Treatment for Runners’ Injuries

Injury Prevention and Treatment

west hartford physical therapist helping patient

Prevention

Physical Therapists are trained to help runners – from novices to experienced road warriors – prevent injuries through:

  • Proper running form
  • New training methods
  • Proper shoe selection
  • Proper pre-and-post run stretching and exercises

We also often work with runners to develop custom plans and programs tailored to runners’ individual needs to help them run without pain and injury.

Treatment

Physical Therapists are trained to help runners who have sustained running-related injuries or are experiencing pain that is keeping them from being active through:

  • Injury assessment and diagnosis
  • Custom physical therapy treatment plan, including hands-on manual treatment
  • Rehab exercise program
  • Education on proper form and equipment to avoid reinjury

Your physical therapist will work with you to create a plan that directly addresses your injury and individual needs.

Common Runners’ Injuries

Runners can experience a wide range of pain or injury, but some injuries are more common than others, including Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis and IT Band Syndrome. If you are experiencing these symptoms, or other pain in your body, a trained physical therapist can can evaluate and diagnose the injury and get you on the road to recovery.

Plantar Fasciitis

PTSMC treatment of plantar fascitis

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

  • Stabbing pain in the bottom (heel) of your foot
  • Pain is strongest when you first wake up
  • Pain subsides as the day goes on
  • Pain occurs at the beginning of exercise, gradually decreases

Achilles Tendinitis

PTSMC treatment of achilles tendonitis

Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis

  • Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
  • Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity
  • Severe pain the day following exercise or activity

IT Band Syndrome

PTSMC treatment of IT band

Symptoms of IT Band Syndrome

  • Pain on the outside of the knee
  • Pain up and down the leg
  • Pain when walking up stairs
  • Snapping or popping at the knee

WATCH: Exercises to improve arch support and reduce foot pain

WATCH: Waterbury Partner Erin Walsh, PT, DPT shows how to properly stretch following a run to avoid stiffness and injury.

Request Appointment

Request An Appointment

If you would like to schedule an appointment at a PTSMC or PT For Life clinic, please click to submit your information. A Patient Service Coordinator will contact you at your earliest convenience to find a time that works best for you!