Sore Feet

Understanding Foot Pain in Runners

Sore feet are a runner’s worst nightmare. A pair of good running shoes, a soft surface, and a foot that lands properly can help prevent them, but their prevention requires much attention to the overall body alignment. Legs absorb several times the body weight when running, causing the lower leg to rotate slightly inward and, therefore, flattening the arch and stretching the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. If the flattening becomes excessive, it’s diagnosed as flat feet. Because the fascia stretches too much, the pain is worse when the foot is held upward or when the toes are bent back, as that position pulls the fascia taut. Most of the time, however, the feet do not keep moving in the same angle as they did when the running foot hit the ground; therefore, the arch should not have flattened out.

Individualized Foot Pain Solutions

The cause of foot pain can stem from a variety of different problems, everything from improperly fitting shoes to plantar fasciitis could be the cause of your pain. Instead of offering general solutions we pride ourselves in our ability to focus on diagnosing and offering real solutions to your specific foot problems. We take the time to properly diagnose your foot pain issues and then we offer an individual treatment plan that works for you and relieves pain.

Thorough Assessment

To be able to know the source of the foot pain, our foot pain podiatrists will conduct a thorough assessment. The treatment plans include rest, physical therapy exercises in order to improve flexibility and to strengthen the muscles. This also includes correcting alignment issues and wearing custom orthotics.

Emphasis on Preventive Care

We also push the importance of preventive care, and will counsel you on the proper shoes and any necessary adjustments to lifestyle that can reduce the stress on your feet. Occasionally, chronic or severe soreness requires more advanced treatments, such as shockwave therapy to expedite the healing process and reduce inflammation, or ultrasound to help manage symptoms.

Our Commitment to Your Foot Health

The staff at Doveston Health is here to restore your feet back to their best, so that you can enjoy your life without pain.