Running is great for your health, but it can really hurt your feet. If you’ve ever experienced a screaming pain in the arch of your foot and ankle after running, you know what I’m talking about.
Every wonder why that happens?
Well, there are a few possible reasons. We’ll get into them below and discuss how you can address those issues.
Why do I feel pain in the arch of my foot and ankle after running?
Here are a few common reasons why people feel arch and ankle pain after a long (or even short) run:
1. Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when your plantar fascia — the ligament spanning the length of your foot — becomes inflamed or injured. This condition typically comes with a mild amount of pain regardless, but running can inflame the ligament further and exacerbate the pain.
2. High arches
People who have very high arches on their feet tend to experience foot pain more than those with smaller arches. People who have cavus feet (the medical term for high arches) tend to experience pain after running because their feet can’t properly absorb the impact.
3. Flat feet
Whether you were born with no arches or your feet healed flat after an injury, flat feet may be the source of your post-running pain. Flat feet have too much slack in their ligaments, which affect their impact-absorbing ability.
4. Misaligned feet
When you’re running, the ball of your foot should ideally hit the ground first to brace the impact for the rest of your foot. Misaligned feet, also known as overpronation, cause your whole foot to hit the ground at once, which can trigger pain in your arches and ankles after running.
What should you do about your foot and ankle pain?
If you consistently feel pain in the arch of your foot and ankle after running, there are two things you should do:
First, you should contact your primary care doctor or a physical therapist in your area to get a proper diagnosis. They’ll be able to help you identify and address the root problem to help you get back to pain-free running.
The second thing you should do is to get a good pair of arch-supporting footwear. You don’t need to buy new sneakers, either – Biocorrect offers custom orthotics that are designed to provide your feet with the personalized cushioning and support they need.
Contact us today for more information about all the orthotics we offer or to schedule an initial evaluation with one of our certified pedorthists.
