The cliché “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” couldn’t ring any truer for runners. Whether you run because you’re committed to getting in shape, dedicated to staying in shape, or simply because running is a way of life, the unfortunate reality for runners it that the potential for injury is ever present. Not surprisingly, countless runners have sought out chiropractic care after experiencing a running injury. However, more and more runners throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts are recognizing the value of including preventative chiropractic care as part of their overall plan to achieve or maintain optimal health and wellness.
Preventative chiropractic care for runners makes sense first and foremost because running is a high impact activity, which increases the likelihood of injury. As your feet pound the pavement there is a great deal of stress and pressure placed on joints, muscles, tendons, bones and so on. Unless your core is perfectly aligned (which would frankly make you a medical marvel), common injuries runners are likely to experience include:
- Sprains and strains in the ankles, feet, and knees
- Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
- Shin splints
- Hamstring strain/pain
- Hip pain
- Stress fractures
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
- Pinched nerves resulting in pain in arms, legs, feet, hands, neck, shoulders, back
- Low back pain
Preventative chiropractic care for runners helps in numerous ways. Correcting misalignments so that your joints are unobstructed and therefore have a full range of motion, is the primary reasons that runners ought to consider chiropractic care as a preventative measure. To put it another way, by improving or correcting your core alignment, your body will be better able to absorb the impact that running has on your joints.
With proper alignment runners naturally experience other benefits which can help prevent injury. These include:
- Faster reaction time
- Improved balance
- Increased coordination
- Stronger muscles
Written By – Dr. Amy Westrick
If you’re a runner, and you’re interested in learning more about incorporating preventative chiropractic care as part of your overall health and wellness plan, contact Eastside Chiropractic Center in Providence, RI at 401-453-2225 or call our Fall River, MA center at 774-225-8966 today. Eastside Chiropractic Center offers chiropractic evaluations, adjustments, range of motion testing, injury rehabilitation, massage therapy, low level laser therapy, and numerous additional wellness services. We can also be reached at eastsidechirocenter@gmail.com. Visit www.eastsidechirocenter.com.
