Ok. I've been running barefoot for 4 1/2 months now with a consistent 3 miles per outing. Tried to increase mileage to 4 miles a couple of times and my left foot now has a deep bruise on the ball of that foot. Almost like a stone bruise but I don't recall stepping on anything to cause it. I've been limping on it now for 3 days. Tried to run this morning and had to bail. Any suggestions on how to heal? I want to run!
Pain on ball of foot
- Thread starter Blemons
- Start date
There are many possibilities here. If you change to barefoot, it will have you landing differently than shod. If you had problems shod, you may have different problems barefoot, since changing your style of running may not resolve other mechanical gait issues.
Question - do you have a short first toe? If so, you may have a neuroma. If your legs are generally tight, especially in the back of the leg or calf, it can cause you to impact hard with the forefoot, even though you may not sense there is something wrong.
If your core is distorted, it will cause you to impact hard on your forefoot as the legs tighten. Can you squat without losing your balance? How about standing on one leg, then the other for 30 seconds. Is your balance symmetrical? Do you feel stiff getting out of a seat?
These are all indications of core problems that may need to be addressed. You may consider reading my book Cheating Mother Nature which talks about body mechanics and it is written for regular folks like yourself. It may help you figure out your problem.
Another good suggesting, find a good sports chiropractor. Hope that helps.
Dr. C
Question - do you have a short first toe? If so, you may have a neuroma. If your legs are generally tight, especially in the back of the leg or calf, it can cause you to impact hard with the forefoot, even though you may not sense there is something wrong.
If your core is distorted, it will cause you to impact hard on your forefoot as the legs tighten. Can you squat without losing your balance? How about standing on one leg, then the other for 30 seconds. Is your balance symmetrical? Do you feel stiff getting out of a seat?
These are all indications of core problems that may need to be addressed. You may consider reading my book Cheating Mother Nature which talks about body mechanics and it is written for regular folks like yourself. It may help you figure out your problem.
Another good suggesting, find a good sports chiropractor. Hope that helps.
Dr. C
No short big toe. And although I'm sure I could always use some additional core strength, the balance and all hasn't seemed to be a problem. It's just odd at the quick onset of this pain just in one foot when I've already logged over a hundred miles barefoot. Maybe it's just the added mileage and that I need to be patient with the increases. As for healing, I'm just trying to stay off of it as much as possible and maybe I'll be back in commission in a couple of days.
