Running, Triathlon and Sport Injury

Sports injuries, whether overuse or traumatic, almost ALWAYS involve some accumulated or leftover scar tissue (adhesions, fibrosis).

When an area of the body is overused (repetition or alignment/imbalances) or injured acutely, it is often essential to remove the left behind scar tissue.  Otherwise, the scar tissue around the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, fascia or  nerves will not go away on its own.  This fibrosis can lead to weakness, compensation, injury and performance loss, even if dormant or unnoticed over the next few days/weeks/months/years.

After 20 years of distance running (and 5x 2:40s marathons – plateau!), I have had my share of overuse injuries.  However, I am essentially 50 years old with NO old or nagging injuries or pain anywhere in my body.  Other than dumb luck (and some genetics),  I have implimented treatments such as Active Release Techniques, Graston, and Chiropractic (there are many other good treatment available also by Physio, Chiro and Massage etc.), as well as days off (many) and preventative mobility and strength exercises (see below for links).

Yes, genetics and diet/inflammation do contribute to overall running biomechanics, injury and recovery but the largest contributor to recurrent injury (and osteoarthritis) is previous injury/damage and a good training program.  Previous injury includes joint (think ligament tears) and soft tissue damage as well as unresolved/untreated old injuries and scar tissue (adhesions) from previous sports and postural strain.

Everyone has a exercise, training and sport capacity (genetic but mostly training).  For example, I have running patients who run 15 km/week  and those who run  200 km/week (professional/Olympic runners).  However, this capacity can increase dramatically when the body is clear of older injuries, scar tissue BEFORE (or as) you start re-strengthening, mobilizing/stretching and then increasing your training.  Otherwise the benefits will be temporary and the old injury and imbalances will likely only be dormant until they strike again.

Treatments are severity and phase based

Treatments may include Chiropractic (at your discretion and with your consent), Active Release Techniques (scar tissue release and mobility), Shockwave Therapy (calcification and deep scar tissue breakdown), Class 3B or 4 laser (penetrates into the soft tissues to promote healing and reduce inflammation) and stretching and rehabilitative exercises.

Often, 3-6 treatments are required for full resolution or significant healing.

See here for how/when thumpers etc. may help.

See here when/why stretching may help.

See here for how to use exercise to prevent injury by NOT focussing on how many ‘reps’ you can do.

See here for how Active Release Techniques specifically (and other soft tissue treatments) work to help treat old overuse, acute, endurance injuries and postural strain.