Is it natural for your feet to hurt after you go running? This is a difficult question to answer. Sometimes the sheer intensity of your run can result in aching feet afterwards, even when you wear appropriate footwear and don't have any known pre-existing issues with your feet. But what if your feet hurt more than you feel should be usual? The pain and discomfort might have resulted in you trying a few different pairs of running shoes, with each pair more elaborate than the last (and probably more expensive too). You might have even cut back on your running due to the subsequent discomfort. It doesn't have to be this way. There could be a number of contributing factors when it comes to your post-running sore feet, and yet you won't be able to get to the root of the problem without having a professional observe you as you run. So do you need to find a doctor or podiatrist to go jogging with you?
Your Gait
It's probably difficult for a medical professional to properly analyse your movement if they're running alongside you, so rather unsurprisingly, this is not what happens. Visit a sports podiatrist and request a gait analysis. Your gait is essentially your manner of movement when walking or running. The basic gait is the same for all humans, and yet there are numerous subtle differences in each person. A gait analysis looks at the specifics of your movement, and determines whether this is contributing towards your discomfort after running.
The Analysis
The actual gait analysis requires you to run on a treadmill while your feet and legs are filmed. Yes, it is sort of like a movie of you running. The sports podiatrist will usually adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill while you run in order to mimic a number of different terrains that you might encounter. They might in fact review the footage frame-by-frame in order to see how you move at every conceivable stage of the running process. They will be particularly interested in your pronation levels, which is how much your foot rolls when it comes into contact with the ground. A certain degree of pronation is necessary for shock absorption, but excessive pronation can result in issues for your feet, your ankles, and even your entire lower legs. It is also possible that one of your feet might pronate to a greater degree than the other.
The Result
After a thorough analysis of your gait, your sports podiatrist will make a recommendation about the best course of action. This could be as simple as suggesting a particular model of running shoes for you. They might also recommend that you receive a custom-made orthotic, which are inserts designed to be placed inside your shoes in order to alter your gait to a style that does not stress the muscles and ligaments of your feet. This is particularly pertinent if your individual feet experience different levels of pronation (as a different orthotic can be produced for each foot).
If you are concerned about the state of your feet after running, it can be worthwhile to schedule a gait analysis so you can ensure that you're not doing your poor feet any damage.
Share10 August 2016
Hey there. My name is Wade, and I have been a first aid volunteer for the past twenty years. Most weekends you will find me at football games, rodeos, agricultural shows or fun runs. I really love being able to help at these events and provide the necessary level of assistance. As a first responder, my medical role is very limited, but, many injured people do contact me to give thanks after they recover. This has further sparked my interest in health and medicine. I love watching medical shows and reading basic texts to gain a greater understanding of particular medical problems. I'm sure there are others like me who take an amateur interest in health and medical matters. I started this blog to share intriguing information I come across. I hope you find my topics fascinating and instructive. Thank you for dropping by.