Running is a part of many people’s everyday routines. Whether they do it simply to get a fast, easy workout into their schedule or because they truly love to run, running will, over time, take a toll on the body. While it is certainly not the highest impact exercise a person can participate in, it is higher impact than walking or swimming, which means that eventually, a runner might need to see a chiropractor. Chiropractors are not just for individuals who have already experienced an injury. Many chiropractors can also help with alignment issues long before they become a serious issue. To learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care for runners, contact Horst Chiropractic in Temecula, CA.

What Can a Chiropractor Do for Runners?

Runners develop a very predictable set of conditions and injuries because of how the body reacts to running. Some of the most common issues that recreational runners and Olympians (and everyone in between) experiences includes tendonitis of the Achilles, plantar fasciitis, IT Band Syndrome, hip bursitis, and patella tracking issues.

When treating an individual for one of these or any other of the issues a runner might face, the first step is always to look for a misalignment. Misalignment in the spine or pelvis can have far reaching consequences. While the runner might not feel the pain in the area where the misalignment is, it could be causing an issue that is creating pain, not just during running, but during any type of normal activity.

A chiropractor can restore or improve function so that the individual does not feel pain and is able to run farther and even faster during their training sessions. Care is often prescriptive, to help an issue that already exists, but it can also be preventative, to help maintain function in the areas of the body that are most often affected by running.

There are a few things that runners can do to reduce their chances of needing to see a chiropractor, including varying the surface that they run on from pavement to grass to wood chips to dirt throughout the week. Avoiding running on slanted surfaces or on the same course every single day can change up the routine enough that there will be fewer repetitive motion injuries.

How Does Chiropractic Care Help Runners?

There are a wide variety of ways that chiropractic care will help runners. Improved coordination is one of the most major benefits, as is better reaction time, both of which can help prevent a serious injury from occurring. Balance is another issue that can be addressed with chiropractic care and is something that many patients struggle with, especially as they age.

By far the biggest benefit, however, is stronger muscles. Stronger muscles are more resilient, which makes them less susceptible to injury. Not only will an individual be able to run longer or faster, they will be at a much lower chance of hurting themselves, even when they do something that would usually result in an injury.

Most runners are careful about what shoes they wear, what clothes they wear, even what sunglasses they wear while running. Being just as particular about their body’s function and alignment can prevent serious injury or help them recover faster from a condition or injury. With the right treatments, a runner will feel less pain and be able to continue his or her workouts.

For more information about chiropractic care for runners, contact Horst Chiropractic today.