Running Assessments, Rehabilitation & Running Technique Program

running assessments at proactive physiotherapy in cairns

Improve your running performance and reduce the likelihood of injury with our running technique training.

Running is a great way to stay active, however if you are a runner it’s likely you’ll have to deal with an injury at some point. Recreational and competitive running injuries are very common, with up to 90% of runners training for a marathon experiencing an injury!

Although a graduated running training program can help prevent running injuries by avoiding sudden increases in running load or intensity, unfortunately injuries still occur frequently in experienced runners.

Common running injuries we can treat and prevent

Some of the most common injuries you’ll experience are in your knees and your lower limbs.

  • Runners Knee (patellofemoral syndrome) – dull pain around the front of the knee (patella).
  • Achilles Tendonitis – dull pain in your lower leg above your heel caused by inflammation of the tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel. If left untreated, it can rupture your Achilles Tendon and you may require surgery.
  • IT Band Syndrome (iliotibial band friction syndrome) – is very common in runners due to tight IT bands.causes sharp pain on the outer side of your leg.
  • Shin splints (tibial stress syndrome) – pain that occurs in the front or the inner parts of your lower legs, along your shinbone.
  • Plantar Fasciitis – pain under your heel or midfoot that’s worse in the morning or after prolonged activity.
  • Meniscal Injuries in your knee – causes a sensation of your joint locking.

Because most of these running injuries are caused by training errors, muscle imbalances or technique factors, these are all aspects that we can help you modify.

Improve the biomechanics of how you run with our running technique training

While many other sports, such as swimming, have a significant focus on technique training, until recently, treatment of running injuries is often focused more on the local treatment of the affected area AFTER the injury occurs, rather than addressing the factors that CAUSE these injuries.

Because running is a complex movement pattern that utilises all the major muscles and joints in the body and is reliant on skill and precise timing to carry out effectively, at Proactive Physiotherapy we have designed our running technique training to improve the biomechanics of how you run and help avoid overloading your joints and soft tissue unnecessarily.

STEP ONE – We assess any injuries you might have and use our high tech video analysis to identify your running technique faults and any biomechanical issues.

STEP TWO – We’ll treat any existing running injuries with a combination of techniques that might include massage, dry needling, stretching, joint mobilisation, strapping and specific exercises to help strengthen weakened muscles, as well as working with your podiatrist or running coach, if required.

STEP THREE – We’ll devise a tailored running program to help prevent further injuries and improve the biomechanics of how you run.

By changing the aspects of your running mechanics you’ll expend less energy, enjoy better biomechanical alignment, reduce the risk of injury and improve your running performance!

As this assessment requires more time than a standard consultation, unfortunately you can’t book online, so contact us now to arrange your specialised running technique.

We also provide physiotherapy treatment to help prevent and manage all kinds of sports injuries, at all ages and at all levels of ability.