Running Strong in Vancouver BC

Runners often seek to improve their performance. At Aquarius Chiropractic, Dr. Jonathan Gerrard utilizes a combination of Video-Taped Biomechanical Analysis, Joint release, Soft Tissue Therapies, and Specific Exercise to improve a runner's overall performance and establish the "Edge".

We know that small or large alterations in the physiology of an athlete's body can have tremendous impact. That being said, a win or a loss can sometimes mean a difference of just a few seconds improvement in your running performance.

Difficult training regimes, repetitive motions and overworked tired muscles all place a great deal of stress on an athlete's body. These stressors cause physiological changes resulting in fibrosis and ultimately scar tissue that cannot be counter-acted by simple exercise protocols. Thus, the muscles and joints will require physical manipulation to remove the problem and return the athlete to optimal performance. In an effort to treat your running injuries and improve your running performance, Dr. Jonathan Gerrard our chiropractor utilizes a specific soft tissue technique that has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of joint and muscular restrictions that cause these biomechanical dysfunctions. This highly successful technique utilizing focused tension and patient movement of the muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves, and the surrounding soft tissues in order to restore optimal tissue texture, tension, and movement.

Running Injuries:

Plantar Fascitis:

Long distance walking, running, cycling, or just standing combined with possible biomechanical flaws such as flat feet, achilles tendonitis, high-arched feet, or a sudden increase in training mileage can overwork the muscles in your feet and cause plantar fascitis. These chronically overworked muscles over time start to shorten producing pain in the bottom of the foot and result in a less resilient structure, which is more prone to injury.

Plantar fascitis is a condition that tends to respond poorly to conventional treatment mainly because the associated pain generators are not correctly addressed. The actual plantar fascia is commonly not the sole cause of pain on the bottom of the foot. Typically up to 3-4 other contributing structures beyond the plantar fascia contribute to an irritated and inflamed plantar fascia. Therefore, it is important to get correctly diagnosed treated.

If left untreated and or the condition is not correctly addressed bone spurs often form on the heel, which can be visualized on X-ray.

Shin Splints:

"Shin splints" is a term used for overuse syndromes involving the leg muscles that stabilize and move the ankle and foot. During the first injury the muscle fibers tear from their periosteal attachment surface. During the healing phase they can become fibrotic which makes the area less resilient than normal muscle attachments. During further use they can fail to lengthen properly which causes exponential increases in the tension on the attachment and a repeat of the injury. Proper treatment will break down the fibrous tissue making the muscle behave more like a rubber band than a rope as it lengthens to the end of its range of motion.

Achilles tendonitis:

Individuals with achilles tendonitis usually report a dull, aching pain in the achilles tendon after running.

The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) fuse to form the achilles tendon which attaches to the calcaneus. The tendon is very dense, strong and has a constant tension on it causing the blood circulation in the tissue to be limited.

When the make-up of the tendon is injured it is necessary to gently move the tissue to encourage fluid exchange. Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the achilles tendon often results from irritation of the tissue anterior to the achilles tendon. If the fascial tissue anterior to the achilles tendon shortens the sheath covering the achilles tendon will be pulled anterior against the achilles tendon causing increased friction as the tendon moves up and down leading to irritation and inflammation.