Feet go numb when I run

[thebeak]

Dr. Steve -

I wish you did a weekly show on 202. The show is great and extremely informative. More DR STEVE ON 202!!

So, here is my question. I workout almost daily at my local gym. When I use the elliptical or arc trainer my feet will go numb. It seems that my left foot does it the most and sometimes it is painful. I stay on the machine for 45 minutes and some days are worse than others. The numbness usually occurs later in the workout (after about 20 - 30 minutes).

Is it the shoes (I've tried different brands with no luck) or something else?

Thanks!

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve -

I wish you did a weekly show on 202. The show is great and extremely informative. More DR STEVE ON 202!!

So, here is my question. I workout almost daily at my local gym. When I use the elliptical or arc trainer my feet will go numb. It seems that my left foot does it the most and sometimes it is painful. I stay on the machine for 45 minutes and some days are worse than others. The numbness usually occurs later in the workout (after about 20 - 30 minutes).

Is it the shoes (I've tried different brands with no luck) or something else?

Thanks!

Foot numbness with exercise is pretty common, unfortunately. It's probably caused by swelling of the tissues near the bundle of nerves that feed your left foot; this causes the nerve's blood supply to be compromised and you have numbness that lasts as long as you exercise and resolves slowly thereafter.

If it's the bottom of your feet, it may be a thing called TARSAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. The mechanism is the same as I recounted above. A special orthotic, a cortisone shot, or surgery may be required to fix the problem. All of these can be done by a good sports medicine specialist (who I recommend that you see).

It's annoying at best; rarely it can progress to the point your feet are numb constantly. worth getting it checked out.

sorry it took so long to get back to you.



steve