As the weather warms, many of you are most likely prepping to hit the pavement and trails for some running this spring and summer. McKinley Family Chiropractic will be right next to you, ensuring your body stays healthy while you crank out your mileage. Chiropractors specialize in the treatment of the nervous system and musculoskeletal systems; treating both of these systems can help recover injuries and prevent future issues.

Running is a continuous impact sport, meaning you are constantly putting force into the joints of the lower body. This can cause discomfort or dysfunction in multiple areas, including the feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Pain or dysfunction in one area usually leads to dysfunction in another. Chiropractors use tools like gait analysis, shoe inspection, and ROM testing to help identify potential problems within a runner’s stride. Once identified, adjustments to the spine and extremities can help improve the communication between the brain and body, and exercises and stretches can be given to help stabilize and improve running gait.

Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct imbalances within the human body. With runners, most of the issues with training come from imbalances anywhere from the low back down to the ankles. If you are starting to run for the first time or have been running your whole life, chiropractic care can significantly benefit you as a runner. If you have any questions or want more detail on how chiropractors can help runners, please ask one of the doctors the next time you’re in the office.