MOST TIME RUNNERS CAN ADDRESS ARCH PAIN AT HOME

As a busy sports-medicine podiatrist in Orangeburg, NY, Robert Conenello, DPM, sees runners with a wide range of foot problems, from Achilles problems to bunions to stress fractures. But more than anything else—along the lines of 15 times a day—athletes walk into his office complaining of arch and heel pain. “In the close to 30 years I’ve been practicing, it has definitely increased,” he says.

 

Dr. Rob Conenello

 

More than three-fourths of the time, Conenello believes, runners can address arch pain at home. Try this stretch throughout the day: While seated, grab your big toe, pull it back as far as you can tolerate, and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. This will help release the plantar fascia. While you have your foot in your hand, rub gently along the bottom. If you find a spot that’s particularly sensitive, massage it using a lacrosse ball to break up scar tissue, he says. You can also use a frozen water bottle, which adds the pain-relief and potential anti-inflammatory properties of ice. 

 

Source: Cindy Kuzma, Runner's World [11/14/19] 

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.