The most common running training injury

Running training is a difficult process that can lead to injuries. However, there is one injury in particular that you should be aware of if you’re a runner. You may also want to know where you can go to get treatment for this injury.

The team at Advent Physical Therapy has extensive experience with running injuries, and we want to help you recover quickly. There are two things that help our patients heal faster. The first is the variety of evidence-based physical therapies we can use to treat your injury. The second is helping you become an equal and active partner in your recovery process.

However, a lack of information about your injury can keep you from becoming an equal partner. For this reason, we want to give you some information about the most common running training injury we see: hamstring strains.

The number one running training-restricting injury: A hamstring strain

One of the most common running training injuries that we see at Advent Physical Therapy is hamstring strains. Your hamstring is actually a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh. A strain in this muscle structure occurs when you overuse your hamstrings. For you, this could mean that you’re running too much and not resting enough. This type of strain can also be the result of stretching these muscles too far during your warm-up stretches or while you’re running. Poor flexibility and muscle imbalances may also increase your risk of developing a hamstring strain.

If you’re running and you feel a sudden, sharp pain at the back of your thigh, then you’ve probably strained your hamstring. After this initial pain, other symptoms that you’ve strained a hamstring will follow fairly quickly. You may experience swelling and tenderness in the back of your thigh only a few hours after the initial pain. This swelling and tenderness will confirm that you do have a hamstring strain.

The amount of time it takes to recover from a hamstring strain varies based on the severity of your strain. A minor strain may only take a few days to heal. However, severe hamstring strains may require weeks or even months to heal completely.

Advent Physical Therapy can help you treat your running training injuries

No matter how severe your hamstring strain is, the team at Advent Physical Therapy can help you treat it. We’re also here to help you recover from many other running injuries. All you have to do is contact us at one of our many locations in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area now and ask to set up a free 15-minute screening.