Why Running Injuries Take So Long to Heal (And What Actually Helps)

Over 40% of runners experience an injury each year. One of the most frustrating aspects of a running injury (beyond not running) is the uncertainty: how much time do you need to take off for this injury to fully heal? Why are you still having pain weeks later? In this episode, we explain the science of injury healing and troubleshoot various reasons why your injury may not be healing.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

🔸 Why self-diagnosis can prolong your injury

🔸 How long it takes for PT exercises to help

🔸 The healing timelines of bone, tendon, and muscle injuries

🔸 If ice, NSAIDs, or massage guns accelerate healing

🔸 How to deal with phantom pains

🔸 If your nutrition is delaying your injury healing

Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris. Media kit available to interested sponsors upon request.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like:

🎧 How to Start Running Again After Injury (26 April 2024)

🎧 What Runners Need to Know about Tendinopathy and Tendon Health (with Dr. Alex Nelson) (9 Aug 2024)

🎧 How to Prevent Bone Stress Fractures: Bone Health for Runners with Dr. Nathan Carlson (1 Nov 2024)

References

🔬Kakouris, N., Yener, N., & Fong, D. T. P. (2021). A systematic review of running-related musculoskeletal injuries in runners. Journal of sport and health science, 10(5), 513–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.04.001

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