Our articles are not designed to replace medical advice. If you have an injury we recommend seeing a qualified health professional. To book an appointment with Tom Goom (AKA ‘The Running Physio’) visit our clinic page. We offer both in-person assessments and online consultations.
When it comes to building muscle have a host of options available to us. For stronger tendons, we think heavy, slow loading is the way to go. But what about bone? How do we design an exercise programme to improve bone density and strength?
This is a question I ponder regularly, especially when seeing someone with a recurrent bone stress injury (such as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, MTSS). I want to be able to increase their capacity to manage load and impact but without aggravating symptoms. That’s where a bone-loading programme comes in.
Watch our video below to learn about these programmes including the theory behind them, what patients might benefit and how to use them in clinic to facilitate return to sport.
As with any treatment it does need to be based on individual need and safe for the patient. I’d urge caution for those with irritable symptoms or health factors that may influence bone adaptation (such as inadequate nutrition, certain medications, underlying conditions, poor sleep and recovery).
For more on running injuries and their treatment check out our free videos at clinicaledge.co/running or join us on the Running Repairs Course.
