You are on a run and you begin to lose the feeling in your toes. You may think, how is it possible that my toes are numb while I am exercising? The answer is that sometimes the nerve synapses in your feet get caught in a traffic jam and tell your toes to fall asleep. The first thing to examine is your shoes. They may be too small for your feet, thereby squeezing the toes. Or they may be too tightly laced, entrapping the nerves on the top of the foot. Also, check your socks. They may be too thin in the winter or too heavy in the summer. It might be a good idea to have different shoes and socks for each season. Next, look at your stride. If you spend too much time with your feet on the ground, your feet may be reacting to shock absorption overload. Changing your pace may help. Finally, numbness could be caused by a nerve problem that starts in the hips and fails to deliver a message to the feet. If numbness in the feet during your runs becomes more frequent or worsens, it may be time to consult a chiropodist for a thorough examination, diagnosis and discussion of treatment options.
Although running is a wonderful exercise to keep you in shape, it can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles if you don’t take preventive measures. If you have sustained a foot and ankle injury from running, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Some common running injuries include:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Shin splints
- Ankle sprains
- Stress fractures
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bursitis
What causes injuries?
These injuries are usually caused by overtraining, wearing the wrong shoes, running on hard surfaces, having tight and inflexible muscles, or having biomechanical issues in the feet or ankles.
What can I do to prevent injuries?
- Train slowly and gradually
- Give yourself plenty of time to recover following a run
- Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot
- Avoid running on hard surfaces, like concrete
- Stretch and strengthen the muscles of your lower legs
- Warm-up prior to a run
- Have your gait analyzed and your feet examined by a chiropodist to determine if there are any biomechanical problems that need to be treated
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON .
