OK, so maybe your form isn’t quite as bad as Phoebe Buffay’s, but you’ve recognized that something must be done to improve your speed, endurance, and overall performance on the tracks and pathways that you run along. Further, you may have come to the realization that your posture and positioning could be contributing to pain and discomfort you may feel during and after jogs, dashes, and sprints. As a result, you’ve come online to ask; how can I improve my running form?
You may have expected to find an infographic detailing how exactly you should position and move your body, but that would not get to the root of problems and opportunities for performance enhancement. So instead, the answer to your query lands with one direct answer – physiotherapy. Below is a simple breakdown of why you should see a physiotherapist to improve your running form right away.
Why Physiotherapy is the Most Powerful Tool You Can Employ to Improve Your Running Form Today
A Physiotherapist Will Correct Underlying Injuries and Issues
Aside from finding funny FRENDS clips, you can also go to YouTube to search videos that showcase proper running form. But of course, you understand that mimicking what you see on the screen won’t get you where you need to be, which is why you’re reading this. A physiotherapist will do more than advise you on proper form and footstrike (how and where your foot hits the ground). Instead, they will first get to the root of why your current form and footstrike may be compromised. They will perform a top to bottom analysis of your musculoskeletal makeup to identify the existence of any underlying issues that could negatively impact your running mechanics. For instance, they may identify that your small stabilizer muscles are weak compared to the rest of your lower anatomy. If this is the case, not only may your form be jeopardized, you could run the risk of injury. If such a condition is evident, the physiotherapist will prescribe a regime of movements, stretches, and exercises (including weight-work) that will strengthen your small stabilizers. This will ultimately set the table for better running form to come. Another example of an underlying issue is compromised balance, which may indicate an issue with your vestibular system – components of the inner ear and brain that help manage balance and keep your eyes focused on tracks and pathways. If such a problem is present, a physiotherapist will engage vestibular rehabilitation therapy. In addition, fundamental problems with your core or postural alignment could prevent you from mirroring the gauntlet of YouTube videos that attempt to show you proper running form. If so, a clinic’s physiotherapist and chiropractor may team up to improve your core and postural alignment.
Simply put, before you lift a finger to tie your laces, book a consultation with a physiotherapist near you.
A Specialized Therapist Will Perform a Running Assessment and Provide Rehab
Once the slate of underlying injuries and issues is wiped clean, a physiotherapy clinic with staff that has advanced training will perform a dedicated running assessment (also known in-part as a running gait analysis) The direct benefits of a running-specific analysis and rehabilitation program include the following:
- Will identify movement patterns and influences on pain and running performance
- Will perform running strength capacity testing
- Will provide manual therapy for soft tissue and joint range of motion
- Will provide running program advice and load management principles
- Will provide footwear advice and prescribe custom orthotics (as applicable)
Please read Running Assessment Physiotherapy for greater insight.
How can you improve your running form? If located in the Greater Vancouver BC area, book your consolation at our Burnaby clinic today.