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OvercastMany runners question whether their rehab exercises are actually effective in helping them recover from injuries and get back to running. This is a common concern, as runners often receive generic exercises that may not address their specific needs.
One client, Steven, experienced knee pain that progressively worsened, impacting his ability to run and leading to weight gain and decreased activity. He had been told to take up low-impact activities like cycling or rowing, which was not a satisfactory solution for a runner.
Steven had lost faith in physical therapy due to previous experiences with ineffective exercises. However, when he consulted with me, we took a different approach. We emphasized the importance of building strength and power in the muscles to absorb the high impact forces of running.
Steven followed a progressive strength program that included bodyweight exercises, dumbbell work, and plyometric exercises. Over the course of three months, Steven regained his ability to run five times a week and is now preparing for a 10K race.
The key takeaway is that rehab exercises should be challenging and make you feel stronger. If they are too easy, they may not be effective in helping you recover.
Takeaways
- Many runners question the effectiveness of their rehab exercises in helping them recover from injuries and get back to running.
- Generic exercises that do not address the specific needs of runners may not be effective in promoting recovery.
- Building strength and power in the muscles is crucial for absorbing the high impact forces of running.
- Rehab exercises should be challenging and make you feel stronger. If they are too easy, they may not be effective in helping you recover.
Have you been frustrated with your lack of progress in physical therapy? Click the link below to book a free call, and we’ll chat about how we can design an effective plan that will help you finally make progress towards getting you back into running!