Around 36,000 people will be waking up on Monday the 23rd April feeling much more sluggish than normal. The Virgin Money London Marathon, taking place on the 22nd April, will have pushed runners to their limits, causing all kinds of pain from their leg muscles to the joints of the lower back after 26.2 miles of pounding the pavements of London.
British Chiropractic Association Secretary and 2016 Olympics Chiropractor Ulrik Sandstrøm says “For those who want to have a go at London Marathon 2018, whether as a first timer or a repeat effort, the trick really is in the training. You might want to consider chiropractic treatment as a way of monitoring your progress as you train, as this way no ‘niggle’ is left to develop into a more serious injury. Having regular check-ups can really help overall fitness development, as any slight pain being experienced can be immediately addressed and fixed.”
Running is one of Britain’s favourite forms of exercise. Reasons for its popularity are simple – it can be done almost anywhere, takes no special equipment, burns calories and offers a great many health benefits such as weight control, decreased blood pressure, and relief from stress. Everything with running is fabulous, right up until the time you hear a snap, pull, or pop. The downside of all the wonderful benefits is that running causes its share of injuries.
An alarming statistic shows that two-thirds of runners will be injured in some way. Tendonitis, shin splints, ankle sprains, hip pain, and knee pains are just a few of the many injuries caused by or exacerbated by regular running.
What is a runner to do?
It’s important to take common sense precautions to not get injured in the first place. Purchasing good quality shoes and respecting the body’s limits are two excellent choices. Proven training practices as well as good nutrition and hydration are key.
Another great choice to consider is chiropractic care. Runners can benefit from positive results visiting us at Horsley Chiropractic Healthcare.
Because chiropractic frees up joint motion and function, this allows for greater flexibility and movement, all of which should benefit a runner’s gait and time. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found evidence that a chiropractic treatment regimen increased mobility in the hips over time.
We have nearly 25 years of experience of treating athletes from novice runners to hardy endro-runners, and while we can’t guarantee an individual will experience an increase in speed, unrestricted joints and better range of motion will definitely help a person move more freely and theoretically stand a better chance of avoiding running injuries.
Unfortunately, runners frequently deal with injuries, some of which take weeks or months to heal. For dedicated runners, a serious injury is terrible news. Here at Horsley Chiropractic Healthcare we are well qualified to find the root cause or origin of any weakness or poorly functioning area that might be hindering healing of an injury or indeed be the underlying cause of the injury in the first place. Runners love this because they want to get back to hoofing it as quickly as possible.
Some of the latest research is now proving long-standing chiropractic beliefs and philosophy that poorly functioning spinal joints (due to injury, poor posture, tension) can cause other parts of the body to become weaker and thus susceptible to injury. Chiropractic treatment helps to restore this spinal function, which can have a ripple effect through the body.
Chiropractic care can be an effective part of making certain your body is in great running condition and resistant to injury. If a person ends up dealing with an injury, chiropractic treatment may be able improve chances of healing. Going forward, check ups for spinal function and any necessary adjustments could help reduce the negative impact of the jarring motion of running on a person’s body,
If you are a runner and would like to talk further about the benefits chiropractic care offers you, contact us today for a consultation. Call 01483 281428 to book a consultation before April 20th and you’ll get your first treatment for free!
From Julian & the Team at Horsley Chiropractic Healthcare
When You Need A Personalised Approach to Your Health
Horsley, Cobham, Leatherhead and surrounding areas in Surrey