Chiropractors

(Scroll down to find a Chiropractor in your area)

Most runners know that a good warm-up and cool-down routine, including stretches, is likely to minimise the risk of injury whilst running. In spite of this, the injury rate in runners is still too high, especially knee injuries. Runners are increasingly using chiropractors to help prevent injuries as well as treating them once they have occurred.

Chiropractors have been treating sports injuries for over a century but, until recently, the role of Chiropractic in injury prevention was not clear. A landmark study, published in 2010, showed there was a significant reduction in lower limb strain injuries, knee injuries and lower back pain in the athletes who had regular chiropractic care compared to the group that didn’t.

Chiropractors are experts in detecting spinal and pelvic joint dysfunction and assessing small changes in muscle strength. Gentle spinal adjustments restore movement to stiff joints, thereby removing the interference with normal muscle function.

It’s not just the spine that chiropractors are interested in. Stiffness in the joints of the leg and foot can contribute to niggling problems which seem to persist in spite of rest or many forms of treatment. Gentle mobilisation and exercises can often improve function in these joints too.

Running injuries are often caused by over pronation. If the arch in the foot flattens out (over-pronates), the shin bone and knee twist inward in a cork-screw motion putting stress on the hip and pelvic bones. This can cause the spine to tilt and the back joints to ache. In fact it has been estimated that up to 80% of people over-pronate. This is a common cause of bunions and Achilles tendinitis. Chiropractors will often advise on the use of an orthotic.

Older runners and people taking up running for the first time, after a lay-off or, indeed, after an injury, should consider a chiropractic check-up essential.

 

CHIROPRACTORS: BN1

SunDial Clinics 111 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XF

 

CHIROPRACTORS: BN3

Coast Clinic 198 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2DJ