At MoveMed Physiotherapy, we are proud to offer individualized running assessments as a specialized physiotherapy service.

What is a Running Assessment?

Running assessments are 1-on-1 physiotherapy appointments that last one hour and include:

• A review of your running history, training habits, any previous/current running injuries, and your running goals

• Movement screen: An assessment of how you move in general, and potentially a closer look at specific joints depending on your history

• Running gait analysis: Your physiotherapist will take high-definition videos of you running on a treadmill (or at the track, trails, or road upon request!) and will analyze your running technique. During this appointment, your physiotherapist will show you frame-by-frame reviews and make recommendations on the spot that you can try in the clinic. Video analysis will be repeated following your physiotherapist’s recommendations to see how you responded

• Treatment plan: During your appointment, a personalized treatment plan will be created for you based on your running assessment. Recommendations can include changes to running technique, advice on proper training, finding the best shoes for you, and individualized strength exercises.

  (Gait analysis videos and a written treatment plan will be sent to you after your appointment).

Should You Get a Running Assessment?

A running assessment may be useful for you if:

• You are new to running: Hit the ground running with healthy running habits from the get go. We’ll give you tips on running technique and how to train safely without getting injured.

• You’re an injured runner: If you have an injury, you may benefit from slight changes to your running technique and/or footwear to shift loads away from the irritated structure(s),

• You’re a postpartum runner struggling to get back into it: Our co-founder Bea Francisco is a pelvic health physiotherapist who also specializes in running, and can give you individualized recommendations to help you with your return to running postpartum.

• You’re a master’s athlete with joint pain or osteoarthritis: Did you know that the latest science actually shows that running can be protective for joint health? Our co-founder JF Esculier, PT PhD has clinical and research expertise in this topic, and has a unique skillset to help master’s runners with joint pain or osteoarthritis get back to running safely.

• You’re a runner or triathlete who wants to perform better: There are different ways to improve running economy (how much energy you spend to maintain a certain speed), and an assessment can help identify which method might be best for you!

 A running assessment might not be the best use of your time if you’re an experienced runner, you’re not injured, and you don’t care about performance. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Note: Our running assessments are a specialized physiotherapy assessment, so may be covered by your extended health benefits. We offer direct billing to most insurance companies.

Blog Post Written by co-founder and physiotherapist, Bea Francisco, BKin, MSc, MPT