Running Injury Physical Therapy in Northwest Indiana
One-on-one rehab for runners and endurance athletes. We find what’s really driving your pain, keep you running whenever it’s safe, and build you back stronger for your next race.
Book Your EvaluationQuestions first? Call (219) 533-7322Sound familiar?
From first-time 5K runners to marathon and ultramarathon runners, triathletes, Ironman athletes, and high school and collegiate cross country and track athletes, we help runners at every level. Not training for a race? That’s okay. If running is part of how you stay active, we take the same athlete-minded approach to get you back out there.
Pain every time you run
Your knee, hip, shin or foot starts hurting a mile or two in, and it’s getting harder to push through.
Training for a race
You have a 5K, half or full marathon, ultramarathon, triathlon or Ironman on the calendar and don’t want an injury to derail it.
Shin splints that won’t quit
Every time you build your mileage back up, the shin pain comes right back with it.
Knee or hip pain on runs
Runner’s knee, IT band or hip pain that shows up on longer runs, hills or speed work.
Rest didn’t fix it
You took time off, it felt better, and the pain came back as soon as you started running again.
Want to keep running
You’d rather not be told to stop. You want a plan that keeps you moving while you heal.
Coming back from injury or surgery
You want a clear, step-by-step return-to-run plan instead of guessing when it’s safe.
Not sure what to do next
Feeling lost or confused, with no clear plan or approach from another provider.
Running injuries we treat
We treat the injuries that keep runners off the road, trail and track, and the training habits behind them.
Knee & hip
- Runner’s knee
- IT band pain
- Hip pain & tendon pain
- Hamstring strains
Lower leg & foot
- Shin splints
- Achilles pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Calf strains
Overuse & bone stress
- Stress reactions & stress fractures
- Recurring overuse injuries
- Pain that flares with higher mileage
Back & return to run
- Low back pain with running
- Return to running after injury
- Return to running after surgery
Fix the cause so you can run more
Most running injuries aren’t bad luck. They come from too much load too soon, side-to-side asymmetries, or a body that isn’t absorbing or producing force well. Rest can calm the pain down, but it doesn’t actually solve the root problem. We use hands-on table testing and special tests, a running analysis and strength testing to figure out what’s driving your symptoms to begin with. Then we build the strength and training plan that keeps you running.
Book your evaluation →Data-driven rehab, built for runners
A full hour, 1-on-1
Every visit is a full hour with your clinician, never split between multiple patients.
VALD strength testing
Force plates and ForceFrame show asymmetries and strength deficits so we know exactly what to work on.
In-house MSK ultrasound
We can look at tendons, muscles and other soft tissue right in the clinic, at rest and while you move.
Dry needling
Used when it fits your plan to help calm pain and get you moving and training more comfortably.
Smart training changes
We adjust your mileage, pace and strength work so you can keep running while you heal whenever it’s safe.
A clear return-to-run plan
A step-by-step plan back to full training and racing, guided by testing, not guesswork.
Hear it from our patients
Real Proven Performance patients, in their own words.
Functional athlete · From ER-level neck and low back pain to pain-free
Firefighter · Shoulder replacement recovery
How getting started works
Book your evaluation
Send us your details. Our patient coordinator will reach out to answer questions and get you on the schedule.
1-on-1 evaluation
A thorough assessment of the injured area, how you move and how you train, so we understand what's going on and why.
Your plan back to sport
You'll leave with a clear, individualized plan to get back to running, lifting, training or competing.
Have insurance? Most of our patients do.
They use their out-of-network benefits with us, so every visit is a full hour, one-on-one with your therapist, never split between multiple patients. We provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement paid directly to you, and after your first visit you’ll know your plan of care and total investment up front.
- HSA
- FSA
- HRA
- Cherry financing
- CareCredit
- In-house payment plans
Patients travel to us from all over
We’re based in Merrillville, and patients come to us from across Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan. Some travel from as far as Milwaukee and the Indianapolis area.
Running injury physical therapy questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Indiana lets you see a physical therapist directly, so you can book your evaluation and get started without a referral. If your care continues past 42 days, Indiana requires a referral to keep going, and we’ll coordinate that with your doctor for you.
I’m not a competitive runner. Can you still help me?
Yes. We work with runners at every level, from people who jog a few times a week to marathoners and collegiate athletes. If running is part of how you stay active, you get the same athlete-minded approach: a clear goal, objective testing and a plan built to get you back out there.
Will I have to stop running?
Not always. Whenever it’s safe, we keep you running and adjust your mileage, pace and training while you heal. If you do need a short break, we keep you training in other ways and give you a clear plan back.
How long is each visit?
Every session is a full hour, one-on-one with your clinician.
Do you take insurance?
We’re an out-of-network clinic. Most of our patients have insurance and use their out-of-network benefits with us. We accept HSA, FSA and HRA, offer Cherry financing, CareCredit and in-house payment plans, and provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
How do I know when I’m ready to run or race again?
We use VALD force plates and ForceFrame to check for asymmetries, strength deficits and how well you produce and absorb force. Those results, along with how your body responds as we build your running back up, guide a step-by-step return to full training and racing.
Where are you located?
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410. Patients travel to us from all over Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan, including Crown Point, Valparaiso, Dyer, Schererville, St. John, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Hobart, Portage, Chesterton, La Porte, Rensselaer and Chicago.
Book your evaluation
Leave your name, phone and email and our Patient Care Coordinator will reach out within 3–5 minutes during business hours, often sooner, to answer your questions and get you scheduled.
Proven Performance Physical Therapy
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410
Serving Northwest Indiana