Injury Prevention for Runners: Applied Kinesiology

Marc B

I have been a Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiologist for more than 23 years. Having had many of the same injuries that I treat, I know all too well what it takes to prevent and heal these injuries.  My goal is to make stronger faster and more efficient runners out of the people I treat.

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.

The combined terms “applied” and “kinesiology” describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counseling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.

Triad Of Health

The triad of health lists the three basic causes of health problems.  They are structural, chemical, and mental, with structure as the base of the triad. Literally, all health problems, whether functional or pathological, are involved with one part or all parts of the triad. This is not new to chiropractics, as its founder, D.D. Palmer states in his text, The Science, Art, and Philosophy of Chiropractic, “the determining causes of disease are traumatism, poison and autosuggestion.” AK enables the doctor to evaluate the triad’s functional balance and to direct therapy toward the imbalanced side or sides.

The physician who is aware of the triad of health, and evaluates every patient for all three sides, increases his ability to find the basic underlying cause of a patient´s health problem. AK skills are developed and approved by the International College of Applied Kinesiology Board of Standards.

These skills are refined from many disciplines including Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Medicine, Dentistry, Acupuncture, Biochemistry, Psychology, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy etc.  Members of these professions share knowledge through the publications and conferences of the International College of Applied Kinesiology.

Applied Kinesiology is especially good for athletes, particularly endurance athletes, in that it finds muscular imbalances in the body so that they can be located and corrected before an injury occurs.  AK will correct the problem and will prevent the muscular imbalances that can cause injuries to the muscles and to the joints that they move.

Plantar Fasciitis

Signs and Symptoms

Severe pain or ache around the heel bone on the bottom of the foot.

Description

Plantar fasciitis, which may lead to formation of a heel spur, is a painful foot condition. It is often caused by overuse of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) at the bottom of the foot as a result of increases in exercise, weight gain, or other factors.  

Causes

Over pronation is a major cause.

Standard Treatment

Orthotics, cortisone injections.

Applied Kinesiology Approach

The muscles that support the foot and ankle are evaluated to find the ones that are malfunctioning. These are corrected and then the alignment of the foot bones is corrected. The attention is then shifted to the localized structures that are injured and failing to support the foot joints properly. These can include specialized treatments for ligaments, muscles, skin and joints. This is followed by an analysis of how the person walks or runs. 

Depending on the foot ankle complex, orthotics may be needed to support the foot properly. Finally, attention is directed to corrective procedures that can help stabilize and strengthen the structures to help prevent future injuries. Nutritional therapies aimed at increasing factors that would speed healing and reduce any inflammation are considered.

Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created.

Achilles Tendonitis

Signs or Symptoms

Pain in the Achilles tendon with up and down movement of the foot at the ankle.

Description

Inflammation of the tendon that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone. This causes restriction of motion and pain, ache and tenderness when walking or even touching the tendon.

Causes

Over utilization, such as too much running, especially hills. Trauma, such as a kick to the tendon, is another common cause. Shoe pressure can aggravate the tendon. The most common cause is an over contraction of the calf muscles that attach to the tendon.

Standard Treatment

Heel lifts to reduce the pressure, stretching exercises and anti-inflammatory medications.

AK Approach

Muscle balance is the goal of the treatment. In this condition, abnormal stresses are applied to the tendon causing the tendonitis. To treat this condition, proper muscle function must be returned. This can involve many different muscle therapies ranging from massage to changing the way you walk and run to strengthening your calf muscles. Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created.

Pronation - Dropped Arch

Signs and Symptoms

Pain or chronic ache in the ankle. Instability when walking. Frequent ankle sprains.

Description

Over-pronation is a common biomechanical problem that occurs in the walking process when your arch collapses on weight bearing, as weight is transferred from the heel to the forefoot and the foot rolls inwards. When a foot over-pronates during running, the lower leg, knee and thigh rotate internally to excess, which stresses the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot, and of the lower leg including the shin and knee as the limb rotates in too far. This may lead to a number of injuries including plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and other ailments.

