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Running Injury-Free (Revised Edition) by Joseph Ellis Jr
Running Injury-Free by Dr. Joseph Ellis, DPM uses anecdotal examples from Ellis' own patients and experiences in order to discuss injury-prevention, treatment, and recovery. He implements a clinical approach toward treating the most common running-related injuries, as well as providing detailed background situations to describe how each injury can happen, so the reader can recognize poor habits or compare training and running practices in his or her own experience. In this updated version, content relating to shoes and shoe selection, "over the counter" treatments, orthotic techniques and materials, Piriformis Syndrome, chiropractic medicine and acupuncture, stretching techniques, nutrition and supplements, injuries related to minimalist runners, as well as running issues for women, children, and endurance runners will be updated to reflect timely practices and research.
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First published September 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 5, 2014
I got this book because I've had aches and pains from my recently started running and I wanted to be sure I was armed with great info on how to identify just an ache from a true injury and what I am likely to encounter. There isn't much mention of calf pain only lower leg pain from Achilles or shin area. I liked that there were chapters for what appears to be the most common running injuries. I liked the illustrations (including the stretching one's in the running injury free chapter).
I think what knocked the stars off for me were all the stories. So many I just couldn't relate too (at least not yet) so they seemed to almost get in the way of the information. For me if I'd of had some deeper explanations and more detailed diagram's (more medical?) and then the information perhaps followed by a case study or two it would have been an easier read. As it was I felt like I had to read all through these people's stories just to get the info. It made the book less navigation friendly than I would have liked. And, as noted above, I was very surprised to not find the nagging pain (perhaps injury) that I am dealing with which is my calf muscle. Although the section on Achilles's and the hamstrings helped me figure out likely it is a tight muscle and I need to apply more stretching and perhaps yoga or similar to help me assure it can handle the pressure of running. I was also surprised there wasn't a whole chapter on cross training and strength training to help assure your muscles and structure can handle your training and that your training is appropriate for level. There were tips and info sprinkled throughout but not a concentrated chapter which seems perhaps a good idea.
I think this is good for a beginner if they have not a lot of information or other books. I have much of the same info that is in this book in several other beginning running books for the most part. What benefited me here is the when to see a Dr., first aid, and the focus on understanding your body. I did enjoy the read.
I think what knocked the stars off for me were all the stories. So many I just couldn't relate too (at least not yet) so they seemed to almost get in the way of the information. For me if I'd of had some deeper explanations and more detailed diagram's (more medical?) and then the information perhaps followed by a case study or two it would have been an easier read. As it was I felt like I had to read all through these people's stories just to get the info. It made the book less navigation friendly than I would have liked. And, as noted above, I was very surprised to not find the nagging pain (perhaps injury) that I am dealing with which is my calf muscle. Although the section on Achilles's and the hamstrings helped me figure out likely it is a tight muscle and I need to apply more stretching and perhaps yoga or similar to help me assure it can handle the pressure of running. I was also surprised there wasn't a whole chapter on cross training and strength training to help assure your muscles and structure can handle your training and that your training is appropriate for level. There were tips and info sprinkled throughout but not a concentrated chapter which seems perhaps a good idea.
I think this is good for a beginner if they have not a lot of information or other books. I have much of the same info that is in this book in several other beginning running books for the most part. What benefited me here is the when to see a Dr., first aid, and the focus on understanding your body. I did enjoy the read.
March 20, 2024
Having recently injured, and re-injured, my feet, knees, and low back, I knew I needed some help. Written by a podiatrist/sports medicine physician, this book provides simple, clear illustrations of the biomechanical forces that cause most of the common running injuries. While slightly outdated (1994), the key takeaways remain relevant: stretch, warm up, increase volume slowly, and don't push through actual pain. His explanation of shoe types was very helpful and gave me insight as to why only certain shoes work for me. (Examples of dated info: He assumes that everyone runs with a heelstrike first, and is adamant that heat is always bad for an injury.)Hopeful, practical, and easy to understand; I think I'll keep this one around.
February 24, 2021
Very good insight into why you might have been injured while running and what to do about it. While many of the stretches and advice can apply to anyone, the real answer for anything deeper appears to be find a good podiatrist.
July 20, 2021
Very beginner guide to running. It is good book to good the basics or fundamental problems or issue that happened in running as a hobby.
April 1, 2014
This book contains very little of what I would consider the important things it should contain, useful information and scientific foundation.
