While running can improve cardiovascular health and reduce a person’s risk for heart disease, it can also be a source of pain. Many runners struggle with pain under the kneecap or stiffness and swelling in the knee. If you're dealing with running pain, you can get the relief you need at Bolz Chiropractic in Topeka, KS. We'll diagnose the source of your pain and provide you with quality care.
Why Does Running Cause Knee Pain?
People often assume that running is bad for your knees, but that isn't the case. Usually, knee pain from running has a clear cause. Many people use improper form while running, which puts extra stress on their knees. Pain may also be related to an undiagnosed running injury.
Running involves repetitive movements, and over time, those movements can lead to overuse injuries, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome. Frequently referred to as "runner's knee," this condition occurs when the cartilage beneath the knee is damaged. It typically causes pain at the front of the knee and beneath the kneecap.
Other issues that can potentially lead to knee pain while running include:
- Weak muscles
- Lack of foot support
- Tight hamstrings or tendons
- Problems with joint alignment
- IT band syndrome
- Prepatellar bursitis
- Inflammation of the knee joint
What a Chiropractor Can Do to Help
With help from a chiropractor, you can identify the root cause of your knee pain and discover the most suitable treatment options. Spinal misalignments can disrupt the body's balance and mechanics, which is why they're frequently associated with running injuries. Your chiropractor can address those alignment issues, allowing you to maintain proper form while running and helping you avoid future injuries. In the meantime, your chiropractor can provide relief from the pain you're currently experiencing.
Soft tissue techniques like myofascial release can increase blood flow to your knee, supporting the body's natural healing process. We can also provide rehabilitative stretches or exercises to build muscle strength in the thighs and calves. We can also use ultrasound therapy to address swelling around the knee and under the patella, interferential therapy to help bring nutrients to the affected muscles more quickly and help them to relax if they are in spasm, and low level laser therapy to help the mitochondria of the cells produce more energy for faster healing.
Get Running Pain Treatment from a Chiropractor in Topeka, KS
Don't let pain keep you from enjoying activities like running. Instead, make an appointment at Bolz Chiropractic. After a chiropractor diagnoses your running injury, you'll be able to get treatment and start on the path towards recovery. You'll be running again before you know it.
