Onward Physical Therapy Blog

In the pursuit of better performance, runners often focus solely on logging miles, overlooking the crucial role that strength training plays in achieving peak athletic condition. While pounding the pavement is undeniably essential, integrating weightlifting into your regimen can be a game-changer, offering a myriad of benefits that directly translate to improved running performance. Why Incorporate Strength Training & Weightlifting...

What are shin splints? Shin splits refers to a number of painful conditions in the lower leg that typically occur with physical activity such as running. While shin splints is the most common term used to describe pain in the lower leg, it is important to note that shin splints is not a helpful diagnosis. Shin splints is a generic...

Achilles Tendonitis can be a painful condition for runners, often leading to reduced mileage or even complete rest from training. If you are sick of running with Achilles Tendonitis then this article will give you a road map to get back to full speed! What is Achilles Tendonitis? Achilles Tendonitis refers to a condition where the Achilles tendon becomes overloaded...

Dealing with hip pain when running? Hip pain, especially in women, is by far one of the most common pain complaints that we see runners dealing with when they book evaluations with us. Like all injuries, diagnosing the root cause of why you developed a hip injury while running is crucial in order to fully resolve symptoms long term so...

Stress fractures in runners can be both a challenging diagnosis as well as a tough injury to come back from safely. In this article, we’ll break down why stress fractures happen and what you can do to get back on the road! What Are Stress Fractures? Our bones constantly adapt to the stresses we place on them—each day, we continuously...

IT Band Syndrome is a painful condition, usually around the outside of the knee and thigh, that often limits runners’ and other athletes’ physical activity levels as pain increases. If you’re struggling with IT Band Syndrome, this article will help you understand why you have these symptoms and how to alleviate your pain! The Purpose of the IT Band The...

What is Runner’s Knee?  Runner’s knee is a painful condition frequently occurring in endurance athletes where the patellofemoral joint (knee-cap) becomes painful during runs. This is among the most commonly occurring running-related injuries and can range from mild knee pain that warms up during your runs to debilitating levels that prevent any training. Common Causes of Runner’s Knee There are...

The Achilles tendon is the longest and strongest tendon in the body. It is directly attached to both the gastroc and soleus muscles aka “the powerhouse muscles of distance running. The achilles job is to literally create tension in the foot and knee to propel us forward when running and walking. Because of this, it’s commonly subjected to irritation and...

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition where the tissues on the bottom of the foot become irritated with weight bearing activities. The term “plantar fasciitis” is a little less accurate than we once thought as this isn’t purely an inflammatory condition as the “itis” part would imply. Instead, it is a condition that happens when the plantar fascia tissue gets...