For an active person, running is an exhilarating way to get a good workout. Unsurprisingly, a good many fitness buffs swear by their daily runs: Both as a form of exercise and a way to clear their head and get grounded and ready for their day.
As with any exercise, running demands some planning, and for those under the care of a chiropractor, this actual kind of exercise might require a bit of extra planning. Nonetheless, even a runner who has never seen the inside of a chiropractor’s office can benefit from a number of chiropractic tips which will them avoid types of injuries that have long lasting effects.
1. Do wear running shoes – Do not wear normal tennis shoes or footwear designed for other kinds of athletic activities like hiking, basketball or rock climbing. Chiropractors want every runner to understand the effect that an incorrectly enclosed foot has on leg bones and therefore on the spine; that’s why they caution runners that proper footwear makes a vast difference in your overall health.
2. Move your arms when you run – A beginning runner often does not know they should move their arms in time with the movement of the leg opposite. Experienced runners are very aware that it is this motion which assures the body weight has proper transference.
3. Worn out shoes – Chiropractors warn against wearing out your running shoes until you need to hold them together with strings and tape. Rather, replace them as the soles wear down. Worn out shoes no longer sufficiently cradle your foot; run down soles make it hard to walk appropriately.
4. No weights – Chiropractors are especially determined that you avoid strap-on weights at ankles or wrists. The amount of injuries chiropractors see as a result of runners following in on this fad is sobering. Those who want to exercise with weights should do it after or prior to their run, never during. Adding weights alters your body’s balance and as your body tries to compensate, damage to your neck and spine can easily be done.
5. Don’t look down while running – Instead, scan the way ahead of you for any obstacles you may need to avoid, there is no reason to be running with your face down. Failure to look straight ahead so results in straining the neck’s curvature and contributes to back pain, neck pain, and a swarm of other conditions you don’t want.
Chiropractors have much good advice about running; the wise runner who follows these suggestions will avoid the pitfalls and reap the most benefit from their physical efforts.
Dr. Paul Burns is a Chiropractor specializing in pain management and sports injuries. He has worked with many college and pro teams, including the Denver Broncos, the ATP and Wrangler Sports. His multidisciplinary practice is located in the Denver Tech Center and offers the latest in evidenced based practice methodology, techniques and technology.
For more information, visit www.DrPaulBurns.com and/or call 303-694-9759.
