No matter if you are an athlete in training or someone simply trying to stay in shape, running is an important aspect of fitness. But it is also a type of exercise that can take a toll on your body and leave you in physical pain, especially in your legs.
Significance
Inner ankle pain is difficult to handle. When you put too much stress on your legs, your ankles are one of the more vulnerable spots. This can make your workouts more difficult. This pain can hurt your progress and limit your ability to improve your times. It is important to monitor this pain. To deal with ankle pain, listen to your body. Rest when appropriate and don't try to push through the pain.
Prevention
One way to avoid ankle pain involves your shoes. Make sure you wear running shoes that are supportive and laced up properly. Just because you are not playing a contact sport does not mean that you can take your shoe choice less seriously. Make sure your shoes are not worn out. If there is too much wear on the bottom, they will not provide the right type of support and can lead to pain.
Prevention
Another way to prevent ankle pain from running deals with where you run. Find a surface that is conducive to your activity. One optimal place to run is a track. Tracks will allow you to run effectively without really putting stress on your ankles. And tracks typically will not have the same problems that running on pavement will, such as cracks and potholes that can cause you to turn your ankle.
Solution
If you feel pain in your ankle after running, there are steps that you can take to help deal with the issue. Icing after a workout is a great way to keep swelling down. When icing, elevate your foot so there is no pressure on the ankle. Consider taking ibuprofen after a run; it will help with pain, stiffness and swelling.
Warning
While taking these measures can help you both prevent ankle pain and deal with it once it happens, sometimes there is nothing that can be done to avoid the issue. Running puts a lot of stress on your body, and each step affects the muscles and ligaments in the ankle. Do not let this keep you from running, but monitor yourself, and if it becomes a serious issue, see a doctor or a trainer to make sure it is safe for you to continue.
