Runners MOT

Curious about personalised strategies to improve your running technique and prevent future injuries?

Physio7’s Chris Spurling is now an ultramarathon runner despite being something of a ‘biomechanical mess’! He has worked out how to improve his own running style, toughen up his joints and muscles, and train sensibly so that he is able to run ultra distances regularly.

He loves helping those people who run with inefficient and potentially harmful running patterns, and guiding them through the rehabilitation process.?

The Runners MOT

Our 90 minute ‘Runners MOT’ assessment with Chris is designed to pinpoint the root cause of your pain:

Move Better

We use slow-motion video analysis of your running style to help us spot biomechanical and technical faults. After all, you can’t get to the bottom of complex running injuries without looking at how you run.

Improve Technique

We’ll trial and test different running cues to improve your running style and minimise the likelihood of injuries.

Uncover Stiff and Weak Links

The ‘Runners MOT’ examination involves a head to toe assessment of your joint mobility, muscle flexibility, strength and stability, balance co-ordination and movement patterns.

We aim to uncover those stiff and weak ‘links’ that lead to tissue overload along the kinetic chain (see article here). We’ll provide a bespoke strength, conditioning and mobility plan to complement your running style and address those stiff and weak links.

Train Better

Did you know that most running injuries are a result of overloading muscles, tendons, joints or bones? Chris can also help design or modify your running plan, so that it spreads out those loads and keeps you running.

Who is this for?

  • Runners who are frequently injured and are fed up with simply treating the symptoms. We aim to discover and fix the underlying reasons behind injuries such as Runner’s Knee, ITB Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Shin Splints, Back Pain, Calf and Hamstring Pains.

  • Runners who want to minimise their chances of getting injured as they train for their big event.

Does this help performance?

You will only achieve high performance through consistent training, and nothing affects performance like getting injured and having to rest up. If we can help you to reduce your chances of getting injured, then you can push on with your training plan and achieve your potential.

It is also likely that fixing any major strength or flexibility deficits will help you to achieve improved performance.

In terms of improving your performance by changing the way you run, the research is not clear. We know there is not one optimum way to run; if there were then all the elites would run in exactly the same way, and a quick look at the leading group in the London Marathon shows us clearly that is not the case. However, there are certain traits common to the most successful runners that we aim to help you integrate into your running.

Common running injuries we treat

  • Runners knee

  • Shin splints

  • Achilles tendinopathy/ tendinitis

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Calf strain

  • Peroneal tendinopathy

  • IT Band syndrome

  • Stress fractures

  • Hamstring strain

  • Ankle sprain

  • Hip flexor strain

  • & many more……..

Ready to Book a Runners MOT?

Only book the Runners MOT if you are in one of these two groups:

  1. You are injured but you can run comfortably

  2. You do not have an injury, and simply want to reduce your chances of getting injured

Did you know?

  • Many running injuries can be classified as overuse injuries, resulting from repetitive stress on tissues such as muscles, tendons, or bones.

  • Rapidly increasing mileage, intensity, or frequency of runs without proper progression is a common factor in running injuries. To avoid getting hurt, it’s important to increase your running distance, speed, and how often you run gradually and in a way that makes sense for your body.

  • Adequate rest and recovery are integral components of a well-rounded running programme. If you push yourself too hard, too often, without taking enough breaks, you are more likely to get injured.

  • If you feel any pain or discomfort while running, don’t ignore it. Taking care of small problems right away is really important to stop them from getting worse. Pay attention to any pain, swelling, or changes in how you run, and make sure to get help if you need it.