Causes

Obesity, pregnancy or repetitive pounding on a hard surface can weaken the arch leading to dropping of the arch.

Standard Treatment

Orthotics are fitted to correct the dropping of the arch.

AK Approach

The muscles of the foot and ankle are evaluated for proper function. Corrections are aimed at normalizing the muscle functioning of the foot. Therapy is then aimed at strengthening the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the foot and the need for orthotic support. Nutritional therapies aimed at increasing factors that would lead to relaxing the muscles and reducing any inflammation is considered.

Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created.

Shin Splints

Signs or Symptoms

Severe pain over the front of the tibia, lower leg bone, after running or walking.

Lower Leg Muscles

Description

Inflammation of the muscles and tendons along the shinbone.

Causes

Improper walking or running style, or intensified training (e.g., an increase in downhill running).

Standard Treatment

Anti-inflammatory medications, rest.

AK Approach

An evaluation of the gait, style of walking or running is done. First, therapy is aimed at reducing the tightness and trigger points in the muscles involved. Then the question becomes why or what caused the tissue to become inflamed? Testing of the major muscles used for walking and running are performed to make sure that there is not an imbalance that would lead to faulty foot gait mechanics. These are corrected and therapeutic exercises are prescribed. The foot and ankle are then examined for the need of an orthotic foot support. Nutritional therapies aimed at increasing factors that would lead to relaxing the muscles and reducing any inflammation is considered.

Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created.  

Articular Cartilage and Runner's Knee

Description
Chondromalacia patella, or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) indicates that there are pathologic signs in the articular cartilage. The pain in PFPS is associated with increased pressure caused by abnormal patellar tracking of the patella on the femoral Condyles.

PFPS is the most common cause of runner's knee. It may emerge when runners increase mileage, and may result from over-stretched tendons, direct trauma to the knee, misalignment, muscle imbalance, problems with the feet, and weak quads.

Standard treatment

Anti-inflammatories, cortisone, stretching,

AK Approach

Testing is done to determine muscle imbalances around the knee. Excessive stress can also come from imbalances in the foot and ankle and in the pelvis. Specific muscle therapies are used to normalize the muscle actions around the knee and especially the patella (kneecap). Nutritional therapies aimed at decreasing inflammation are utilized

Following the assessment, a rehabilitative program to develop equal muscle strength reinforced with a nutritional program to maximize muscle and cartilage regeneration are used. Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created

ITB Syndrome 

Description
Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome is an overuse injury that may impact long distance runners. With knee flexion and extension, the iliotibial band glides over the lateral epicondyle of the femur. The condition is characterized by pain over the lateral epicondyle. The condition may develop in novice runners with bowed legs, hyper-pronated feet, or other mechanical imbalances in the body. Worn out running shoes may also be causative. The TFL (tensor fascia latae) and the gluteus maximus may tighten the ilio tibial band. With ITB syndrome there often appears to be weakness in the gluteal and hip muscles. Over pronating or supinating can cause pressure on the IT band.

Standard treatment

Ice, stretching, anti-inflammatory medications and possibly cortisone injections and surgery.

AK Approach

If ITB is over-contracting, the muscle imbalances and structural problems that are causing this must be normalized. The muscles that support the pelvis are evaluated to find the ones that are malfunctioning. These are corrected and then the alignment of the pelvic bones is corrected. The attention is then shifted to the localized structures that are injured and failing to support the pelvic joints properly. These can include specialized treatments for ligaments, muscles, skin and joints. Since factors originating as far away as the foot and ankle can cause torsion that adversely affects the ITB, the examination must include these areas and corrective procedures done to normalize any abnormal torsion in the lower extremity. This is followed by an analysis of how the person walks, moves and their occupational positions. Nutritional therapies aimed at increasing factors that would speed healing and reduce any inflammation are considered.

Blogmaster's Note: Marc graciously hosted an NY Flyers Health Clinic on Applied Kinesiology that included hands on strength analyses. For a free examination for Flyers, and Flyer friends and family members, or for more information about Marc's practice, please go to his website by clicking HERE. 

-Marc B