Running Physical Therapy in Portland, Maine:
Rehab That Actually Works for Runners
Tired of Being Told to Stop Running?
Most runners don’t need to fully rest to get better. But too often, traditional physical therapy clinics default to telling you to take time off—without understanding what actually caused the injury or how to help you recover without losing fitness.
At Steady State Health, we take a different approach. Our team of running specialists helps runners across Maine recover stronger—not just symptom-free, but with the tools and training knowledge to run pain-free for the long haul.
What Makes Running Physical Therapy Different at Steady State?
There’s a big difference between working with a PT who occasionally sees runners… and one who is a runner. All of our Doctors of Physical Therapy are:
- Lifelong runners themselves
- Trained in evidence-based, load-focused rehab
- Experienced in helping runners return to training without unnecessary rest
Most running injuries are overuse injuries—caused by more load than your body can currently handle. Our job isn’t just to make the pain go away—it’s to build your body’s capacity so you can tolerate more running without breaking down.
Common Running Injuries We Treat
We help runners with everything from mild pain to long-standing, stubborn issues. Some of the most common injuries we treat include:
Overuse Injuries:
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Achilles tendinopathy
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Patellofemoral pain
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IT band syndrome
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Shin splints
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Plantar fasciitis
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Gluteal tendinopathy
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High hamstring pain
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Bone stress injuries (e.g., stress reactions, stress fractures)
Movement & Biomechanical Issues:
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Limited ankle mobility
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Hip drop
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Asymmetry between legs
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Poor push-off mechanics
Postpartum or Return-to-Run Injuries:
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Core or pelvic floor-related running pain
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Lower back pain with impact
Whether you’re a marathoner, trail runner, or just trying to stay active, we tailor everything to your goals.
Our Approach to Running Rehab
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter PT programs or endless rest. Here’s what sets us apart:
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Load-Based Rehab
We use a progressive, strength-based approach to rehab. This means:
- You stay active whenever possible (even during the healing process)
- Exercises are carefully progressed to meet the impact forces of running
- Your program is tailored to your injury, training volume, and future goals
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Running-Specific Strength & Mobility
You’ll build the strength and movement control needed for long-term durability:
- Calf, hamstring, foot, quad, glute, adductor, and core strength
- Ankle, hip, and spinal mobility to support efficient mechanics
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Gait & Movement Analysis
We’ll assess how you move, identifying any stride inefficiencies or asymmetries. Then we work with you on practical, individualized adjustments (only if needed). -
Training Error Education & Return to Run Guidance
70-80% of running injuries come from training errors. We’ll teach you:
- How to adjust volume, intensity, and surfaces to train smarter
- How to monitor pain vs. soreness
- When and how to modify your training—not just stop it
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Building an Injury Buffer
Our goal is not just to fix your injury—it’s to raise your body’s capacity so you’re not skating on the edge of injury anymore. We help you:
- Rebuild strength beyond where it was pre-injury
- Increase your load tolerance
- Improve your ability to adapt to stress and recovery fluctuations
Why Runners Trust Steady State Health
We help runners who have:
- Tried other PT clinics but didn’t improve
- Been told they had to stop running—but want a better plan
- Felt discouraged by lingering pain or confusing advice
We’ll help you not only get back to running, but also understand how to stay healthy for good.
Serving Runners Across Southern Maine
Whether you’re putting in miles around Back Cove, building for Beach to Beacon, or training for the Maine Marathon, we help runners throughout Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, and Falmouth recover fully and keep running strong.
Get Back to Running Stronger
Don’t wait for your injury to get worse. Most running injuries improve significantly within 1–2 visits when you get the right help. We’ll get to the root cause, create a plan that fits your training, and help you run better than before.
📅 Schedule Your Free Discovery Call Today to See If We’re the Right Fit.
Schedule Your Free 15-20 Minute Discovery Call
Chat with a Running Specialist Doctor of Physical Therapy to make sure that we're the next best step to help you get back on track!
"Steady State has given me so much confidence and helped me turn a corner in how I see myself as an athlete. When I first talked to them I was struggling with back spasms and pre race nerves. They want to help first and foremost. They understand running and they are the first physios I talked to that did not roll their eyes when I explained the intensity of my run training. Instead, I was given programs that are true to my ideas of myself as an athlete.
They stay true to their philosophy around provider dependency and because of this I learned how to take care of myself while lifting heavy and running high mileage. Even with all this great help, the best part of working with Steady State is having someone with so many of the same experiences and passions. Any athlete will surely notice this when working with them."
"I was ready to have surgery on my foot this fall. I have been running in pain for over seven years. Steady State has given me the exercises and tools I needed to be pain free and keep me from having bunion and haglunds surgery. I'm so thrilled to be able to continue playing in the mountains without pain or having time away to recover from surgery."
"I have had such a positive experience working with the team at Steady State. I am an experienced long-distance runner and I have been so impressed with Steady State's custom plans, their knowledge about endurance athletes and long-distance runners, specifically. Working with them 1:1 has been incredibly helpful for me as I rehabbed my hamstrings, and other little injuries that have cropped up over the years. I'm a much stronger athlete now, and I am able to run 100% pain free. I have HIGHLY recommended Steady State to my running friends who are struggling with injury, and they've had similarly positive experiences.
If you are a runner or a serious endurance athlete, "typical" PT services don't work--they'll give you some silly exercises and tell you to stop doing what you're doing. Steady State will LISTEN to your experience of pain, work to understand your goals, and collaborate on a plan to rehab while maintaining fitness. Plus, they are just about the nicest health care professionals I have ever worked with. I could not recommend them more highly!"