How Physical Therapy Helps Chicago Runners Prevent Injuries and Recover Faster

Liz Yerly

PT, MPT, ATC, LMT, CSCS, CMTPT

  Mon, Apr 28, 2025

Running is one of the most popular ways to stay active in Chicago. Whether you’re jogging along the lakefront, training for the Chicago Marathon, or running through your neighborhood, it’s a great way to boost your health. But all that pounding on the pavement can take a toll on your body. That’s where physical therapy comes in.

At IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery, we specialize in physical therapy for runners in Chicago. Our team helps athletes stay strong, avoid injury, and recover smarter—so you can keep doing what you love.

Common Running Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Runners are no strangers to aches and pains. Some of the most common issues include:

• Achilles tendinitis: Pain and stiffness in the back of the ankle from overworking the Achilles tendon.
• IT band syndrome: Pain on the outer side of the knee from irritation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue running down your thigh.
• Plantar fasciitis: Heel pain caused by inflammation in the thick band of tissue under your foot.
• Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain): Pain around or behind the kneecap, often caused by overuse or poor alignment.
• Shin splints: Soreness along the front or inner part of the shin bone, usually from too much running or jumping.
• Stress fractures: Small cracks in the bone, often in the shin or foot, from repetitive impact or overtraining.

These injuries are often caused by overuse, poor running form, lack of strength in key muscle groups, or skipping recovery. That’s why running injury prevention in Chicago is such an important part of staying healthy and reaching your goals.

How Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery Can Help Runners?

Physical therapy and sports recovery does more than just treat injuries—it helps you run better and longer with less risk. Here’s how our athletic recovery for runners works:

• Gait analysis: We examine how your body moves when you run. This helps identify movement patterns that may cause strain or imbalance.
• Strength and mobility training: We target weak spots, especially in the hips, glutes, and core, to support proper running mechanics.
• Recovery techniques: If you’re feeling sore or recovering from a race, we provide treatments such as dry needling, soft tissue work, and guided stretching to help you recover more quickly. Additionally, we offer Cold Water Immersion, NormaTec Compression Units, Hyperice Vibration/Percussion Tools, and Red Light Therapy.
• Education: We’ll help you understand how to warm up, cool down, and build recovery into your training plan.

Whether you’re dealing with nagging pain or trying to recover better between Chicago Marathon training runs, we’re here to help. 

​Optimize Your Running Performance with Sports Recovery in Chicago

Don’t wait for an injury to slow you down. Whether you’re running your first 5K or gearing up for your tenth marathon, our sports therapy for runners in Chicago can help you stay on track.

At IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery, we understand that no two runners are the same. That’s why we take a personalized approach to care. We listen to your goals, assess your needs, and create a plan to help you train smart and stay pain-free.

Let’s work together to improve performance, prevent injuries, and keep you running stronger. Request an appointment at IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery today.

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