Since the running boom of the 1970s, participation and running, running races, and running related events has increased. With this increase in participation, has come the increased rate of injury amongst runners. Approximately 20-90% of runners will become injured at some point during the running career. Many of those to become injured stop running because of their injury.
20-90%? That is a pretty wide range. The fact that studies can’t even agree on the incidence of running related injuries suggests that we don’t know everything.
Some people may simply say, “we weren’t meant to run,” I beg to differ. I believe that running is a very natural form of human movement. So why is everyone getting hurt? While scientific studies have attempted to answer this question. There is still a lack of knowledge in this area. Scientific studies can be time-consuming and expensive to perform. Often times, the funding for these types of studies are not available. Running injuries are not typically life threatening (thank goodness), so there are no charities or fundraisers dedicated to fighting running related injuries. (Just imagine a 5K run raising funds for running injury research). Running shoe companies want people to buy their shoes. They will only fund studies that suggest that their shoes are superior to others. If a shoes company has been involved in a study that suggests that their shoes may not help, then they will do everything that they can to allow that study not to be published.
In my posts, I will do my best to include relevant findings from studies when available. Sometimes, I can’t find a study that backs up the point that I am trying to make. When that happens, I’ll use what I do know based on scientific studies, as well as my knowledge of human anatomy and experience of working with injured runners as a physical therapist to explain the theory of why an injury happens, or why a particular exercise or technique can help.
I do my best to provide information that is sound, and correct to the best of my knowledge. However, sometimes I come across a study, or collection of studies that go against some of my previous beliefs regarding injury, treatment and healing. Initially I feel silly and embarrassed for having told people the wrong thing for so many years while trying to incorporate these new concepts to my practice. Again, running related injuries are not typically life threatening (Whew!). While I do not plan on deleting posts, if I do come across information that I believe to be more relevant and up to date than what I already have here on my site, I will be sure to update it.