The benefits of training for running with a physical therapist

Running is a great physical activity to include as part of a healthy lifestyle. It helps improve your lung power, your cardiovascular health, your immune system and your mental health. However, it does take a toll on you physically, especially in the joints and muscles in your legs.

Working with a professional physical therapist can help you maintain your form to help prevent injury and keep you running. These specialists are also skilled at developing running training programs that are easy to follow and beneficial for you.

How does physical therapy-based running training benefit you?

Training varies on an individual basis. Running training that benefits you will have to take many factors into consideration. Some of these factors are your:

• Age
• Weight
• Current health
• Medical history
• Personal goals

One benefit that physical therapy-based training can have for runners is it will help you build a plan based on all these factors. It can also help you improve your gait. Your physical therapist will use the latest techniques and technology to monitor your gait. Measuring your gait helps your physical therapist determine the performance of your muscles and joints in each step you take.

Other benefits that a physical therapist can offer for runners include: 

• Routines that target underperforming muscles and joints
• Helping you achieve goals more rapidly
• Decreasing your risk of a running injury
• Improving your running posture

Where can you find beneficial running training? At Advent Physical Therapy!

Running injuries can occur suddenly or develop slowly over time. If you’ve been injured while running, physical therapy can help. At Advent Physical Therapy, your physical therapist will work personally with you to develop a treatment aimed at helping you reach your recovery goals.

As much as you may hate to do it, you’re most likely going to have to take a break from running while you recover. Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, your therapist may also recommend the following:

• Stretching and exercising to build up strength and flexibility, which can help prevent future injuries
• Balance training
• Manual therapy
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)

Our team can also help you develop a professionally guided running training routine. This should help prevent injury from developing, but injury can be unpredictable. If you’ve been hurt while running or if you’re looking to develop a routine to prevent running injuries, our Advent Physical Therapy team is here to assist you.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.