It’s that time again. The holiday feasts, cookies and pies, wine and spirits. It was fun while it lasted, until we realize that we have neglected our bodies and can’t fit into our favorite jeans. We often decide to coin our favorite expression “after the holidays” we’ll get to the gym, start a diet, begin running again to get back in shape and into our favorite clothes.
As a foot and ankle specialist, I get ready for the onslaught of new and existing patients who call my office in February and March, with a complaint of “PAIN”. The typical complaints: heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, shin splints, pain in the ball of the foot, swelling and numbness in the toes…almost always come from a failure to resume activity in a reasonable manner.
If you’ve never run before, don’t go on a 3 mile run. Don’t run in sneakers that you’ve had for over a year. Don’t try to do an advanced step class without doing a basic class first. Don’t begin a rigorous workout without warming up or stretching. A helpful suggestion is to cut your planned activity in half, do it every other day for 3 days and make sure you have no pain. Then increase a bit more the next week and so on. Buy yourself a new pair of sneakers. Spend 5-10 minutes stretching your calves, hamstrings and back before and after your exercise.
If you do experience pain, don’t give up. Many of the symptoms you may feel in your feet, ankles and legs can be treated while still participating in your physical activity, preventing downtime! If you find yourself trying to get back in shape and developing some of the symptoms I mentioned above, call your foot and ankle specialist. He or she can quickly diagnose and treat you to keep you on your feet and onward toward achieving your fitness goals!
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Abrams, please contact us, and we will schedule you in either our Eatontown or Toms River office, whichever is most convenient for you!
