Foot Pain in Runners – A Quick Guide

A runner’s foot constantly endures the brunt of repetitive bashing up to three to seven times the body weight as the result of a running session. The foot is an extremely complex structure- there are 26 bones, 29 muscles, and several ligaments and tendons in each foot that work together to make movements possible.

If you suddenly pick up an injury, mild or severe, a professional physiotherapist in North London like Southgate Physio can help you get back to your normal, pain-free self. Get in touch with us by calling our clinic or sending us an email.

Most Common Reasons for Foot Pain in Runners

There can be several reasons for foot pain in runners, each of which manifests in a different area of the foot. For instance, Plantar Fasciitis results in pain under the heel, while Metatarsalgia results in pain in the front of the foot. After consulting our expert physiotherapists, we discuss the most common reasons for foot pain and the appropriate first aid in each scenario.

Plantar Fasciitis

Every runner knows and dreads plantar fasciitis, which manifests as a sharp, stabbing pain under the foot. It is an overuse injury that is caused when the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of tissue under the heel, is strained where it attaches to the heel bone.

It can be caused by suddenly increasing the intensity or running distance in a session, wearing shoes that do not support the foot arch, gaining weight, or due to muscles in your lower body not having enough strength to support your weight.

Consult a physiotherapist at once if you think you have plantar fasciitis as it can seriously hamper the quality of life.

Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a broad term for a variety of injuries caused primarily by overpronation or stressing of the tendons. Tendons are structures that connect muscles to the bones and help in movement. Tendinopathy usually manifests as a gradual increase in pain in the tendons with swelling in some cases.

The causes of tendinopathy vary depending on where the pain is located. Most commonly noted causes include a sudden change in a training regimen and changing the running surface.

Seek medical help at once to eliminate the possibility of a serious underlying issue. The treatment revolves around optimal loading of the tendons and using supportive orthotics.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures refer to small, localised breaks in the bone, most commonly the metatarsals. However, almost any bone in the body can be susceptible to stress fractures and you will need a diagnostic test for further details.

Again, stress fractures are a type of overuse injury and can result from a sudden change in the intensity of the training regimen. Treatment for stress fractures, unfortunately, involves complete rest with no impact activities during rest.

If you need more help with an injury, you can consult the expert team at Southgate Physio for effective solutions.

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy