Runners Program

The Runner’s Program at Athlete’s Care is a comprehensive assessment and treatment approach designed specifically for runners. Delivered by therapists with advanced certification in running assessment and rehabilitation, the program addresses injury recovery, performance limitations, and long-term durability through individualized care that integrates strength, biomechanics, and load management.

The program is ideal for:

• Runners recovering from acute or chronic running injuries (shin splints, Achilles pain, IT-band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, stress injuries, etc.).
• Runners who want to improve running efficiency and reduce the risk of future injuries.
• Marathon, ultramarathon, or trail runners preparing for big races.
• Casual runners looking to build safe, sustainable running habits.

Every clinician in the Runner’s Program has additional training in diagnosing and treating running-specific injuries. They understand the unique demands of running, analyze your gait, footwear, training load, and running form, and design run specific rehab progressions instead of generic protocols, with the goal of keeping you running or safely returning you to your sport.

Your assessment includes a detailed history of your running, injury, training, and goals, followed by a physical exam and, often, a running gait analysis. Based on that, your clinician develops a personalized plan using tools such as physiotherapy, exercise rehab, medical acupuncture, dry needling, manual therapy, orthotics/bracing, and other appropriate modalities to help you heal, run more efficiently, and reduce re-injury risk.

In many cases, yes. The goal is to modify your training rather than shut it down completely. Your clinician may adjust your mileage, speed, terrain, or weekly schedule while guiding you through a run-specific progression that keeps you moving safely as you recover.

No. The Runner’s Program is for both injured runners and healthy runners who want to:

• Optimize their form and efficiency
• Prevent future injuries
• Improve strength and stability for performance
• Build a long-term, injury-resistant running routine.

A:

• Your running shoes (and any others you rotate).
• Your running clothes or shorts and top so you can run or move comfortably.
• A training log or fitness-tracker history (if you have it) so your clinician can review your mileage, speed, and race schedule.
• If you own a watch or running-app data (Garmin, Apple Watch, Strava, etc.), bringing that information can also be helpful.

If you are a runner who has:

• A recurring or stubborn injury that won’t fully resolve
• Trouble increasing mileage without pain
• Strong running goals (5K, 10K, marathon, trail races), or
• Just want to run longer and more comfortably without injury

Yes. The Runner’s Program is delivered as part of physiotherapy, chiropractic or massage therapy treatment, which is typically covered by most extended health insurance plans. Coverage depends on your individual plan, so we recommend checking your benefits or speaking with our clinic team to understand what your insurer will cover.

1. Choose a location that offers the Runner’s Program. The Runner’s Program is available at multiple Athlete’s Care locations across the GTA and in Ottawa, including clinics such as downtown Toronto, Adelaide & York, Queen & Dufferin (“The Running Physio”), Aurora, Brampton, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Whitby, York Mills & Leslie, and more.

2. Select a clinician who is part of the Runner’s Program. On the Athlete’s Care booking page or provider list page, look for clinicians who list “Runner’s Program” in their profile. You can also click the “Runner’s Program” team page to see which providers are certified in the program.

3. Book online or by phone

• Online: Go to the Athlete’s Care booking portal, https://athletescare.janeapp.com/, select a physiotherapy, chiropractor or massage therapy appointment, and choose a provider marked as part of the Runner’s Program.
• By phone: Call the Athlete’s Care location you prefer and ask to book with a clinician enrolled in the Runner’s Program, the front-desk team can match you with the right provider.

4. Tell them you want the Runner’s Program. When booking, mention that you are interested in the Athlete’s Care Runner’s Program so the clinic can schedule you with the right clinician and, if needed, an initial assessment and potentially a run-specific gait or running assessment.

The Athlete’s Care Runner’s Program is “injury-and-rehab-first” with running-coaching elements, while other running-coaching services are “training-first” with little or no hands-on medical care.