FAQ Archives | Orthosports Physiotherapy

How to Choose the Right Running Shoes?

Whether you are a new runner or a seasoned one, basic facts about ‘the right running shoe for you’ (unless you are a barefoot runner) are very important to understand and implement. Your choice of running shoes can make the difference between running in comfort or pain, and most importantly, whether you stay healthy or get injured. Too often I find runners experimenting with expensive shoes only to end up in pain. Understanding the basics of buying the right running shoe for you will save you lots of time, money and will keep you running for long.

Can Sitting All Day Affect My Running Performance?

FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

A lot of runners are recreational runners; some may be sedentary runners or even weekend warriors. All these terms vary in the attitude of the runner and also the time and effort put into the running. But the bottom line is that they all have day jobs and the running (whether it is daily or once a month) happens outside of the working hours. What is wonderful is that their bodies are getting the exercise that they need; however, attention must be paid to whether sitting all day in a poor posture is affecting your running in some way. If you don’t pay attention to this, you might be allowing yourself to short change your performance or pick up several persisting injuries along the way. So seriously ask yourself- is my sitting killing my running?

What is “the wall” and How does it affect my running?

FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

Most full marathoners have hit the “wall” at some point and hence know what it feels like. In scientific terms, the “wall” is when glycogen depletion occurs while running. We store enough carbohydrates in the form of glycogen in our muscles and liver to run about 28 to 30 kms and then we hit the wall of glycogen depletion. Our muscles…

Why is it so different to run with a group versus running alone?

FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

Running can be a solitary sport but yet a lot of runners run in groups at least part of the time. This might be along with a coach or with a running group or just a few friends running together. Either way running in a group has several benefits. First of all…

Is it fine to run when I have a cold?

FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

If you have a simple cold without fever then it is completely fine to run. In fact, running during a cold can open up airways leading to faster recovery. Many runners find themselves being able to get rid of their cold just by running, including me. On the other hand…

What’s the difference between running outside and on a treadmill?

1 Comment / FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

Running on a treadmill feels somewhat easier physically because the ground is being pulled underneath your feet and there’s no wind resistance. On a treadmill, the smaller stabilizer muscles in your lower legs don’t have to work as hard. Running outside demands more from your body because…

Why do my toenails go black?

1 Comment / FAQ, General, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

Toes blacken because blood vessels under the nail break open, which spill blood (which looks black under the opaque nail) into the area between the toe bed and the toenail. To prevent re-occurrences, address the cause.

I have heel pain and it hurts the most in the morning. What can I do for this?

1 Comment / FAQ, Pain Management, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

This condition is called plantar fasciitis; however, if there is heel pain but it is not necessarily in the morning then the diagnosis and treatment are different. The most common reasons for this pain are tight arches, tight calf muscles, and over-pronation or supination.

I hear a lot about runners collapsing after a racing event. Why does this happen and what can I do to prevent this?

Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

The most common reason for exercise-induced collapse after the finish of a long-distance event is blood pooling in the legs, which is known as postural hypotension. The longer the race, the greater the risk of collapse.

Why do I get headaches during or after a run?

FAQ, Running / By Dr. Rajani Patil

Headaches stem from a range of causes. Two of the most common reasons are…