Common Running Injuries

Plantar Fasciitis 

Key signs:

• Pain in the heel or sole of the foot
• The pain is often worse with the first steps in the morning or after periods of sitting

Achilles Tendinitis 

Key signs:

• Pain or tightness in the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle 
• The pain can be worse first thing in the morning or after running or walking 
• There may also be a palpable tender lump in the Achilles tendon 

Runners Knee 

Key signs:

• Sharp or burning pain at the outer aspect of the knee 
• The pain is often aggravated with running or other activities that involve knee bending 

Shin Splints 

Key signs:

• Sharp or dull pain along the inside of the shin bone (Tibia)
• The pain is often worse during a run and after a run 

The interesting thing about these injuries is that they can all develop from the same problem, weakness of the glutes! The glutes are the muscles that make up your butt. They are extremely important stabilization muscles of the pelvis and torso.

Weakness in the glutes can affect the stability of your pelvis and gait while you are running and this can lead to muscular compensation patterns down the legs, eventually putting you at risk of the above list of injuries.

For more information or to find out how we can help please contact us. 

Ryan Samuels
Registered Acupuncturist & Herbalist 

 

References:

McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised edition). © Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd, 2017: http://www.acupuncture.org.au.

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, An International Journal of Comparative Medicine East and West. Efficacy of Electro-Acupuncture in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Wipoo Kumnerddee and Nitsara Pattapong. Volume 40, Issue 06, 2012

Legge, David, Close To The Bone: The treatment of painful musculoskeletal disorders with acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine (Sydney college press, 3rd ed, 2011)