Foot And Ankle Pain Stopping You Running? Do This So It Doesn't Get Worse
Ankle and foot pain while running is a common problem for many avid runners who rely on this exercise to stay healthy and fit. Even if you've run for years without issues in the past, ankle, and foot pain can strike and leave you unable to run without pain.
After working with lots of runners since 2003, we understand that running is more than just a form of exercise.
For some, it's their "me time" where they can recharge after a hectic week at work, or it's their way to get energized on a morning before the manic school run begins.
We also know how running can be important for socializing too. Running groups, whether online or in-person allows you to connect with other people like you, and not being able to run really threatens your identity and can lead to you feeling a little isolated.
So, if you're a runner, we get it!
And we help runners overcome foot and ankle pain FAST, so they can get back to doing the things they love without pills, injections, or reducing their running distances.
Causes Of Foot And Ankle Pain While Running
So you may be asking yourself... "what's causing my ankle and foot pain?" or "why is this hurting me now?".
The ankle and foot consist of numerous ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones that support your body weight when you run.
And microtrauma, repetitive stress from running, and improper foot mechanics can all lead to foot and ankle pain.
If you can't think of an obvious reason for your foot and ankle pain - such as a trip or fall - then these are the 4 most common causes of foot and ankle pain that affect runners:
Achilles Tendinitis
This occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, becomes inflamed.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the sole of your foot.
Stress Fractures
Repetitive stress from running can lead to small cracks in the bones of the foot or ankle.
Flat Feet or Overpronation
Flat feet, or feet that overpronate, can cause instability in the ankle, leading to pain and discomfort.
Importance of Identifying the Root Cause
As well as the 4 causes of ankle and foot pain above, there are MANY other things that could be triggering this, and stopping you from running at your best.
The really important step now that you are in pain, is to identify the underlying reason for this pain.
Pain is a warning signal from our body that something is not quite right, like a check engine light.
Often, people try to mask the pain with pills, resting, or even using natural pain relief solutions like ice and heat.
However, this approach is the equivalent of covering over the check engine light on your dashboard so you can't see it anymore.
If you take the "rest and hope it gets better" approach, it's very likely that the problem is going to flare up again the next time you lace up your running shoes and head out on a long run, or you push for a fast time on your short run.
If you mask the pain with pills, ice, or heat, and continue to run through the pain, you can actually create a much bigger problem that takes longer to recover from.
So what should you do to get back to pain-free running, and start pushing towards new personal bests again?
The Best Way To Treat Ankle And Foot Pain For Runners
If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain while running, our team is here to help with a variety of natural pain relief solutions, and most importantly identify EXACTLY why you're in pain.
With this knowledge, a personalized treatment plan can be created that gives you exactly what you need for a quick recovery.
To learn more about the best treatment options for your ankle and foot pain, and to get back to running pain-free, we offer a Free Runner Ready Assessment.
In this free assessment, you get to speak to an expert, share your struggles and goals, and receive personalized advice and clarity on the proven, fast-acting treatment options that are suitable to you.
To arrange your Free Runner Ready Assessment, call us on 828-242-0343 or click the link below:
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