toes go numb when exercising

SarahR1984
SarahR1984 Posts: 212
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
Everytime I exercise on my elliptical my left toes get tinglely (sp?) and numb. After about a half hour everytime this happens. I think I'm going to make a Dr. appointment but was just wondering if this happened to anyone else and how it turned out.
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Replies

  • Just_Dot
    Just_Dot Posts: 2,283 Member
    Do your shoes fit properly? If the toe box is too tight, they're laced too tightly, etc. that could lead to some of the numbness and tingling. Happens if my soccer socks bunch in my toe area when I'm playing.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    Could be your shoes, or you could have a pinched nerve. You might look into a chiropractic adjustment if your regular doc doesn't find anything.
  • buckeyereavis
    buckeyereavis Posts: 56
    shoes tied to tight?
  • sprinkies
    sprinkies Posts: 309 Member
    mine did too before i started to wear new shoes.
  • AkBUTLER
    AkBUTLER Posts: 107
    Ive also had this happen to me but Im not quiet sure why. I never experienced any pain and it was only on one foot. It was when I started to get into a really good excercise routine, previously I hardly ever worked out. It hasnt occured again though.
  • kimballtracy
    kimballtracy Posts: 94
    mine do... just half of my right foot though...i just kinda thought it was the way i was running...or i was putting to much pressure on my right foot.
  • Eyvette1
    Eyvette1 Posts: 76 Member
    Same thing happens to me and I was told it was my shoes...got new crosstrainers and it went away.
  • theTX4
    theTX4 Posts: 25
    I have the same thing happen to me when I'm barefoot. I use my wii fit plus for exercise, so it doesn't make sense to keep taking off my shoes as I change to activities that need the wii fit board.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    a lot of people get this with the elliptical. It is caused from your foot staying in the same position on the machine, unlike walking or running. Not really anything you can do about it other than maybe only do it for 25 min then switch to a different maching
  • cmel6334
    cmel6334 Posts: 41 Member
    Mine did that if I had my shoes too tight!
  • JDRBT
    JDRBT Posts: 264 Member
    This has happened to me my entire life. I thought for years that this is what people ment when they said "my dogs are barkin'" or "my feet are tired".
    Turns out in my case it's a 2 fold issue.
    1) I have fallen arches (flat feet). VERY common in people with weight problems. Fixable w/ custom made orthodics. Most US health insurance plans cover them.
    2) Neuromas. These are small turmors that develop in your feet and press on the nerves. (They feel like small ball bearings under the skin.) When inflammation occurs in the feet, they swell up and press on the nerve.

    I compete in triathlons and it's just something I've learned to live with, but the orthodics did help for a while!
  • sdickman
    sdickman Posts: 25 Member
    This happens to me all the time. It started when my laces were too tight. However, after buying laces that do not need to be tied and leaving them as loose as possible, I find that it still happens because of the way my toes hit the ground. It seems that bottom of my second toe hits the ground before any of my other toes. I have not found a solution to the problem, but am considering attending a stride clinic in my area to see if there is something I can change in my stride.
  • maisie_moo
    maisie_moo Posts: 9
    I always get it if I've tied my footwear too tight or "got the wrong socks on"
  • arwsgirl
    arwsgirl Posts: 75 Member
    Mine does that when I use the bike and it goes away when I adjust my feet to get some circulation back. I think, like a previous poster said, it's because your foot isn't moving - it's staying in one place the entire time.
  • mari0605
    mari0605 Posts: 65 Member
    It happened to me last night...it was my right foot second and third toe only. When I got off the elliptical I couldn't even bend my toes then slowly the pain went away. I was wondering the same thing but it must be the shoes. I'm currently researching what is the best shoe for the elliptical machine since we put more pressure on the toes and ball of the foot area (at least I do).
  • mjane48
    mjane48 Posts: 18
    I have that issue; I got new shoes & new inserts from a running place & lace & unlace but it still feels like my foot falls asleep a little but, you know, it's not like I'm sitting on it- I'm running! I went to a few Dr's and finally talked to a Chiropracter- He said my sciatic nerve is slightly pinched (probably from sitting all day & no stretching) & I found out my back was a little tweaked so that my right leg was about a 1/2 inch shorter than my left! After a few adjustments, I am happy to report my legs are the same length now :P and he gave me some stretches to do to keep myself from compensating...I'd check in with someone on that just to make sure. My foot still feels a little "pins & needles" after about 20-30 min, but its much MUCH better & they told me if I did my stretching & activity consistently (whoops!) it would most likely keep improving. It's a bit annoying though!
  • TNMOM
    TNMOM Posts: 5 Member
    I saw an episode of Dr. Oz where it was advised to lace your shoes in the opposite direction....Meaning towards the toe box. It's worth a shot to try it::)
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    It could be a pinched nerve, tight shoes, or a combo of both.

