Hi fabulous PTs on the board!

[Wahine]

Zen - That's how I ended up at the podiatrist. I have had lower back pain forever, and my new chiropractor sent me to get lots of x-rays and did some deep tissue massage and realized that I have major shin splints. Once the x-rays came back, she said the problem was my feet and that I needed to get that corrected and it would ultimately help me back... no relief yet, but I'm still hoping.

This is a which came first, the chicken or the egg question. The whole lower quadrant including your low back worked together as a unit and one can affect another. I just wanted to pipe in to say that this makes doing some core stabilization exercises even more applicable for you as well as addressing your feet.

[emily_in_nc]

I've been reading this thread with interest as I've developed a pain after I run (treadmill or trails). The pain is in my right toe, down low at the base, in the joint I guess, more on top of the foot than underneath the toe. None at all in my left foot. I don't feel it while running, but only when walking around afterwards.

My shoes are good New Balance 754 running shoes (not very old). I do not have any kind of insert other than what came in the shoes. I have rigid, underpronating feet so went for the "cushioning" type of shoe as opposed to the stability type. I went up a half-size from my street shoes after a bout of black toenail in my left big toe last year from wearing too-small running shoes just a couple of times. These shoes seem plenty long and have an ample toe box. My feet are medium width.

Any ideas of what this pain could be? It usually lasts for a day or two after a run, then goes away, only to return after the next run. Would Superfeet possibly help, or is a trip to a PT or podiatrist in my future?

Thanks!
Emily

[VeloVT]

Emily,
Does your toe get swollen? One of my (older) running buddies was having big-toe pain and swelling after runs and it turned out to be -- eek! -- arthritis. PT gave him a carbon sole, which created as many problems as it solved. My "buddy" (luv that word!) went out and bought a copy of Chi Running and has been trying to apply those principles, it seems like with pretty good success.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily,
Does your toe get swollen? One of my (older) running buddies was having big-toe pain and swelling after runs and it turned out to be -- eek! -- arthritis. PT gave him a carbon sole, which created as many problems as it solved. My "buddy" (luv that word!) went out and bought a copy of Chi Running and has been trying to apply those principles, it seems like with pretty good success.

Nope, no swelling, redness, etc. Just a funny pain in the base of the toe when I walk after running. It was pretty bad yesterday after my run, but is nearly gone today. My mom has gout, but that is very different from what I'm experiencing (i.e., her toe hurts all the time when she's having an episode, not just when walking), and her attacks have nothing to do with exercising (b/c she doesn't!) but more with diet. It's possible mine is osteoarthritis, I guess, as it also runs in my family, and I'm not getting any younger (I'm 46). I think rheumatoid arthritis is usually in symmetrical joints, so my left toe would also be bothering me, which it isn't.

Thanks!
Emily

[Sheesh]

I wore my green superfeet all day yesterday (on my feet and running around for 12 hours!) and they made an amazing difference! But, by the end of the day, I had some pain in my arch near my heel. Maybe too much arch support? Or will I get used to it over time? Should I try the berry superfeet instead?

I'll wear the green superfeet again today and see how my feet feel at the end of the day. Ultimately, though, if inserts are the way to go, I need suggestions for inserts that I can wear in dressier shoes.

Thanks for the help, ladies!

[KnottedYet]

they will make your feet tired, because your feet are working in a different position now.

Pressure/pain in the arch near the heel is exactly where you will feel it if you have been overpronating and now you're being corrected by the insole. The ramp up to the arch in the insole acts like a kickstand at the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus, and keeps your foot from collapsing.

Foot exercises will strengthen you and allow your own muscles to hold you up instead of needing a kickstand.

If the insoles get irritating, take them out and give your feet a break. 12 hours on your feet on the first day is pretty hefty.

[Sheesh]

When I went to put my shoes on, the pressure on the arch near the heel was too much. I ended up wearing my Chacos for most of the day. Towards the end of the day, I put my tennis shoes back on and I was good to go.

Knot - Do you have suggestions for foot exercises? I see my physical therapist again on Tuesday so I'll give her an update on the superfeet, but I'm not confident that she'll do much more than massage... Thanks again for your help!