The Rehabilitation of Running Injuries Part Two
What does a Physiotherapist look for and assess in runners?
Step 1 for Physiotherapist: Getting a detailed history
When it comes to running injuries, we need to investigate due to number of factors that cause an injury. There are lots of modifiable risk factors as mentioned such as running distance, orthotics, pace, intervals, diet, hormone changes, surface, rest periods, and finally recent injuries.
A systematic review in 2016 found the biggest risk factor for developing a running injury is the previous history of a previous injury. A previous injury that is not rehabilitated well will lead to biomechanical faults and thus develop into overuse injuries at some point.
Step 2 – Mobility and Motor Control Deficits
As a Physiotherapist we look at the entire body as a whole. We look at the way you sit, standing, walk and run. We assess posture, joint range of motion, neural mechanosensitivity, muscle strength, and much more. It is changes in these that can cause repetitive stress and lead to biomechanical changes, thus running injuries.
A functional movement screen is an example of identifying motor control, strength or mobility deficits. Such tests include:
- Single leg balance
- Single leg hop
- Single leg squat
- Lumbar spine flexion/extension
- Double leg squat
- Single leg step up
Additional we can use technology such as the Dorsa Vi or force plate analysis as this will give the Physiotherapist quantitative feedback on how well you are moving. It also allows the Physiotherapist to track if you are improving with your home exercise program or not.
See our expert Physiotherapy team at Frenchs Forest and Macquarie Park!