One think that helped me is that I never go barefoot in the house. I either wear my lined crocs, or Sanuk yoga mat flip flops. They are inside only shoes. For going out, I have other lined crocs, and for wet days to only go in the yard, waterproof Sanuk flip flops. Because of fire ants and other issues where I live, you don’t go barefoot outside.
Agreed. I have a friend who is a dog breeder and he shows dogs a lot and often on concrete. I remember talking to him about running and he groaned just thinking about it. His feet always hurt, they ached and were sore to the touch.
Then somehow he took a wrong step and ended in the ER - X-rays showed a huge bone spur that had fractured. He showed his X-rays on social media - it was crazy.
Needless to say he had a long recovery that included a surgical procedure. He feels like a new person now though. So the podiatrist is a really good step.
In the meantime - a lightweight cushioned running shoe might be the best option. I thought muck boots were invented torture - sooo heavy, no support and only whole sizes. If they were lighter it might have been easier.
I’ve never worn crocs but they are super light - might be worth a try in the store.
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Just push a finger right down between all your toes, when you get up and when you go to bed. It stretches out your feet. Both my podiatrist and my acupuncturist recommended this and it has really, really helped me and stopped the pain in the balls of my feet. Simple, cheap and may work!
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Birkenstocks have more options than just the hippy slip on Boston style. I have them in sneakers, garden clogs, sandels… so many styles to pick from!
I suffer from planter fascitis years ago and once I started wearing my birkies year round, I have not had any issues.
PS. I have a restructured ankle and really messed up ligments due to a horrible, multi bone break in my 30’s
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That is really interesting. I do put on toe stretchers if we watch a movie at night and it feels SO good.
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This really does sound like you’re breaking in the foot bed in each pair, and then they’re not comfortable, possibly because some of the cushion has been flattened. Some kind of insoles may be the solution.
When I had a job that required steel toes and constantly being on my feet, one of my managers advised me to buy insoles and replace them every two months. I just got some Dr. Scholl’s gel (active? work?) insoles at the pharmacy for about $25 and they worked great. I didn’t replace them by the calendar, but when I started having achy feet after work I’d get new insoles.
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Yep. Get good shoes, and swap out insoles to extend the wearable life. Technically you’ll be past the mileage where you’re supposed to replace the whole shoe, but I don’t know anyone replacing their non-running shoes every 300 miles.
I like SuperFeet. I get the Trails, my SO uses the Carbons. I have them in my hiking boots and daily shoes! The cheap Dr Scholls won’t last as long and take up more space, but they are cushy.
As far as actual footwear, see if you can get a few pairs of different kinds to rotate. Wearing the same shoe every day will break it down faster and won’t let you change the way you’re walking and move the pressure around.
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If it’s sore heels it’s probably plantar fasciitis, have had it on and off for years. Tried every kind of brand of shoe, Birkenstocks worked for years, but don’t anymore. Have switched entirely to FitFlops - they make everything from sparkly sandals to trainers to welly boots to hiking boots, and they’ve changed my life. Check them out online, there’s always a bundle of cheap stuff in their outlet tab so you can try without blowing the bank. I can’t recommend them enough, they’re amazing.
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Well, I thought I’d pop in to say that I did visit a Podiatrist yesterday. It was without a doubt the absolute worst Doctor Experience I have ever had (and this includes the time I left the hospital when the myomectomy surgery I was scheduled for at 7:00 am was rescheduled to 11:30, and the doctor’s office forgot to tell me - I walked out and said they could re-schedule me. They couldn’t believe I left!).
Anyway, this dude seemed at least 3 cans short of six pack. He told me a story for some reason about his parents and their guns and how his father can’t squeeze a trigger anymore and so Crazy Podiatrist was showing his mother how to use the revolver and his father was angry, and other nonsense I couldn’t possibly make up or explain. Why he told me this story is a mystery to me and I still can’t see the connection to my feet.
He pretty much said everything in the world was wrong with me feet, without telling me any actual terminology (No need, it’s all terrible!!) - I needed to get lace up shoes/sneakers and to go to X store and tell them he sent me. I shouldn’t be on my feet at all, and to get help around the property and home so I’m not on my feet. Never to be barefoot or in slippers, even in the middle of the night to go pee! Like get up and lace up sneakers and then go pee! Not barefoot in the shower even. But…when I’m standing up washing dishes barefoot (I thought I was not supposed to be barefoot, also I have a dishwasher), he gave some exercises for my arch maybe? And he can help me! He can fix me! He’s the Doctor for me!
Anyway, now searching for a new podiatrist.
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Remember they aren’t MDs or DOs. The education and licensing requirements are very different.
I was going to a podiatrist when I lived in South Carolina. COVID hit, and I went in for an appointment, masked. The podiatrist told me I didn’t need that silly mask, and refused to wear one. Unfortunately when he came in, I was already barefoot (can’t walk barefoot) and he immediately grabbed my foot before it dawned on me that he wasn’t masked. It is very disturbing that someone who was licensed to do surgery would not believe in masking during a pandemic. I never went back.
I am back in Colorado, and my podiatrist is great. They see me walk in wearing a mask, and everyone who comes in contact with me immediately masks. I trust these people as everything they’ve told me made sense so far. I’ve had four visits with them.
By all means, find someone else!
Rebecca
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