How To Run With Proper Form

Here at Revelation Chiropractic in Fort Collins, many of the patients that we adjust are experiencing neck or back pain from poor posture. Posture is vital to spinal health, and in today’s blog post we’ll be focusing specifically on running posture.

If you are a runner, chiropractic care is a great way to support your training. However, in order to maintain the benefits you gain from visiting a chiropractor, you must run with proper form. Continue reading to learn more and if you’re in need of an adjustment, schedule an appointment with our Fort Collins chiropractor. If you’re a new patient, we offer a new patient special — learn more.

Proper Running Posture

Just as you should sit up straight and maintain good posture while sitting, maintaining a relaxed, upright posture is essential to proper running posture. Running with proper form helps reduce tension and strain in the neck and shoulder, preventing fatigue and allowing you to run further distances more comfortably.

Hold Head High

While it’s tempting to lean forward while running, you should hold your head high, centered between your shoulders. Imagine a straight line running through your body from the top of your head down through your torso.

Focus Gaze

Focus your gaze about 30 to 40 yards in front of you. Doing so makes it easier to hold your head up and reduces the strain on neck muscles and your spine.

Relax Jaw

When you’re doing intense physical exercise like running, it can be tempting to clench your jaw. However, holding tension in your face and neck leads to tension in other parts of your body, like your back, leading to back pain.

Relax Shoulders

Try to keep your shoulders parallel to the ground. Don’t pull your shoulders back or roll them forward. Your shoulders should relax and hang loosely. If you tend to hunch your shoulders while you run, just remember to shake out your arms several times during your run. This will loosen tension and help you build better habits.

Cup Your Hands

Your hands are an important part of running posture! When you run, pretend that you’re holding an egg. This will keep you from tensing your writes and hands, but also prevent you from having floppy hands.

Foot Strike

There’s a lot of debate about the best form for when your foot hits the ground. As long as your foot strikes directly below your center of gravity (and not too far ahead) you should be fine.

Revelation Chiropractic – Fort Collins

If you’re a runner in need of a chiropractic adjustment, schedule an appointment today!

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