There’s no doubt running is a great and effective form of exercise. But it can also be extremely hard on your body because it involves repetitive stress and impact, sometimes for long periods. So it’s no surprise that runners often suffer from a multitude of aches and pains. Lower back pain is a common complaint of many runners, and they often think of the pain as more of an annoyance rather than a running injury, which can be a dangerous pitfall and lead to further injury down the road. The doctors at Ideal Spine Health explain why you should understand the pain you are feeling.
What Causes This Pain?
Running takes its toll on our bodies. The impact of each step while running can be as much as 2.5 times your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you could be putting 375 pounds of force on your body with every step! When you add a misaligned spine into the mix, you have a recipe for disaster! Only when our spines are properly aligned are they able to handle the pounding running inflicts.
Poor form is also a leading cause of lower back pain in runners as it leads to poor hip mobility. When our hips lack mobility, it can cause the pelvis to over-rotate and place excessive strain on the spine.
How Do I Get Reduce or Avoid This Pain?
If you are suffering from excessive pain, take the time to let your body heal. While it may throw off your exercise routine temporarily, it could save you from months or even years of painful injuries in the future. It’s not worth the risk!
If you don’t suffer from back pain and want to keep it that way or if you’re looking to get back into running after an injury, keep in mind these tips. Taking a preventative approach to exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy and working properly.
- Don’t skip the warm-up! No matter what time of day you run, a proper warm up is a powerful tool to prevent injuries.
- Invest in the right shoes. A supportive shoe can improve your posture and absorb some of the impact placed on your body during a run.
- Vary your running surface. Switching from pavement to track to grass, etc. can lessen excessive impact and muscle strain.
- Always stretch. Stretching lengthens the muscles that were tightened during running and increases your flexibility.
- Strengthen your back and core muscles. This will help improve your running posture, which will also improve your mobility.
Following these tips and educating yourself on the proper running form can make a world of difference to your body. Taking advantage of your chiropractor is also an effective means to protect your back and prevent future injury. Ideal Spine Health Center is happy to help you improve your current running experience. For more information, contact us today or call 208-939-2502 to schedule your complimentary consultation.