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