Running Injury Physio
Caringbah, Sutherland Shire
Running injuries can be frustrating, especially when they interrupt training plans, events or long-term goals. Whether you are a recreational runner, park run regular or competitive athlete, proper rehab is essential to prevent ongoing issues.
At Shire Spine & Sport, running injury physiotherapy focuses on accurate diagnosis, structured rehab and safe return to running rather than short-term pain relief.
Common injuries we treat.
We regularly help runners with:
Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)
Shin splints
Achilles tendinopathy
Plantar fasciitis
ITB syndrome
Hamstring and calf injuries
These conditions are common because running places high repetitive stress through the lower limbs, particularly the hips, knees and feet.
Our Return to Play approach for runners.
Being pain free does not always mean you are ready to return to running. Our Return to Play (RTP) programs are designed to guide you through every stage of recovery, from the initial injury through to full training and race readiness.
Our RTP programs involve:
Progressive loading to restore tissue strength and tolerance
Running-specific strength and conditioning
Gradual return to volume, speed and terrain
Ongoing monitoring to reduce reinjury risk
We take a team-based approach, involving physiotherapists and chiropractors as required, all under the one roof. This allows each phase of rehab to be guided by the most appropriate practitioner for your needs.
We have experience working with runners across a wide range of levels, helping them return to running confidently and sustainably.
When should you see a running physio?
Pain lasting longer than one week
Recurrent running injuries
Pain that worsens with training
You are returning after time off or injury
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Recovery time depends on the injury type, severity and how early treatment starts.
General guide:
Mild muscle or tendon pain: 2 to 6 weeks
Moderate tendon or muscle injury: 6 to 12 weeks
More complex injuries: 3 months or longer
Your physio will guide your timeline based on progress.
-
We offer a specialised service called Return to Play.
This program takes you from the time you are injured through to full return to sport. We involve different practitioners throughout your rehab journey, all under one roof, helping you return to running stronger while reducing reinjury risk.
-
No referral is required to start treatment. In most cases, you also don’t need scans before your first appointment. We begin with a thorough assessment of your movement, running history, and symptoms to understand what’s going on and what may be contributing to the issue.
At Shire Spine & Sport, scans are only recommended if they’re genuinely needed or would change how your rehab is managed. Our focus is on clear assessment, hands-on treatment, and a structured rehab plan to help you return to running with confidence.
-
If pain is lasting longer than 7 to 10 days, getting worse when you run, or changing how you run, it is a good idea to see a physio. Early treatment can reduce recovery time and help prevent long term injury.
-
Not always. Many running injuries can be managed with modified training rather than complete rest. The key is adjusting load, speed, distance or frequency while addressing the underlying cause of the injury.
-
Some of the most common running injuries include:
Runner’s knee
Shin splints
Achilles tendon pain
Plantar fasciitis
ITB syndrome
These are usually caused by overload, training errors, or strength and movement issues.
Book a running injury physio assessment
Early assessment and structured rehab can significantly reduce downtime and prevent recurring injuries.