My Aching Arches

Stooooo
Stooooo Posts: 1,191 Member
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
My wife and I are both training for 5k's in the coming months. Right now our sneaker of choice are the Reebok Zigs, but lately we both have been experiencing pain in our arches (I have also been experiencing pain in shins). Does anyone know what may be causing this pain and does anyone know of any fixes???

Replies

  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    It sounds like you have the wrong sort of shoe for your foot shape or running style. Have you had gait analysis? I have very high arches and by that should have worn cushion shoes (like Asics Cumulus), but I tried them and they hurt my ankles as they are for under pronators, not people with naturally high arches. I switched to stability, or neutral shoes (Asics Kayano), and it made a huge difference. My feet have never got tired during a run in them, as they are right for my gait. I think proper fitting of running shoes it really important.
    Of the 12 people in the aerobics/circuits class I do, 10 wear Asics. They do a huge range for every possible foot shape and gait.
  • FabulousFifty
    FabulousFifty Posts: 1,575 Member
    Go get inserts for your shoes. It will pay off big time!
  • beerbomber
    beerbomber Posts: 184 Member
    hmmmm well first of all the running shoe is like a science and not easily explained but could do to over/under pronation which is just a fancy way of saying how your foot rolls it could be unproper running form it could be your shoes
  • Panda_Jack
    Panda_Jack Posts: 829 Member
    I'm not sure about the arches, but the shins sounds like shin splints.
    Ice and rest for the shin splints.

    Also I would try going to a running store and be fitted for proper running shoes. I just got some fitted for the first time and wow, what a difference.
  • patti139
    patti139 Posts: 5
    Definitely need to change the shoes, and or see podiatrist and get inserts. This will also help with the pain in the shins. This could be shin splints and is stress related. Good luck
  • audjrey
    audjrey Posts: 360 Member
    Funny you mention Reebox. I used to wear Reebox until I discovered they were incorrect for my high arches. New Balance are the best choice for high arches.

    What you are experiencing is called Plantar Fasciitis. Basically, the muscles in the bottom of your feet are not being properly supported and are tearing. This in turn puts stress on your shins, which results in shin splints.

    The only solution for me was orthotics and New Balance - and as a former long distance endurance runner (10K every day), I've tried just about every shoe out there.

    My suggestion is to see a foot specialist (and not the ones selling shoes at your local shoe store) like a Podiatrist. Consultations are usually free - at least in Canada. Not sure about other parts of the world.
  • rjnandjosh
    rjnandjosh Posts: 168
    New balance are the best shoes according to my doctors
  • FitPhysique
    FitPhysique Posts: 284 Member
    Sounds like you are wearing the wrong shoes. I would say to go to a running shop where they do gait analysis and they will be able to recommend the right shoes. Once you are running more than 3 miles on a consistent basis it's one of the best things you can do. Trust me I learn the hard way with Plantar Fasciatis(?) not a fun experience. The sneaker will be more expensive than the one you get from a mass chain stores i.e foot locker etc. but it's worth it.


    Ice your shins and the bottom of your feet. Also to alleviate some of the pain from your feet you can use a tennis ball or kill two birds with one stone by freezing a 16oz plastic bottle and roll it under your feet 20 mins on/20 mins off. They are also exercises that you can do to strengthen that part of your feet. Runnersworld is a great resource for that type of stuff. Good Luck.
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    Might be the shoe, might be your foot. I can't stress enough to get fitted properly, and if you can afford it, visit a podiatrist for a proper assessment. I just did, and learned why I had constant arch pain. Wasn't the shoe - no shoe would have ever worked correctly for me. It was all about the shape of my foot. Temporary fix to shoe inserts, and pain is all but gone.
  • johnwhitent
    johnwhitent Posts: 648 Member
    I agree with several other posters, sounds like you need inserts. I have plantar fasciitis and can't run without inserts, but I can't afford custom made ones from my podiatrist. I use Sole Dean Karnazes and have also used Superfeet green. Both work for me but the Dean Karnazes give me a little more room in the toebox. Both seem to have the arch too far back, but I got used to it and most important - they work!
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