Running Injuries and Physical Therapy in Culver City
There's nothing like the rhythm of your feet on the pavement... until that familiar twinge starts. For runners, pain isn't just a nuisance; it's a roadblock that can steal the joy and freedom running provides. If you're a runner in Culver City dealing with lower body pain, tightness, or repeated injuries that just won't quit, Victory Performance and Physical Therapy is here to help. We specialize in treating runners with customized, research-based physical therapy designed to keep you moving and training effectively.
Whether you’re preparing for your next race or just trying to get through daily runs without pain, understanding the most common running injuries—and how to address and prevent them—is key to staying in the game.
Common Running Injuries We Treat
At Victory, we’ve worked with marathoners, sprinters, high school athletes, and weekend warriors. These are some of the most frequent injuries we see in our Culver City runners:
Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome): Often caused by muscle imbalances or poor hip control that leads to improper tracking of the kneecap.
IT Band Syndrome: Pain on the outside of the knee, often triggered by overuse or downhill running.
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Common with increased mileage or poor foot mechanics.
Achilles Tendinopathy: Usually caused by training errors, poor calf flexibility, or faulty biomechanics.
Hamstring Strains: Often related to overstriding or lack of glute control.
Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation at the bottom of the foot that flares up with high mileage or poor foot support.
Stress Fractures: Repetitive impact injuries, often due to increased training volume without enough recovery.
Low Back Pain from Core Weakness or Pelvic Instability: Frequently overlooked in runners who focus only on legs.
These conditions don’t just slow you down—they can sideline you altogether if not addressed correctly and early.
Why Do Runners Get Injured?
Running injuries are rarely the result of one bad step. They build up over time due to training loads, strength deficits, and inefficient mechanics. Some of the most common contributing factors include:
Training Load Errors: Increasing mileage or intensity too quickly, or not including enough rest days.
Poor Shock Absorption: Weak hips and core can’t adequately absorb impact, transferring stress to knees, shins, and feet.
Tightness or Limited Mobility: Stiff calves, hips, or hamstrings alter your gait and increase strain.
Gait Asymmetries: Subtle imbalances can cause one side of your body to compensate, leading to overuse.
Inadequate Warm-Ups or Recovery: Skipping activation drills, dynamic warmups, or cooldowns affects performance and tissue health.
How Physical Therapy Helps Runners Heal and Perform
At Victory Performance and Physical Therapy, we don’t just treat pain—we look for the root cause. Every runner goes through a customized evaluation that guides a comprehensive treatment and return-to-run plan. Our approach includes:
Biomechanical & Movement Analysis
We assess how your body moves both statically and dynamically. This includes joint mobility, running gait, single-leg control, and more.Strength & Stability Training
We build strength where runners need it most—glutes, hips, core, and lower legs. Our programs are tailored to your goals, whether you’re racing a 10K or building a marathon base.Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is available on-site to help runners recover from chronic soft tissue injuries like Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis. This non-invasive modality promotes circulation and accelerates tissue healing.Manual Therapy
Techniques such as joint mobilization, myofascial release, and soft tissue work help restore mobility and reduce pain.Return-to-Run Progressions
We help you reintroduce running gradually, ensuring proper form, cadence, and load management with every step.Recovery & Performance Support
We offer sports massage, compression boots, and individualized recovery plans to improve tissue resilience and reduce inflammation.
Training through pain is not your only option. Call 424-543-4336 today to schedule a personalized evaluation with our running specialists in Culver City. Let’s get you back to doing what you love—safely and stronger than before.
Real Runners. Real Results.
Many of our runners come in with injuries just weeks before major races—and leave with a renewed sense of control, strength, and confidence.
Emily V., a Culver City runner, came to Victory less than two weeks before the LA Marathon with a painful hip injury.
“They got me feeling good enough to run the whole thing—and BQ! Everyone was so helpful and supportive, even cheering me on during the race. Amazing team.”Taylor M. sprained his ankle just two weeks before the same marathon.
“I wouldn’t have even made it to the start line without them. They gave me daily exercises and worked with me every step of the way. I can’t recommend Victory highly enough.”
We’re proud to be the team that Culver City’s runners trust—whether they’re chasing a PR or just trying to run pain-free again.
Don't just take our word for it – see what runners are saying about their experience at Victory Performance and Physical Therapy right now
How to Know When to See a Physical Therapist
You don’t need to wait for an injury to become severe to benefit from physical therapy. In fact, the sooner you intervene, the better your outcomes.
You should schedule an evaluation if:
Pain persists for more than a few days, even if mild
Discomfort consistently appears at a specific mileage or effort level
You notice a change in form, such as limping, hitching, or compensation
You’ve had a previous injury and feel like it’s creeping back
Early treatment not only speeds up recovery—it reduces the likelihood of recurrence.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Here's what we coach every runner on to stay ahead of pain. For a deeper dive into evidence-based injury prevention, read our complete guide to preventing running injuries, which covers research-backed strategies for training load management, strength programming, and gait optimization.
Key prevention principles include:"
Respect Your Recovery: Tissue adaptation requires time. Sleep, nutrition, and load management matter as much as your workouts.
Build Strength Year-Round: Runners who strength train reduce their injury risk by over 50% according to recent research.
Warm Up Right: Leg swings, skips, lunges, and glute activation drills should be part of every run prep.
Vary Your Terrain and Pace: Mix in trails or grass, avoid repetitive overstriding, and rotate shoes when possible.
Know the Early Signs: If you feel an ache that keeps showing up, get it checked before it becomes something worse.
Why Runners in Culver City Choose Victory
Victory Performance and Physical Therapy was built with performance in mind. Since 2015, we’ve helped thousands of local athletes—from first-time 5K participants to seasoned marathoners—reach their goals. Our team includes sports-specialized therapists, access to advanced recovery tools, and a facility that feels more like a high-level training studio than a medical office.
We know runners. We treat runners. And we help them win the long game.
If you’re a runner dealing with pain, injury, or performance plateaus, Victory Performance and Physical Therapy in Culver City is here to help.
Call 424-543-4336 or book online now to take the first step toward lasting recovery and stronger miles.
