PODIATRIST PROVIDES ADVICE TO NEW RUNNERS

posted: Jul. 28, 2019.

Warm, sunny days inspire many people to throw on the nearest pair of sneakers and head outdoors for a run. But choose carefully. Running shoes should provide the proper foot support to prevent injury. “The human foot is an amazingly complex structure,” said Christina Rowe-Bauer, DPM, a podiatrist with Penn State Health Sports Medicine. “In fact, an adult’s two feet contain a quarter of the body’s bones, which work together with muscles, tendons, and other elements to help a runner move forward.” Each time a foot hits the ground during a run, it experiences a force equivalent to three times the person’s weight, she explained. 

 

Dr. Christina Rowe-Bauer

 

 

“Proper footwear is critical for making sure the feet can handle all that force without pain or damage,” Dr. Rowe-Bauer said. She said that anyone new to the sport of running — or experienced runners who have foot or leg pain — should start with a doctor’s exam to determine general health, foot type, and running style. “Bring old athletic shoes; the wear patterns can give the doctor clues about things like foot overpronation (rolling inward) or supination (rolling outward),” Rowe-Bauer said. “Be honest about any pain experienced during or after running.”

 

Source: Penn State Health [7/24/19]

 

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.

 

Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toronto's foot clinic, Academy Foot and Orthotic Clinics.