sounds in the hip

How it’s treated: Treat tendinitis or muscle strains by resting, icing your hip several times a day, and avoiding movements that worsen your pain.

At Family Life Chiropractic, our chiropractor uses targeted chiropractic adjustments to treat chronic tendon inflammation. He may also recommend cold laser therapy to reduce pain and swelling, and allow your body to naturally heal itself.

3. IT Band Syndrome

IT band syndrome, also called hip bursitis, is a running pain that affects the knees and hips. When the IT band becomes too tight, it can cause inflammation and result in stiff knees.

Running too often or aggressively can cause hip bursitis. Bursae are the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion your body’s joints. A ruptured bursa can cause pain and eventually lead to infection.

Symptoms of IT band syndrome typically include:

• Aching, burning pain on the outside of your knee, which extends to the hip
• Warmth and redness up and down your leg
• Feeling clicking or popping on the outside of the knee or hip

Hip bursitis may worsen after running, especially if you run at an incline. That said, not everyone notices the pain until they climb a steep hill or they’re almost done with their run. IT band syndrome is often severe and debilitating.

How it’s treated: The best way to avoid this inflammation is to improve your balance.

Chiropractic adjustments can help minimize pain from IT band syndrome and speed up your recovery. Other therapies like cold laser therapy may also be recommended to supplement your treatment.

In some cases, scar tissue may need to be broken up to allow the injury to heal properly. Your chiropractor may also recommend gentle exercises and stretches to help rebuild your muscles and prevent recurring IT band syndrome.

Contact Our Chiropractor in Clearwater, FL

From serious athletes to weekend warriors, if you’re suffering from one of the conditions above, seek chiropractic care as soon as possible.

Our experienced chiropractor, Dr. Jere, will locate the exact source of your pain and quickly and stably remedy it. That way, you’ll be able to stick to your training schedule.

Contact us online or call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment today!