NewYork-Presbyterian Physicians Offers Advice to Runners
WHO:Dr. William Levine, director of sports medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center; vice chairman and professor of orthopaedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; and Head Team Physician for Columbia University
Dr. Christopher Visco, sports medicine rehabilitation physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Runner's knee, shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis -- these are the last words any runner wants to hear. Whether running a marathon or a five-mile loop in the park, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center physicians Dr. William Levine and Dr. Christopher Visco offer six important steps to prevent painful and debilitating injuries.
1. Don't go beyond your fitness level. Gradual training is essential. If you aren't ready to run 26.2 miles, don't try a marathon. The same goes for half marathons and other distances.
2. Have a training schedule. There are many schedules available to gradually increase your mileage. Slowly and progressively increase mileage.
3. Listen to you body. If you feel sore, fatigued or have pain, you may need to rest. If the pain persists, see a medical professional. Most injuries occur when fatigued, and at the end of a run. Running with an injury may worsen it or lead to a secondary injury.
4. Warm up, cool down and stretch. Do some light jogging before and after you finish your run. It's also important to stretch after running.
5. Wear good running shoes. When doing a longer run like the marathon, wear shoes that are broken in but don't have more than 400 miles of wear.
6. Taper before the race. Take it easy in the week leading up to a big race like the marathon.
Office of Public AffairsNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center627 West 165th StreetNew York, NY 10032
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