6 Most Common Running Injuries

1. Shin splints
2. Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee)
3. Achilles tendinitis
4. Plantar fasciitis
5. Iliotibial band syndrome
6. Hamstring strains

Running is a very common form of exercise and recreation in the UK.

More than 6 million people in the UK run at least twice within 28 days. There are many health benefits from running regularly, there is also a risk of injury. Running injuries usually involve the muscles, tendons, joints, and bones of the legs. Most are due to repetitive activity rather than a single traumatic event.

One of the most common symptoms of sports injury in runners is knee pain. The cause of knee pain in runners is the runners’ knee (patellofemoral pain). The sign of this syndrome is the gradual onset of pain in the front of the knee, close to the kneecap. The pain can increase after sitting for a long time, going up hills and downstairs.

The other cause of knee pain is iliotibial band syndrome. It affects the outside of the knee. It can travel up the outer side of the thigh to the hip.

Another common injury in runners is “shin splints” (medial tibial stress syndrome). That causes pain over the shins in beginning runners. Long-distance runners could get stress fractures, small fractures of the bone. It is from repeated stress on the bone, usually in the lower leg, foot and hip.

Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are other foot problems. Plantar fasciitis can feel worse after a period of rest. Mainly in the morning after getting out of bed. Achilles tendinitis causes pain along the heel cord Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. Plantar fasciitis causes foot pain at the bottom of the heel.

Hamstring strains are caused by a rapid contraction, usually when the leg is extending or a rough stretch of the hamstring muscles which causes high stress. This results in varying degrees of rupture within the fibres of the muscle-tendon unit. This is a really frequent injury, particularly in activities that involve a high degree of speed, power and agility such as football, basketball, tennis, sprinting and rugby.

Patellofemoral pain (runner's knee) — Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee)

Sports massage in Watford for running injuries

If you’re a keen runner or planning to run a marathon this year you may want to consider Sports Massage as part of your training and recovery programme. Sports massage is very important for injury prevention and maintenance. The sports massage therapist at Lucas Massage Therapy in Watford will help to release muscle tightness, reduce pain and improve recovery. Regular sports massage therapy will help to improve the condition of your muscles so that you can run faster and more efficiently.