There are plenty of benefits of running. Danish researchers found that those who run at least an hour a week add an average of six years to their life. It improves your health, prevents diseases, relieves stress, and boosts confidence. But if you are not careful, running can be quite painful.
Here are five of the most common running related injuries that our sports medicine doctors have encountered:
1. Shin Splints
Have you ever experienced a shooting pain near the front or sides of one or both shins? Well, then you have most definitely had shin splints, or “tibial stress syndrome”. If you want to prevent the injury make sure you stretch frequently, and focus on exercises like toe raises and shin stretches.
2. Plantar Fasciitis
This is an inflammation of a fibrous band of tissue in the bottom of the foot that extends from the heel bone to the toes, and is usually caused by placing too much stress on the bottom of the foot. To avoid inflammations like this, make sure you stretch before and after every run, wear supportive running shoes, and know your boundaries and limits.
3. Achilles Tendonitis
Stretch regularly and use arch supports if you want to avoid this inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the lower calf. This is a very common injury for runners, and is caused by a lack of flexibility.
4. Stress Fracture
These stress fractures are like any other fractures in the body and require 8-10 weeks to heal completely, but can be prevented by modifying running equipment or training regimens. Symptoms include localized pain and swelling, and the fracture is usually caused by repetitive force to a specific area. Stress fractures are common among all athletes, both amateur and professional.
5. Morton´s Neuroma
Numbness in the toes, pain in the ball of the foot, and a stinging pain in the forefoot are all signs of Morton´s Neuroma. Runners who wear tight-fitting shoes often experience this condition. To minimize your chances of injuring yourself, make sure you wear proper running shoes that have a roomy toe box, and do not lace your shoes too tightly in the forefoot.
If you would like to know more about running injuries, preventative methods, or treatment options, feel free to give us a call at (855) 360-9119 to contact a sports medicine doctor in Beverly Hills.
