Running strengthens your body and improves your mood, but it’s not always great for your feet. Repeatedly pounding the ground increases your risk of foot injuries like stress fractures and plantar fasciitis, which causes heel and arch pain. Before heading out for your next run, check out these three tips a podiatrist would recommend to maintain healthy feet. 

Tips to Help Runner’s Feet

1. Wear the Right Shoes

A leading cause of running injuries, ill-fitting shoes poses a serious threat to your feet. To prevent injury, make sure your shoes fit snugly (but not too tightly) and offer the correct amount of support. Since size and support needs differ between runners, ask a podiatrist to help you find the best fit.

2. Practice Proper Form 

Demonstrating proper form puts less strain on your body and reduces the risk of injury. Gaze directly ahead to maintain good posture, relax your shoulders, and keep your knee in line with the middle of your foot. Also, instead of just lifting your feet, use them to push off the ground.

3. Listen to Your Body

While many runners get excited by challenges and like to push themselves, it’s important to take things slow and trust your body. If you want to increase your mileage, speed, or frequency, do so gradually. Remember that your body uses sensations to signal when something’s wrong, so never force yourself to run through intense pain or atypical feelings. A podiatrist can recommend a place to have insoles fitted, which may help.

Every runner needs a podiatrist they can trust. For help preventing and treating running injuries, turn to Dr. Eric D. Trattner in Cleveland, OH. With offices located on both the east and west sides of Cleveland, Dr. Trattner specializes in treating sports injuries along with other foot conditions like heel spurs, bunions, and hammertoes. He also has 30 years of experience and believes that informed patients who are involved in their recoveries heal faster. Learn more about Dr. Trattner’s services on his website, and call (440) 333-5350 to schedule an appointment today.