Anyone else's toes go numb when working out?

jessa271
jessa271 Posts: 67
in Fitness and Exercise
I know this sounds odd, but I was hoping someone might have had it & found a way to stop it. I've been on MFP & exercising regularly for over a year now and most of the time when I start working out, my toes on both feet with go numb. I ignore it as best I can and it goes away after a while, but it seems like such a strange symptom... I've tried multiple kinds of shoes, loosening the laces, different socks, but nothing seems to help.

Anyone have any ideas???

Replies

  • patols1
    patols1 Posts: 108 Member
    I actually did have this and my doctor said that it is probably a nerve getting pinched and not to worry about it as long as it goes away. it takes a couple days of not working out for it to go away for me.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    It happens to me too, but just in my left foot, and it's been going on for over 2 years, only when I run. I think as long as you're not having pain, you should be fine. If it bothers you, or doesn't go away, ask your Dr.
  • jillymurdoch
    jillymurdoch Posts: 42 Member
    Yep! Happens all the time. My chiropractor does active release on it (not adjustments) and gave me some stretches. Worked like a charm.
  • dragonfly123321
    dragonfly123321 Posts: 51 Member
    do you think your calves are tight ?having the muscle pulling on your toes
  • AdriadneDaphne
    AdriadneDaphne Posts: 13 Member
    YES! I used to have this pretty much every time I worked out. I usually powered through it, but it was definitely irritating/distracting. I actually hadn't realized it until I saw this thread, but I haven't experienced this in a while. I agree with the pinched nerve thing... I was pretty out of a alignment for a while but after a few visits my chiropractor finally has me in better shape. If you don't want to use a chiropractor, I would definitely recommend doing stretches more often (maybe try googling hip/back-specific stretches. that's where my problem area was that led to the numb toes issue) to try to realign your body.
  • AnnACnd
    AnnACnd Posts: 72 Member
    It happens to me on the stationary bike every time! I also recall back in the day when I used the elliptical it did as well. Never when I run though.
  • JMel86
    JMel86 Posts: 124 Member
    It happens to me too, but just in my left foot, and it's been going on for over 2 years, only when I run. I think as long as you're not having pain, you should be fine. If it bothers you, or doesn't go away, ask your Dr.

    Me too! Same foot. Someone told me loosen my shoe laces. It helped but it still happens on my long jogs.
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    Happens to me on the elliptical if I keep my feet stationary. I pick up my feet and "run" on the elliptical every few mins now and that seems to help.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Make sure your laces aren't too tight, as this is a common cause of toe numbness.
  • acpgranberg
    acpgranberg Posts: 137 Member
    This used to happen to me when I first started running. My instructor told me it was tight hamstrings. Maybe warm your legs up more. I make sure I do a good warm up and it doesn't happen anymore.
  • cristina4970
    cristina4970 Posts: 384 Member
    Happens to me on the elliptical almost every time. Can't keep my feet stationary because of this.
  • katierrt
    katierrt Posts: 113 Member
    happens to me all the time on the elliptical, not as bad as it used to be but I found if I curl my toes under a few times, it gets a lot better!!
  • eyleene
    eyleene Posts: 264 Member
    my feet will cramp up including the arch and toes when i am swimming laps , not sure why ??
  • JulieB_MN
    JulieB_MN Posts: 223 Member
    I am glad it isn't just me. I have this too! thanks for the ideas you all gave:) Hope it helps!
  • jkleon86
    jkleon86 Posts: 245 Member
    mine would go numb like on the elliptical but that is about it.
  • LisaNethery
    LisaNethery Posts: 10 Member
    This has always happened to me as well. I don't have any answers for how to make it stop... but though I would let you know you are not alone.
  • xcmtnracer
    xcmtnracer Posts: 426 Member
    Yep, today on the Versa Climber, went for an hour, feet and toes went numb about 40 minutes into it. Happens cycling occasionally also.
  • RushinBruisette
    RushinBruisette Posts: 2,109 Member
    Yep, I had pinched nerves in both feet. I ended up getting shots and had custom orthodic's made and the problem went away.

