CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Being physically active has long been applauded as an ingredient for good health—but, according to surgeons at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, doing too much too soon can wreak havoc on the feet and cause painful overuse injuries: tendonitis, ruptured tendons, and stress fractures, to name a few.

A key strategy for preventing these common injuries is to let your body adjust to increased activity, explains Derrick McKay, DPM, foot and ankle surgeon at Steward – St. Elizabeth\’s Medical Center, in Brighton, MA and member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.