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If you feel an unusual ache in your foot during marathon or triathlon training, you might worry that you have a stress fracture. But many runners actually develop a stress reaction before a true stress fracture occurs.

The problem is that runners often ignore the early warning signs. They experiment with shorter runs, slower workouts, or simply hope the discomfort goes away.

In this episode of the Doc On The Run Podcast, Dr. Christopher Segler explains three critical first aid steps runners should take immediately when they suspect a stress reaction in the foot.

You’ll learn:

• Why stress reactions and stress fractures are closely related
• Why runners often waste valuable training time by “negotiating with themselves” about the pain
• The importance of tracking injury severity
• How comparing photos of your feet can reveal subtle swelling or bruising
• Why reducing stress on the bone is essential to prevent worsening injury

If you act quickly and manage the injury correctly, you may be able to calm the stress reaction down while maintaining your running fitness.

3 Critical Stress Reaction First Aid Steps for Runners