Although running is great exercise, injuries to the feet and ankles are common among runners. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to prevent injury. Prior to running, it is important to warm up. Warm ups gradually introduce a large range of motion to your body, making it easier to run. While running, you should run with purpose. This simply means that you should have a plan prior to running. Choose what you will be focusing on while you run. This might be speed, endurance, mileage, or something else. Finally, stretch and strengthen your muscles. This helps increase flexibility and strength and makes injuries less likely. If you have injured your feet or ankles while running, seek the care of a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Union, NJ and the Upper East Side, Manhattan. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
You may have seen or heard of over-the-counter shoe inserts in the form of insoles, heel liners, or arch supports. While they do provide minimal cushioning, none of these inserts are designed to fit to your individual feet, nor can they correct any particular gait or structural issues. Custom orthotics prescribed and fitted by a podiatrist are specifically designed to improve your body’s biomechanics (how it moves). Orthotics can help reduce pain, adjust an abnormal gait, compensate for a congenital foot deformity, create more support for your feet, and help distribute weight more evenly across your feet. If you live with any type of foot pain or discomfort, or have ambulatory issues, check with a podiatrist to see if custom orthotics can help your particular condition.
If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Are Orthotics?
Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.
Over-the-Counter Inserts
Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.
Prescription Orthotics
If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.
If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.
If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Union, NJ and the Upper East Side, Manhattan. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The calf muscles are located at the back of the lower leg and are responsible for the way our feet and ankles move. Tight calf muscles can affect the position of the foot, impacting motion and balance. Regularly stretching the calf muscles helps reduce lower limb pain, tightness, and instability. To get the best results from calf stretches, it is important to hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. This gives the muscles enough time to stretch out. You should also repeat each calf stretch three times for maximum benefits. Calf stretches can be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. Stop stretching if the mild discomfort associated with stretching turns into pain. Finally, stay safe by consulting with your podiatrist prior to beginning any new stretching or exercise regimen.
Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Stretching the Feet
Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.
Great ways to stretch your feet:
Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle
Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Union, NJ and the Upper East Side, Manhattan. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
