Lower Back Pain When Running

While running can be a fantastic way to get into shape, stay fit and enjoy the outdoors, many runners end up having lower back pain. This discomfort may make it hard to decide to continue your running routine and make you wonder what’s really going on.

At Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates in San Ramon, CA, we specialize in addressing your lower back pain with targeted physical therapy treatments. Let’s explore some common causes of lower back pain when running and how physical therapy at Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates can help you get back on track.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain When Running

You may have an underlying condition that causes lower back pain unrelated to your running routine. Your physical therapist will consider all possibilities during a thorough assessment before developing a treatment plan. Here are some of the most common reasons runners in our clinic have lower back pain on a run.

• Overuse and Muscle Strain

Running puts repetitive stress on your muscles and joints. This overuse and repetitive motion can lead to muscle strain. Over time, muscle strain becomes painful during your run and may cause discomfort in your lower back even between runs.

• Muscle Imbalances

Muscle imbalances, like tight hip flexors or weak glutes, contribute to lower back pain when running. Muscle imbalances change your running gait, which puts extra stress and strain on your lower back. That can lead to a cycle of overuse and muscle strain.

• Poor Running Form

Improper form often contributes to lower back pain. For example, taking steps that are too long (overstriding) increases the impact on your lower back with each step. Add a lack of core strength, and your lower back needs to compensate, leading to pain.

• Sciatic Nerve Irritation

If you have sciatic nerve pain, you know how it shoots from your lower back down your leg. Compression or irritation of your sciatic nerve, or sciatica, causes sharp lower back and leg pain that can be worse when running, especially with poor posture, form, or muscle imbalances.

• Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is when the soft center of your spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This puts pressure on nearby nerves. You may have pain, numbness, or even weakness in your lower back and legs. You may find running aggravates your herniated disc but improves with better running mechanics and stronger core muscles.

Choose Physical Therapy in San Ramon, CA

Physical therapy is a comprehensive approach for managing and preventing lower back pain when running. At Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates, our experienced therapists combine proven techniques to address the root causes of your pain to get you back to running pain-free.

• Comprehensive Assessment

A comprehensive assessment is the first step in developing a lower back pain recovery plan. Our physical therapists evaluate your posture, muscle strength, and running form to identify imbalances or issues that could be contributing to your pain. The evaluation is the basis for a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

• Core and Pelvic Floor Rehab

If core or pelvic floor weakness or imbalance contributes to your lower back pain, your physical therapist will include core and pelvic floor rehab in your treatment. A strong core helps maintain proper form, reduce back muscle compensation, and lower back pain. Improve core stability, pelvic alignment, and overall strength with core and pelvic floor rehab at Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates in San Ramon, CA.

• Manual Therapy

Manual therapy techniques, like myofascial release and joint mobilization, help alleviate muscle tension and improve mobility. Hands-on manual therapy techniques reduce pain and inflammation quickly and in the long term. Your physical therapist will recommend manual therapy to enhance the function of your lower back and surrounding muscles to help eliminate pain when running.

• Therapeutic Exercises

Your physical therapist will design a custom exercise program based on the comprehensive assessment to address your needs. The therapeutic exercise program usually includes targeted stretching for greater flexibility, strength training to build muscle, and functional exercises that enhance and correct running form. These specialized exercises help you reduce your current lower back pain when running but also reduce the risk of future episodes.

Contact Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates

Lower back pain when running is challenging, but with the right combination of approaches, you can reduce or even eliminate your pain and discomfort.

At Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates in San Ramon, CA, we help you overcome lower back pain to achieve your running goals with comprehensive physical therapy. As we address your herniated disc, sciatic nerve, overuse, or muscle imbalance issues, you can finally find lasting relief. If you have lower back pain when running, contact us today to schedule a comprehensive assessment with a physical therapist to start your healing journey.