caused the injury – is out.Medical treatmentThis is as much psychological as physical – you need constant reassurance that time (probably about six weeks) will heal the injury. A plaster cast is rarely required. Biomechanical gait analysis may prevent

’s often associated tenderness and/or some slight swelling.) Icing the injury early on is very important as it enables the tissue to heal more effectively and prevents further damage. Electrotherapy (such as ultrasound) may also help, but the most important

of motion, strength and flexibility. The therapist will also review your training programme to determine how the injury occurred – and how to prevent it recurring. Once the cause is diagnosed, the therapist can design a specific rehabilitation programme

Drugs don't workResist the reflex to reach for a bottle of ibuprofen to reduce swelling. "Killing pain is fine," says Andrew Pruitt, author of Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide for Cyclists, "but deflating inflammation during the initial stages of injury

and could even boost your muscles' performance on the track.Why? Stretching helps prevent sports injuries by increasing your range of movement and reducing the tension in your muscles. Every muscle in the body has an opposing one that works against

The only thing runners fear more than rabid dogs and toilet emergencies is getting hurt. An injury means taking a break, and runners hate the thought of losing fitness, gaining weight or missing an endorphin fix. But what if you knew what injuries

muscular injury which prevents you training at your full speed. Sports massage is especially appropriate in the last few weeks before a major race for increased vitality and overall relaxation. What to expect Just like any examining physician, a massage

prevent the injury occurring again in the future.—Andrew Caldwell, chartered physiotherapist at East Midlands Phyisotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, Loughborough

training. – Tigger's mate RooRunning on a niggle isn't worth itTake up another sport. As others have said, managing injury is largely about preventing it in the first place and taking preventative measures like stretching, massage and conditioning

Q After repeatedly suffering from injuries, I was prescribed some rigid orthoses. The good news is that none of my old injuries has returned, but the bad news is that I can’t run more than 20 miles a week because of a tender heel. It’s worse