For all of your running needs
I love treating runners. They are without a doubt my favourite patients. Probably because I’m an ex-runner myself. I say ex-runner, as I’ve had two knee replacements and dare not run anymore. I know the joy of getting out the front door and onto the road and what it can do to your mental health. I’m also more than aware of how dispiriting it is not being able to run due to pain and injury. I am passionate about running, running training, and running injuries and I make it my business to stay up to date.
So, what is my philosophy of treating runners and how can osteopathy help?
One of the key concepts of osteopathy is to treat every patient as an individual. I don’t care whether you’re a seasoned club runner or you’re two sessions in on the Couch25K plan. To me you’re a runner and you’re an athlete so you deserve to be treated like one with the best care in the area. I know you are at your happiest when you can run so I will do everything I can to keep you running.
On the initial session I will take a full medical history and ask plenty of questions about your training (or lack of!). This might include, how long you’ve been running for? What are you last six weeks of training? How quickly have you increased your mileage? I will ask questions about your injury like, does your injury swell? Is it worse in the morning? Is it worse at the start or end of a run? Have you had it before?
I will assess you biomechanically looking at posture, gait, joint range of motion and muscle balance. This will include single limb strength, quadricep to hamstring strength ratio. I will assess your joint mobility. This might include the flexion and extension of your big toe. How much dorsiflexion you have and explain to you how this relates to the Windlass mechanism and your running gait. I will try to explain things, so you understand and educate you as much as possible.
Once I’ve given you a diagnosis, we will BOTH agree on a treatment plan. Not only will this include treatment on the couch but a full progressive rehabilitation plan including strength training. We may have to talk about modifying your running frequency and intensity.
On the couch you might be offered massage and osteopathic techniques such as mobilisation, manipulation, and neuromuscular stretching as well as dry needling and acupuncture. If you have a tricky tendon or plantar fasciitis there is access to shockwave therapy.
Proper rehabilitation is key. We may need to implement simple exercises you can do for five minutes per day. If it’s more complex, then you might have to follow a progressive strength training plan. This is where follow up sessions come in. We’ll need to measure your progress whether it be increased strength, power endurance or increased range of motion in a joint. I will use this information to optimize and progress your current plan.
My primary goal is to get you back on your feet and running as soon as possible.
My secondary goal is to make you stronger, so you don’t have to come back for the same injury.
Once your injury free I have links with running coaches and clubs in the Colchester area. This can help increase your fun and commitment to running. You never know you might get a new PB!
If you consider yourself a runner and you’re experiencing pain, then it’s important to get your advice from a healthcare professional. I see so many runners of all abilities who have been in pain for months or made an injury worse as they’ve been listening to Barry the bricklayer give his “expert” advice on what worked for him when he self-diagnosed his own shin splints. Every onset of running injury is different just like we all have our own running style and DNA. Therefore, it’s important for a full assessment to be performed so we can get to the root of the problem and address it quickly.
GET IN TOUCH
If you want to work with a friendly and knowledgeable local osteopath, then please get in touch to book and appointment.
Call: 07900363938 or email info@shauntyler.com