[ Benefit of Being Aligned ]
What Causes Injury
The primary causes of running injuries are faulty alignment and the way in which force is applied to that alignment. This ultimately results in excessive load on joint and soft-tissue structures.
The influences on alignment and loading characteristics include:
- Physical limitations
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- Structure malalignment
- Joint limitations/muscular inflexibility
- Weakness
- Limited dynamic control (poor control of strength)
- Running technique
- Training program design
- Shoe design
Evaluation of running technique across a broad spectrum of athletes has revealed typical patterns of movement associated with the various types of running injuries and limited performance. These patterns cause alignments and loading characteristics that are predictable and thus allow for the development of predictable strategies to improve the gait pattern.
The most common pattern of faulty gait involves excessive STJ pronation with genu valgus/femoral internal rotation and accounts for many of the most common running injuries.
- Illio-Tibial Band Syndrome
- Patello-femoral Chondromalacia
- Hip Pain (side, post-lat, front)
- Low Back Pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Shin Splints”
- Anterior Tibialis Tendinopathy
- Posterior Tibialis Tendinopathy
- Tibial Periostitis/Stress Fracture
- Compartment Syndrome
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Sesmoiditis
- Bunion
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Metatarsal Stress Fx
- Haglund’s Deformity
Correction of the faulty gait patterns involves attention to both the active and passive components influencing the alignment.
- Active influences are addressed medically and include attention to physical limitations, running technique, and training program design.
- Passive influences have historically been addressed through shoe design and/or medical prescription of an orthotic device. Unfortunately, shoe design has not addressed alignment control through direct support of the foot into a more optimal mechanical alignment.
