Good Luck Ridge Runners!...a blog about over-use knee pain

It is time for the Bridger Ridge Run!...Good Luck Runners!

Gallatin Valley Chiropractic wishes all of the runners the best of luck! For those that don't know, the Bridger Ridge Run is a 20 mile race across the Bridger Mountain range from the Fairy Lake trailhead to the "M" trailhead in Bozeman, MT. 

Trail running many miles through rugged terrain is tough on the body; a considerable amount of training is required.  For trail runners, or any person that is highly active, over-use injuries are common.  One of the most common over-use injuries is patellofemoral pain syndrome or "non-specific knee pain".  Fortunately, this condition can be effectively managed through rehabilitation exercises, targeted stretching, joint manipulation, and other modalities.  

Rehabilitation exercises are very helpful for patellofemoral pain syndrome.  Typically, exercises will target the strengthening hip muscles with a focus on the lateral rotators and the abductors and the muscles of the knee including the quadriceps and hamstring with a focus on VMO.

Stretching is great to follow exercises and should focus on all of the muscles of the hips, knees and ankles. Targeted stretching can be accomplished through a number of manual therapy procedures and foam roller use. Therapeutic yoga that is specific to the knee could be very effective for the stretching and strengthening rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Joint manipulation has been shown in research to be helpful for pain and function in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Both lumbopelvic spinal manipulation and extremity (hip, knee, ankle) manipulation have been shown to be beneficial are a great complement to the treatment plan for patellofemoral pain syndrome. 

At Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, we provide gentle, safe, effective spinal and extremity manipulative therapy also known as and adjustment; we provide physical rehabilitation exercises and stretching, therapeutic yoga, manual therapy stretching, and instructions for home care.  Often, for over-use conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome, other adjunct modalities are provided with care, including: taping, manual therapies, such as, pin and stretch, active and passive release, gua sha (sometimes called Graston or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), myofascial release therapy and, if the condition has become chronic, ultrasound may be an appropriate addition to care.

If you need care, we are here to help. Give Gallatin Valley Chiropractic a call for a free consultation or help with any of your injuries.

406-551-2177