Running Injuries, Rest & Treatment
One of the most common misconceptions with running injuries is that REST is the answer. Rest is often part of the answer (not always) but rest without any treatment is a very bad strategy for running (or sports in general) injuries. Rest does not:
Solve underlying issues
Strengthen weaknesses
Correct imbalances
Prevent Re-injury
Example: Achilles Pain
Consider the following example of quick resolution of ACHILLES PAIN with treatment. (In this case, the style of treatment is called neurokinetic therapy “NKT“)
In the following narrative:
“overactive” means overworking. Working too hard = pain & inflammation & eventual injury.
”activated” means to get a muscle working again. This refers to the neuromuscular connection: the brain signaling muscles to do what they’re supposed to do.
Underactive muscles are muscles that aren’t firing. They need to be activated.
Click photo to view on instagram.
“My client was playing basketball and felt his Achilles tendon becoming inflamed. He now feels it intensely on both the medial and lateral sides. Last time he saw me for this it was his glutes that weren’t firing. He’d been faithfully doing his homework, time for some fresh eyes.
NKT testing found the medial portion of the achilles overactive and the medial fibers of the rectus femoris underactive. Released the medial Achilles and activated the medial rec fem.
Then we found the lateral Achilles overactive and the lateral fibers of the rectus femoris underactive. Released the lateral Achilles and activated the lateral rec fem.
When we were done I had him jump and run, which hurt before. No more Achilles pain.”
The body is a unit and everything works together. The example above points out that the achilles was hurting because it was overworked. Why was it overworked? Because it was compensating for other muscles that were not working hard enough (in this case- the rectus femoris of the hamstrings).
Don’t “Just Rest”
This basketball player did not simply “rest” and wait for his achilles to get better. He got treatment which solved the root issue. He left without pain, and could resume playing. AMAZING. This is an example of what good treatment can do. (Often, rest is involved. If the injury is severe enough it needs time to repair without any use.)
Treatment will address the things rest alone can’t do. A qualified medical professional, athletic trainer, physical therapist and/or licensed massage therapist can all help accelerate recovery and help prevent re-injury. The type of injury will determine which services are required. Sometimes 2 or more different professionals are beneficial with injury treatment.
(read more to here to find a GOOD massage therapist — they are not all equally qualified!)
Related Reading:
Your Injury Needs Treatment
Return to Running: Injury Comeback
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.