Training Feel Impossible? 4 Common Causes of Foot Pain in Runners

Running and foot pain often go hand in hand, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. By knowing some of the most common causes of foot pain in runners, you can take action to protect your feet better and ensure more comfort while running. Here are four of the main causes of foot pain that often affect runners.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

Shoes that are of the wrong size can wreak havoc on your feet and cause persistent pain. Shoes that are too small can make the feet more confined and susceptible to injury while footwear that’s too big can rub on the heels and other areas of the feet while running and leave blisters, calluses, and lesions. It’s also important to have shoes that are fitted to provide enough support in the arches and other areas of the feet that running actively engages.

Stress Fractures

The excessive pounding on the bones from running may cause stress fractures to form in the feet. As Active.comexplains, stress fractures are often hard to diagnose because they tend to progress slowly over time and don’t always show up clearly on X-rays. If you happen to get a stress fracture, the best thing to do is to take time off from running and other athletic activities that result in high impact on your feet until the fracture heals.

Plantar Fasciitis

The first sign of this condition is usually intense pain felt at the bottom of the feet. According to WebMD, plantar fasciitis results when the fibrous tissue on the bottom of your feet known as the fascia is stretched too much and forms small tears. Causes of plantar fasciitis may range from ill-fitting shoes to training too aggressively. Treating the root cause usually resolves plantar fasciitis. Orthotics and inserts that are worn inside shoes are sometimes prescribed to help ease pain and facilitate healing.

Tendonitis

One of the main tendon’s susceptible to inflammation while running is the posterior tibial tendon, which helps to support arches. In addition to pain at the bottom of your feet, you may experience symptoms like swelling and throbbing when tendonitis is present. A foot doctor or physical therapist can show you stretches and exercises to treat tendonitis. Icing your feet regularly can also be effective in reducing inflammation.

Finding the source of your foot pain and implementing the right solution can help keep you running longer with less pain. Consider scheduling an appointment with a podiatrist, who can diagnose the cause of your foot pain and administer treatment to ease your suffering.