Chiropractic for Runners: A Key Player in Your Training Team

It can be incredibly exciting to improve your running performance, but let’s face it, it’s a challenging feat to say the least. Whether you’re looking to run for longer, run faster or just stay injury free while training, you’ll need to invest time and energy to see results. Unfortunately for most avid runners, running performance tends to decline in the long run due to a plethora of reasons, as opposed to improving. Despite their best efforts, most runners become frustrated by their lack of progress and helpful resources. Why does this happen in the first place? In this article we’ll take a closer look at some common reasons running performance declines, what you can do to address it, and why seeing a chiropractor familiar with the biomechanics and sport of running may be the missing piece for finally seeing the results you’re aiming for when it comes to running performance. 

Why Running Performance Declines

There are several reasons why your running performance may decline over time. Here are some of the top reasons:

Poor Technique

Putting it plainly, you won’t be able to progress if you don’t have the skills. For most runners, performance naturally improves early on as you stay consistent and determined, but those performance gains can eventually slow and come to a halt if you aren’t using the right running technique. 

Nagging Injuries

Sometimes while you’re running, and often during recovery periods, injuries can lead to pain, soreness, stiffness and dysfunction that creates hesitation when trying to run with optimal technique for long periods of time. Take hip stiffness as an example. At first it might not feel like much, but it can gradually lead to compensations and decreased endurance that may even stop you from running the distance you’d like, let alone at the speed you’re aiming for. 

Deflated Mindset

When frustration builds over proper technique, accumulating injuries and poor performance, you can start to adopt a poor outlook before, and during your run. Other times you may just feel stale and unmotivated. Regardless of what’s causing this shift in perspective, your running performance will be negatively impacted. Remember when you played sports and the coach said “practice makes perfect?’ Let’s shift that mindset to “perfect practice makes perfect.” This means that practicing with poor technique, persistent injuries and a poor outlook, won’t have any utility in getting you closer to perfect. In order to make your practice perfect again, it’s imperative you know when to consult a professional for help. 

Top 5 Reasons Runners Should See a Chiropractor 

In order to polish your running technique, conquer your stubborn injuries and improve your overall mindset, getting help from a professional should be your first priority. Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts with in-depth knowledge of the human body, what can slow your running pace down and how to optimize force output and performance. Here are five reasons runners should see a running chiropractor to improve their performance. 

Spinal Health

While many runners focus on their hips and legs when they run, your spine plays a crucial role in every stride you take when running. Whether casually jogging, sprinting a 100 meter dash or running a marathon, spinal health plays a pivotal role in your running technique and endurance. After getting to know you and your specific goals, your chiropractor can identify key problem areas and what treatments are needed to improve them. Whether it’s spinal adjustments, manual therapy or customized corrective exercises, improving your spinal health will encourage fluid, pain-free movement that will boost your running performance.

Muscle Balance

The health of your muscles and how they are functioning (or not functioning) is a major factor in declining performance for runners. For instance, when you have muscle imbalances, uneven pulling and tugging can negatively impact running mechanics and force output, and can lead to injury. Conversely, when your muscles are balanced, you can enjoy increased performance and less pain. To help address muscle imbalances, your chiropractor will use manual therapy, along with strengthening and muscle activation techniques to teach your body out of bad habits that are impacting your success. With consistent training and guidance, you can overcome imbalances that have been reinforced through years or running and are robbing you of personal records and progress. 

Body Mechanics

Let’s say you have invested the time to learn proper running technique. How you actually perform it may not be as ideal as you hope. Your technique might need to be adjusted to accommodate your body and prevent injuries. Everyone is different. When working with a running chiropractor, they will combine ideal running technique with your unique body mechanics to help you maximize performance while minimizing stress on your joints. Armed with ideal body mechanics, your technique can flourish and you can put more power into your stride, helping to decrease your running times. 

Endurance

It can feel great to run fast and perform well in the first few minutes or miles of your run, but most runners have difficulty keeping that pace for a long period of time. Remember, running is an endurance sport (if you’re not sprinting) and this requires you to pace yourself for long periods of time, while maintaining the same intensity. Working with a chiropractor who appreciates the demands running places on your body means getting care that will help you save energy with each stride, allowing you to stay focused and maintain your technique consistently.

Confidence 

Confidence is necessary in every sport. When it comes to running, it’s especially important when trying to improve performance and overcome other barriers to success. If your confidence is shaky, you will constantly second guess yourself, especially when out on the road or treadmill. More than just the physical benefits that come with working with a chiropractor, your running chiropractor can give you guidance and support needed to get your edge back and feel like yourself again during runs. 

Hopefully by now you can appreciate the plentiful benefits of working with a chiropractor. Whether you want to boost your performance or just feel more like yourself during your run, a chiropractor can be a valuable tool to have on your team. With that being said, not all chiropractic care for runners is created equally, and consequently not every chiropractor will be a good fit for you! When you’re looking for the best chiropractor for running injuries and performance, make sure they value active care as much as they do passive care. You take thousands of steps when running and while hands-on treatment is important, it won’t address the root cause of your issue. Active treatment and exercise gives your chiropractor the opportunity to teach your proper movement patterns, strengthen areas that need to be brought up to speed, and much more! 

At Thryve Chiropractic, we work with runners of all backgrounds to improve performance, overcome stubborn running injuries and give you back the confidence necessary to be at the top of your game. With the help of state of the art treatments that are completely individualized, you can finally improve your running technique, and performance for good. If you’re ready to unlock your full potential with the help of chiropractic care for runners, schedule a free consultation today!