Foot Pain....Help!

morielia

I get this a lot of times too only after having plantar fasciitis. Completely different area of the foot though. I had PF in both feet, and the pain is localized to the heel area. When I do too much jumping around, I get throbbing horrible pains in my feet just south of the portion of the ball of my foot under my big toe (if that makes sense). I have flat feet as well, and it's right about where your arch would start, I guess. The only thing I can do to get it to subside while I'm working out is to get off my feet.

I talked to my podiatrist about this pain and he suggested shoes that were more padded up front. They didn't help. I have custom orthotics from my PF treatment - those were no help. The only thing that's helped is to stretch my feet out A LOT, all day long, before, after, and sometimes during my workout. Otherwise my feet will end up cramped, and I'm pretty sure the gym doesn't want me frightening all of its patrons with my screaming. It still doesn't stop it from happening, but the stretching has lessened it to a degree.

This actually sounds almost exactly like my pain. There is one focal point of the pain but it seems to branch out to the entire arch from that spot beneath the ball of the foot where the arch should be. How exactly do you stretch the foot correctly?

I'll stand on the stairs for a few minutes with my heels hanging off (as if to do calf raises, but just sit there). I also do lightning pose but with my weight on my toes rather than on the tops of my feet (I don't know if there's a name for that). This is the one thing that actually stretches the part that hurts the best. The first stretch was recommended to me by my podi for my PF, so with both of these, you should get your whole foot stretched out. I've also done some garland pose on my toes rather than with my feet flat and shifted my weight so it stretches my feet big time. Can try that as well.

levicrouch

Exactly where in the feet is the pain?

It is in the arches. My feet are quite flat, which I'm sure is part of the reason for my pain. I never had an issue with foot pain while playing sports in high school, though....You'd think if it were just my flat feet causing the pain that it would be a problem my whole life, you know? (or am I wrong? I really don't know much about feet lol)

I'm not a doctor either (nor have I played one on TV. I haven't even stayed at a Holiday Inn ). Sounds to me like plantar fasciitis. I have plantar fasciitis myself. What has helped me is using a foot wheel to stretch out the plantar fascia each morning. After exercising, i will roll my foot over a frozen water bottle as well.

Usually, walking around being physically active on your feet will help stretch that ligament and the pain decreases. I have had plantar fasciitis for a while now, but the pain is less as i have lost weight and stretch the ligament more regularly. I don't know if it will ever go away completely but it can better.

This article describes the issue and has a good graphic on what is going on. I don't know about "curing" the problem though.

http://strengthrunning.com/2011/10/cure-plantar-fascitiis/

That is a great article, thank you! I am starting to think that it is plantar fascitiis as well. If it turns out I don't have it, would using the water bottle/foot wheel (what is that?) do any harm? I can't imagine it would but I would hate to self diagnose myself and make matters worse. Thank you!

This is the foot wheel (http://www.amazon.com/RPI-FW-400-Foot-Wheel/dp/B0007YZ18U). I wouldn't think that the foot wheel would cause any harm as you would control the pressure.

That said, if you are concerned about self diagnosing and getting advice from random people on the internet, you should check with a licensed physician first.

curlygirly80

Could this be it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsal_tunnel_syndrome

This is a possibility, but I have never had issues with my legs/calves so I'm not so sure. The electrical/burning feeling is really accurate, though. Something to look into deeper, thank you!

I work for a podiatrist and a burning feeling of the feet could mean neuropathy. Are you a diabetic?

marmar2903

I have very flat feet and over pronate. I don't know if going barefoot works for flat feet. I've had to do a lot of reading to try to find out what shoes to wear to help my feet. If you are flat footed, they say that your feet have a tendency to be over flexible and that's why they recommend shoes with stability in them. To keep your ankle from over twisting, etc. Just be careful, I diagnosised myself with the plantar fascitiis (sp) and was totally wrong. I kept putting off going to the doctor and the pain kept getting worse. I hurt in my arches and up the inside of my foot. Turned out I had messed up the tendon that holds your arch up- one was almost completely torn in half and the other had started fraying (like a rope coming undone). Ended up having surgery on both of my feet this year and it has been the pits. Just be careful. I wish that I had listened to my feet alot sooner.

tam8374

I thought the pain issue was just me. I am commenting to say thank you to all of you who have offered wonderful info (Plus I"m bumping this without saying "bump"... LOL)

Docmahi

I read the first few responses - it sounds like you have pain in the arches of your feet that doesnt change with footwear and is exacerbated by exercise? Is that a good summary

Have you tried NSAIDS before or after (aspirin/aleve)
Does the pain occur when you are walking? and is your usual cardio of choice the treadmill?
is it the same in both feet?

It doesn't sound like a foot strengthening issue - vibram shoes (which i wear) more address anterior muscle pain like in shin splints if you are having pain right in the arches of your feet and its the same in both feet it sounds like plantar fascitis to me - you will hate my suggestion but you do need to see a doctor/physical therapist of some kind to deal with that - if that IS what is going on.

after reading a bit more and seeing the burning - neuropathy could also be an issue - especially the bilateral nature, either way it is an issue that needs medical attention - neuropathy could be cause by anything from diabetes to a B12 deficiency so nobody on this message board will be able to give you a decent answer on how to stop it/treat it

EmilyJackCO

You're in the Denver area, I'd say forget the Boulder Running Company and stop in at Good Feet.... or even Runner's Roost (Runner's Roost's advice has been trusted for DECADES!) and talk with them for a few minutes about what's going on - they may be able to recommend some adjustments for you. I have a lot of issues with cramping in my metatarsals, and thought I had PF, but I've found that the lighter New Balance trainers in the proper size and laced right helps tremendously. And they aren't stupid expensive....