My 20 year old son just saw his podiatrist. He recommended custom orthotics. My son has low arches and overpronates a bit. The outside of his shoes’ heels get a bit worn down (same with my husband). He also walks with his feet pointed out in a V, like my dad. Are there exercises he can do that will strengthen his arches and help his feet turn inward? He plays football in college and has gained 45 lbs over the last 2 years. He lifts and trains religiously. He’s solid. He’s had shin splint troubles this summer. We are always barefoot in our home, but never outdoors.
I see that you do not recommend orthotics. If you find the right exercises and wear the proper footwear, is it possible to permanently alter the outcome so that your feet are facing forward and your arches are more noticeable as an adult? thanks -Barbara
Don’t be concerned about the arches. Arch height means nothing. Read this: http://www.drgangemi.com/2012/03/flat-feet/. Depending on how much he has developed the way he is now will determine whether you can get his feet straight, and for the most part it doesn’t equate into pain. (I don’t see how orthotics can even do that anyway.) Since he has shin splints there are imbalances and those can be corrected regardless of which direction his feet point – check out the SS Video on this site.
I have recently been having terrible foot pain around the fourth toe of my right foot. I have gone to a couple different doctors, a podiatrist and a chiropractor. Basically, I am told that it is just the alignment of my foot. I have had some cold laser on it but have not noticed much of an improvement. My toes want to come forward, therefore, causing pain on top of my foot below my fourth toe and on the bottom of my foot, under my fourth toe (ball of my foot). I was given custom orthotics to wear to correct the alignment of foot. I also have high arches but they collapse when I walk. The orthotics seem to be causing ankle and calf cramping on my left leg and I notice pain in my left foot now which was never there before. Is that normal for an orthotic to do that? Do I need orthotics? I was also told to use a gel insert when wearing sandals to pull the top part of my foot down so my toes do not come up as much. How can I get my feet to be pain free again?? I would appreciate any info you can send my way. Would smart toes help? Thanks so much!!
You need to find a doc who looks at the entire body and can treat you in such a way. I’m sure you know my views on orthotics from reading even just a little bit of this site.
I’m not sure what smart toes are – I sometimes use Correct Toes.
I have seen your videos and they have given me lots of hope. I was on Cirpo 500mg for about 3 weeks and then on Levaquin 750mg for about 10 days. I was supposed to be on the Levaquin for 6 weeks but on the 10th day felt a sharp tightness and sensitivity in both Achilles tendons as if they were going to snap. This was on November 18th, 2012. I stopped it immediately and am now on Bactrim which I am using to battle prostatitis.
In any case, the pain and sensitivity was never like that first day but it’s been almost a month and the symptoms while waning on and off are still there. I went to a podiatrist and he put me on Meloxican 7.5 mg for 2 weeks and said no x-ray and MRI was necessary because 1) I had no rupture and 2) even if I had some micro-tears, all I could do is rest, take NSAIDS, and give it time to heal. He said 6-8 weeks.
I then saw an Orthopedic Surgeon who took me off the Meloxicam and told me to take Voltaren for 2 weeks, rest and get a trigger point foam roller to massage the calf area. He said recovery could take weeks or months.
I got online and saw that stretching may help and I tried the wall stretch and toe stretches and stair stretches but strangely this weekend my Achilles flared up a bit again. I got on your site and saw NO stretching and so I will not stretch for the forseable future.
Can you give me a rough, if even subjective sense of what the prognosis is for me and any tips or suggestions for my recovery? Can I fully recover from this? Thanks, doc.
Ah – the medication injury story. These aren’t uncommon. Someone takes a medication which causes or provokes a problem and they stop the medication but the problem doesn’t go away. This happens a lot more than what you realize. Though many meds have a shore half-life and are theoretically out of your body in a few days, they can sort of “trip a switch” in your body by how they affect your chemistry and cause problems long after you stop taking them. Plus, you’ve gone from one NSAID to another (to even another) – and they come with their own problems as I mention in the Sock Doc First Aid Series. Additionally, taking antibiotics affects a huge part of your immune system, which in turn can delay healing. (No, I’m not saying you should stop any meds, I can’t advise you on that, but just be aware of it.)
So the only advice (which is a lot) I can offer you generally speaking is the Video on AT, and the articles, like the First Aid. Ideally you probably need to be treated by a doc who looks at the entire body as a whole if you don’t get any better. And yes, you can recover 100% – I believe everyone can if they do the right things and are healthy. I see it enough to believe it.
