When it comes to running, two of the most common injuries we see are stress fractures and IT band issues. These injuries don’t just happen out of nowhere—they’re the result of real, specific factors, and they require a smarter approach than just “rest and wait.” At Rehabletics, we’re all about treating the whole athlete, not just one isolated problem. Our goal? To get runners back in action, stronger than ever.
What’s Behind Stress Fractures and IT Band Pain?
- Stress Fractures
These are classic overuse injuries that can hit when there’s a disconnect between what the body can handle and what it’s being put through. Whether it’s from overtraining, poor nutrition, the wrong footwear, or just pushing it too hard, stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that can really set you back. But here’s the thing—they’re preventable with the right approach. - IT Band Issues
When we see IT band pain, it’s often tied to a lack of range of motion, weakness in core stability, or poor movement mechanics. The IT band stabilizes the knee and hip, but when it’s overworked or out of balance, it gets tight and painful. If your kid’s in-season and dealing with this, the whole game can change fast.
At Rehabletics, our process isn’t just about fixing pain. It’s about understanding why these injuries happen in the first place so that we can set up the whole athlete for long-term success.
Understanding Running’s Demands: Why This Sport is More Than Just Moving Forward
To treat a runner right, you have to understand what’s really going on with their body. Think about it—running is basically a single-leg jumping sport. Every step is a leap from one leg to the next. Most people assume running is just forward motion, but if all we do is train athletes to move in that one plane, we’re missing the bigger picture. A lot of running injuries actually come from too much focus on forward-backward strength without balancing it out with side-to-side stability.
Our Solution: Move in Every Direction
To bring runners back to their best, we don’t just focus on going forward. We train lateral (side-to-side) stability to make sure athletes can handle the forces of every step they take. We get them jumping on one leg, moving sideways, and learning how to handle more than just straight-ahead impact. If they’re weak in one direction, it’s only a matter of time before it affects their performance.
Building a Better Runner: Our Approach to Strength, Stability, and Recovery
Once we know where a runner needs work, it’s all about building the ability to generate and absorb force on one leg. This isn’t just about treating pain; it’s about training for resilience. Even some of the best runners are surprised when we get them doing lateral moves or single-leg jumps. That’s where we uncover a lot of hidden weaknesses and where real progress happens.
Forget the old-school clamshells or endless reps of sidelying leg lifts to “strengthen the glutes.” We’re here to do more than that. At Rehabletics, we prioritize dynamic plyometrics and targeted lateral drills that actually translate to real-world performance.
How We Bring Runners Back Stronger: The Rehabletics Method
Our approach has three main steps:
- Understand the Demands of the Sport
Running has its own set of challenges, so we don’t just treat it like any other sport. We assess what’s really needed to keep runners performing. - Evaluate the Whole Athlete, Head to Toe
Every runner is different, and we dive deep to find any weaknesses or imbalances that may be holding them back. - Create a Customized Plan Together
We don’t just hand over a plan and walk away. We work with our athletes to set clear goals and keep them involved every step of the way, so they know exactly what to expect.
With this approach, our athletes don’t just come back from injury—they come back ready to hit new levels in their sport. We focus on building capacity, control, and strength in ways that truly matter for runners.
