A Healthier You: From Schubbe Resch Chiropractic & Physical Therapy in Appleton and Neenah

Common Marathon Training Injuries and Their Treatments - By Dr. John Schubbe and Kari Resch P.T.

The training for and actual running of a marathon puts a lot of stress on your body.  Although many people are able to complete these activities with few or no injuries, not everyone is so lucky. We’ve listed the most common injuries below and the treatments we would recommend at our offices.

Active Release Technique

Achilles Tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon.  It is one of the more common injuries for the runner, and in most cases is caused by excessive training over an extended period of time.

Recommended Treatment –  Achilles Tendonitis can be treated with calf/Achilles stretching, rest, ice, supportive shoe wear, Kinesio Taping, Graston Technique , orthotics, Balance training, ankle/hip strengthening, and ice massage.

Chondromalcia or Runner’s Knee is a running injury where the cartilage underneath the kneecap starts to soften and break down.

Recommended Treatment –We start by addressing strength deficits and flexibility of the hip and thigh musculature.  It is best at first to avoid high impact exercise as well as kneeling and squatting.  Icing is recommended along with low resistance exercise such as stationary bicycling, pool running, or swimming (flutter kick).  Evaluation of foot wear is essential, and a patellar tracking brace is often helpful.  Finally strengthening and stretching of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups is critical for an effective and lasting rehabilitation of chondral malacia patella. Kinesio Taping can also provide relief.

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia – a thick, fibrous band that runs along the bottom of the foot.  Inflammation can be caused by direct injury or by repeated trauma.

Recommended Treatment – Typical treatment of plantar fasciitis includes calf/Achilles stretching, arch stretching/strengthening, orthotics, Graston Technique, Kinesio Taping, Ultrasound, ankle/hip strengthening, balance training, and ice massage

Iliotibial Band Syndrome The IT Band is a thick tendon that runs down the outside of the thigh and inserts just below the knee.  When the IT Band becomes tight, it pulls the knee joint out of alignment which results in inflammation and pain.

Recommended Treatment – Iliotibial band syndrome is most accurately treated by addressing strength and flexibility imbalances.  We evaluate training errors, improper foot wear, hyperpronation, muscle imbalances and lack of flexibility.  The main focus of this rehabilitation and prevention should be increasing the elasticity of the iliotibial band and restoring the strength of the gluteus medius muscle.  Stretching is usually prescribed, but the IT band, as well as the deep lateral rotators of the hip should be loosened up by deep tissue massage.

Shin Splints is a specific condition called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). When the muscles that are attached to the tibia and fibula bones are overworked, they pull on the bones and cause pain.

Recommended Treatment – Shin splints can be treated using supportive shoe wear, orthotics, Kinesio Taping, rest, hip/ankle strengthening, balance training, and ice massage.

Any of the above injuries can be treated by one of our chiropractors or physical therapists, or a combination of the two.  Call one of our offices to schedule an appointment to keep you running strong!