First of all, it contains very little about how to prevent, treat, and recover from running injuries. Considering the title of the book I think that is unacceptable. The sum total of the advice given in this area would cover about 2 pages of text and some pictures regarding what stretches and exercises are recommended. It could be summarized with the acronym R.I.C.E plus "stretch tight muscles" and "exercise weak muscles". That's really it.
The vast majority of the rest of the text is the author, a podiatrist, recalling stories about how he, through superior intellect and sluething skills, solved some of his patients' hard to cure injuries. Not helpful to the reader as each injury was very specific and typically involved professional treatment, not things the reader can apply at home.
The other important aspect this book was missing was any sources or references to scientific studies. Other books I read recently that DID NOT have as much pretention as this one, which bears the Runner's World name and the weighty credentials of a DPM as an author contained far more discussion of recent scientific studies and information. This author seemed to discuss outdated folk wisdom that was in vogue way back when he went to school. He failed to provide any evidence for his suggestions, which at times were at odds with the studies that are currently hot topics of discussion among running form and injury discussion circles.
Altogether a very vanilla accounting that doesn't do credit to Runner's World and seems like a gigantic cop-out for an organization that should have the resources to publish enlightening information. Perhaps they have to stay vanilla to keep their advertisers?
First of all, it contains very little about how to prevent, treat, and recover from running injuries. Considering the title of the book I think that is unacceptable. The sum total of the advice given in this area would cover about 2 pages of text and some pictures regarding what stretches and exercises are recommended. It could be summarized with the acronym R.I.C.E plus "stretch tight muscles" and "exercise weak muscles". That's really it.
The vast majority of the rest of the text is the author, a podiatrist, recalling stories about how he, through superior intellect and sluething skills, solved some of his patients' hard to cure injuries. Not helpful to the reader as each injury was very specific and typically involved professional treatment, not things the reader can apply at home.
The other important aspect this book was missing was any sources or references to scientific studies. Other books I read recently that DID NOT have as much pretention as this one, which bears the Runner's World name and the weighty credentials of a DPM as an author contained far more discussion of recent scientific studies and information. This author seemed to discuss outdated folk wisdom that was in vogue way back when he went to school. He failed to provide any evidence for his suggestions, which at times were at odds with the studies that are currently hot topics of discussion among running form and injury discussion circles.
Altogether a very vanilla accounting that doesn't do credit to Runner's World and seems like a gigantic cop-out for an organization that should have the resources to publish enlightening information. Perhaps they have to stay vanilla to keep their advertisers?
July 22, 2014
This book on how to avoid injuries while running is an excellent reference book for beginning runners. It covers everything from selecting the right shoe to how to treat more common injuries. (Spoiler alert: start with RICE). There are good illustrations and definitions on certain terms such as probation. And whenever the reader will need advice on what to do for injuries he or she can find it here fairly quickly.
I thought that the stories about patients of the author, however, were more of a distraction than helpful. Whenever I was understanding a new injury and treatment, the author shared another story. I understand why he did this, but the timing of the stories was not good. They interrupted the flow of the book instead of complementing it. I will keep this book for reference as I do run. But I was hoping for a lot more from this book.
I thought that the stories about patients of the author, however, were more of a distraction than helpful. Whenever I was understanding a new injury and treatment, the author shared another story. I understand why he did this, but the timing of the stories was not good. They interrupted the flow of the book instead of complementing it. I will keep this book for reference as I do run. But I was hoping for a lot more from this book.
July 31, 2014
This book has a lot of great information and medical explanations. Other reviews I read complained about this being elementary or not detailed enough, but I disagree. If you want more detail, read an actual medical text book. The author gives plenty of scientific explanation, real life stories, and advice on recovery and prevention. Many things in this book I can attest to. It also helped give me insight into my own injuries and ongoing issues. If you are passionate about running, I think you will find some good info about running injuries that may help you understand your own a little better as well as help be mindful of other things that could go wrong. Hopefully one day I can run again.
January 22, 2014
Sound advice, helpful illustrations. An excellent primer to various running ailments, great and small. I appreciate the author's perspective as both an expert in biomechanics, and an endurance athlete. My one gripe is that the book included no discussion of proper running form, which, I have discovered through sad experience, is sometimes vital to injury prevention. Otherwise, this book is a wonderful resource and reference guide for any beginning runner.
December 6, 2015
Excellent information for runners about preventing injury. Will probably purchase if I start training again in the Spring.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews