No runner wants to experience an injury. Unfortunately, this type of repetitive physical activity can sometimes result in serious problems that could mean having to give up your favorite pastime. However, runners need to know that a visit to the foot doctor may be key in helping them avoid these problems. If you’re wondering whether there is anything you can do to make sure you can keep moving, consider how a foot doctor can help treat the following common running injuries and help you keep your body in tip-top shape:
Achilles Tendinitis
Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Overtraining and putting too much stress on your Achilles tendon can result in that tendon becoming tight and, eventually, highly inflamed. When that happens, scar tissue can form, and runners may feel pain in or around the heel as well as other symptoms, like reduced flexibility or redness in the heel area. A qualified foot doctor in South Side Chicago, can help treat this condition by recommending stretches and other exercises that will help you strengthen your foot and leg muscles so you can return to running as quickly as possible and prevent injuries in the future.
Flat Feet and Overpronation
Although flat feet occur as a result of genetics and not injury, running with flat feet can actually cause injuries if you don’t know what you’re doing. Those who run with flat feet may actually be more prone to overpronation, which means that your feet roll too far inward during running, which in turn affects their ability to absorb shock when your feet strike the ground. The good news is that seeing a foot doctor in South Side Chicago, can help. Your podiatrist will be able to help you select special motion control running shoes and prescribe custom orthotics or shoe inserts to help with your pronation issues.
Don’t sit on the sidelines when you would rather be running. Instead, contact the team at Mitchell Foot & Ankle. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, their specialists will be able to work with you to help you figure out how to treat any injuries you may have. In addition, they’ll have expertise and experience they can share that will help prevent future injuries so that you can keep doing what you love for as long as you like.
