Running and chiropractic care
Chiropractic care for runners is about how your body handles the miles: how your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back move under load, and where something has stopped moving the way it should. At The Shift Chiropractic in Downtown Oakland, both doctors see runners, and Dr. Irina’s focus is shifting to the extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle and foot), which is where many running complaints show up.
What an assessment for runners looks at
- Your running history, and what changed recently: mileage, shoes, surface or a new race on the calendar
- How each foot, ankle, knee and hip moves, one side compared with the other
- How your pelvis and lower back move, especially if you sit for most of the day
- Old sprains that changed how you land
- What happens off the run: desk hours, sleep position and how you carry your bag
Care is hands-on and specific: adjustments where joints are restricted, soft-tissue work where muscles are guarding, and a short list of drills or strength work to do between visits. Dr. Ben is a Foundation Training facilitator and often uses those exercises.
Common running complaints we see
- Irritation on the outside of the knee from the IT band
- An ankle sprain that never felt quite right afterward
- Tight hip flexors and a stiff lower back, especially in runners who sit all day
- Shin and foot complaints after a jump in mileage
If something points to a stress fracture, or anything else that needs imaging or a medical doctor, we’ll say so and refer you.
Running the loop around Lake Merritt?
The office at 8th and Broadway is about a 12-minute walk from Lake Merritt BART. Dr. Ben is in early on Tuesday and Thursday (from 7:30 am) and on Saturday mornings; Dr. Irina is in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Same-day appointments are often available — a doctor is in the office six days a week.
Training and recovery
Training for a 5K or a marathon puts a lot of repetitions through the same joints. Chiropractic care can be part of how you look after your body between training blocks. How often you come is your choice: some runners come in for one problem, others check in before a race season.
For more, see sports chiropractic in Oakland and care for the shoulder, knee, ankle and foot.