    I used to get numb toes when I wore pointy-toed heels almost every day at work. They were so tight they pinched a nerve. It took a few months of not wearing the heels for the numbness to go away.
  • rmkorama
    rmkorama Posts: 232 Member
    This happened to me when I first started out, and I was able to solve the issue simply by not "running" on the balls of my feet all the time. Use as much of a full-foot motion like when walking or running (heel to toe), and you won't be putting all of your weight on your toes so much.
  • ajt55
    ajt55 Posts: 1
    Happens to me too. Check your shoes for fit--I discovered I now need wide width and didn't know it. Also, I switch machines after 20-25 minutes. I go to the stairmaster or bike and can then go back on the elliptical if I feel like it. Or sometimes just getting off and walking around helps.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    Holy cow -- I thought I was the only one... thanks for the insights, folks!
  • rockabyesarojane
    rockabyesarojane Posts: 471
    this used to happen to me and it turns out that not only were the shoes i was using too small but they were also being laced too tightly.

    the shoes i had been using are my street shoe size. but when you are exercising you need to make sure there is room for the foot to swell (cause it will). I went to a store where they measured my foot properly, looked at my gait, and found a good shoe for my arch. (this didnt cost anything by the way)

    i would really recommend taking the time to go have that done. you certainly wont regret it and they can answer any other questions you may have.

    hope that helps!
  • dmoses
    dmoses Posts: 786 Member
    i recently got a sole e35 and read where it is the positioning of your foot on the pedals that causes your feet to 'fall asleep'. if you have an elliptical where you can tilt your pedals either forward or backward, that is supposed to help.
  • smilebhappy
    smilebhappy Posts: 811 Member
    my toes on my right foot sometimes goes numb when using the elliptical or bike.
    I have since loosened my laces.......which has helped :smile:
  • kimpaige12
    kimpaige12 Posts: 5
    Mine also go numb. I have tried different shoes and it happens anyways. I was asking my friend if hers go numb and hers do also. So this counts and two votes for numb toeseys. It takes me a few minutes to really walk when I get off the machine also...I haven't fallen yet but I'm waiting for that day. WIll probably be when it's packed with hot guys and all the girls I hated in high school.
  • purplelady1954
    purplelady1954 Posts: 1
    Let us know what your doctor says. I also have the same problem. I just keep going until I'm done but it does bother me.
  • Julesjhj
    Julesjhj Posts: 150 Member
    I have had this problem my whole life. I experienced it as a child when water skiing and also as a teenager when running track and snow skiing. I have just learned to live with it. For me it is not painful but happens more on the elliptical than on the treadmill. It must have to do with gait and how our feet/toes strike. I just bought a new pair of running shoes (Asic Gels) but I have to have a shoe with a big toe box and I usually end up buying Adidas shoes. I also have a really high arch and these brands seem to be the most comfortable. I would love to go to a true running store and get my stride/gait assessed to really determine what I should be wearing. Im running a 5k in the spring ......maybe this should be a reward for a met goal,,hmmmm.....
  • run_way
    run_way Posts: 220
    This happens to me as well, but only when I'm on the elliptical - never when I'm doing any other cardio or machines. I think it's just because you aren't lifting your feet like you do with most other exercises - there's constant pressure on the bottom of your feet. Whe I feel them start to go tingly I just start lifting my feet off of the pedals slightly whe I'm on the upstroke and the feeling comes back.
  • amoffatt
    amoffatt Posts: 674 Member
    I have noticed on the eliptical my toes go numb as well. I found myself putting more of my weight on the toe area rather than my heels, so I wonder if this is what you may be doing as well. I had to concentrate on putting more weight on my heels and it seemed to work.
  • cclaborn22
    cclaborn22 Posts: 85
    I had this happen, especially when I used to do spin class. I started using a foam roller on my muscles that were tight in my legs and it has totally gone away. I love foam rollers and stand by them :)
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