How to Fix the Root Cause of Your Running Injury (Not Just the Pain)
- Colin O'Banion, DPT
- Jan 8
- 4 min read
If you're a runner in Boulder dealing with nagging pain that just won't go away—even after stretching, foam rolling, or taking time off—you're not alone. From hamstring strains and plantar fasciitis to hip or low back pain, recurring injuries are a frustrating part of the running journey for many. But there's a smarter way to solve them.
At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, I focus on identifying and treating the root cause of your running pain, not just the symptoms.
In working with a number of high level Boulder runners in recent years I've developed a Running Assessment & Injury Treatment protocol to help my clients recover from the injuries that are preventing them from reaching their running goals.
Why Running Injuries Keep Coming Back
Most running injuries don’t result from a single bad step. They develop over time, often due to how your body handles the repetitive forces of running. Each foot strike requires your body to absorb and redirect force efficiently. When key muscles aren’t working well, others compensate, which leads to overuse and eventually pain.
This is especially common in:
Hamstring or glute strains
IT band and knee pain
Plantar fasciitis or Achilles issues
SI joint and low back pain
Many treatments focus only on relieving symptoms. Painkillers, ice, stretching, or even generic physical therapy can provide temporary relief, but the pain usually returns once you resume running. That’s because these approaches don’t address the underlying cause.
Pain Isn’t the Problem—It’s a Symptom
Here’s something most runners don’t hear: the area that hurts is rarely where the problem starts.
Take hamstring pain, for example. It’s often not caused by a weak hamstring, but by poor stabilization from the glutes or core, forcing the hamstring to take on too much work.
I don’t settle for symptom management. I dig deeper to find and correct the actual dysfunction.
The Real Fix: Uncovering Movement Dysfunction
My process starts with a runner-specific evaluation to see how your body handles load, absorbs shock, and transfers force. We examine everything from stride mechanics and joint mobility to muscle activation and symmetry.
Common issues we uncover include:
Underperforming glutes, hip rotators, or core
Dominant quads, TFL, or adductors
Limited ankle or thoracic mobility
Asymmetrical loading between legs
Inefficient force absorption at foot strike
These subtle problems often go unnoticed in standard PT, but they can lead to major setbacks if left unchecked.
What a Runner-Specific Assessment Looks Like
The Running Assessment & Injury Treatment includes:
Gait and stride analysis
Functional movement and strength testing
Stability and force-absorption evaluation
Muscle activation sequencing
Mobility and flexibility testing
Identification of compensations and imbalances
To complement our movement-focused work, we also use a variety of hands-on and technology-assisted modalities. These may include Shockwave Therapy, dry needling with E-stim, NeuX neuromuscular stimulation, and expert manual therapy. Each is chosen based on your unique presentation to enhance mobility, reduce pain, and support more effective movement retraining.
Of these options, Shockwave Therapy has become a standout tool—especially for runners. It’s one of the most sought-after treatments in with my clients because of how effectively it breaks up scar tissue, promotes circulation, and stimulates tendon healing. Read more about how effective shockwave therapy can be for hamstring pain here.
For chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinosis, or stubborn hamstring strains, runners often experience faster pain relief and improved function with shockwave therapy, allowing them to return to training with confidence.
The 3-Phase Rehab Framework for Lasting Results
Instead of temporary fixes, we focus on helping your body perform better with every step.
Here’s how:
Phase 1: Activation & Stability
We identify muscles that aren’t doing their job—especially glutes, core, and foot muscles—and restore their proper activation. This builds a stable foundation for movement.
Phase 2: Functional Strength & Integration
Dynamic strength exercises reinforce the new movement patterns, helping your body adapt to the demands of running.
Phase 3: Plyometrics & Return to Run
Running is a repetitive, high-force activity. We train your body to handle impact and transition smoothly back into mileage without setbacks.
Throughout this process, we integrate Shockwave Therapy, dry needling with E-stim, and NeuX neuromuscular stimulation to accelerate healing and enhance muscle function.
How to Get Started with a Running Evaluation in Boulder
If you’re tired of temporary solutions and ready to take control of your running health, I'm here to help. At Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy, you’ll receive focused, one-on-one care with a plan tailored to how you move and train.
Book your Running Assessment & Injury Treatment to get:
Expert movement and gait analysis
Advanced modalities like Shockwave Therapy
A clear, structured plan for long-term performance and pain relief
How to Connect with Me:
Colin O’Banion, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Colin is a licensed Physical Therapist and founder of Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy in Boulder, Colorado. With 20 years of experience, he specializes in solving complex and chronic pain cases through a root-cause, integrative approach. Colin combines advanced manual therapy, shockwave therapy, dry needling, and movement re-education to help clients return to the activities they love. His one-on-one practice is dedicated to clients seeking lasting solutions when traditional PT has fallen short.
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