Running injury physio in Manchester
Find out why it hurts, keep training where you safely can, and get back to running with a clear, tested plan.
Physio for runners in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who it's for: runners of every level, from Couch to 5K to marathon and ultra, with pain that stops or limits running.
Common problems: runner's knee, shin splints, Achilles and calf pain, heel pain, hamstring and hip pain.
What we do: gait analysis on video, a review of your training load, strength tests, hands-on treatment and a return-to-run plan.
Typical recovery: many overuse injuries settle in 6 to 12 weeks. Stress fractures and long-standing tendon pain take longer.
Sessions: most runners need 4 to 8, with a plan you follow between sessions.
See a GP first: severe pain, a hot or very swollen joint, or sudden sharp Achilles pain with a snap.
Most running injuries aren't bad luck. They happen when the load on a tissue builds faster than it can adapt. That might be a new marathon plan, more hills, faster sessions or a change of shoes.
The NHS lists knee pain, Achilles pain, shin splints, heel pain and muscle strains as the most common running injuries. All of them respond well to the right mix of rest from what hurts, strength work and a gradual return.
We're inside F45 NQ, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station. That means we can test you and rebuild your strength on a real gym floor, not just a treatment couch.
🛠️ How we treat running injuries
Step 1. Find out why it hurts
We work out what's injured and, just as important, why it happened now. That means your history, a hands-on exam, strength tests and a look at how you run. We show you on a 3D anatomy model what's going on.
Step 2. Settle it down and keep you moving
We adjust your running rather than stop it, wherever that's safe. Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and IASTM, a tool-assisted soft tissue technique. You'll get early exercises from your custom rehab plan, plus cross-training such as cycling or rowing to keep your fitness.
Step 3. Build you back stronger
We build calf, thigh and hip strength on the F45 NQ gym floor, then add hops and bounds. Once you pass the strength tests, you follow a step-by-step return-to-run plan.
Injured, or worried a niggle will ruin your training block? Your first 60-minute session includes a running assessment and a plan. Book your running assessment →
👥 Who our running injury physio is for
New runners whose shins, knees or calves ache a few weeks into Couch to 5K.
Club and parkrun runners with a niggle that comes back every time they build up.
Marathon and half marathon runners who need to protect a training block, or plan around race day.
Runners coming back after injury, surgery, illness or pregnancy, who want a safe plan.
Runners who want to stay injury-free, with a gait and strength check before a big block.
🏃 What happens in a running assessment
A running assessment looks at the three things that cause most running injuries: how you run, how much you run and how strong you are.
Gait analysis
We film you running, on our treadmill or outside, from the side and from behind. We play it back in slow motion and show you what we see. We look at your cadence (steps per minute), where your foot lands, and how your knee and hip control each step.
We only change your running style if it's linked to your pain. Small changes, such as a 5 to 10% higher cadence, are often enough.
Training load and history
We go through your last 6 to 8 weeks of running. That includes weekly distance, long runs, speed sessions, hills, shoes and any race you're training for. Strava or Garmin data helps, so bring it if you have it.
Sudden jumps in distance or intensity are the most common trigger we see. We look for them and plan around them.
Strength and hop tests
Single-leg calf raises to failure. Many runners should aim for 25 or more on each leg.
Single-leg sit-to-stand or squat, to check knee and hip control.
Single-leg bridge, to test hamstring and buttock strength.
Hop tests, such as single-leg hopping for 60 seconds or a hop for distance, compared side to side.
We repeat these tests as you recover. They tell us, and you, when you're ready to run.
Your return-to-run plan
You leave with a written plan made for you. It tells you what you can do this week, what to avoid, and what needs to happen before the next step.
🧪 What happens at your first appointment
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so there's time to assess properly and start treatment the same day.
Your story. When it started, what makes it better or worse, your training and your goals, such as a race date.
Safety screen. We check for signs that need a GP or a scan, such as a possible stress fracture.
Physical exam. Hands-on tests to find the injured tissue, plus strength and hop tests.
