The Great Amazing Race is a superb family-friendly event coming up September 27, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN. Sign up your team of two to race around a one-mile course, on which you will have to complete several fun challenges as a team. It is a great experience for adults and kids alike to enjoy—a great way to get your kids active! Running with heel pain is not enjoyable at all, however. Whether you are gearing up for a fun race like this or a more serious marathon, we can offer some tips to relieve your heel pain and get back on track.
For runners, heel pain is often caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. Overuse and the repeated impact of your foot striking the ground can cause the plantar fascia, a thin ligament across the bottom of your foot, to sustain tiny tears and become inflamed. This injury can cause searing pain when you step out of bed in the morning or stand up after sitting for a while.
If you want to get back to running safely, it is worth having Dr. Kevin J. Powers evaluate the nature of your injury and help identify what caused it in the first place. We can also identify any structural problems that may have contributed to the injury and treat that specifically. Flat and high arched feet and a tight Achilles tendon are common contributing factors to plantar fasciitis. We may also suggest some effective stretches that target that area of your foot, taping, night splints, footwear modifications, and custom orthotics to help you back on the road without foot pain. If you increased the duration or intensity of your workouts too quickly, then it will be important to scale back on your running to take pressure off the plantar fascia. Keep your mileage increase to less than ten percent per week.
Don’t try to run through the pain—take care of it the right way from the start. If you have been running with nagging heel pain from plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Kevin J. Powers in Bloomington, IN for treatment. We help athletes of all kinds and ages stay at the top of their game. You can reach our office by calling (812) 333-4422 or through the contact option on our website.
