This guide has been born out of our 16 years experience in working with and treating runners’ aches, pains and injuries. We’ve seen the lot, from those just starting the sport to those gunning for the Olympics. We’ve seen some very obvious patterns in the contributing factors to runners’ injuries.

These exercises and stretches are designed to help you avoid the same mistakes so many other runners make. They address issues at their root cause and will be more effective than a change of trainers. If you’d like to discuss any of the exercises or you have an injury or niggle you are concerned about then please give us a call on.

Running Physio Brighton Lumbar Extension

  • 1. Lumbar Extension

    This stretch is a super charged hip flexor stretch. It stretches the hip flexors and the muscles that affect their function. This will help with making your quads feel less heavy when you’re running . Ideally this should be performed over the back of a Swiss Ball but if you don’t have one you can use the back of the sofa or edge of a bed. Simply arch backwards over the Swiss ball (or whatever you are using) and let the arms and legs hang in a relaxed fashion. You should feel a stretch through your stomach. You may get a sensation in your back also. So long as this is not painful carry on. Hold for a minimum of one minute. Longer if you can cope with all the blood rushing to your head! Good for knee issues.

Running Physio Brighton Single Leg Raise

  • 2. Single Leg Raise

    Lay on your back as shown in the picture with one leg straight and one leg bent. Use your core muscles to push the arch of your back flat against the floor. Place a hand under the side of the back to make sure there is constant downwards pressure. Whilst maintaining the downward pressure lift one heel about six inches off the floor. Hold for about 3o seconds and then put it back to the floor. If you can, maintain the same pressure onto your hand under your back and repeat on the other side. If you found the first bit really hard have a breather first! Repeat 3 times on each side. This will improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.

Running Physio Brigthton Half Moon

  • 3. Half Moon

    Another great one for those who struggle with tight quads or knee pain. When the quads are doing too much work your obliques on the same side will tighten. To avoid this stand upright with your hands above your head. From this position bend over to the side as shown – making a half moon shape. You may feel the stretch anywhere along the outside of your body. If you feel a compressive sensation on the side to which you bending then try the other way first and see if that eases the compression. Hold each stretch for a minute on each side.

Running Physio Brighton Quad Stretch

  • 4. Quad Stretch with Pelvic Tilt

    Just a little tweak on an old favourite to make it more effective and tie in the other hip flexors. Pull the foot up behind the back side as shown in the picture to get to the point where you start to feel a stretch in the quads. From there push the pelvis up and out, like a pelvic thrust, and this should increase the stretch through the quadriceps and in the hip region. Great for tight quads and knee pain.

Running Physio Brighton Quad Extension

  • 5. Quad Extension

    A progression on from the last exercise. Some people are more flexible than others so the previous stretch may not have quite hit the spot. This not only stretches the quads but also the muscles which work with the quads to affect their efficiency. Start by sitting on your heels on the floor. Reach your hands out behind you to open up your pelvis and place your hands flat on the floor behind you. If you need to increase the stretch push the pelvis upwards until the stomach is flat, as shown.

Running Physio Brighton Hamstring Stretch

  • 6. Hamstring Stretch

    A fairly standard stretch with a twist to make it more effective. Start by placing the foot on something about table height – flexible people will need something higher, the inflexible will need something lower. When the foot is up on the table in front of you lean forwards with your upper body to bring the stretch on. This is basic standard stretch I’m sure you’ve seen and used many times before. Come back up to upright. This time rotate the foot outwards and then lean in again. You will feel the stretch in a slightly different place – it may tighter, it may be looser. Come back to upright. Then rotate the foot inwards and repeat. Find out which stretch is ‘hitting the spot’ best for you and focus on that one.

Running Physio Brighton Neck Stretch

  • 7. Neck Stretch

    Some runners run a little bit too tense which can result in getting a tight neck and shoulders. Biomechanically this has a knock on affect and can affect your hamstring length and glute strength. Simply stand and bow your head and apply over pressure with your hand downwards. You should feel a stretch at the back of your neck. You may even feel the stretch spreading lower down your back. Hold for about a minute and repeat a couple of times.

Running Physio Calf Stretch

  • 8. Calf Stretches

    The standard stretch is to lean against a wall, take your leg out behind. Whilst keeping the heel down, lock your knee straight and this will stretch your calf. From this position bring the foot slightly forward – turn the toes inwards slightly and bend at the knee.