Gait analysis. A short video of you running, if your pain allows it.
Your diagnosis. In plain English, using our 3D anatomy model.
Treatment. Hands-on work and your first exercises, the start of a rehab plan built for you.
Your plan. What running you can keep doing, what to swap, and how many sessions we expect.
We don't offer scans. If you need imaging, such as an MRI for a suspected stress fracture, we'll write to your GP.
💷 Running injury physio prices
First appointment. 60-minute assessment and treatment, including a running assessment: £95.
Follow-up, 30 minutes. £55.
Follow-up, 60 minutes. £95.
Free consultation, 15 minutes. Free.
We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva. Check your cover with your insurer before you book. Can't get into town? We also offer online physiotherapy, which works well for follow-ups and plan reviews.
⏱️ How our return-to-run programme works
Ready to run. Strength and hop work in the gym, brisk walking and cross-training. Move on when you can walk 30 minutes pain-free, do 25 single-leg calf raises and hop for 60 seconds on each leg.
Walk-run. Every other day: 3 minutes running, 4 minutes walking, 3 times. Move on when you've done it 3 times with no flare-up.
Build the running. 4 minutes run and 3 walk, then 6 and 3, then 8 to 10 and 2. Move on when each level is done 3 times with no flare-up.
Continuous easy running. 20 to 30 minutes at conversation pace, every other day. Move on when pain stays at 5 out of 10 or less, and settles within 24 hours.
Back to training. Add distance first, then pace, hills and speed sessions. Repeat a run 3 or 4 times before making it longer or faster.
If pain rises during a run, or your knee or ankle swells, drop back a stage and take an extra rest day.
✅ Running injuries we treat
Pick the area that hurts to read more about each injury. Not sure which one you have? That's what your first appointment is for.
Runner's knee: pain around or behind the kneecap, worse on stairs and downhill
IT band syndrome: sharp pain on the outside of the knee, often a few miles into a run
Jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy): pain just below the kneecap, worse with hills, jumping and speed work
Shin splints: aching along the inside of the shin that builds with mileage
Stress fracture: sharp, pinpoint bone pain that gets worse the more you run
Calf strain: a sudden pull or tightness in the calf, often on a faster run
Achilles tendinopathy: stiff, painful Achilles, worst first thing in the morning
Peroneal tendonitis: pain behind and below the outer ankle bone
Plantar fasciitis (heel pain): sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning
Hamstring injury: a sudden pull at the back of the thigh, or a deep ache when sprinting
Outer hip pain (trochanteric bursitis): pain on the outside of the hip, worse lying on that side
❓ Running injury FAQs
🚨 Physio or GP first?
Most running injuries are safe to bring straight to a physio. Some need a GP first.
Book a physio: pain that stops or limits your running, or a niggle that comes back every time you build up.
See a GP first: severe pain, a hot or very swollen joint, or sudden sharp Achilles pain with a snap.
Not sure if you need physio or just a few days off? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
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Not always. The NHS says don't run if you're in pain. Often we can change your running rather than stop it completely.
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We film you running and play it back in slow motion. We look at your cadence, foot landing, and knee and hip control, and link it to your pain.
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Yes. We film you on our treadmill or outside, depending on what suits your injury. Bring the shoes you usually run in.
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Usually not. We check your shoes, but most injuries come from changes in training load, not footwear.
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Many overuse injuries settle in 6 to 12 weeks. Stress fractures and long-standing tendon pain can take 3 months or more.
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Yes. We can check your gait and strength before your training block and plan around a niggle so you make the start line.
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No. We use hands-on treatment, IASTM and exercise. If you need a scan, we write to your GP.
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Most runners need 4 to 8. We'll give you an estimate at your first appointment.
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No. You can book directly with us. If you're claiming on health insurance, check with your insurer first.
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Yes. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book running injury physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come before or after work.
Your first appointment is a 60-minute assessment and treatment (£95). Follow-ups are £55 for 30 minutes, £95 for 60 minutes or £135 for 90 minutes. We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square