, swimming or a well-balanced gym routine helps to future-proof your body against the imbalances that can cause strains and over-use injuries. Don't underestimate how much your hips and upper body contribute to a stable, smooth running style.And stretching

to almost any injury. If the pain hasn’t disappeared the next day, don’t try to run on it. The only time it can be beneficial to run through pain is during rehabilitation when you may need to overcome a little initial stiffness to regain the muscle

description of the relationship you assume with the sensations you are getting. I had a hip flexor injury for a year and though there was a 'physiological cause' the worry that I had about it exacerbated the injury so it rumbled on for ages. When I tackled

: to the future (real-life solutions) Real-life stories: how two runners beat back pain Injury-Proof Your Back: five sets of everyday tips to stay pain-free Curls and superheroes : back-strengthening exercises Useful contactsBackCare; a national charity aiming

GETTY IMAGESIf you've been running well and your muscles feel fine, stretching might seem like a waste of good running time. But scheduling in some stretching could slash your chance of getting injured, help you recover from existing injuries

who broke his hip – was able to run again. There's a cure for practically every running injury, and most injuries heal with time.Unfortunately, no magic pill will cure you instantly. Nor is a simple change of shoes the right answer. Instead