Pain in the feet

[dan81]

Dear all,

Just wondering whether is anyone facing the same issue as me?

Basically after a good night rest, when ever i wake up the next day and places my feets on the floor, i'll get a painful feeling from my feets.

Is it because of my VFFs (Sprint for walking, Bikila for running) which i wear 90% of the time to get around or any other possible reasons?

Appreciate all reply / advice on this.

Thanks and regard.

[Horse Rider]

It's plantar fasciitis. I used to get it when I heel striked. It can also happen transtioning to Vffs if not done gradually.

[Mr. Leigh]

I too was going to suggest Plantar Fasciitis. 

Here is what Mayo Clinic's site had to say on the subject.

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps in the morning. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.

Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in runners. In addition, people who are overweight, women who are pregnant and those who wear shoes with inadequate support are at risk of plantar fasciitis.

I agree with everything except the last sentence of the last paragraph.  I would edit it to read People who have not reconditioned their arches to properly support them after years of wearing overly padded, heel raised shoes that promote heel striking. 

[JustinB]

I too was going to suggest Plantar Fasciitis. 

Here is what Mayo Clinic's site had to say on the subject.

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps in the morning. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.

Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in runners. In addition, people who are overweight, women who are pregnant and those who wear shoes with inadequate support are at risk of plantar fasciitis.

I agree with everything except the last sentence of the last paragraph.  I would edit it to read People who have not reconditioned their arches to properly support them after years of wearing overly padded, heel raised shoes that promote heel striking. 

Well the odd part is that the only people who get plantar fasciitis are those who wear traditional shoes.    The reason behind the saying "barefoot and pregnant" is because it puts your body in the most natural and healthiest load bearing position

[dan81]

Thanks for all the replies.

Oddly, I have been wearing VFFs for a year plus and it's only recently (1 month plus) that these morning pains come in.

Personally, i attribute it due to (1) increase in weight (put on ard 7kg) and (2) reduced running (i seldom ran for the last 3 months). Thus, these may be contributing factors.

In addition, i also realised that I tend to be walking heel first rather than midsole, which is quite odd given the duration that I had with VFFs. I guess it's something that must be conciously monitered to ensure that I walk properly.

[Mr. Leigh]

Well the odd part is that the only people who get plantar fasciitis are those who wear traditional shoes.    The reason behind the saying "barefoot and pregnant" is because it puts your body in the most natural and healthiest load bearing position

Keep in mind, this is quoted from Wikipedia.  "Barefoot and pregnant" is a phrase most commonly associated with the controversial idea that women should not work outside the home and should have many children during their reproductive years

[JustinB]

Well the odd part is that the only people who get plantar fasciitis are those who wear traditional shoes.    The reason behind the saying "barefoot and pregnant" is because it puts your body in the most natural and healthiest load bearing position

Keep in mind, this is quoted from Wikipedia.  "Barefoot and pregnant" is a phrase most commonly associated with the controversial idea that women should not work outside the home and should have many children during their reproductive years

Yes I am aware.... ahhh better times...    how many of the women are going to yell at me now?  lol

[Sablewings]

how many of the women are going to yell at me now?  lol

Well contrary to some women I'd not be too keen to work while pregnant at all, but then it's often necessary these days due to financial need, and also fear of losing a job. It'd be back to work afterwards though, at least part time...perhaps with the partner staying at home some days to look after the sprog/s?

My father's had Plantar Fasciitis, response from specialists was to shove these blue plastic orthotics in his shoes. I've shown him all my barefoot shoes but he chooses to stick with the orthotics. Though I guess someone in their sixties would have a much trickier time 'unlearning' walking in heeled shoes than someone in their thirties - it took me a good year or more in barefoot shoes to shorten my gait and feel it to be natural.

[nowster]

=I've shown him all my barefoot shoes but he chooses to stick with the orthotics. Though I guess someone in their sixties would have a much trickier time 'unlearning' walking in heeled shoes than someone in their thirties - it took me a good year or more in barefoot shoes to shorten my gait and feel it to be natural.

I'm in my forties (having worn orthotics for 25+ years) and have been wearing VFFs round the house (like slippers) for six months before going "full time" and venturing outside in them last month. My gait is all wrong, especially in my right leg which seems to want to twist. This is probably learned or an imbalance in muscle strengths. At the moment, I'm paying great attention to every little twinge lest it lead to something more serious.

[DanaRe]

After reading all of the above, this sounds exactly like what I go through each morning.  My feet stop hurting within a few minutes of walking around.  I've been transitioning since Jan 1st, and have yet to start running in my VFFs, but do wear them for walking on the treadmill.  I also alternate between Vivobarefoots and Toms for workdays.

So, how do we improve the plantar fasciitis?  Are we making it worse, or do we keep plugging away?

[Horse Rider]

Sablewings, my parents also prefer their orthotics to switching to Vffs. My father tried a pair once and could not get his toes in the right pockets and he gave up.

And for plantar fasciitis, I used to get it big time anytime I heel striked without my huge orthotics. So in MY case it was about stopping the heel striking, shorter strides, relaxing the anterior tibialis (muscle in the front of the leg) while walking, so letting the foot drop, and not pushing off with the toes (just lift the foot off the ground before). Hope it makes sense.

[Sablewings]

Yep, I think so. It makes sense.

As it's been some time since I wore regular shoes I have now forgotten how I used to walk, but it definitely involved a much longer stride and heavier footfall - I think I was a midfoot striker, but the long stride was less friendly on my joints I expect.

With shoes off I naturally walk up on tiptoe so this may be why I've never had heel trouble. I have had to unlearn this tiptoeing, and got advice on better walking posture, so perhaps not surprisingly the main foot problems I've had are toe cramps and blisters between my toes, also a sore spot or occasional flare up of Mortons neuroma.

Barefoot shoes have helped stretch my achilles tendons out nicely, so I can now squat with both feet flat on the floor, which is pretty good apparently.