Tips for Ottawa runners and Ottawa running injuries

If you’ve been sidelined by injuries related to your running program, PhysioFirst’s clinicians can help get you back to your running routine. Whether you’re a recreational runner on the many paths in Ottawa, or a competitive distance runner or triathlete, we’re interested in putting you back on your feet.

Your physiotherapist will assess the painful area, the biomechanics of your running style, and the potential sources of referred pain, and discuss the impairments found. We will work with you to resolve the postural faults, muscle imbalances, and joint restrictions. We’ll guide and monitor your gradual and safe return to training.

Common Ottawa running injuries and complaints

Knee pain is a common problem for runners, often involving pain behind the knee cap, in the iliotibial band, or arthritic changes due to 'wear and tear'. Sometimes knee pain is actually originating in the hip joint or lumbar spine. Treatment, including manual therapy and therapeutic exercises, achieves great results, and a faster return to your sport.

Achilles tendon injuries are frequently encountered. These can involve partial tears, inflammation and degenerative changes. Hands-on techniques, stretching, and restoring muscle balance are often helpful. Structural problems with your feet may be contributing, and you may need additional support, or running shoes with the correct last.

Shin splints involve pain in the muscles in the front of the leg and respond well to massage therapy and stretching, and a thorough biomechanical assessment.

Plantar fasciitis and foot pain can also put the brakes on your training. It can have many causes, from joint restriction in the foot, ankle, or heel, to muscle imbalance from calf to the hip, to structural problems in the feet which require custom orthotics.

The lower back, pelvis and hip are another source of problems that stop runners. Careful assessment will identify key issues, and restoring better function to this complex area can make a huge difference to how well you run, and how much you can participate.

Help for Ottawa runners

For all these problems, we have many tools to help you return to training and running for pleasure or competition.

• Manual therapy for restricted joints;
• Massage therapy and soft tissue release techniques;
• Posture education, gait analysis and correction;
• Core strengthening, restoring muscle balance with flexibility and strengthening exercises;
• Proprioceptive training and supportive taping;
• Referral for expert custom orthotics.