Habitual Toe-walking, treadmill, and calf pain

3ssicajay

I'm an idiopathic toe-walker. There's no apparent cause for it (I've done it since I was a child, my brother does it, and both of my children do it), but it's been supposed that it may be related to short Achilles tendons. I'm a completely functional adult when doing normal everyday walking. But when I get on a treadmill? Instant intense pain. Like my calves are just twisting into two giant muscle cramps and they stay that way for every. single. step. From the very first. I can't last more than 5 minutes because the pain is so intense. It's gone almost the moment I get off the treadmill.

I don't walk on my toes on the treadmill (but then, I also don't walk on them 100% of the time in everyday walking-- usually just when barefoot on hard surfaces). I stretch well but not overly intensely before getting on the treadmill and have good shoes (I've also tried it without shoes, out of curiosity, and the result was the same).

What can I do?! In my current situation, the treadmill is my best bet for trying to get in some exercise. But being instantly in intense pain when I get on it is seriously discouraging and I don't know what to do.

empireman85

I don't have any knowledge about your specific condition but the treadmill and I don't get along well. The elliptical has become my best friend and doesn't seem to cause any issues.

3ssicajay

I've never had any kind of trouble with ellipticals either, they're wonderful. Unfortunately, a treadmill is all I have access to at the moment. Although finding out the cause of such dramatic pain is my priority over the ability to use the treadmill, to be honest.

Cherimoose

I would work on stretching & relaxing the calves / Achilles by:

1) wearing a night splint every night

2) stretching them every hour for 30+ seconds. The effects from stretching don't last long, so it needs to be repeated often. Stretch before the treadmill too. Here's how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkgkmbXz8Mo

3) using a foam roller 1-2 times a day

Also, most shoes have a raised heal and a rigid sole, which activates the calves more. Wear shoes with a low heel & flexible sole, like Keds, skateboard shoes, etc.

leggup

They might be good shoes without being good shoes for you. Have you been to a running store where they fit you after watching you walk and run in the store? You could show them your toe-run and work with them to see if they have a corrective shoe.

Is the problem also there on the elliptical? The elliptical might be a good way to conquer your problem, since you can press your heels into the treads instead of leading with your toes.

When you say idiopathic, do you mean that you talked to specialists, including physical therapists? They should be able to give you some good stretches to do both before a workout and throughout the day.

wildskies

This may sound strange, but toe walking can be a sign of Aspergers Syndrome. My son has Aspergers and has walked on his toes his entire life. I have no suggestions on helping with the pain, I just asked him and he said he hasn't had any unusual pain the times he's used a treadmill.

tcxyz2011

I do the exact same thing! I usually stretch right before jogging/running on the treadmill but I still catch myself doing it, it's just force of habit. And also like you, I do not walk on my toes or anything but when it comes to running and jogging, I do. When I realize I am running and leading with the front of my foot I try to correct it and land mid foot but then it kind of throws me off of the zone I get in. Sorry that doesn't help you but I really do not know what else there is to help you not run with the front of your foot instead of otherwise.

SideSteel

If you have pain while using the treadmill and no pain while just walking, can you just walk instead of using the treadmill?

tcxyz2011

I hope this helps,
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/08/22/running-properly/
I am reading through it right now and the articles does have some pretty good tips, good luck!

QuietBloom

I'm with SideSteel. If the treadmill hurts don't use it!

mayfrayy

it hurts because your calves don't have the strength to support your weight while running. Most people who start using a treadmill have calf pain no matter how they run. Keep doing it and eventually it wont hurt. Stretch your calves/ankles.