Run-physio

Running specialist mobile physiotherapist and training adviser. Southampton based.

17/02/2026

When runners have pain, they often reach for ibuprofen or similar. But these are anti-inflammatories and inflammation is the body's natural way of healing so should we be interfering with this process? Or indeed, should we ice? All highly debatable!

21/01/2026

The other day, doing 800m road intervals, my Garmin watch broke and is irreparable. I am in no hurry to replace it, being quite happy to use a basic Casio stopwatch. Which got me wondering as to how useful (and accurate) is the data we get from such watches. For example, I can manually take my resting heart rate, giving me a snapshot of my state of health, fitness and recovery rather than using HRV.

07/01/2026

Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common running injuries, especially in the older runner. But this is an umbrella term and differential diagnosis is essential to get the correct treatment plan in place. For example, if it's more of an insertional nature, the classic heel raise/drop exercise on a step is likely to aggravate it. If in doubt, get it checked out.

06/12/2025

Funny how things change. Most people still ice after an acute injury such as an ankle sprain, hence the PRICE acronym (the medical world loves acronyms!). But this later became POLICE which added optimal loading to the protocol. But hang on, this has now been superseded by PEACE & LOVE. Of note, the A is for Avoiding ice and anti-inflammatories. An inflammatory reaction to an injury is a process to aid healing, so why suppress it?

12/11/2025

Interval training on the track last night in Wi******er, 6x800m with some other WADAC runners. Aim was to be about 5K pace or quicker. Wet and windy so hard but valuable session!

29/10/2025

Read a case study from another physio who treated a runner with PFP (runner's knee).She had initially been told by a Dr to give up running (!) as she had chondromalacia patellae (now that's an outdated term!). Subsequent strength training with a physio did not help but this other physio instead focused on increasing her cadence (she was overstriding). Starting on a treadmill and then progressing to road running she was able to run 5K with no pain in 3 months.
This condition is difficult to treat but does not mean you have to give up running, but it does require perseverance and the right approach.

24/09/2025

It's that time of the year when colds are spreading, but should we run with a cold? I am just recovering from a cold and didn't run for 5 days. My resting pulse was 20 beats above normal, I was feverish, not sleeping and it had started to go to my chest. All good reasons not to run, not that I felt like it! After training for 40 years, 5 days missed is nothing and now I am really looking forward to today's run. I have read of runners training through colds and getting serious heart problems, so don't!

11/09/2025

Down the track the other evening doing 200m intervals with the sprint group. Good to work on speed as well as endurance, especially as we get older. The late great coach Frank Horwill came up with the 4 second rule - based on your best 400m sprint time, it can be predicted what your potential is at the longer distances. Without basic speed, we will always be limited.

01/09/2025

Good to have variety in your running training, not only for performance but it may reduce risk of injury. So last Saturday it was sprint intervals on the track with clubmates and then an easy 8 miler off road with the coach and others. Back on the track tomorrow, 9x300m. Can't wait!

12/08/2025

I do like shoes that are actually foot shaped so that they have a wide toe box to let the toes spread and function how they should. To the left is a typical racing shoe with tapered toe box, whilst to the right a much more comfortable racing shoe!

05/08/2025

I saw some research recently indicating that plantar fasciitis can be improved by running barefoot on grass!

30/07/2025

Does strength training reduce the risk of running injuries? Possibly. Research is on going but it's probably more important for the older runner. I am currently helping a fellow physio who is doing a PhD on the subject so we should know more soon! But we know it can improve performance.

Address

Vokes Close
Southampton
SO198BN

Telephone

+447944022438

Website

http://www.run-physio.co.uk/

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