17May 2021 by ritapt
Are my shoes (or boots) causing blisters?

Are my shoes (or boots) causing blisters?

Ankle-Foot, Running, Tactical
Question: Are my shoes (or boots) causing blisters? A common cause of blisters is shoes or boots that are too tight or too loose. One of our clients is a "seasonal" runner who routinely starts training for his annual running/physical fitness test about two months out. This year, he began noticing blisters on his pinky toes.  Though he ramped up his miles abruptly (going from 0 to 15 miles per week…in 2 weeks),  he denied experiencing foot blisters since way back in boot camp. He had, however, bought a new pair of shoes for his upcoming physical fitness test. Answer: Check the shoe’s liner 1. Remove the liner insert from the shoe and stand on it. The size and shape of the liner should match your foot all the way around.…
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16Sep 2020 by ritapt
How to stretch for plantar fasciitis: an easy technique fix to relieve heel pain

How to stretch for plantar fasciitis: an easy technique fix to relieve heel pain

Ankle-Foot
How to stretch for plantar fasciitis: an easy technique fix to relieve heel pain If you have plantar fasciitis, you may have been told to stretch your foot as part of your treatment plan. If you are doing the exercise but not feeling much benefit, a simple tweak to your technique may help. Why your stretch might not be working The primary exercise that most people are taught for plantar fasciitis is to pull all the toes backward.  Typical stretch - all toes together But, the fascia tissue has several bands that branch out from the heel bone. These bands have different lengths and angles that make it difficult to get a good stretch when grouping them all together as one:  Since the plantar fascia is made up of multiple…
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05Aug 2019 by ritapt
Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad and Ugly, Part 3 (Shin and Ankle)

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad and Ugly, Part 3 (Shin and Ankle)

Ankle-Foot, Running, Tactical
Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad and Ugly, Part 3 (Shin and Ankle) Originally published by SOFLETE. You can read the article on their website here. Shin splints are the worst! They are one of the reasons I became a physical therapist (to find a solution to my own problem), and are a leading, not-so-fond memory of boot camp for many a client through the years. The good news about shin splints is that once the cause has been identified (and eliminated), the pain disappears. The bad news? What if they’re not shin splints at all? How do you eliminate a problem if you don’t know what the problem is?  The importance of identifying the underlying problem - and not just the pain - has been a recurring theme throughout this…
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