How Runners Can Prevent Back Pain
Running is both great for the body and hard on the body. It conditions the muscles and joints and it gives you a good aerobic workout, which keeps your heart healthy and weight within a healthy range. But the relentless impact of your feet against the ground can put you at risk for injuries, particularly in your lower limbs and back. Through a sudden, acute injury—but much more often through repetitive wear and tear—the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues of the back can become damaged or strained. This is especially true for distance runners. The good news is running-related back pain is treatable—many times with a full recovery. Also, you can take steps to prevent back pain from running before it starts. Suiting up A running shoe is not just a running shoe. There are several factors that can help determine what the right shoe for you should be, including: The height of your arches Your pronation style (in other words, how your foot hits the ground and rolls through each ...