One of my patients Karl asked a great question last week, which crosses the minds of many runners (after an injury):
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“Paul, although I’m over my ankle injury now and know I can return back to exercise safely, I still have a lack of confidence when I set out to run.
When I run I have it in the back of my mind that landing my foot in a slightly awkward position, or even slipping slightly could cause my injury to flare up all over again.
So I end up slowing down, or turning round all together and walking home even though my ankle is completely fine.
So here’s what I want to know… how can you be sure whether to go for a run or not? The fear of setting off my ankle pain again is getting in the way of my weekly runs!
Have you got any suggestions?”
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Of course! Let me start by saying that there’s not a single runner, or person I’ve ever met, who doesn’t at some point fear an old injury recurring, If you run on a weekly basis and pain flares up it means you’re going to be missing out on social runs, your favourite weekly exercises or the endorphin rush that comes with running – so who is to blame you for having this fear!
I also know because I’ve been there, just like many other patients have to!
So what can you do to stop the fear from taking over?
Simple!… Once you’ve recovered from your injury that was stopping you from running in the first place and you decide to get back into running again – my advice is to take it slow.
The more time you have off, the more gradually you need to get back into your training.
Take this for example…
Say you’ve had two to three weeks off from running because of an injured foot – I’d suggest to go for shorter runs 2-3 times a week with plenty of rest in between, and then, week after week slowly build it up to what you were doing before.
So when you return to running, start back with a few short easy runs to get your ankle and body used to the load on your body again, and to be sure that your ankle feels strong enough before you start to push yourself…
…And if you do feel a twinge or a niggle, ice it as soon as possible.
I see so many people not giving themselves the best chance of staying active and healthy, simply because they don’t receive the best advice – and it’s not their fault either, especially when the NHS physios and GP’s tell you to go away and do a few exercises, and rest for a few weeks.
But the things they should be telling you, (as well as the standard exercises and rest from running), are things like:
- Exactly what you should expect when you return back to being active
- What you’re likely to feel when you hit the pavement
- All of the warning signs of an injury to look out for (and what each one means)
So the chances of you “running in fear” are reduced, A LOT!
So to sum it up…
You can run if… your ankle is pain free (and even if your muscles are a little achey), so long as there’s no “pain” that’s affecting you, you’re good to run!
You should rest if… you feel a sharp pain come on that doesn’t ease off, even when you slow down, then apply ice right away for 10 minutes at a time.
When it comes to your health, fitness and lifestyle, it’s important to listen to expert advice – that way you can be sure to get back to running much quicker and safer like you deserve.
For more running tips like this, click here: www.paulgoughphysio.com/sports-injury-clinic
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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