Balls of my feet are in agony.

jobean12
jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been running for about two years, not a TON but 2 miles 4-5 times a week or more. The balls of my feet are killing me and it is getting worse. I have decent shoes but not top of the line...... will doubling my out of pocket on shoes really make that much difference? Also, what about stretching? I was told that because it is both feel that likely it is muscular.?? Any thoughts? It hurts to walk even....... been contemplating a trip to the foot doc but would rather start small and see what may help?

Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I used to have really bad metatarsal pain, mostly from wearing improper foot wear. I'd say you should go to a store and have sneakers fitted. Mine pretty much went away after losing weight, but I have to be careful with summer sandals. I love Jack Rogers and they are just the worst for the balls of your feet!
  • futuremanda
    futuremanda Posts: 816 Member
    Have you always had the pain? If not... have you replaced your runners recently? Because pricey ones or not, I think running shoes (for runners) need to be replaced however many miles. (I don't recall offhand but I think it boils down to something like every 6 months to 1 year depending on your mileage. Look it up.)

    There are some nice foot stretches out there. One that has really helped me -- in a general way, not because I had a similar problem -- is to kneel, curl the toes under (rather than flat top of foot on floor), then sit back on your heels. It hurts like crazy at first, but I worked on it daily, just a bit, and now I can do it easily.

    But I don't know about your specific issues, and I'm not a doctor, so do some research and if you try something yourself, be gentle and cautious.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Have you had someone evaluate the way you run? The shoes you use should align with your body (It isn’t all about the money, but I would go to a good running shoe store). You should also look at the different surfaces you’re running on. Harder surfaces can cause issues.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    edited March 2015
    If your shoes are really old or if you've changed shoes lately, you might consider the shoes. I've come across opinions that the shoe hype is marketing and its not as complex as they have us believe. A running store visit can be valuable though. I my experience, a significant change in the mid sole drop has cause problems.

    So, I'd say visit the doc and maybe physical therapy would be in order. If it not shoes.

    May be helpful.
    http://m.runnersworld.com/running-shoe-reviews/proper-shoe-fit?page=single
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Mine felt like that too once. I kept running on them until finally I had a stress fracture. It may be the shoes so you can try some new ones. But you may just need to take some time off. I had to stop running for a month when my foot broke and even after that it was several more months before the pain was gone.

    I doubt stretching will make any difference at all. Pain in the balls of the feet sounds like metatarsal problems, I.e. bone. Unfortunately, if that's what it is it won't show up on X-ray until a week or two after its broken. A trip to the Dr. may still be good to rule out anything else.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I had pain in the ball of my foot recently. I think it's a combination of me getting older and bad shoes. I went to a running store and got fitted for some good shoes and they are awesome. Like walking on a cloud compared to my old ones lol. But even with those once I started running again I could feel a little pain come back, so I stopped altogether and now I just walk. I think it's a matter of letting my feet rest and heal and then I will get back to it at some point when I think I'm ready.
  • BettyM1017
    BettyM1017 Posts: 616 Member
    I'm a waitress and recently had some serious pain in the balls is my feet. I also have wide feet. I had just purchased new work shoes. I didn't realize they were wide width shoes. I just thought they were a little roomier than most of my other shoes. Unfortunately, the extra width was really bad for my feet. Definitely get fitted for shoes and also give your feet time to heal.
  • emblu
    emblu Posts: 272 Member
    Ice and have a nosey at some stretches. Have a gander at this, it may help but defo get checked out hun
    http://www.patient.co.uk/health/metatarsalgia
  • krysmuree
    krysmuree Posts: 326 Member
    I experienced the same thing and still do and was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis after seeing a doctor. I use heel supports in my shoes to help alleviate the pain and also massage my foot/heel on a tennis ball. It's good for stretching the muscles. I ice my feet a lot, too.

    It was caused by poor foot support and being overweight over a period of time. It's not bad enough to require surgery, so I basically have to cope and suck it up. Hopefully weight loss and new shoes will help.
  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    Thank you ALL for the insight and suggestions. I will check into them. I am going to visit an actual running store in the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I have to go a couple hours out of town to do so but what the heck. If it helps.!!! Thank you thank you.
  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    Emblu, thanks for the great article!!
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