(Doc i’m sry for posting here, i initially wanted to post on the PF article, but the site treats me like a spam bot ): )
Hi Doc, I started to experience a pain in my right heel since 6 days ago when i put pressure on it and 8 days ago i wore a really high heel and walked around quite a fair bit in it. I dont wear heels often, just occasionally. I have 3 questions and i really hope you can answer them! ><
1. When looking for trigger points, i noticed in the PF vid you captioned that 'Normally trigger points shouldnt be very sore' but when i look for trigger points, they are really really sore! Does this mean I have a deeper problem? :'(
2. Also I feel pain whenever i walk barefoot, so I consciously tried to put less pressure on my right heel (where it hurts). Should I stop doing that unnatural walk and just walk naturally/ even though it will hurt?
3. I always wear minimalist shoes/ cheap shoes I can get from the market that have flat and hard soles. It was only this year March I started to wear 'X' brand running shoes and initially when i started wearing it, there was a lot of cushion and I slowly got used to it. Considering that I only wear heels on rare occasions. Could this be the source of my PF? Should i then stay off that pair of expensive running shoe? Cause i never had any problem like now.
4. One last question.. Would you recommend playing dancing games on kinect whilst wearing minimalist shoes? I really love to dance and even though it hurts, it is only then when i can forget about the pain even though its still there!
Sorry for the loads of questions! I'm really really appreciative of your posts and vids. Thank you doc! :')
1. I say that in the video? If you’re referring to the statement at the 2:40 mark that says “Normally these spots…” not trigger point spots. Trigger points are sore – because there is a problem. Get it?
2. Be careful distorting your gait too much or you’ll end up with other problems. You might want to wear a shoe to cushion the PF some as it’s healing up.
3. Yeah, I lot of so-called “minimalist” shoes are still over cushioned. Go back to what has worked for you.
4. Yes I would. Ideally you should be as minimal as possible (as you’re able to) all the time.
Thanks for the great info! Walking barefoot as much as possible is providing me much needed relief and allowing me to feel how my shoes are causing much (all?) of my foot pain. What do you mean by minimalist shoes? Can you give suggestions of brands. (I have narrow feet “A” or “B” width depending on the brand). Always have to buy expensive shoes to fit. Do you know of “Earth shoes?”. What is your opinion on Birkenstocks?
My 11 year old son started complaining of pain right above his arches on both feet about a month ago.I took him to a podiatrist and he was diagnosed with flex flat feet. The podiatrist has recommended custom orthotics and hopes that this would help him with the pain. He also stated that my son may be too old to straighten out the pronation, as he should have been wearing orthotics from a young age. What can you recommend to help my son with his pain in the arches.
You need to find a doc who knows what they’re talking about. FFF has nothing to do with overpronation and orthotics on a growing child are harmful in more ways than one (foot development, balance). Of course if he’s put in orthotics then the chance of him correcting any foot imbalance is slim to zero
What type of doctor should I take him too. I am really concerned as he complains of foot pain right above the arch. He does walk barefoot at home. Are there any type of exercises that you can recommend so help with his pain. I would like to help my son so that he can continue to be a kid and not have to deal with the foot pain.
The video on Foot Strength would be the exercises to do.
For a doc you’ll need to find one that evaluates and treats the entire body – that may be a chiropractor, PT, or another practitioner — hard to say since you need to find a therapist rather than a therapy. Of course you’re always welcome to bring him to NC to see me.
Hello.I hope you have some advice for me. I willl try to keep this short because I know you are a busy man.
Eight years ago I had inflammation and pain in my hips and knees. I did the x-rays, MRIs, PT, and rest but nothing helped. I eventually got orthotics. (I know you are cringing right now) I am not sure what eventually helped. But after about two and a half years the pain went away. I got a tempurpedic mattress and I think this helped alot.
I have not had any injuries or pain since until…
Fast forward to February 2012. I decided to run in the minimalist five finger shoes. I wasn’t smart about it. I dove right into running in them. I had been runnning in the typical running shoes (with my orthotics) for the past five or so years with no issues.
I ran in the five fingers for about six weeks. My ankles and calves were tight, sore, and in pain, but (stupidly) I ignored the pain and thought once I adjusted it would go away. After six weeks the pain was so bad I stopped running.
Since Feb, 2012 I have been in pain. The tightness in my calves went away quickly but the pain and tightness along the outside of my feet has stayed. I went to an orthopedic in Jan. 2013 He did x-rays and nothing is fractured or broken. He diagnosed me with peroneal tendonitis and advised rest and PT. I went to PT. She mainily massaged the outside of my lower leg. We also stretched my calves and peroneal muslces. (more cringing for sure)
While doing completely nothing (outside of PT) has made the pain and tightness slightly less, I don’t think I am doing what I need to do to address the real issue. I walked on the treadmill for 20 mins the other day (this was the first attempt at exercise in many months) and the outside of my foot has been tight and in pain just like I never took any time off.
