Running Physio Melbourne: Expert Care for Running Injuries and Performance

Improve your running technique with our skilled physios.

Whether you’re a casual jogger or marathon runner, a running physio in Melbourne will put you on the right track. The perfect training partner, a physiotherapist can assess your running technique and address issues that may lead to pain.

Experienced and caring, our team will help you achieve your running goals, prevent injuries, and rehabilitate you should problems arise.

Understanding Running-Related Injuries

Common Running Injuries

Triggered by overuse, poor form, incorrect footwear and biomechanics, running-related injuries are among the most common sports injuries we treat. The most common injuries and conditions for runners include:

Patellofemoral Pain (Runner's Knee) – Overuse or misalignment may result in knee pain around the patella (kneecap).
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) – Pain in the outer knee can indicate inflammation of the iliotibial band – a tendon running down the outer thigh.
Achilles Tendinopathy – Repetitive strain or a sudden increase in training load can cause painful swelling in the Achilles tendon.
Plantar Fasciitis – Characterised by heel pain, this condition occurs when the fascia connecting your toes to your heel bone is inflamed.
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) – Overuse, poor shoe choice and hard surfaces can cause shin pain due to inflammation in surrounding tissues.
Stress Fractures – Repeated force can create tiny cracks in the ankle bones, resulting in pain.
Hip Pain and Lower Back Pain – Improper form, muscle imbalances and overuse can also lead to hip and lower back pain.

Major Causes of Injury

Intrinsic and extrinsic, contributing factors to running-related injury include:

Running Form – Poor running form, such as overstriding, puts excess strain on your joints and soft tissues.
Muscle Strength – Muscle weaknesses cause joint stress and overcompensation by other muscles. For example, weak glutes often contribute to hamstring strain.
Biomechanical Issues – Issues including tight hip flexors, excessive pronation and poor ankle dorsiflexion can increase injury risk.
Overtraining – Increasing your training load too soon or skipping rest days is the fast track to injury.
Past Injuries – Poorly rehabilitated injuries can cause musculoskeletal imbalances that heighten the risk of running injuries.

Running Physiotherapy: A Comprehensive Approach

From gait analysis to injury rehab, our running physios ensure you’re ready to hit the road.

Thorough Assessment – Your physio will complete a physical examination and comprehensive assessment of your injury.
Understanding Your Running History – Expect to answer detailed questions about your running history, training loads, fitness levels and past injuries.
Movement Screening – Biomechanical assessment tools can identify movement inefficiencies increasing your injury risk.
Manual Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs – Your physio will then tailor a treatment and/or rehabilitation and strength program to your needs.

Optimising Running Performance and Avoiding Injury

From casual joggers needing help with training load management to elite athletes seeking a PB, physiotherapy helps runners achieve their specific goals.

Running Technique Optimisation – Our physios will assess muscular imbalances, strength deficits, mobility issues, and compensation patterns that impact your running technique. They'll review running principles, including cadence and stride length, and discuss injury-prevention strategies.
Strength Training – An individualised strength and conditioning program can be developed to help reduce overuse injuries, improve running economy, and optimise performance.
Correct Running Shoes – Proper footwear is crucial to counteract biomechanical issues like overpronation. We will assess yours and can also fit orthotics.

Why Choose Our Expert Running Physiotherapists in Melbourne?

Skilled Physio Team

In our Melbourne CBD physiotherapy clinic, you’ll find a highly skilled and friendly team. This includes expert running physios with a particular interest in sports injuries.

Advanced Techniques

Your physio will assess and diagnose your injury, identify any imbalances and create a tailored treatment and/or training plan, utilising the latest sports medicine insights.

Claimable Treatments

Private health insurance coverage is available for physiotherapy treatments including clinical rehabilitation/clinical pilates.

Tailored Programs for Recovery and Performance

Our physios use a holistic approach to create comprehensive treatment plans. Management plans may include:

Return to Running Programs: Using their clinical experience, your physio will develop a return to running protocol tailored to your running goals.
Strength and Conditioning Programs: The legs require strength, power and flexibility to absorb load and propel you forward. An individualised exercise program can improve lower limb strength and flexibility for enhanced running performance.
Clinical Pilates: Pilates is an ideal form of exercise as it focuses on core strength and pelvic stability, which are essential for running.

FAQs

What are the most common running injuries?

Patellofemoral pain, ITB Syndrome, sprains, shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy, Plantar Fasciitis and stress fractures are common running injuries.

Can physiotherapy help prevent running injuries?

Absolutely! A running physio can assess your running technique and address biomechanical problems that may lead to injury.

What should I bring to my running physio appointment?

Please bring your running shoes, orthotics (if applicable) and any imagery/scans of your previous or existing running injury. Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely for gait/ biomechanical analysis/. Details of your current training program are also helpful.

BOOK NOW

To enhance your long-term running performance while reducing injury risk, book your appointment for running physio in Melbourne today!