3 Ways to Prevent Running Injuries

Running is terrific exercise! It's popular for many reasons: It burns calories like crazy, can be done anywhere, and has great health benefits such as reduced blood pressure and cholesterol. It's a great stress reducer too, offering the famous "runner's high" of endorphins.

The trouble with running is the risk of injury. The impact and repetitive stress of running can cause a number of mild-to-severe problems such as shin splints, tendinitis, knee strain, and hip pain.

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Two Ways to Prevent Running Injuries

Injuries, though common, are not an inevitable part of running. You can prevent many injuries through a careful running regimen and chiropractic care.

Be careful when running. Buy good-quality running shoes and replace them frequently. Run on softer surfaces whenever possible, and don't push yourself too hard.

Use chiropractic care as preventive care and a performance booster. Runners can benefit from chiropractic care in several ways.

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1. Increase Range of Motion with Chiropractic Care

Small injuries and overuse can result in tight muscles and reduced range of motion. Chiropractic treatments such as adjustments, myofascial release, and active release techniques can help increase range of motion.

Open, relaxed joints increase flexibility. Without those restrictions, runners can improve their gait and time and prevent running injuries.

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2. Chiropractic Care Helps You Heal Faster

If you do experience an injury, chiropractic can get you back up and running again more quickly.

An important treatment for a running is rest. But that means stopping running, and no runner wants to lose the stamina and endurance they have built up.

Chiropractic adjustments can promote healing in the body as a whole and prevent compensatory tightness and reduced range of motion. While you heal, your body will benefit from support and reduced inflammation. You can maintain the flexibility you'll need when you're ready to begin your running program again.

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3. Reduce Your Number and Severity of Injuries

Regular chiropractic care can keep your body in optimal condition, improving your performance and reducing the chance of injury.

A spine that's out of alignment causes weakness in other parts of the body, allowing the impact of running to have a detrimental effect that may result in injury. Adjustments that keep the spine in alignment reduce muscle compensation and off-balance movements that can cause injury.

If you do get injured, chiropractic treatments can reduce pain and help you recover more quickly. Adjustments, taping, cold laser therapy, and other techniques can make a big difference in your comfort level and recovery time.

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Call King Chiropractic Hand & Foot in Wilmington today at (910) 777-7228 to find out more about how chiropractic can improve running performance and reduce injuries and pain. We'll get you back up and running much faster than you think!