Feet Health and Marathon Training

Your Chiropodist is one of the first medical practitioners you should consider to see when undertaking marathon training and ultra-training.

A Chiropodist is a health care practitioner trained in assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot, and lower leg. When it comes to running your Chiropodist may have a wealth of experience treating all sorts of conditions associated to the foot and lower limbs from the common skin sores, to muscle aches, strains and pains.

Below is a list of some of the conditions marathon training or general running may cause:

  • corns,
  • callus,
  • blisters and sores,
  • athletes foot and tinea conditions,
  • bursitis,
  • metatarsalgia,
  • Morton’s neuroma,
  • nail injury,
  • sub-ungual haematoma,
  • foot fatigue,
  • foot pain,
  • plantar fasciitis,
  • tendonitis,
  • achilles tendonitis and stress fractures.

As we can see, running can come with a host of issues, however it can also be very rewarding. Safe training will improve your health, fitness and endurance.

Your Chiropodist may recommend fitting footwear and a good graduated training programme starting at a basic level increasing through to near race distance level, accompanied with a safe stretching programme. You may also be recommended to take a gait and biomechanics assessment to check for any anomalies in your walking and running style. If any problems are detected,  simple exercises, safe and effective ways to strap and support the foot and in some cases prescribe therapeutic custom orthotic insoles will be advised.

For good measure it is recommended to work with an experienced team that may comprise of a personal trainer, physiotherapist, massage therapist and podiatrist or chiropodist.

For further information on getting the best out of your marathon training contact your local Podiatrist for your next appointment. You can book your appointment online or by calling us on 01202 725090.