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Last Updated: December 18th, 2024 at 11:39 pm
| There’s a high probability that you’ve never been taught how to run. Most people haven’t Most people get into running by simply going to a running shoe store, buying some shoes, and then hurling themselves at the concrete It’s no wonder running related injuries plague the sport. But are there ways to run that minimize stress on the bones and joints? Short answer: Yes there are ways to run that minimize stress on bones and joints. The easiest way to minimize the risk for running related injuries is to stop heel striking! The 3 main things wrong with heel striking are these: 1. The knee is too straight when your foot hits the ground 2. Your foot is too far in front of your body 3. Your ankle/foot don’t help absorb the shock of impact |
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| The image above was taken at the point of ‘Initial Contact’ during the running gait cycle. This is the point when the foot makes first contact with the ground. This image above is of a heel striking runner. You can see how his knee is essentially STRAIGHT, his foot lands far out in front of his hips, and his toes are turned way up. Those 3 components, make heel striking the worst pattern of all the strike patterns. Not just because of what’s happening at the foot. But more importantly, what’s happening through the leg. Impact is poorly absorbed when the leg looks like this during initial contact. Sending the stress through the joints and bones. Are you a heel striker? Maybe you are or maybe you think you’re not. But if I had a dollar for every time I got a patient on my treadmill for a Running Gait Analysis, and they told me they don’t heel strike, only to find out they sure as hell are…I’d have a lot of dollars. If you’re interested in learning how to run to avoid injury, click the button below to set up a phone call with me and setup a Running Gait Analysis. Your best is yet to come! -Dr. Michael |
