Patient Profile
Juan is a 50‑year‑old office-based worker who spends most of his day seated. Although naturally more of a cyclist, he set himself the challenge of running the Barcelona Marathon to celebrate a milestone birthday. He began his training in September 2025 for the March 2026 event.
Presenting Issue
As his training progressed, Juan noticed lower back niggles, particularly during longer runs. Initially, he hoped the discomfort would settle, but as his mileage increased, the pain became more persistent and started to interfere with his training.
He had already been receiving sports massage to support recovery, but after one of his final long runs, the pain intensified enough that he feared his marathon might be over. He was referred to physiotherapist Sam for assessment.
Initial Assessment and Diagnosis
Sam carried out a full physiotherapy assessment and identified:
- Reduced right hip mobility
- Overloading of the lower back facet joints
- Pain triggered during longer runs
This combination explained why Juan’s symptoms worsened as his weekly mileage increased. The restricted hip mobility meant he was compensating through his lower back, leading to irritation during longer efforts.
Juan continued to receive support from the wider Hillview Physio team:
- Physiotherapy (Sam) – diagnosis, mobility work, strengthening, load management
- Sports Massage (Matt and Nancy) – soft tissue treatment around the lower back and hips
- Taping (Nancy) – to support him through the final stages of training and race day
This collaborative approach ensured consistent monitoring and progression.
Treatment Plan
Juan was treated over the final two weeks leading up to the marathon, attending twice per week for review and progression.
Physiotherapy focus
- Hip mobility work
- Core and hip strengthening
- Education on load management
Sports Massage
- Soft tissue massage around the lower back and hip
- Recovery support to reduce tension and improve movement
Rehabilitation Exercises
Reviewed twice weekly:
- Core stability
- Hip mobility
- Glute activation
- Movement strategies to support long-distance running
Additional Support
- Taping to assist him through race day
- Advice on rest, pacing, and avoiding prolonged sitting before the event
Rehabilitation Progression
With consistent treatment, soft tissue work, and targeted exercises, Juan’s symptoms settled enough for him to continue training safely. The combination of physiotherapy, sports massage, and taping allowed him to maintain confidence heading into race day.
Outcome
Juan successfully completed the Barcelona Marathon – and not only achieved his goal but also secured a new personal best. He commented:
“Before the end of the year I started noticing my body was taking the hit and decided to get a sports massage with Matt at Hillview Physio. That one massage became an addition to my training and had monthly ones from January to help with recovery and avoid injuries.
But after my last long run I had some issue on my lower back that made me think the marathon was over.
Thankfully, I paid a visit to Sam who helped diagnose the issue and with a few more visits to Matt and Nancy, they improved my situation, using massages and taping.
I’m happy to say I completed my marathon and my dream was fulfilled. Not only that, I achieved a new PB after 11 years at 3hrs 42min 28sec.
My experience with Hillview Physio has been great and without a doubt, I’ll be coming back whenever I need some fine tuning or (fingers crossed) help with a more serious injury.”
Summary
Juan’s journey highlights the importance of speaking up early when something does not feel right during training. With physiotherapy, sports massage, rehabilitation exercises, and taping working together, he was able to stay on track and achieve an excellent result.
If you are training for an event and something does not feel quite right, do not ignore it. Early assessment can make all the difference.
If you are interested in booking an appointment with us, then please get in touch. Book an appointment with a physio online.
