The Runners' Repair Manual: A Complete Program for Diagnosing and Treating Your Foot, Leg and Back Problems

by Murray F. Weisenfeld

The Runners' Repair Manual is the resource every runner needs to prevent and treat running-related injuries.

Podiatrist Murray F. Weisenfeld offers crucial advice on injury prevention, explains the nature of common injuries, and provides clear, detailed advice for treating injuries. Easy to read and full of information, The Runners' Repair Manual will quickly become your go-to resource.

Genres: Sports, Health, Fitness

193 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Michael David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ice, ice, baby.

I've suffered from a hamstring pull this year. Because I have a rehab medicine specialist and a physical therapist as a friend, I was able to recuperate and prevent any further injury. Most people, however, don't have that luxury.

Weisenfeld's book is a simple, easy-to-read guide on the common ailments suffered by runners. He doesn't presume extensive medical knowledge, and always refers to doctors when the injuries can't be handled by him. However, as a medical doctor, I myself found his advice to be sound and scientific: I have forgotten the magic of ice as an anti-inflammatory, and this manual reminded me that such a simple solution exists. This book has aged well, and remains to be a reliable aid for runners everywhere.

[Patrice Sartor · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I was diagnosed with runner's knee, a friend loaned me this book. Sure, the illustrations are cheesy and super dated, and it's a bit weird reading examples from the '70s (are those people still alive? :O), but the information is still relevant and useful.

Strengthening my quads and smaller glute muscles was a focus of my physical therapy. I 'graduated' PT today, and also finished this book. I now feel armed with many tools to prevent such injuries in the future. Dr. Weisenfeld is a podiatrist, and the focus of this book seems to be on diagnosing and treating one's foot issues. Sure, there are some pages for leg and back problems (including my issue), they aren't a priority. As a result, I skipped over the sections of The Runners' Repair Manual that did not apply to me.

I think this title would be most helpful for runners with foot issues. Weisenfeld is thorough about how to figure out what's wrong, what it's called, and what to do about it.

[Peter Knobloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for anyone wanting to start their fitness journey. I wish someone had recommended this twenty years ago. I now have the confidence to look further than 5km and aim towards a marathon.

[Gerald Kinro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical, easy to understand guide to mechanical injuries suffered by runners. It begins with the basics—proper shoe selection and exercises for injury prevention. It moves to self-treatment of injuries that do not require a medical professional’s attention and a section of when to seek professional help.

I like this work and often use it for treating my own injuries. I would like to have seen a discussion of the ilio-tibial band (ITB) syndrome with its prevention and symptoms. The ITB runs on the outside of the leg from the hip joint to the knee. It is a common enough injury to warrant some coverage. Also, another common and potentially serious injury not discussed is due to heat and lack of hydration (cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke). This too I would have liked to have seen discussed.

[Eric T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was orginally written in 1980, the author (Dr. Weisenfeld) discusses the most common and often nagging running injuries and best possible ways to prevent them. It also teaches you how to listen to your body for signs of injury.

Being a runner myself I use this book when I have pain or injuries. I find myself reading the different sections of the book two to three times a year. Would definitly recommend it for a new runner.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably should have read this book as a new runner. It should be on the shelf of every new runner. Still learned quite a bit and it makes a good reference to go back to for aches and pains, injuries and stretching.

[SueAnne Christman Beaumont · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and thread this book several times but never front to back. This will be the first time I do so. As a seasoned runner coming off a 5 year hiatus this will be a great back to basics for me.

[Patrn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my no.1 go to book for any running related issues. I started running 30 plus years ago, I used it a lot then, and still use it today!