Runners face a host of issues related to their love of the sport or passion for running. If you ask most runners, they’d rather live with pain or do some type of drastic means, silly or not, to allow them to continue running. You see, running can be more than just the physical aspect itself. There are other aspects that include the emotional and mental stress relief benefits that happen as well. However, if you are running with pain in your feet, knees or have back pain, then you are likely going to quickly become frustrated or depressed, or both. The question is, what can you do about it?
There are several things that you should do. First of all, if your pain persists, you need to have a proper examination to determine if you have done any physical damage to the structures of your feet, knees, hips, pelvis or spine. Some of these regions can be addressed by a typical sports medicine doctor. Differentiating between things like a pelvic distortion or misalignment and something like a tight ilio-tibial band (ITB) or ITB syndrome might be best diagnosed by a chiropractor that specializes in sports chiropractic. You can find a chiropractor that specializes in this area by a variety of searches. One particularly popular designation is the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) title.
If you have been diagnosed with sciatica or experience other types of back pain, then you might benefit greatly from the care of a qualified chiropractor in your area. Even a more wellness-oriented chiropractor will be able to help you by way of working with your spine to unwind tension and stress that is related to your body’s inability to effectively adapt to the stressors of life. These come in the form of physical, mental, emotional and biochemical factors that tax our nervous system’s ability to respond. The greater ability our nervous system has to adapt to such stressors, the more effective and efficient it can be. Your health and well-being depend on your body’s ability to respond efficiently to the environment around you. Whether you enjoy running or you are just looking for a greater quality of life, consider chiropractic care to help you get there.
Written for publication by Dr. Michael J. Funicello, a Gilbert chiropractor and certified practitioner of Network Chiropractic. Dr. Funicello graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic – West and has been practicing in the greater Phoenix-metro area since 1998.