Shin Splints, Knee Pain, or Plantar Fasciitis? Here’s What Your Gait Might Reveal

May 28, 2026

Run Smarter, Run Stronger Series – Post #4

If you’re a runner dealing with shin splints, knee pain, or plantar fasciitis, you’re not alone.

These are some of the most common running injuries we see at our Spokane Valley physical therapy clinic, but here’s the important part:

👉 The pain itself is often not the root problem.

In many cases, the real issue is hidden in your running mechanics.

In this fourth post of our Run Smarter, Run Stronger series, we’ll explain how your gait and movement patterns may be contributing to pain — and how having a running analysis can help identify the cause so you can recover and perform at a higher level.

What Is Your Gait—and Why Does It Matter?

Your gait is simply the way your body moves while running.

This includes:

• How your foot hits the ground
• Your stride length
• Your cadence (step rate)
• How your hips, knees, and ankles move together

When your mechanics are efficient, your body handles force well.

But when movement patterns become inefficient, stress builds up in certain areas—and over time, pain develops.

👉 That’s why two runners can train the same way, but only one develops an injury.

What Your Running Gait Might Reveal

1. Shin Splints

Shin splints often develop when the muscles and tissues around the shin become overloaded.

Common gait-related contributors include:

• Overstriding
• Excessive impact forces
• Poor ankle control
• Low running cadence

These issues can increase stress on the lower leg with every step.

What runners often notice:

• Pain along the shin during or after running
• Tightness or soreness that worsens with mileage

👉 During a running analysis, we often identify inefficient mechanics that are increasing stress on the lower leg.

2. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among runners.

Gait issues that may contribute include:

• Poor hip stability
• Knee collapse inward during landing
• Excessive braking forces from overstriding

These mechanics can increase pressure around the kneecap and surrounding tissues.

Common symptoms:

• Pain with running downhill
• Discomfort with stairs or squatting
• Aching around the kneecap

👉 Often, the knee itself isn’t the primary problem – the issue may actually start higher up at the hips.

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in runners.

Running mechanics that may contribute include:

• Poor shock absorption
• Excess stress through the foot
• Limited ankle mobility
• Inefficient foot strike patterns

Over time, this repetitive stress can irritate the plantar fascia.

Common symptoms:

• Sharp heel pain
• Pain during first steps in the morning
• Pain after longer runs

👉 A running analysis helps us identify how forces are traveling through the foot and lower leg.

Why Rest Alone Often Doesn’t Solve the Problem

One of the biggest frustrations runners face:

The pain improves temporarily… then comes right back.

That’s because rest may calm symptoms, but it doesn’t necessarily fix the underlying movement problem.

👉 If inefficient mechanics remain, the same tissues continue getting overloaded once running resumes.

That’s why identifying the cause of pain is so important.

How a Running Analysis Helps Identify the Root Cause

At our Spokane Valley physical therapy clinic, we use running analysis to evaluate how your body moves while running.

We assess:

• Stride mechanics
• Cadence
• Foot strike patterns
• Hip, knee, and ankle alignment
• Overall movement efficiency

This allows us to:
✔️ Identify movement patterns contributing to pain
✔️ Reduce stress on irritated tissues
✔️ Improve running efficiency and performance

👉 Often, small adjustments in mechanics can make a significant difference in both pain and performance.

Our Approach: Treating the Cause, Not Just the Symptoms

At Gordon Physical Therapy, treatment goes beyond simply reducing pain.

We combine 3 key components:

1. Running Analysis & Movement Retraining

We help runners improve:

• Stride efficiency
• Alignment
• Shock absorption
• Overall mechanics

2. Exercise-Based Physical Therapy

Customized exercises help:

• Strengthen weak areas
• Improve stability and control
• Support better running mechanics

This often includes targeted work for:

• Hips and glutes
• Core stability
• Calf and foot strength

3. Hands-On (Manual Therapy) Treatment

We also use manual therapy techniques to:

• Improve mobility
• Reduce stiffness
• Decrease pain
• Help the body move more efficiently

👉 This combination allows runners to recover more effectively and improve long-term performance.

You Don’t Have to “Just Live With” Running Pain

Many runners assume pain is simply part of running.

But in many cases, understanding and improving your mechanics can:

• Reduce pain
• Prevent recurring injuries
• Improve efficiency
• Help you enjoy running more

Running Analysis in Spokane Valley, WA

If you’re dealing with shin splints, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, or recurring running injuries, understanding your gait is often the first step toward lasting improvement.

At our Spokane Valley physical therapy clinic, we help runners:

• Identify the root cause of pain
• Improve running mechanics
• Recover while continuing to move confidently

Schedule a running analysis with our team today and take the next step toward running stronger and pain-free! Call or text us today at (509) 892-5442!