For those of you who love to run, foot injuries can not only be an annoyance but can also be something that can prevent you from running altogether. A podiatrist will often be necessary to help you overcome serious running injuries. However, you will want to do everything that you can to prevent these injuries from happening in the first place. Most podiatrists will recommend that you do a number of things to prevent running injuries to your feet.

1. Exercise and Stretching. Some of the most common injuries related to the foot while running can be prevented, or at least minimized, by properly stretching and exercising the feet. Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis can be painful and will prevent you from running. Luckily, there are stretches and exercises to strengthen the foot.

2. Orthotics. Another thing that a podiatrist may recommend to help you prevent injury is to wear custom orthotic inserts while running. When these orthotics are custom made and fit just right, they can prevent a number of foot injuries such as plantar fasciitis and knee injuries caused by overuse and pronation. A podiatrist can help create this customer orthotic so that it fits your foot perfectly. They may also recommend that you consider barefoot or minimalist running shoes.

3. Proper Fitting Shoes. Many injuries such as blistering and black toenails may be caused by shoes that do not fit properly. You will want to make sure that the shoes are not too tight and that they are not too loose. A good way to tell if the shoe fits is if there is at least one thumb width between your big toe and the end of the shoe and that your heel is not slipping. You will also want to break your shoes in slowly to help prevent blistering. This means walking and jogging in them for a while before going on long runs.

If you love running, you will want to make sure that your feet are taken care of and injury free so that you can continue doing what you love. By exercising and stretching, getting the right shoes, and making sure you have all the necessary advice and help from a podiatrist, you can ensure you are injury free. Contact a professional podiatrist, like those at Collier Podiatry PA, to discuss the best ways to help you keep your feet healthy and keep you running.

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