After being cooped up all winter, spring is a common time of year that both new and seasoned runners experience foot and/or knee pain. According to Meghan Knox, Canadian Certified Pedorthist and clinic manager at BioPed in Guelph, foot health plays a big role in running safely and comfortably. I sat down with her and asked her for some advice about foot health and running.
What are some common running-related pain that your patients are suffering from?
Heel pain and knee pain are the most common. Most heel pain, or plantar fasciitis, is caused by tearing on the bottom of the foot. People often suffer from heel pain and assume it is normal, but that is not the case. They don't have to hurt.
Knee pain comes from the feet as well. The way that your feet move will pull your knee so if you start from the bottom and treat the feet then you should end up being able to avoid running-related knee pain.
Do you have any advice that you could offer new and seasoned runners to help them avoid running-related injuries?
First, everyone should listen to their bodies. I think that the natural way your body is going to strike the ground should be the way that you start running.
And don’t underestimate your shoes. Shoes play a big part in ground reaction forces and they propel you forward. A lot of beginning runners will pull running shoes out of the back of the closet that they got 6 to 10 years ago and then wonder why their calves hurt. Don’t wait until you hurt before you address your shoes.
BioPed offers free biomechanical assessments. What are they for?
The gait and biomechanical assessments we offer at BioPed assess the lower limbs, range of motion and gait. We schedule a full hour for biomechanical assessments so we can see how our patients move, why they move in a certain way and pinpoint any limitations.
What kind of footwear solutions are available?
Once you have completed a biomechanical assessment, we can then prescribe the perfect shoe or inserts based on the way you move, the way your feet move and what activity level you are at. We make a lot of custom orthotics and carry many different brands and types of shoes. We carry top brands of running shoes like Asics, Brooks, Etonic, New Balance and Saucony.
Meghan and her team of pedorthists, chiropodists, and footcare nurses are passionate about helping people stay healthy and moving. To schedule a biomechanical assessment or to talk to someone about footwear solutions, schedule an appointment on their website or call (519) 821-7310. BioPed is located in downtown Guelph at 102 Wyndham Street North.