Myth busting, tips and tricks to help you get the best out of your running this winter.

Will running wear out my joints?

Running is a popular choice of exercise for many, and has a multitude of potential mental and physical health benefits. 

With the increased cost of living, it is unsurprising that more and more of us are dusting off the running shoes and opting to partake in this budget friendly form of exercise.

Historically, it has been commonly believed that frequent running may cause our joints such as lower back, hips and knees to ‘wear out’.

However, it has been proven by numerous studies that running can actually be a preventative for developing conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Firstly, let’s start with a brief explanation of what osteoarthritis actually is. Although, often described as ‘wear and tear’ within the joints, there has been a recent shift within health care to move away from this terminology as it can often be misleading and concerning to those who hear it.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the entire joint. Changes to cartilage, connective tissues and joint lining can occur causing pain, stiffness and swelling. It is a relatively normal part of ageing, and many people would have some elements of these changes within the joint with no symptoms at all. It is true that risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include repetitive stress, however there are many other risk factor including; increased age, increased body mass, genetics, metabolic conditions and more.Those who run regularly have been shown to develop less osteoarthritis than those who don’t. Possible reasons for this is reduced rates of obesity in runners, strong lower limbs to support the knee joint and improved bone density and joint health.

To summarise, running is a fantastic sport that has a plethora of health benefits, and it is unlikely to be detrimental to your joint health long term, so if this is an activity that you really enjoy, there is no reason to stop doing what you love. However, running is a lot like marmite, some love it and some hate it! The most effective exercise is the one you enjoy and are able to commit to, so if running isn’t for you, there are plenty of other forms of exercise to enjoy such as walking, swimming, cycling, pilates, dancing, playing with your children etc. etc..

Here at Elevate Physiotherapy and Sports Injury clinic in Eccleston, Chorley, we can assess and treat a vast range of injuries and conditions that may hinder your chosen activity.

If this sounds like you, please book in for an assessment and we will endeavour to get you back in action as soon as possible.

Please keep your eyes peeled for more short blogs in our Mini Running Series for tip and advice this winter running season.