    It started off just numb in the right toes. Then eventually it was both feet and it became a burning sensation and had some pain to it. So I was referred to a podiatrist and once he took xrays to rule out fractures and such, he knew it was a pinched nerve and we started the process of custom orthodic's. The pain/burning/numbness went away after a week of uses them for running/walking for fitness purposes.
  • imjolly
    imjolly Posts: 176 Member
    Yes, this has happened to me, mostly when I am cycling and it is annoying.
    And I thought I was the only one.
  • baby_valiant
    baby_valiant Posts: 86 Member
    Yep another 'sufferer' here. Only in my left foot and generally after BodyStep - but not always. I've had it twice running and probably half a dozen times after the bike - always the left foot. Its not just the otes but the outside of my foot too
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
    This used to happen to me and then all the sudden it stopped! I asked my doctor and he said it happens sometimes for so many reasons. I'm surprised that the number of people this happens to! They don't warn you about numb toes when you start to workout, do they? :smile:
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    In my case it was my shoes. I had a pair of New Balance shoes that I could not use for intense walking or on the treadmill. They were fine for Bodypump. Usually it was concentrated in the right foot.
  • suppakana
    suppakana Posts: 307 Member
    I do! But mine have nothing to do with leg tightness or tight shoes - I have a medical condition called Raynaud's Phenomenon. Essentially, my extremeties (toes, fingers, nose, ears, etc) get extra cold very very easily, fall asleep more easily than other people (numb/tingling), and if they get too cold for too long, begin to lose circulation.

    If you notice your toes turning white in the places where they're going numb (like, the end of your toe being noticeably paler than the rest of your foot), you should stop working out and put your foot in a warmer area, or double up on socks.

    However, if your numbness isn't due to Raynaud's (like mine is!) I don't have any suggestion other than to revise your choice of shoes :laugh: good luck!
  • jeffpettis
    jeffpettis Posts: 865 Member
    It happens to me on the elliptical and when I run. I was assuming it was something to do with the circulation in my feet and lower legs.
  • heydanno
    heydanno Posts: 16
    this happens to me all the time and it leads to cramps and then getting cramps easier in the days that follow. i would be much more involved in exercise if this didn't happen to me. it's completely frustrating. i wear loose shoes but nothing really helps except not really putting much stress or weight on my feet.
  • lilred806
    lilred806 Posts: 195 Member
    The elliptical does that to me.
  • heydanno
    heydanno Posts: 16
    i think the elliptical puts all the stress on your feet as you keep moving the pedals and pressing down hard over and over
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    I do! But mine have nothing to do with leg tightness or tight shoes - I have a medical condition called Raynaud's Phenomenon. Essentially, my extremeties (toes, fingers, nose, ears, etc) get extra cold very very easily, fall asleep more easily than other people (numb/tingling), and if they get too cold for too long, begin to lose circulation.

    If you notice your toes turning white in the places where they're going numb (like, the end of your toe being noticeably paler than the rest of your foot), you should stop working out and put your foot in a warmer area, or double up on socks.

    However, if your numbness isn't due to Raynaud's (like mine is!) I don't have any suggestion other than to revise your choice of shoes :laugh: good luck!

    I actually have this as well, but only in my hands. If my hands get damp and chilly, they go numb and turn very white. It is NOT pleasant.
  • GEMMA_2014
    GEMMA_2014 Posts: 81
    I also had numbness and leg cramps. My doctor gave me medicine for Restless Leg Syndrome which stop the cramps. Ask your doctor about it. The cramps were horrible, but they ended with the medication. I can deal with the numbness but the leg cramps were unbearable. I could not do exercise before. Now I ride by stationary bike for 18 miles each day without cramping.

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