Active in South Texas This Fall? Protect Your Feet From Overuse
Oct 14, 2026
Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the cooler weather. Whether you’re training for a big race, participating in local sports, or simply enjoying a daily walk, staying active is great for your health. However, a sudden increase in physical activity can easily lead to painful overuse injuries.
At South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, our experienced podiatrists, Shay Fish, DPM, and Ian VanderGulik, DPM, specialize in helping patients stay on their feet. From our offices in Kerrville and San Antonio, Texas, we provide advanced sports medicine care to keep you moving comfortably all season long.
Overuse injuries occur when the physical demands you place on your feet exceed what your bones, muscles, and tendons can handle. When you suddenly increase your activity level, your body doesn’t have enough time to adapt and rebuild tissue.
Many athletes try to prevent injuries by following the "10% rule," which suggests never increasing your weekly mileage by more than 10%. However, research shows that acute, single-session spikes are the real danger.
A recent study found that when a single workout dramatically exceeds the maximum load your tissues have experienced in the previous 30 days, it triggers micro-tears in your connective tissue. This sudden strain is often what leads to painful conditions like Achilles tendonitis.
To protect your feet from conditions like plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain, you need to focus on building strength from the ground up. While many people look to heavily cushioned running shoes for protection, footwear alone can’t prevent injuries.
Instead, the key lies in strengthening your intrinsic foot muscles — the small muscles that support your arch. A 2023 study found that targeted foot exercises improve arch height and help absorb between 8% and 17% of mechanical energy during impact.
This active support takes the pressure off your plantar fascia. If you need additional structural support, we can also design custom orthotics tailored specifically to your unique foot shape.
The most effective treatments for chronic foot pain depend on your recovery timeline, ranging from regenerative therapies to active loading exercises. Resting completely is rarely the best answer, as it can actually weaken your tendons over time.
For conditions like plantar fasciitis, advanced clinical treatments can accelerate your recovery. A recent comprehensive review highlights that while treatments like corticosteroids offer rapid, short-term relief, regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) provide the most significant long-term healing and structural repair.
The bottom line? Our team works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the activities you love.
If foot pain is keeping you from enjoying the beautiful fall weather, don't wait for it to get worse: South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest office in San Antonio or Kerrville, Texas, today.