My feet are the tightest when I wake in the morning or after sitting for any period of time. After I am up and on them the pain and tightness lessens or even appears to go away. I am on my feet for at least 8 hours a day at work and for the most part standing and walking at work is okay.
If I went for a short jog right now my feet would not hurt as I exercise but later they would stifffen up and hurt. I have never had any swelling or bruising and no spots on my feet and ankles hurt to the touch. The pain/tightness is along the outside of my foot but mainly at the end of my fifth metatarsal. If I wear any shoes that are tight is that area it increases the pain.
This injury is really affecting my life. I am beyond frustrated because being physical active was such a large part of my life. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Start by working out the trigger points in the calves as I show in many of the Foot Videos. Then you need to find a minimalist type shoe that works for you, probably not zero-drop.
BTW – I cringe at tempurpedic mattresses as much as orthotics. Those things support your body too much when you sleep – you’re unable to freely move, essentially locking your body into unfavorable positions.
sir i m fitness trainer but i confuse few day many people say and i see many website that stretching do every day but your site different so i thing my guises that stretching week few day but yes so please give my ans ; Q ;why do week two day stretching Q i accept your guide that daily do not use stretching exercise because muscle do not use daily routine because muscle daily use muscle break down i m asking u i m right please give my ans;
I have had bilateral achilles tendonitis for over 20 years. Right now it is so bad that 100 yards of walking will aggrevate them. Over the years they have become progressivle worse. i am 56 years old and very fit. I recenlty went to a highly recommended physical therapist for the tendons. He said they were inflammed and very thin, probably a result of so many years of inflammation. He recommended 3 months of no exercise, and that I should wear a 3/8 heel lift for 3 months, then progressivly reduce the size of the heel lift. He also said after the 3 months of rest, when the inflammation was gone, he would give me strengthening exercises for the achilles tendons. Does this seem like a reasonable approach. I asked about going barefoot and he said maybe after a year. Thanks for your advice.
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“I’ve had a lot of doctors and trainers treat me and my players over the years. There is nobody better than Dr. Gangemi.”
– John Rennie; Head men’s soccer coach Duke University 1979-2007
My 20 year old son just saw his podiatrist. He recommended custom orthotics. My son has low arches and overpronates a bit. The outside of his shoes’ heels get a bit worn down (same with my husband). He also walks with his feet pointed out in a V, like my dad. Are there exercises he can do that will strengthen his arches and help his feet turn inward? He plays football in college and has gained 45 lbs over the last 2 years. He lifts and trains religiously. He’s solid. He’s had shin splint troubles this summer. We are always barefoot in our home, but never outdoors.
I see that you do not recommend orthotics. If you find the right exercises and wear the proper footwear, is it possible to permanently alter the outcome so that your feet are facing forward and your arches are more noticeable as an adult? thanks -Barbara
Don’t be concerned about the arches. Arch height means nothing. Read this: http://www.drgangemi.com/2012/03/flat-feet/. Depending on how much he has developed the way he is now will determine whether you can get his feet straight, and for the most part it doesn’t equate into pain. (I don’t see how orthotics can even do that anyway.) Since he has shin splints there are imbalances and those can be corrected regardless of which direction his feet point – check out the SS Video on this site.
I have recently been having terrible foot pain around the fourth toe of my right foot. I have gone to a couple different doctors, a podiatrist and a chiropractor. Basically, I am told that it is just the alignment of my foot. I have had some cold laser on it but have not noticed much of an improvement. My toes want to come forward, therefore, causing pain on top of my foot below my fourth toe and on the bottom of my foot, under my fourth toe (ball of my foot). I was given custom orthotics to wear to correct the alignment of foot. I also have high arches but they collapse when I walk. The orthotics seem to be causing ankle and calf cramping on my left leg and I notice pain in my left foot now which was never there before. Is that normal for an orthotic to do that? Do I need orthotics? I was also told to use a gel insert when wearing sandals to pull the top part of my foot down so my toes do not come up as much. How can I get my feet to be pain free again?? I would appreciate any info you can send my way. Would smart toes help? Thanks so much!!
You need to find a doc who looks at the entire body and can treat you in such a way. I’m sure you know my views on orthotics from reading even just a little bit of this site.
I’m not sure what smart toes are – I sometimes use Correct Toes.
Do you have any recommendations for Dr.’s in San Jose, CA?
Thanks.
