Return to Running Program

Whether you are looking to return to running after a recent injury, set a new personal record in racing, or simply getting started with a running program, a video gait analysis can assist. In addition to the expertise of a highly trained physical therapist, Movement Authority also uses video analysis to make assessments of your running style and recommend the most biomechanically efficient recommendations to maximize your running.

The analysis allows our therapists to breakdown your running form and highlight your preferred patterns of movement that you rely on that determine your lower extremity biomechanics during running. The physical therapist will utilize the video analysis to prescribe exercise programs for strengthening and stretching; facilitate proper running mechanics; assist with proper shoe selection; and instruct in cadence training to improve running efficiency and reduce risk of injury.

Video gait analysis may also be utilized for assessing the way you walk to determine if you are exhibiting abnormal biomechanics. This is very beneficial if you have a history of foot/knee/hip and/or low back pain. Abnormal loading patterns through the lower extremity may cause unwanted stress/strain across the joints and soft tissues of the lower extremity. A physical therapist will videotape your gait pattern and determine if you would benefit from orthotics or change in shoe style to improve your lower extremity biomechanics.

Out of all of the questions I get, the most common theme seems to be “When can I return to running?”

Unfortunately my response is typically one you don’t want to hear, “It depends.”

Running injuries are mutlifactorial.

1. Is this an acute or persistent injury?
2. Is this the first time you’ve dealt with this or is the a repetitive injury for you?
3. Have you tried resting from this injury?
4. If you run currently does it increase your pain?

Each individual injury and person will respond differently. That is why it is best to discuss with a trained health professional to make sure you don’t continue to overload your tissues. We want to limit your time off of running as much as possible while maximizing your training so you don’t continue to aggravate your current injury and help reduce risk for further injury in the future!