When Rehab Fails for Running Injuries… | with Mike James, Physiotherapist

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In this episode, I interview Mike James, an endurance physiotherapist, about the reasons why rehab for running injuries may not go well. We touch on the role of patience, the potential pitfalls of underloading or overloading, and the importance of setting realistic timelines for recovery. Overall, we emphasize the need for a personalized and tailored approach to rehab for running injuries.

Mike and I focus on the importance of communication, collaboration, and specificity in rehab and running guidance for runners. We discuss the need for runners to be involved in the planning process, have a clear understanding of their rehab program, and have realistic expectations of the timeline for recovery.

The episode also highlights the need for therapists to provide detailed and specific exercise prescriptions, tailored to the individual runner’s needs. It warns against cookie-cutter approaches and emphasizes the importance of individualized care.

Takeaways

• Communication and collaboration between the runner and the therapist are crucial for successful rehab.
• Precision in the rehab plan, including specific guidelines for running frequency, intensity, and duration, is important.
• Patience is necessary as running injuries may take longer to heal than expected.
• Underloading or overloading can hinder the recovery process, and finding the right balance is key.
• Setting realistic timelines for recovery and adjusting the plan as needed is essential. Runners should be involved in the planning process and have a clear understanding of their rehab program and running guidelines.
• Therapists should provide detailed and specific exercise prescriptions tailored to the individual runner’s needs.
• Realistic expectations of the timeline for recovery should be communicated to runners.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 03:08 When Rehab for Running Injuries Doesn’t Go Well
• 08:26 Factors Contributing to Cyclical or Prolonged Injuries
• 14:49 The Runner’s Role in Sabotaging Recovery
• 23:39 The Importance of Communication and Precision in Rehab
• 33:01 Specificity in Exercise Prescription
• 38:07 Setting Realistic Expectations
• 43:48 The Need for a Collaborative Approach

Have you fallen victim to the injury cycle and haven’t seen any progress with physical therapy? We offer coaching services that provide you with an individualized plan, accountability, and ongoing monitoring and communication to help you reach your running goals! Just click the link below to book a free call