Sorry no referrals via this site anymore – stories of “this guy did this” and “that doc gave me orthotics” ended that.
Hi Dr:
I have seen your videos and they have given me lots of hope. I was on Cirpo 500mg for about 3 weeks and then on Levaquin 750mg for about 10 days. I was supposed to be on the Levaquin for 6 weeks but on the 10th day felt a sharp tightness and sensitivity in both Achilles tendons as if they were going to snap. This was on November 18th, 2012. I stopped it immediately and am now on Bactrim which I am using to battle prostatitis.
In any case, the pain and sensitivity was never like that first day but it’s been almost a month and the symptoms while waning on and off are still there. I went to a podiatrist and he put me on Meloxican 7.5 mg for 2 weeks and said no x-ray and MRI was necessary because 1) I had no rupture and 2) even if I had some micro-tears, all I could do is rest, take NSAIDS, and give it time to heal. He said 6-8 weeks.
I then saw an Orthopedic Surgeon who took me off the Meloxicam and told me to take Voltaren for 2 weeks, rest and get a trigger point foam roller to massage the calf area. He said recovery could take weeks or months.
I got online and saw that stretching may help and I tried the wall stretch and toe stretches and stair stretches but strangely this weekend my Achilles flared up a bit again. I got on your site and saw NO stretching and so I will not stretch for the forseable future.
Can you give me a rough, if even subjective sense of what the prognosis is for me and any tips or suggestions for my recovery? Can I fully recover from this? Thanks, doc.
Ah – the medication injury story. These aren’t uncommon. Someone takes a medication which causes or provokes a problem and they stop the medication but the problem doesn’t go away. This happens a lot more than what you realize. Though many meds have a shore half-life and are theoretically out of your body in a few days, they can sort of “trip a switch” in your body by how they affect your chemistry and cause problems long after you stop taking them. Plus, you’ve gone from one NSAID to another (to even another) – and they come with their own problems as I mention in the Sock Doc First Aid Series. Additionally, taking antibiotics affects a huge part of your immune system, which in turn can delay healing. (No, I’m not saying you should stop any meds, I can’t advise you on that, but just be aware of it.)
So the only advice (which is a lot) I can offer you generally speaking is the Video on AT, and the articles, like the First Aid. Ideally you probably need to be treated by a doc who looks at the entire body as a whole if you don’t get any better. And yes, you can recover 100% – I believe everyone can if they do the right things and are healthy. I see it enough to believe it.
(Doc i’m sry for posting here, i initially wanted to post on the PF article, but the site treats me like a spam bot ): )
Hi Doc, I started to experience a pain in my right heel since 6 days ago when i put pressure on it and 8 days ago i wore a really high heel and walked around quite a fair bit in it. I dont wear heels often, just occasionally. I have 3 questions and i really hope you can answer them! ><
1. When looking for trigger points, i noticed in the PF vid you captioned that 'Normally trigger points shouldnt be very sore' but when i look for trigger points, they are really really sore! Does this mean I have a deeper problem? :'(
2. Also I feel pain whenever i walk barefoot, so I consciously tried to put less pressure on my right heel (where it hurts). Should I stop doing that unnatural walk and just walk naturally/ even though it will hurt?
3. I always wear minimalist shoes/ cheap shoes I can get from the market that have flat and hard soles. It was only this year March I started to wear 'X' brand running shoes and initially when i started wearing it, there was a lot of cushion and I slowly got used to it. Considering that I only wear heels on rare occasions. Could this be the source of my PF? Should i then stay off that pair of expensive running shoe? Cause i never had any problem like now.
4. One last question.. Would you recommend playing dancing games on kinect whilst wearing minimalist shoes? I really love to dance and even though it hurts, it is only then when i can forget about the pain even though its still there!
Sorry for the loads of questions! I'm really really appreciative of your posts and vids. Thank you doc! :')
Love from the equator, Singapore!
1. I say that in the video? If you’re referring to the statement at the 2:40 mark that says “Normally these spots…” not trigger point spots. Trigger points are sore – because there is a problem. Get it?
2. Be careful distorting your gait too much or you’ll end up with other problems. You might want to wear a shoe to cushion the PF some as it’s healing up.
3. Yeah, I lot of so-called “minimalist” shoes are still over cushioned. Go back to what has worked for you.
4. Yes I would. Ideally you should be as minimal as possible (as you’re able to) all the time.
Thanks for the great info! Walking barefoot as much as possible is providing me much needed relief and allowing me to feel how my shoes are causing much (all?) of my foot pain. What do you mean by minimalist shoes? Can you give suggestions of brands. (I have narrow feet “A” or “B” width depending on the brand). Always have to buy expensive shoes to fit. Do you know of “Earth shoes?”. What is your opinion on Birkenstocks?
