appropriate running shoes by visiting a specialist retailer. You could also try shoe inserts, best recommended by a podiatrist or physiotherapist. There are some good non-prescription orthoses available – try calling Medisport for advice on AOL orthotics (0161-678

and rotation of your foot. Do three sets of 12–15 repetitions of each every day.In addition, you lose proprioception in a joint that has been injured and immobilised. This means the cells in the ankle that would normally tell your brain where the joint

pain or not. If these suggestions do not have any lasting effect, it may be worth finding a sports therapist who specialises in the treatment of backs, and who has an understanding of adverse neural tension. —Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist

that your Achilles will be better after the operation, and it’s even possible it could get worse. Thankfully, though, this is the exception rather than the rule. —Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports-injury specialist

at the moment, if you were ever to get any pain in your knee, it would be worth asking your GP to check for these possible problems at the same time.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports-injury specialist

spasm, which would obviously be counterproductive. So unless your podiatrist can demonstrate a body of evidence to support this claim, the 30-second stretches may well be more appropriate. —Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury

and rotation of your foot. Do three sets of 12–15 repetitions of each every day.In addition, you lose proprioception in a joint that has been injured and immobilised. This means the cells in the ankle that would normally tell your brain where the joint

-orientated. In this case, get a sports osteopath to mobilise the area and prescribe strengthening and stretching exercises to stabilise the pelvis in its correct position. Once this has been completed, you should be able to return to running.—Martin Haines, chartered

to contract properly) and also mobility exercises for the spine. In addition, you need a full stretching programme for the muscles and nerves that relate to your hips and spine.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury specialist

, then perhaps you should consider this if you want to have a chance of a long-term, uninterrupted running career.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury specialist