The 6 Most Common Running Injuries Pt. 1

Marathon season is here, which means runners who have been pounding the pavement for months will finally put their training to the test.

While healthy exercise can be great for cardiovascular health, the unfortunate truth is that some long-distance runners experience aches and pains that snowball into severe bodily concerns that can jeopardize their marathon participation, let alone performance.

Whether you have noticed twinges of discomfort here and there or experience immense pain every time you go out for a jog, contact Total Performance Physical Therapy today. As a facility that offers aquatic therapy services in Horsham, our therapy experts understand the importance of “listening” to your body, similar to the way a mechanic would listen to a car. While some minor aches might disappear after a matter of days, certain pains can often get worse as you train.

Keep in mind that running injuries can happen to anyone; it does not matter if you are a novice or a seasoned marathon runner.

Common Types of Running Injuries

While there is some overlap with marathon trainers’ ailments and common summertime sports injuries, long-distance running uses muscles differently than most contact sports. Read on to learn more about how specific muscle groups are affected by long-distance running.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee functions as a catch-all term for “pain in front of the knee”. While it is often an area of pain, it is seldom the cause of it. It is usually a confluence of other things, such as IT Band tendinitis or overuse of the quadriceps muscle. While most runners believe cutting back or completely stopping their running schedule will improve the situation, they can find themselves going through pain cycles over and over again when they start back up.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are usually a result of a runner “rolling” their ankle, which stretches out ligaments on the outer portion of the ankle. While the ankle may heal over time, the ligaments are less taut and more prone to future sprains and general instability. There are different grades of ankle sprains, ranging in symptoms, including swelling and inflammation, and degrees of pain levels.

Shin Splints

Shin splints is another catch-all term that refers to pain along the shin bone, the large front bone in the lower leg. Typical causes include inadequate stretching or excessive stress on one leg.

Next Steps

If you experience any of these ailments, it’s crucial to explore treatment options, as your pain might become worse over time. Contact Total Performance Physical Therapy to learn more about these conditions or to ask about our aquatic therapy pools in Horsham.

In the next part of this blog, we’ll explore even more common running injuries that may inhibit your performance this marathon season. Stay tuned!