Winter season is upon us in the BC Lower Mainland. While we’re blessed with relatively mild-to-moderate weather through the season, the colder temperatures most certainly impact our bodies. This is especially true for those who enjoy activities in the great outdoors. One such activity that is preferred by many Vancouverites (Burnaby residents included) is running. If you plan to maintain your daily or weekly regime of running in the winter months we highly recommend seeing a physiotherapist first. Below is a simple breakdown of why this is so very important.
3 Reasons Why Casual Joggers and Advanced Runners Alike Should See a Physiotherapist Before the Winter Season Kicks In
Get a Running Assessment
Our bodies may be warmed-up, loose, and ready to go (more on this below) through Vancouver’s balmy months, but it’s a whole different story in the winter. For this reason you need to ensure that your lower extremities are functioning as well as they should be. You can optimize your running experiences through the season by receiving a professional running gait assessment. Benefits of this evaluation include the following:
- Identifies movement patterns and other influences on running pain and performance
- Offers strength capacity testing
- Provides helpful advice on running programs and load management principles
- Provides ground rules for pain and running
- Options for manual therapy for soft tissue and joint range of motion
- Footwear advice (i.e. custom orthotics)
View more on the Benefits of Running Assessment by a Physiotherapist.
Prepare Your Whole Body for the Cold
As alluded to above, cold winter weather has an impact on your musculoskeletal health and wellness. It can breed pain and discomfort from underlying issues that you may have in your body, which will impact your running performance. For example, cold winter weather causes a change in your blood flow, with some of it being rerouted from your limbs to help keep organs (i.e. heart and lungs) warm. When this occurs, it removes warmth away from your joints. If you already experience some pain and discomfort in your joints from a past injury (etc.) the symptoms are accentuated even further. By correcting those issues and employing physiotherapist-guided movements and exercises to improve blood flow you will reduce the pain of winter season jogging and running.
In Case of Ice and Snow
Weather experts suggest that we’re in for a relatively mild winter this 2023-24, thanks to El Niño. Whether that’s true or not (weather persons sometimes get it wrong) you do need to prepare for slippery tracks, sidewalks, and pathways that come from ice and snow While any runner can experience a slip and fall (and related injury) during such conditions, those with compromised balance and poor core stability are far more susceptible. By seeing a physiotherapist you can correct your imbalances. Here’s how.
Before you lace up and go running in the winter in the Greater Vancouver BC area we recommend a quick visit to our Burnaby clinic to receive a running and full-body evaluation. Trust us (and our clients) when we state that it’s worth the small investment (especiually if direct billing). Schedule your appointment with our running specialist today.
CALL: 604.558.2273
EMAIL: in**@ab****************.com