With spring officially here in the Philadelphia area, many people are taking the opportunity to take their exercise outside. Running is a popular form of exercise because it just requires some will power, a good pair of athletic shoes, and a positive attitude. However, due to the inherent repetitive movements involved in running, injuries can arise.
Some of the most common injuries associated with running are:
In order to prevent these problems, it is important to follow these tips:
- Stretch and warm up before exercise. There are many strengthening and stretching exercises to get the blood flowing!
- Invest in a good pair of athletic shoes – Since running applies a lot of pressure on your feet, get a pair of supportive and shock absorbent shoes.
- Use custom orthotics – Orthotics molded to your unique foot can help prevent injuries that result from abnormal movements or poor foot mechanics.
- Take it slow – If you are just starting to exercise, increase the intensity slowly. Applying sudden stress to your muscles and surrounding tissues is a big cause of injuries.
- Cool down after your exercise – Especially after an intense run, allow your body to slow down gradually.
- Stay hydrated – Especially in warmer temperatures, keeping your body hydrated will help prevent cramping and other pain.
- For any pain or inflammation, rest, ice and elevate – See a podiatrist at the first signs of discomfort to prevent worsening and treat the pain quickly.
Even the most experienced runners will face injuries, so it is important to consult with a skilled team of podiatrists for those instances. At Your Next Step, board-certified/qualified podiatrists Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen are committed to each individual’s foot health and have experience treating a variety of foot and ankle problems such as ankle sprains and fractures, plantar fasciitis, fungal nails and diabetic foot problems. Our offices, located in Ardmore, Paoli and Downingtown, are equipped with modern technologies to help with accurate diagnoses and treatments. To schedule an appointment, please call us or contact us through our website!