A Runner’s Guide to Sports Physiotherapy

Running may be one of the most accessible forms of exercise, but staying injury-free requires strategy, structure, and a good understanding of how the body moves. Whether you are preparing for your first 10K or working toward a new marathon best, sports physiotherapy in Edmonton can make a meaningful difference in how you train, recover, and perform.

In this guide, we explore why running injuries happen and how sports physiotherapy can help you run stronger, more efficiently, and with less discomfort.

Why Runners Get Injured

Many common running injuries are not simply the result of tight or overworked muscles.

Recurring problems such as IT band syndrome or runner’s knee are often linked to movement patterns that place excess load on certain joints or tissues. If those patterns remain unaddressed, the same pain tends to return, even if initial symptoms improve.

A detailed gait analysis helps identify these issues. By examining how you strike the ground, shift your weight, and control your hips and knees, sports physiotherapists can pinpoint where inefficiencies occur. This provides a foundation for a treatment plan that corrects the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

It is also common for pain to appear in one area while originating somewhere else entirely:

• Weak glutes or hips, for example, may reduce stability and increase pressure on the knee.

• Limited ankle mobility can change foot strike mechanics, affecting the entire lower chain.

The Pre-Hab Advantage: Preventing Injuries Before They Happen

Pre-hab is the proactive approach to building strength and control before pain becomes an issue. For runners, strengthening the glutes, hamstrings, and calves plays a key role in absorbing impact, improving alignment, and maintaining efficient posture while running.

Mobility is equally important. Runners need appropriate movement at the hips and ankles to control stride length, manage ground reaction forces, and reduce compensations elsewhere. This is not simply stretching; it is about developing movement quality that supports performance.

Training load is another major factor. Many running injuries occur because intensity or mileage increases too quickly. Sports physiotherapy in Edmonton helps athletes progress in a structured way, preventing spikes that overload tissues and lead to injury.

Common Running Myths and Evidence-Based Guidance

Running beliefs abound, and not all of them hold up under scrutiny.

1. Myth: New shoes will fix my pain.

Fact: Footwear matters, but persistent pain is more often connected to running mechanics or underlying weakness.

2. Myth: Static stretching is the best warm-up.

Fact: Dynamic movements such as leg swings, lunges, and high knees prepare the body for running more effectively.

3. Myth: Pain means I should stop running entirely.

Fact: Relative rest, cross-training, and load modification often support recovery better than complete rest.

Achieve Your Next PB With Sports Physiotherapy in Edmonton

At Reach Sports Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic in Edmonton, we provide comprehensive assessments and individualized treatment plans for runners, combining manual therapy,

movement coaching, and targeted exercise. Whether the goal is returning from injury or building a foundation for better performance, our team can support your goals.

Ready to run stronger? Request a one-on-one consultation by calling 587-635-5258 or scheduling your appointment online.