Common sense is crucial to injury prevention and recovery, but sometimes you may need help from some key tools. Try some of these products to assist you in your running injury prevention and recovery efforts.
Foam Rollers
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Many runners swear by foam rollers, which are cylindrical foam pieces. Using your own body weight and a foam roller, you can perform a self-massage that offers similar benefits as deep-tissue massage such as stretching muscles and tendons, decreasing muscle tension, breaking up trigger points, soothing tight fascia, and increasing blood flow and circulation to the soft tissues. Foam rollers are a convenient, less expensive alternative to professional massages. They're especially helpful for runners who are prone to ITB Syndrome and tight calves or hamstrings.
The Marathon Stick
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The Marathon Stick was specifically designed for runners to help increase flexibility, accelerate recovery time, and reduce muscle soreness, stiffness and pain. Similar to a foam roller, you can roll the Stick on your muscles for a self-massage. The Stick is small enough to fit into a backpack or small suitcase, so you can easily take it along to races. It's particularly effective at loosening up tight leg muscles.
Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape
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Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape (KT Tape) is used by athletes at every level from every major sport for sore muscle pain and common injuries such as runner's knee, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis and more. The pre-cut strips allow for quick and easy application. The tape moves with your body without restricting movement and can be worn up to five days per application.
Active Wrap Knee - Leg Heat and Ice Wrap
Whether it's recommended to use cold or heat on your knee injury, the Active Wrap Knee - Leg Heat and Ice Wrap can meet your need. It's an all-in-one wrap that provides firm compression support along with relieving hot and cold therapy. The smart design allows the hot and cold packs to be adjusted anywhere through the wrap to provide comfortable relief. It includes two large reusable hot and cold packs with a specially formulated thermal material designed to prevent the gel from moving away from the injured site.The wrap comes in two sizes: small-medium and large-XX Large. The small knee/leg wrap fits a thigh under 18 inches and will fit most youth. The large-XX large is for thighs over 18 inches and fits most adults.
Aqua Jogger Water Running Belt
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If you're recovering from a running injury and you need to avoid high-impact exercise, water jogging is a perfect alternative to land running. The AquaJogger Classic water buoyancy belt is designed to suspend the body in the water at a shoulder-level position to allow for freedom and security to perform a variety of workouts in deep and shallow water. It's constructed from soft, comfortable and flexible foam with a custom-woven elastic belt that features an easy-to-operate, quick-release buckle.
Mini Massage Balls
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Massage balls can help reduce tension and increase circulation and mini massage balls are perfect to use on your back, feet, or anywhere you feel tension. You can use them to relax sore and strained muscles after hard workouts and long runs.
Pro-Tec Patellar Knee Tendon Strap
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Recommended for runner's knee, the Knee Pro-Tec Patellar Tendon Strap helps stabilize your kneecap, improve patellar tracking, and alleviate tendonitis pain by providing moderate compression to the patellar tendon. The strap distributes pressure uniformly across the patella (kneecap) to help absorb stress and reduce discomfort. It comes in four different sizes to ensure a good fit. (Be sure to measure below the kneecap for proper fit.)