Running Physio Brighton Peronal Stretch1

  • 9. Glutes Stretch

    Sit on the floor with one leg out straight in front of you and bring your opposite foot across your thigh just above the knee and put the foot flat down – as shown in the picture. From here hug the knee that is up into the opposite shoulder. You should feel a stretch in your glutes. If you wish to increase the stretch rotate your torso to the same side you are stretching. Tight glutes limit the amount of force you can generate as part of the push off phase of running and so affect your performance. Equally if the glutes are tight the hamstrings and calves will compensate and so lead to tightness and potential issues as a result.

Running Physio Brighton Peronal Stretch1

  • 10. Peroneal

    These are the muscles on the outside of your shin which help with balance. If you have flat feet these will be tight. Support yourself against a wall. Roll your foot outwards slightly (i.e. hold the inside of your foot in the air) Now push your knee forwards (front leg shown in picture) whilst keeping the weight on the outside of the foot. This should stretch around the outside of the ankle and into the muscles on the outside of your shin.

Running Physio Brighton Adductor Stretch 2

  • 11. Adductor Stretch

    Good balance between the adductor group and the hip abductors (glutes) is key for pelvic, knee and ankle stability. It also has a profound effect on the femoral nerve (the nerve that gives sensation in the knee) and so is great for anyone with tight quads and also those with niggles in the knees. To start lift the leg on a table as in the hamstring stretch above and as shown in the picture. This time rotate the foot inwards completely so your inside ankle bone is on the couch. Now drop down by bending the leg you are standing on to increase the stretch to a suitable level.


If having done these exercises you’ve realised you have more pain than you thought, or you’ve been putting off getting an old injury or ache seen then give us a call now at Brighton Sports Therapy and we’ll show you how you can not only enjoy running pain free but improve your performance with absolutely no effort on your part! Call

We hope you found this guide useful. If you have any thoughts or questions about the advice please add it to the comments section below. This list is not designed to be exhaustive but reflects the exercises that we’ve found to be the most useful to our running client in our 16 years in practice.

Contact Us

Call us now 01273 921831

I’m a London based Physiotherapist who drives down to Brighton for treatment sessions. Enough said!

KF

I thought physiotherapists would just look at the symptom and not seek the deeper cause, but Brighton Sports Therapy’s holistic approach was a detailed analysis of how one stands in the world and how one finds their feet in the world. Life will affect us on many levels and these guys are trained to go through physical and psychological events that manifest in physical injury.

SH

I first went to see Brighton Sports Therapy about a calf injury. It soon became obvious this was going to be a life changing discovery. The holistic assessment and treatment has really helped me to improve my fitness and health. An old serious leg injury that every other physio has advised was hopelessly damaged is now much improved and I have a much more mobile ankle. I have made and continue to make progress and learning about my physical health has helped me identify the stressors in my life I need to change to become healthier and happier.

Kaz

Having been to several physio’s over the years I was pleasantly surprised to find that the approach undertaken was more holistic in nature and went above and beyond what I have experienced in treatments previously. For my injury, this involved looking beneath the initial symptoms and delving into both physical and emotional stresses that may have also played their part. The 90 minute appointment system works so much better than a typical appointment as it allows the therapist to work really deeply on the issues, working in harmony with your body rather than providing a textbook treatment.

DD

After having over 10 years of knee pain and seeking so many different types of therapy, I was resigned to the fact I was always going to be restricted in my choices of ways to train, always fearfully avoiding certain exercises and being constantly aware of the niggling pain. I’m so grateful BST got recommended to me. Their alternative approach has given me a new lease of life. I am running with no pain again, have more energy and a much more fearless mindset . Thanks so much.

NM

Brighton Sports Therapy have been a massive help through a difficult time with my complex and historical back problems. Their approach is holistic, connecting mind, body and spirit. His work helped me to recover and find new ways to deal with future back problems and look at the underlying cause. I would highly recommend them for both help with physical and emotional issues and will be sure to go back to them in the future should I require treatment.

CR

I contacted Brighton Sports Therapy because I have RSI and didn’t feel in control of it. It has literally changed my life. They have a wonderfully kind and holistic approach – helping me to be more aware of how stress affects my body and teaching me techniques to manage it mentally and physically.

TE

Brighton Sports Therapy fixed a long term problem in spite of me being a useless patient who doesn’t even know what a squat is. Don’t let the name fool you, they also help lazy idiots!

TC

Everyone at this physiotherapy clinic is fantastic. I have nothing but praise for these therapists. If you are in need of physiotherapy this is a place you simply must go to.

FD

Disclaimer: The testimonials above are the opinion of a few of our clients. Results to treatment cannot be guaranteed. We can guarantee we’ll be doing everything we can get you back to your best ASAP.

Get the newsletter