PRIMUS PHYSIO
Running Injury Treatment

Running Injury Physiotherapy

Expert treatment for shin splints, runner's knee, IT band syndrome, Achilles pain and plantar fasciitis — helping runners in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent get back on the road.

Shin Splints Runner's Knee IT Band Achilles Pain Plantar Fasciitis

Running Injuries We Treat

Running injuries are almost always caused by a combination of training load, movement patterns and strength deficits — not bad luck. The right physiotherapy identifies exactly which factors are driving your pain and creates a plan that lets you recover without stopping running entirely.

Shin splints (MTSS)
Runner's knee (PFPS)
IT band syndrome
Achilles tendinopathy
Plantar fasciitis
Calf strains
Hip flexor strains
Hamstring injuries
Stress fractures
Piriformis syndrome
Glute tendinopathy
Patella tendon pain

Common Running Injuries Explained

Each injury has a different cause and treatment approach. Understanding yours is the first step to getting back to running.

Shin Splints (MTSS)

Pain along the inner shin during or after running. Usually caused by a rapid mileage increase, hard surfaces or weak hip and calf muscles overloading the tibia. Often mistaken for a stress fracture.

Runner's Knee (PFPS)

Aching or sharp pain around the kneecap, typically worse on hills, stairs or after long runs. Linked to poor hip control, quad weakness or foot mechanics — not a structural knee problem in most cases.

IT Band Syndrome

Sharp lateral knee pain that builds during a run and forces you to stop. Caused by hip weakness and altered running mechanics rather than a "tight" IT band. Foam rolling alone rarely fixes it.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Stiffness and pain at the back of the heel, often worst first thing in the morning or early in a run. A very common overuse injury that responds well to progressive loading — not rest.

Plantar Fasciitis

Sharp heel pain, especially with the first steps after rest. Caused by overload of the plantar fascia, often linked to tight calves, poor foot mechanics or a sudden jump in weekly mileage.

Stress Fractures

Localised bone pain that worsens with running and eases with rest. Most common in the tibia, metatarsals and navicular. Needs proper diagnosis and structured return-to-running planning.

Why Running Injuries Occur

Most running injuries share the same underlying causes — which is why generic advice rarely works.

Too much, too soon

The most common cause. Increasing mileage, speed or frequency faster than the body can adapt overloads tendons, bones and muscles before they've had time to strengthen.

Muscle weakness

Weak glutes, hips and calves alter how load is absorbed with every footstrike. This transfers stress to the knee, shin and foot — areas that aren't built to absorb it.

Running mechanics

Overstriding, excessive pelvic drop and poor cadence all increase impact forces. Small changes to technique can dramatically reduce injury risk without slowing you down.

Inadequate recovery

Not enough rest between hard sessions, poor sleep and insufficient fuelling all reduce the body's ability to repair tissue between runs — making injury increasingly likely.

Previous injuries

Old injuries that weren't fully rehabilitated often cause compensatory movement patterns that load other areas. A previous ankle sprain, for example, is a major risk factor for knee and hip problems.

Footwear & surfaces

Worn-out shoes, sudden changes in footwear or always running on the same cambered road surface all alter the forces through the leg. Worth assessing but rarely the sole cause.

How We Treat Running Injuries

Treatment is built around keeping you running where possible — not just telling you to rest.

Full running assessment

We assess your injury, movement quality, training history and load — not just where it hurts. This is what allows us to find the root cause rather than treat the symptom.

Hands-on treatment for pain relief

Manual therapy, soft tissue work and joint mobilisation to reduce pain and restore movement quickly so you can start loading the injured area sooner.

Strength rehabilitation

Progressive loading programmes targeting the glutes, hips, calves and foot — the key muscle groups that protect every runner from injury. Evidence-based and specific to your injury.

Running technique guidance

Where technique is contributing to your injury, we'll identify the relevant factors and give you practical cues to make changes — without rebuilding your entire gait from scratch.

Structured return-to-running plan

A clear, progressive plan that tells you exactly how much to run, when to progress and when to pull back. Takes the guesswork out of returning to training after injury.

Injury prevention strategies

Addressing the underlying causes means you don't just recover from this injury — you reduce the chance of the next one. Training load advice, strength work and long-term planning included.

How Return-to-Running Works

Returning to running too fast is how most runners get re-injured. Our approach is structured, evidence-based and keeps you moving throughout.

1

Reduce pain

Hands-on treatment settles the injury while you maintain fitness through cross-training (cycling, swimming, pool running).

2

Build strength

Targeted rehab exercises address the underlying weakness or imbalance driving the injury, so your body is ready for running load.

3

Gradual return

Walk-to-run intervals progressing to easy running, then building volume and intensity at a pace the injury can tolerate.

4

Full training

Return to full mileage, speed work and races with a long-term strength plan in place to prevent the injury from coming back.

Who We Help

From complete beginners to marathon runners — if running is part of your life and an injury is getting in the way, we can help.

Parkrun regulars
Half marathon runners
Marathon runners
Couch to 5K beginners
Trail runners
Gym runners / treadmill
Runners returning from injury
Multi-sport athletes

What Runners Say

★★★★★

"Luqman provided an excellent physio service. I completed my half marathon almost pain free after treatment. Highly recommended."

— Gary
★★★★★

"I woke one morning and couldn't walk on my foot. Luqman knew instantly what it was, gave me exercises and I have never had any issues since. I would highly recommend."

— Lyndsey Edwards
★★★★★

"Helped me recover safely and return to activity. Explained everything clearly throughout."

— Nic

Running Injury FAQs

Should I stop running when I have a running injury? +
Not necessarily. Complete rest often delays recovery. In most cases, running can continue at a reduced load while treatment addresses the root cause. Your physiotherapist will advise on the right level of activity for your specific injury and stage of recovery.
How long does it take to recover from a running injury? +
Recovery varies by injury. Shin splints may improve in 2–4 weeks with the right treatment. Achilles tendinopathy and IT band syndrome typically take 6–10 weeks. Stress fractures can take 8–12 weeks. Early physiotherapy consistently leads to faster return to running than rest alone.
Can physio help IT band syndrome? +
Yes — IT band syndrome responds very well to physiotherapy. The key is addressing the hip and glute weakness that drives the problem, not just foam rolling the IT band itself. A structured strengthening programme is far more effective than stretching alone.
What causes shin splints and how are they treated? +
Shin splints (MTSS) are caused by overload of the tibia, usually from a rapid mileage increase, hard surfaces or weakness in the calf and hip muscles. Treatment focuses on load management, strengthening and a gradual return to running.
Can I run with Achilles tendinopathy? +
In many cases yes — with appropriate load modification. Achilles tendinopathy actually responds better to progressive loading than rest. Your physiotherapist will prescribe a specific loading programme and advise on how much running you can maintain during recovery.
Will you look at my running technique? +
Yes — where technique is contributing to your injury, we'll assess relevant factors and give you practical cues to make helpful changes. This doesn't mean completely rebuilding your gait — small, targeted adjustments are usually all that's needed.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio for a running injury? +
No — you can book directly at Primus Physio without a GP referral and often be seen within the same week, including evenings and weekends.
I have a race coming up — can you help me recover in time? +
We'll be honest with you about what's realistic based on your injury and how far away your race is. In many cases we can significantly reduce your pain and get you to the start line. Book as early as possible to give yourself the best chance.
Ready to get back running?

Book Your Running Injury Assessment

Same-week appointments in Newcastle-under-Lyme. No GP referral needed.

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