The Benefits of Remedial Massage Therapy for Runners
Are you a runner experiencing some form of soreness or tension in the legs?
You should consider having a treatment involving Remedial Massage Therapy!
Running has become a popular activity for individuals to participate in either a group or individual setting. Over time however, consistent running sessions without adequate rest, recovery or conditioning can lead to stiffness or pain in the muscular structures associated with running. This can lead to more complications down the line. But first, let’s go over a brief look at the ankle muscles associated with running.
Ankle Anatomy and common conditions
The ankle is supported by muscles and tendons that allow us to propel our bodies forward. In the context of running, the main drivers for movements in the ankle are the soleus and gastrocnemius or calf muscles (Hamner, 2019). Overtime, as the ankle is subject to more stress from concurrent running, runners can develop medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or most commonly known as shin splints (Deshmukh, 2022). As we experience stiffness or pain in our calf region, this can spread to other conditions such as lower back pain, knee pain associated with the knee cap (patella) and foot pain such as plantar fasciitis. An analogy that can be used to help you understand this is to imagine the muscles associated with running to be like springs. As springs accumulate stress and rust, they are no longer able to spring back and forth in a healthy way.
Treatment options for Runners
With the main drivers of the ankle being ‘rusted’, treatment options involving manual therapy or soft tissue manipulation can benefit runners experiencing pain or stiffness (Vincent, 2022). Treatments such as Remedial Massage Therapy, Chiropractic care, or Physiotherapy can alleviate the symptoms associated with the running condition. These treatments can involve modalities such as:
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Dry Needling
• Shockwave Therapy
• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM)
• Stretching
• Cupping
Once the management of the symptoms has been achieved, extending the treatment towards strengthening and conditioning the ankle would be the next step. In the next blog, we will go over some stretches and exercises you could use to help condition the ankle.
So, if you’re experiencing some level of discomfort in the context of running and would like some guidance, come visit our team at My Sports Chiropractor by either giving us a call on 0435 819 286 or book an appointment online with our Massage Therapist today.
References:
Hamner S. R., Seth A., Delp S. L., Muscle contribution to propulsion and support during running, (October, 2019), National Library of Medicine, Muscle contributions to propulsion and support during running – PMC (nih.gov)
Vincent H. K., Brownstein M., Vincent K. R., Injury Prevention, Safe Training Techniques, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport in Trail Runners, (Jan, 2022), National Library of Medicine, Injury Prevention, Safe Training Techniques, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport in Trail Runners – PMC (nih.gov)
Deshmukh N. S., Phansopkar P., Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Review Article, (July 2022), National Library of Medicine, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Review Article – PubMed (nih.gov)
