Why Does Running Hurt My Feet?
Running places considerable strain on your feet, so it's no surprise that most runners experience foot pain at some point. While foot pain should never be ignored some causes of pain are more serious than others. If you are experiencing foot pain it is always a good idea to speak your podiatrist who will be able to recommend the best treatment plan for you.
There are a number of common types of foot pain but today I will focus on 3 areas
- Pain in the balls of your feet
- Pain in the heel
- Pain on the inside of the foot
Pain in the ball of your feet
Pain in the balls of the feet is often a result of capsulitis. Capsulitis frequently occurs at the joint with the big toe, it is caused by a shortened heel strike and the resulting increase in the amount of time the runner spends on the ball of their foot. It occurs when the joint and soft tissue becomes inflamed as a result of the stress they are experiencing.
One of the first places to start to help prevent capsulitis from occurring is by ensuring your feet are properly supported while running. Invest in a pair of running shoes that offer the support you need.
Pain in the heel
Heel pain is a common complaint that affects not just runners but many people who spend a large part of their day standing. Most commonly the pain is a result of plantar fasciitis/osis, this is an inflammation/degeneration of the tissue band which connects the toes to the heel.
Plantar fasciitis/osis can be caused by incorrect footwear, but it can also be the result of an underlying problem with the structure of the foot, perhaps due to the way your body weight is distributed when you walk and run. If you suspect you are suffering from plantar fasciitis/osis then it is important to talk to your podiatrist so that they can examine your feet to exclude other possible causes of your pain, and advice on the most suitable treatment for your condition.
Pain on the inside of the foot
Pain on the inside of the foot is frequently the result of a problem with the arches. This is again due to an inefficiency in the way we distribute our body weight. If your arches collapse or have failed to develop correctly then your feet will flatten out as you walk or run. This can place additional stress on your inner foot.
An inflamed tendon/s is another possible cause of pain in this area, having a low arch in your foot could cause your posterior tibialis tendon to become stressed.
A third possibility is that you have no problems with the structure of your foot but have simply developed a running injury. A stress fracture is a possible result of running with an existing injury.
Treatment
If you are experiencing pain anywhere in your feet during or after running, do not risk causing permanent damage to your feet. Talk to your podiatrist today and get your feet professionally examined. Your podiatrist will be able to advise you on the best available treatment for your injury.