When that niggle turns into pain

It’s early in the year, it’s lockdown, and it seems everyone is out walking and running as, let’s face it, what else is there to do?! But, be careful, you could start to get some niggles, or worse if your overdo it…

We are seeing so many new clients in lockdown with niggles which have turned into something more. This can be down to walking around the house barefoot due to home working, and therefore not wearing a supportive shoe or trainer like you usually would when out and about at work. It is also due to a generic increase in walking and running as a form of exercise outside as this is one of the main things we can do at the moment to keep fit.

However, due to the lack of variety in our exercise, wrong shoes, lack of support, tightening of muscles etc. we are seeing quite a few clients coming in with Achilles and heel pain injuries.

Here are a few top tips to keep you flexible and injury free:

Stretch stretch stretch…we don’t do enough of this – calf stretches are a great way of keeping you moving and is a must after a long walk or run
Use the correct footwear for the job – if you are running wear a good supportive running trainer, walking requires a good support walking shoe or boot
Vary your exercise routine – don’t do the same thing every day! Although it is tempting to have a routine where you do the same walk or jog daily this will put undue stress on your muscles and joints with no time for them to recover. Try and mix it up with an online Pilates class or weights session – this will work different muscle groups and give your body a much better chance of recovery from the other types of exercise you are doing.

If all else fails and you are still getting pain, then get in touch. We are here to help with foot and ankle pain and can create a tailored treatment plan to meet your specific needs.