three months of pregnancy, the baby grows substantially, filling the relatively small space in the abdomen between the bladder at the front and the spinal column at the back. This can lead to excessive pressure on the structures at the front and sides

Q I’ve been running for five years with very few injuries, but recently I’ve been experiencing pain in both shins. The pain is on the inside of my legs, just off-centre. I tried resting for three weeks as suggested by my GP, but the problem

minutes, and despite a recent search of the literature, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence to support this idea. Indeed, it may be argued that holding a stretch for so long may actually precondition nerves (which is a bad thing) and lead to muscle

tissue in the lower back, all of which lead to over-use injuries.Understanding your back and how it affects your running is key to avoiding over-use injuries. "Because runners hold a specific form, the body ends up getting very little variety. Weakness

clunk on the osteo’s table every now and then to sort it out,” he says. Backs: 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

the doctor to touch the injury and stretch it to help pinpoint what is wrong. Osteopaths don’t always use manipulation to effect a cure, but their medical philosophy leads them in that direction. Case study A club runner in his late 50s had a persistent

as your spine compensates, resulting in a scoliosis. If this is the case, your GP is probably right: the long-term pounding of running is likely to aggravate your back, and could lead to arthritic changes and pain later in life. If you do not have ‘wedging

, but the type of fluid you are taking in is critical – you need to use an isotonic drink. If the fluid doesn’t replace the electrolytes lost during prolonged exercise, the muscle loses its natural chemical balance, which can lead to cramps. Although immediate

of the femur.Over the long term, these problems will tend to increase patello-femoral wear, and can lead to further injury without proper treatment. Seek the advice of a chartered physiotherapist. They can tell you what stretches and exercises may be required

of the leg more than the front, runners often have overworked, tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. This can lead to four specific lower-leg injuries – calf pulls, shin splints, stress fractures and compartment syndrome.A calf pull (also called a strain