Physio says no?

[LesleyD123]

Just been to a physio with my feet(like I could go without them) and she says that you (as in people) shouldn't run outside, much better on the treadmill or elliptical trainer because it's really bad for your joints. Now I'm torn. I always poo poo'd running because 'it's bad for you' when I was secretly envious because I couldn't run because of shin splints. I've been loving being outside though and upset when niggles stop me and push me back onto the indoor stuff- boring and too easy. Do I give in and follow the advice of the physio or carry on outside?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

It is not for us to go against the advice of a professional, and you shouldn't. I would ask the question are you going to a dedicated sports physio or a general physio. I only ask because sports physios tend to stop you running while they build your muscles up to be able to run again while non sports physios tend to be against running in certain cases.

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I managed to find myself a fantastic physio who runs a lot herself and has worked with a lot of 'proper' endurance runners. She was hugely supportive of me getting back to running!🙂

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

I think this is a ridiculous comment from your physio!!😀! There is plenty of research to say that running is actually good for your joints. My knees are definately better now than when I started running again two and a half years ago. Of course correct footwear is important, as is making sure strength and flexibility is addressed on 'rest' days. I have no problem with those who choose to run on treadmills if this is what they prefer but no one is ever going to deter me from running along my lovely muddy trails and fields! If I risk the odd injury then so be it, but it is a risk worth taking in my opinion. Now that the weather is just starting to cool down I am really looking forward to my winter runs.....wildlife, autumn colours, beautiful views - I'm afraid you will never get that on a treadmill! 🙂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Running several road marathons each year might be harmful, but the average recreational runner has far more to gain by running outside than being cooped up in an air conditioned exercise factory.

As Sandraj39 says, there is plenty of research that you could show to your physio to refute her claim. There are also plenty of other physios who would profoundly disagree. Of course physios see many runners, but how many of those have trained sensibly, not overdoing it and not attempting something foolishly beyond their ability.

If I went to a physio with my current knee injury and told them I was a runner, they might well say don't run outdoors. My injury stops me running but it was caused by putting too much load on it while carrying a heavy weight at work and exacerbated by a dog that ran into me. We can all get injured.

Should I give up working for a living and run (maybe walk slowly) in the opposite direction every time I see a dog. Of course not. It all needs putting into perspective. If you train sensibly, use appropriate footwear for you and the surface you are running on and don't exceed your abilities and manage to avoid excitable dogs, then you have done all you can to minimise your injury risk.

Having a particular physiology that would be extra prone to injury might well elicit that sort of response from a physio, but to make a generalised statement that nobody should run outside because it is too dangerous is absurd in the extreme.

I know what my reply would be but I can't print it here!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

My Sports Physio is a marathon runner... he only stopped me running, whilst I was recovering from a calf muscle tear...and gave me a regime of exercise to follow when I was able to get out again ... Realfoodieclub has given you great advice..as has, Sandraj39 ...

I found this article really interesting too

womensrunninguk.co.uk/healt...

It will be your choice, but maybe get a second opinion... from a Sports Physio?

[ksr17]

I am a physio!

I run outside ...

I agree with the majority of the replies that you have received.

For everyone it is important to have the correct footwear and to train appropriately as road running does put more pressure through your joints than running on a treadmill, but that doesn't mean we should not be doing it.

However you said that you visited the physio because of a problem with your feet? was the physio giving you specific advice in relation to this rather than a generic blanket ban on road running ?

I agree with other posts, ensure that your physio is specialised in sports injury and work with them to get yourself fit to run ... inside and out ! good luck !

[ejvcruns Graduate]

I'm not a physio but I do have eyes and other senses -- for heaven's sake, we are an animal built for running. One thing humans can do that NO OTHER animal can do is to run at a trot for days. We are built to run. We feel its positive effects. To say otherwise is to shut your eyes to the blinking obvious.

Look here for example: curiosity.com/topics/humans...

Of course if you have some kind of medical condition it should be attended to -- with the object of restoring you to the state of a normal, healthy, human -- i.e. capable of running.

Yeesh.

[mrrun Graduate]

Get a new physio.

[Mollydex Graduate]

Think I've seen some research that informs that runners with arthritis do better than arthritis sufferers who don't run.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Find a different physio!

I go to a chiropractor because my sacroiliac region was damaged a few years ago. She runs. I am seeing a physio for a frozen shoulder and associated neck problems. She runs. Seriously, find someone who understands.

[Theziggy Graduate]

Check out these -

health.com/osteoarthritis/r...

nytimes.com/2017/01/18/well...

everydayhealth.com/news/wha...

I was talking to a physio who runs, and he ran a half marathon whilst injured - not much of a physio I thought - running whilst injured when he should know better!!!!

[LesleyD123]

Thank you all so much for your support. To heck with it, I'm a sensible grown up who listens to her body and is following a professional program, I'm just going to run anyway. 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