| Many athletes, or just normal people that | | | | elliptical trainer. Keeping tabs on the |
| work out regularly, can end up with a stress | | | | fracture is imperative, and checking in |
| fracture, and not even know how it was | | | | regularly with your doctor is going to help |
| caused. Many of these people have no | | | | you with this. If it continues to hurt at |
| recollection of an injury or accident that | | | | the same or a heightened level, there may be |
| could have brought on the stress fracture; it | | | | more going on than a stress fracture, and |
| just starts hurting one day, and gets | | | | your doctor will need to take a further look, |
| exponentially worse. Stress Fractures are | | | | take X-Rays and possibly set you in a cast, |
| small, and can be minuscule, cracks in the | | | | or a temporary medical boot. Protect |
| bone that are very often the result of | | | | yourself from re-injury by taking it easy, or |
| over-exertion during exercise. When working | | | | easier than you would normally. Lighter |
| toward a goal, or embarking on a new fitness | | | | weights with higher reps may help, in |
| regime, many people take it to the next | | | | addition to non-impactful cardio. When at |
| level, too soon. Starting a running routine | | | | work or play, avoid wearing uncomfortable, |
| at a 10 minute mile on a 6 mile course would | | | | unsupportive shoes, and stick to athletic |
| be a good example. It seems like a good idea | | | | shoes as much as possible to help support |
| to just jump right in and get into a routine, | | | | your injury. It may be time to take a look |
| but the best plan is to build up to it. | | | | at your footwear, especially the ladies, and |
| Exercise will actually strengthen your bones, | | | | trade in some of the high heels for more |
| when done correctly, but when people pile on | | | | stable and suitable shoes. And if the |
| more than their skeleton can take, it | | | | problem persists, ask your doctor to take a |
| overwhelms the body's natural process of | | | | more invasive exam, because there may be a |
| growth and repair, and creates tiny, painful | | | | different underlying problem that caused the |
| cracks. Most commonly, stress fractures are | | | | fracture. Follow a strict set of guidelines |
| found in the feet and shins, a result of too | | | | when resuming your work out routines, and |
| much high or repetitive impactful cardio | | | | take your time increasing your weight, |
| routines. Stress fractures will heal | | | | duration and distances. The last thing you |
| themselves over a period of a few weeks | | | | want is to bring the fracture back when it |
| normally, but your MD should be consulted, in | | | | has almost fully healed, and do it all over |
| the case that it is more than a stress | | | | again. |
| fracture, and to prevent it from leading to a | | | | |
| break down the road. During the rest period, | | | | Christopher McCombs is well known as Personal |
| it is recommended to avoid the exercise that | | | | Trainer Anaheim Hills, a fitness and weight |
| caused the fracture in the first place, but | | | | loss program he runs in Orange County, CA. |
| replace it with low-weight bearing, | | | | Chris owns Positively Fit Inc., providing |
| non-impact exercise, such as riding a | | | | personal training, fitness and nutritional |
| stationary bike, swimming or using the | | | | support throughout Southern California. |