If there is one thing that can derail a runner’s progress more than anything, it’s a running related injury. Some of the most common running injuries and conditions include: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and hip and knee injuries. The one thing they all have in common, though, is misalignment.

Misalignment in the spine or the hips can increase tension and disrupt the distribution of pressure on the hips, knees, and ankles, causing excessive wear and tear. With chiropractic care, acupuncture, and good nutrition, you can correct misalignments, ease areas of excess tension, and give your bones, joints and muscles the nutrition they need to be strong, healthy, and functioning at their peak.

Chiropractic

Running puts a great deal of stress on the body, most notably the hips, legs, and feet. Proper alignment and balance can not only reduce your risk of injury, but also give you greater power and endurance, enabling your muscles and joints to work together more effectively, helping you move more efficiently and distributing the impact of running more evenly.

When you see a chiropractor, you’ll undergo a thorough assessment of your structural imbalances and misalignments. With this information, your chiropractor will recommend a treatment plan. Such a plan may include adjustments to the spine, pelvis, or other areas, massage, stretches, exercises to perform before or after running, or to do at home while watching TV, or orthotic shoe inserts designed to support your feet. Your chiropractor may also make some dietary recommendations to ensure you are getting the nutrition you need to stay in top running condition.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture traces its history back thousands of years to ancient Chinese medicine. Acupuncture relaxes muscles, tendons, and joints to help reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Many athletes wait until they suffer an injury before turning to acupuncture, but acupuncture can help reduce your risk of suffering an injury in the first place by improving circulation and improving musculoskeletal function. Research has found that acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is the counterpoint to the fight or flight response, and is responsible for turning off stress hormones to improve relaxation and digestion.

After injury, acupuncture reduces inflammation and stimulates blood flow to speed healing, minimize recovery time, and ease pain so you can get back to running sooner and with fewer long term effects.

Nutrition

Runners have very specific nutritional needs. You need plenty of energy to sustain your run, and the right nutrients to keep your bones, muscles, and joints healthy and strong. The internet is packed with advice on nutrition, but with all the conflicting information, it can be hard to know what to eat, when to eat it, and what to avoid. The fact is, there is no one eating plan that will fit all runners. Your needs may be quite different from those of your running partner or competitor.

The best way to determine your individual needs is with the help of a naturopath. A naturopath can conduct metabolic testing to help you determine your nutritional needs and help you develop a plan to meet your goals.

If you are a runner and want to get more out of your runs and reduce your risk of injury, or if you are a runner who has suffered an injury and would like help to recover and get back to running, call your Sydney Chiropractor at the NeuroBalance Chiropractic Clinic now on 02 9938 5456 to arrange an appointment and find out how we can help.