The summertime oftentimes provides the perfect setting for an outdoor run in Minnesota, but if your exercise is being impeded by foot pain, you need to take some steps to help alleviate your discomfort and protect your feet. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some to the steps you should take if your running routine is becoming painful.
Why Do My Feet Hurt When Running?
We’re going to provide you with some tips for treating foot issues that become more noticeable when running, but remember that this is just general advice. For treatment tailored to your individual diagnosis and needs, head to a foot specialist’s office in your area.
If your feet are bothering you during or after a run, the first thing you’ll want to do is give them some time away from high-impact activity. It’s very possible that you’re dealing with an overstress-related injury, and giving your feet some time off from stressful activity may be all you need. Give your feet a few days or a week off and see how they respond with a short run after they’ve had some time to recover.
In the meantime, you don’t need to sit on your couch. You can still pursue other types of exercise that aren’t as hard on your feet, like swimming or cycling. Find ways to get your heart rate up and improve your circulation while you’re letting your feet heal.
There’s also the possibility that you’re dealing with an injury that requires a little more proactive treatment, like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. In these instances, your feet would likely respond better to some active treatments like physical therapy, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications and a heat/ice regimen. Again, knowing exactly what you’re dealing with and targeting it with these active treatments can yield the best results, so consider syncing up with a foot and ankle specialist.
Finally, if foot pain during or after a run has become chronic or severe, your best bet is to consult with a medical expert. It’s possible that you suffered an acute injury like a foot fracture or a tear to one of the soft tissues in your foot. That doesn’t mean that surgery is always necessary, but you don’t want to waste any time pursuing treatments that may not prove successful. Failing to take the right steps can lead to worsening pain and can make it harder to treat the underlying issue.
There is no perfect playbook for treating foot pain while running because it can be caused by so many different issues, but if you follow some of this advice and you speak with a foot specialist in your area, we’re confident that you’ll be able to get back to running without pain in the near future. For more information, or for help with a foot and ankle issue of your own, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office today at (952) 224-8500.
