Q&A with Dr. Logan Sherman

Valuable insights on running injury prevention and management from the doctor of chiropractic sports medicine and Dallas running legend.

If you’ve been running in Dallas for more than a few years, there is a good chance you have met or have heard of Dr. Logan Sherman. But if you run under a rock…

Dr. Sherman is a doctor of chiropractor sports medicine who has been serving the Dallas area for over a decade. He is also a pillar of the Dallas running community. Dr. Sherman grew up in Dallas and attended JJ Pearce High School. He went on to get a business degree at Texas A&M University before obtaining his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree for Parker University in 2013. He was a track and cross country runner while at A&M and went on to win both the Dallas half and full marathons as well as the Cowtown marathon as an adult. He now serves as the Chairman of the Board for the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival. You can learn a bit more about Dr. Sherman here.

I asked Dr. Sherman to answer a few general questions about his experience and approach to injury prevention and management for runners.

What are 2 or 3 of the most common injuries or pains you see in runners that come to your practice?

For runners, we frequently see shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), and Achilles tendonitis in our practice. Because we focus heavily on soft tissue injuries, we often treat a different set of conditions than a traditional chiropractic office. Over the years, we've noticed that different injuries cycle through our office, and I largely contribute this to changes in the footwear market. For example, in 2016, Nike released a popular shoe that led to a surge in retrocalcaneal bursitis cases. However, despite trends in footwear, the injuries that remain consistent are shin splints, ITBS, and Achilles tendonitis.

What is some important information you like to learn about runners when they present with an injury or pain?

The most important part of an assessment is gathering a detailed history. I want to understand their; previous injuries (especially running ones), current and past footwear choices, training load and intensity, and their cross-training and strength training routines. After gathering this background, I assess their movement patterns by watching them walk, run, and perform basic movement screens. From there, I narrow down the issue to one to three possible diagnoses and then confirm the diagnosis through orthopedic testing, strength assessments, and range-of-motion evaluations.

What is an “adjustment” and what is the purpose and goal of an adjustment?

As I mentioned earlier, we do a lot of soft tissue work, so an adjustment is just one piece of what we offer. An adjustment is a high-velocity, low-amplitude maneuver applied to a joint to restore its normal movement and function. This often results in an audible “pop”, which is the release of nitrogen gas from the joint space. The goal is to improve mobility and reduce restrictions in the joint, allowing for better biomechanics and decreased discomfort.

What other types of treatments do you provide to athletes in your practice? What is the purpose and goal of these treatments?

I describe my practice as falling within a triangle of chiropractic, massage therapy, and therapy. Some patients need all three, while others may focus on just one or two. One of our most well-known treatments in the office is Active Release Techniques (ART), a soft tissue technique I fell in love with at Texas A&M as a student athlete. I became an ART instructor in 2016 and now teach 2-3 times per year across the U.S. We also offer; Graston technique, functional dry needling, cupping therapy, taping and we plan to introduce Class IV laser therapy and shockwave therapy in the next few years. Each treatment is designed to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance recovery. All which help our athletes move at their best.

I know you don’t like prescribing “absolute rest”, but when are some times that you would recommend a runner take some absolute rest, and what are some strategies you might suggest to help them maintain some bit of fitness or preserve their mental health when they don’t have their running outlet?

The fastest way to go out of business as a sports chiropractor is to tell a runner they can’t run! If possible, I try to modify their training rather than completely shutting them down. However, there are times when absolute rest is necessary. Particularly if they have a grade 2 or higher muscle, tendon, or ligament tear or a suspected stress reaction or stress fracture.

These injuries don’t respond well to continued load and can worsen without proper rest. During downtime, I recommend cross-training options like cycling or swimming for cardiovascular endurance, strength training to address weaknesses and mobility work to improve ROM. Beyond the physical realm, I also remind runners that mental health is just as important. Taking a break can be frustrating, but it’s a chance to reset, rebuild, and return stronger.

What is one piece of advice you would give to runners dealing with a persistent injury or pain?

Be patient. Injuries are a part of running and about 60% of runners get injured at some point. Remember, this doesn’t mean you’re weak or failed; it means your body got pushed a little too far.

During this time; cross-train to maintain fitness and remember that it takes about two weeks of total rest before losing physiological fitness, work on weaknesses (whether that’s strength or mobility), and know you’ll come back stronger.

My high school coach, Terry Jessup, once told me something that stuck; "Either you can choose to take the rest, or your body will choose for you."

What is one question I didn’t ask that I should have asked, and what is your response?

What are some proactive steps runners can take to minimize their risk of injury?
The best injury treatment is prevention. Runners should prioritize strength training, mobility work, and gradual training progression to stay healthy. Way too often, I see runners who focus only on running and neglect strength and stability that is needed to support the repetitive impact on their bodies.

A well-balanced routine that includes cross-training, proper warm-ups, and recovery strategies can make a huge difference in preventing injuries and maintaining consistency.

We also treat healthy runners looking for performance-based care. Almost every time I ask if they lift weights, the answer is yes, because runners need to lift to stay strong, reinforce weak links, and stave off injuries.