How Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Running Gait and Prevent Injuries

Whether you’re a casual jogger or a competitive runner, your running gait plays a huge role in your performance and risk of injury. Poor running form—or running gait—can lead to pain, discomfort, and injuries that slow you down. But can physical therapy fix gait issues? Yes!

At IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery, we help runners move better, run more efficiently, and stay injury-free. With locations across the Chicago area—including Naperville, Hinsdale, Lakeview, Norridge, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and South Loop—we make expert care easy to access.

Why Your Running Gait Matters

Your running gait is how your body moves while running. It involves everything from foot placement and stride length to posture and arm movement. Small issues in your gait can lead to problems like knee pain, shin splints, or hip injuries. Many runners don’t even notice these issues until they start feeling pain.

But poor form doesn’t just cause injuries—it also slows you down. Fixing your gait can help you run faster, longer, and with less effort. The right adjustments can make running feel smoother and more natural.

Can Physical Therapy Help with Running Form?

A physical therapist can find what’s causing the problem and teach you how to fix it. Here’s how:

• Video gait analysis: We break down your running mechanics to spot trouble areas. By analyzing your posture, stride, and foot placement, we pinpoint small tweaks that can boost efficiency and reduce strain.
• Strength and flexibility training: Weak or tight muscles throw off your form. We design targeted exercises to correct imbalances, improve stability, and help you run smoothly with less risk of injury.
• Posture and stride adjustments: Small shifts in your running technique can make a big difference. We fine-tune your posture, arm movement, and foot strike to help you move more efficiently and avoid unnecessary stress on your body.
• Injury recovery plans: Already dealing with pain? We create customized recovery plans to help you heal while improving your form. Our goal is to get you back to running safely—not to mention stronger and better than before.

Signs You Might Need Gait Training

Not sure if your running gait needs fixing? Here are some signs to watch out for:

• You feel pain when running
• You get injured often
• You experience tightness or stiffness after running
• Your shoes wear down unevenly
• Your stride feels awkward or off-balance
• You hear loud or uneven foot strikes
• Running feels harder than it should

Find Expert Physical Therapy Near You

Looking for “physical therapy near me” to improve your running gait? IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery can help. Our expert team will work with you to build better form, prevent injuries, and keep you running strong.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs. With convenient Chicago-area physical therapy clinics, expert care is always within reach. Request an appointment today and take the first step toward running smarter, faster, and pain-free!

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