Lorraine Western, a sports massage practitioner with a master's degree in sports injury management (stayfitsportsmassage.com). "Quality research depends on using a repeatable method, but as every massage treatment is unique to the individual at that moment

will charge around £30 for an hour-long first consultation, with £15 for further 30-minute visits. At present treatment is not available on the NHS. Contact The Fellowship of Sports Masseurs and Therapists; 01707 873698; Massage Therapy UK www.massagetherapy.co.uk

Need to save a sole in distress? Massaging your legs may soothe a sore plantar fascia - the band of tissue that runs along the sole of your foot. "The plantar shares an attachment site with your calf muscles in the calcaneus [heel] bone," explains

, making massage a helpful remedy. Try 10 minutes of massage on alternate days for a week, and see how this affects your pain when running. As the symptoms are in both calves, the problem could also stem from your back – whether you have symptoms of back

injury has probably left scar tissue on your Achilles, and once scar tissue has become inflexible and tight, it can be very difficult to mobilise. The efforts you have made to massage and stretch the tendon are good, but it may be worth discussing some

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

, if this proves to be unsatisfactory, you’ll need to see a specialist physiotherapist in running injuries.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports-injury specialist

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

, all claiming that they can help runners. Chiropractors, osteopaths, sports doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists and sports masseurs can all lay claim to expertise in treating running injuries. “It can be extremely confusing,” confesses John Betser

, an osteopath and tried massage, but to no avail.A It’s possible that the initial cause of your problems was an over-zealous approach to training. When you take up any sport, a gradual approach is essential. This allows the body to adapt to the new stress