Adapting to minimalist shoes

lmb326

Barefooters
Jul 9, 2020
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I am a runner but at this point just trying to get my feet used to minimalist shoes (Xero Prios) by walking around in them. I started just walking a couple blocks for about a week and then started taking longer walks (up to half or full miles) around my neighborhood on the sidewalk. Yesterday after probably my longest walk, my left arch was burning/felt very tight almost like a cramp. When I got home, I took off the shoes and the sensation went away. Didn't think much of it. Today, my arch is sore. Almost feels like I have a pebble under my arch and when I do arch exercises (i.e. short foot), it is clearly sore.

My question for the doc: Are these normal pangs/niggles I should expect as I try to adapt my feet to minimalist shoes? I am not running in them at all (still run in cushioned 8mm drops) but wanted to start slowly and just walk with them. Prior to these shoes, I always walked around in topos (cushioned but toe shaped and low drop shoes). Thanks!!
 
One of the docs should be with you shortly. If you don't get a reply soon, please message me through the site. :)
 
Update: so i had been wearing a pair amazon silicon toe spacers (started about a month ago and pretty much started wearing them all the time). Since I stopped wearing them, the pain has largely dissipated and the toe tingling is also much better. I still get tingle or ache in my arch/TBB area that come and go, but it definitely seems to be getting better. I have also stopped wearing the minimalist shoes (which perhaps now I realize weren't the cause). Could the toe spacers have been too aggressive and caused tissue or tendon damage?
 
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this is a really good insight into how to adapt. you must just listen to have your feet and having a little bit of soreness is normal just as if you went to the gym the 1st day . but if you are experiencing pain and back off more. Any modification can cause a little bit of discomfort even if it puts things in the right direction so getting out of the foot dysfunction is a slow process but there is no other way out other than to strengthen the feet and correct the deformities slowly. dr mark
 
Sorry for the delay and difficult to fully answer these over e-mail. adapting to any new environment requiring different muscles takes time. make sure shoes fit well. like any training effect you add a little bit of stress and recover that is how we get stronger so adapting to minimal walking shoes can take a few months. there should not be any real pain but a little muscle discomfort as if you had an exercise session is fine
 
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