Clenching my toes

[salsabike]

I do this too! Right foot only...shoes fit fine, bike fits fine. It does tend to make my right toes go numb after awhile, then I notice, stop clenching, wiggle them a bunch, they get the feeling back. Then I forget until I notice myself clenching them again!

Ditto. Crazy, huh?

[emily_in_nc]

Ditto. Crazy, huh?

I can tell I work harder with my right leg and my left just kinda "goes along for the ride", so I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not, but perhaps.

[blackhillsbiker]

I've debated asking a podiatrist if there's some sort of insert I can put in my shoe to prevent it. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does this.

[OakLeaf]

I dunno... all you who say you do it for "no reason," are you sure there are no trigger points in your calves? It doesn't sound right to me...


ETA: I just got one of these, because the trigger points in my calves are so deep and so firmly established. The Stick and foam rollers were just too flexible to do them any good, and I couldn't into the high trigger points close to my knee, using the opposite kneecap. I suppose a narrow pastry rolling pin would do just as well. Or maybe a golf ball and body weight on bare floor, although that could be hard to control.

[Onix]

I do this also.

First, and foremost....if you are having foot pain that is not going away, see a podiatrist. Trust me....the sooner you get in to address whatever is going on---the better off you will be.


Your instinct is right----be wary of doing this with your toe. You may be developing a "hammer toe," which can cause (or be the result of) a neuroma in your foot (read: a pissed of nerve that swelled, moved, and causes pain/numbness etc.etc.). (Welcome to my life!)

Make sure that the toe box (front wider part) of your shoe is big enough. (Or that you aren't cinching it down too too tight when you ride).

Also, make sure you are keeping your heel down (feet flat) when you ride, and not lifting your heel tons and tons. This strains the ball of your foot/puts pressure there, and you may be curling your toe subconsciously as a way to relieve pressure or something that you aren't even aware you are putting on your foot.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions. Ask away!

[Becky]

I dunno... all you who say you do it for "no reason," are you sure there are no trigger points in your calves? It doesn't sound right to me...


ETA: I just got one of these, because the trigger points in my calves are so deep and so firmly established. The Stick and foam rollers were just too flexible to do them any good, and I couldn't into the high trigger points close to my knee, using the opposite kneecap. I suppose a narrow pastry rolling pin would do just as well. Or maybe a golf ball and body weight on bare floor, although that could be hard to control.

Oakleaf, your post convinced me to buy a foam roller (only self-massage thingy I could find locally). Holy cow, it's amazing! I found knots in my legs and IT band that I didn't know existed.

Thanks for the suggestion