High Collapsible Arch and TFP

Coming from a chiropractor, usually the pain on the top of the foot as you are describing is shin splints. Without seeing your feet, it is difficult for me to tell exactly what the situation is but based on experience, I believe you likely flare out on one or both sides. Will orthotics help? That depends on the person, however, I can tell you what I would recommend since pain on top of the foot usually is because the tibialis anterior has tightened which goes along with my assumption that you flare out. Unfortunately, I often see orthotics applied poorly and some are just casted poorly so they are not effective. Orthotics can be quite effective if done properly and placed on the right person.

Myofascial release treatment in the form of ART or other disciplines works well. Another thing to consider is are your calves tight (I bet they are)? If so, I would have the calves and the back of the knee worked out by a chiropractor who knows fascial release or by your massage therapist. The reason you want to do this is because you are likely short striding on one side and over striding on the other. By the nature of it, barefoot running is less heel strike and more mid foot, causing a shorter stride. People who run asymmetrically also tend to hunch their shoulders which shortens their stride further, makes you work harder and you hit the ground harder.

Where does that leave us then?

A couple of suggestions.

1. Have someone video you with their phone while on a treadmill. You will learn alot about yourself. If you see the shoulders hiked up, relax them during the run and you will open your stride, have a softer ground impact and your pulse will drop because you can go faster with less work.

2. Find a good chiropractor who understands runners (unfortunately, they are hard to find so you may wish to call usatf in your state and they may know of someone) and performs fascial release.

3. Use a foam roller prior to running. They are effective since when you can move better, your form improves and you run better. A good video for runners who use foam rollers can be found here http://www.youtube.com/user/ChiropracticNJ on our youtube channel.

I hope that helps.

Trigger point therapy is not the same, you may wish to look both up on wikipedia. Fascial release is done in rolfing, in Barnes treatment, in ART. Your chiropractor may be knowledgeable about it and I would open that discussion with him

IrrevArends said:

Ah, I see the difference now. I went to my chiropractor yesterday and he explained the difference a bit. He knows some to those techniques, but isn't quite certified yet. He was surprised at whole 'jammed' my feet were, but after a good adjustment they feel a lot better and freer.

Can you say a little more about what you mean when you say I probably flare out on one or both sides?

Click to expand...

It means you toe out. The more you toe out, the more you walk like a duck. My book, cheating mother nature, what you need to know to beat chronic pain explains this more thoroughly and may be something you may want to read. You can get it on Amazon.com. Basically, if you toe out, your calves and shins and legs will tighten. If you do it symmetrically, you will be inflexible. If asymmetrically built, you will have more running issues. I hope that clears that up