HOW LONG DO RUNNING INJURIES TAKE TO HEAL?

 

Whether you're an experienced runner or just starting out, running injuries can be frustrating and disrupt your training routine. But understanding the healing process for running injuries can help you manage your expectations and facilitate a safe and efficient recovery.

If you haven’t discovered from personal experience by now, recovering from a running injury is a very individual journey. It would be great if we could write a blog laying out common running injuries and telling you the exact time that they take to heal, but that simply isn’t possible - this is because all our bodies are different, our day to day lives are different, and so are our training environments and approaches to rehab.

However, knowing what impacts your healing time can help you get back to running after injury in a healthy and sustainable way.

What affects the healing time OF a running injury?

PERSONAL FACTORS

Firstly we can’t underestimate our previous behaviours when it comes to injury recovery, as your body will respond at different speeds as a result. The rate at which our running injuries take to heal will be significantly affected by:

  • Previous injury history (old injuries and how well they were rehabilitated)

  • Your level of activity and sports growing up

  • Previous and current level of Strength & Conditioning

  • Whether you are trained or just a beginner in your sport


Your level of strength and conditioning at the time of injury will have a big impact on your recovery timeline.

INJURY FACTORS

Now we can look at the actual injury characteristics and how this will affect recovery. This includes but isn’t limited to:

  • Severity of the injury: Mild running injuries tend to heal faster than more severe ones

  • Individual factors: Age, overall health, nutrition etc

  • How quickly you seek professional medical guidance following the injury, and whether you receive a correct diagnosis

  • Adherence to treatment: Consistently following a prescribed treatment plan and allowing for sufficient rest are crucial for optimal recovery

What are other contributing factors that could be holding you back? Do you have a good relationship with your nutrition? What do your recovery habits look like? Are you able to integrate new behaviours and routines?


How to prevent running injuries

Lastly, we cannot ignore the fact that ‘prevention is always better than cure’. If we can minimise the risk of getting running injuries in the first place, how much easier would that be!

Don’t forget these important injury prevention methods:

  • Gradually increase running intensity and mileage

  • Incorporate strength training and cross-training exercises into your routine

  • Wear proper running footwear and replace worn-out shoes regularly

  • Practice good running form and listen to your body for any signs of discomfort

Understanding the approximate healing times for common running injuries can help you manage expectations and make informed decisions regarding your recovery.

Remember, everyone's healing process is unique, and seeking professional medical advice is essential for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. By prioritising rest, adhering to treatment protocols, and taking preventive measures, you can minimise the occurrence of running injuries.

Preventing running injuries with strength training

If you’re looking for a way to break the injury cycle and leave running pain behind you, our team of strength training professionals are here to help. We’ve worked with thousands of runners over the years to help them overcome injury and get back to their best.

To see how we could help you do the same, just get in touch today.

 
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