Running Injuries

Common Running Injuries and Treatments

If you are like most runners, the last thing you want to do is stop running due to some nagging injury. Even though running "through" the pain might be a choice for some, it usually isn't the best choice, especially since most of the common running injuries are very treatable, and also preventable.

Most injuries occur due to repetitive excess stress on tissues either due to over-training or Neuro-Biomechanical malfunction.

Knee Pain

This is probably the most common problem that runners present with in my office.

The standard western approach to this problem is generally REST “stop running” and NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs). In the short term, this approach is generally successful at giving some relief. In the long term, the results are less favorable and often times disastrous. The reason being is that the core of the problem has not been addressed, and secondly the cause of these symptoms is often multi-faceted. This means that not only is there an inflammatory process underway, but there is also a Neuro-Biomechanical malfunction or imbalance at the root of the problem which is leading to the inflammation in the first place. This typical problem is a perfect example of how important the “NBOS” (Neuro-Biomechanical Optimization System) is that I’ve been developing during the past 14 years in practice.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

The iliotibial band or IT-band is a ligament that runs along the outside of the thigh -- from the top of the hip to the outside of the knee. The IT-band along with the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle which attaches at the uppermost portion of the IT-band, together form an important stabilizing support for the knee and hip during running. The most common symptoms are burning and sharp pain at the hip and/or at the outside part of the knee.

Plantar Fascitis

The plantar fascia is the thick connective tissue which along with the tibialis posterior muscle, helps to support the arch on the bottom of the foot. Inflammation of this structure or fasciitis, results in burning and sharp pain. The symptoms are often worse in the morning or after a period of rest as one tries to stand-up.

Shin Splints

The shin or tibia bone becomes painful when the tendons which attach along its surface are subjected to repetitive micro trauma. Aside from the resulting burning and sharp pain which usually develops, there can also be some severe cramping involved which can be very debilitating for runners.

Achillles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is found on the upper back part your heel, and is the common attachment for your calf muscles. If the inflammation and underlying causes go untreated, the tendon can rupture leading to the need for surgical intervention.

Although the location of symptoms is different for each one of the above listed problems, they are all really different faces of the same coin. The root of the cause is Neuro-Biomechanical malfunction which is exacerbated by the repetitive motion of running, leading to an inflammatory process which then leads to burning and sharp pain.

The most common malfunction is a "drop" of the arch of the foot along with injury to many of the structures which support the foot including the tibialis posterior muscle (a main arch support muscle which originates along the back part of the lower leg deep to the calf muscles and then attaches in the arch of the foot). The most prescribed solution to this problem is to increase the arch support within the shoe. In the short term, this will give some relief, and can relieve some of the tension from the tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) to allow for healing to take place. In the long term however, you must address the reason that the arch of the foot dropped in the first place. Therefore, to have success in treating these conditions, you must address not only the inflammation, but you must rehabilitate the foot and it's supporting structures to restore proper Neuro-Biomechanical function.

What is NBOS?

As mentioned above, NBOS stands for Neuro-Biomechanical Optimization System.

The word system is very important here. Is not a single therapy or technique. It is a system of various techniques and therapies which have been tested and retested for efficacy over many years of practice with one single goal in mind. That goal being to optimize the function of the human body. The core of NBOS is based in Functional Neurology. The nervous system is the communication network of the body.  Just as miscommunication between Nations could start a war, miscommunicationwithin the nervous system leads to malfunction within the body. Aside from major injuries and surgeries, this miscommunication often manifests itself with little conscious awareness of the person affected, because the body is often able to compensate and mask would be symptoms. The problem lies in the fact that stress and injury to the body are cumulative and the body can only compensate up to a certain point, in which the person becomes an “accident waiting to happen”.  This is when a person performs an activity that they’ve done 1,000 times, for example bending to pick up a small child or a tissue from the floor and suddenly their low back or neck seizes in pain.The importance of NBOS, lies in the fact a person’s Neuro-Biomechanical status can be assessed, treated and improved whether or not a person is experiencing symptoms.

For Booking call Dr Shane T. Wells in 30 Hill Street Singapore tel: 6334 6198