Thanks for all so far! Best in the New Year. Bill
Read “Healthy People = Barefoot People”. I don’t want to wear Earth Shoes anytime on Earth.
My 11 year old son started complaining of pain right above his arches on both feet about a month ago.I took him to a podiatrist and he was diagnosed with flex flat feet. The podiatrist has recommended custom orthotics and hopes that this would help him with the pain. He also stated that my son may be too old to straighten out the pronation, as he should have been wearing orthotics from a young age. What can you recommend to help my son with his pain in the arches.
You need to find a doc who knows what they’re talking about. FFF has nothing to do with overpronation and orthotics on a growing child are harmful in more ways than one (foot development, balance). Of course if he’s put in orthotics then the chance of him correcting any foot imbalance is slim to zero
What type of doctor should I take him too. I am really concerned as he complains of foot pain right above the arch. He does walk barefoot at home. Are there any type of exercises that you can recommend so help with his pain. I would like to help my son so that he can continue to be a kid and not have to deal with the foot pain.
The video on Foot Strength would be the exercises to do.
For a doc you’ll need to find one that evaluates and treats the entire body – that may be a chiropractor, PT, or another practitioner — hard to say since you need to find a therapist rather than a therapy. Of course you’re always welcome to bring him to NC to see me.
Hello.I hope you have some advice for me. I willl try to keep this short because I know you are a busy man.
Eight years ago I had inflammation and pain in my hips and knees. I did the x-rays, MRIs, PT, and rest but nothing helped. I eventually got orthotics. (I know you are cringing right now) I am not sure what eventually helped. But after about two and a half years the pain went away. I got a tempurpedic mattress and I think this helped alot.
I have not had any injuries or pain since until…
Fast forward to February 2012. I decided to run in the minimalist five finger shoes. I wasn’t smart about it. I dove right into running in them. I had been runnning in the typical running shoes (with my orthotics) for the past five or so years with no issues.
I ran in the five fingers for about six weeks. My ankles and calves were tight, sore, and in pain, but (stupidly) I ignored the pain and thought once I adjusted it would go away. After six weeks the pain was so bad I stopped running.
Since Feb, 2012 I have been in pain. The tightness in my calves went away quickly but the pain and tightness along the outside of my feet has stayed. I went to an orthopedic in Jan. 2013 He did x-rays and nothing is fractured or broken. He diagnosed me with peroneal tendonitis and advised rest and PT. I went to PT. She mainily massaged the outside of my lower leg. We also stretched my calves and peroneal muslces. (more cringing for sure)
While doing completely nothing (outside of PT) has made the pain and tightness slightly less, I don’t think I am doing what I need to do to address the real issue. I walked on the treadmill for 20 mins the other day (this was the first attempt at exercise in many months) and the outside of my foot has been tight and in pain just like I never took any time off.
My feet are the tightest when I wake in the morning or after sitting for any period of time. After I am up and on them the pain and tightness lessens or even appears to go away. I am on my feet for at least 8 hours a day at work and for the most part standing and walking at work is okay.
If I went for a short jog right now my feet would not hurt as I exercise but later they would stifffen up and hurt. I have never had any swelling or bruising and no spots on my feet and ankles hurt to the touch. The pain/tightness is along the outside of my foot but mainly at the end of my fifth metatarsal. If I wear any shoes that are tight is that area it increases the pain.
This injury is really affecting my life. I am beyond frustrated because being physical active was such a large part of my life. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Stacey
Start by working out the trigger points in the calves as I show in many of the Foot Videos. Then you need to find a minimalist type shoe that works for you, probably not zero-drop.
BTW – I cringe at tempurpedic mattresses as much as orthotics. Those things support your body too much when you sleep – you’re unable to freely move, essentially locking your body into unfavorable positions.
sir i m fitness trainer but i confuse few day many people say and i see many website that stretching do every day but your site different so i thing my guises that stretching week few day but yes so please give my ans ; Q ;why do week two day stretching Q i accept your guide that daily do not use stretching exercise because muscle do not use daily routine because muscle daily use muscle break down i m asking u i m right please give my ans;
Please read this; thanks!
http://sock-doc.com/sock-doc-questions-comments/
I have had bilateral achilles tendonitis for over 20 years. Right now it is so bad that 100 yards of walking will aggrevate them. Over the years they have become progressivle worse. i am 56 years old and very fit. I recenlty went to a highly recommended physical therapist for the tendons. He said they were inflammed and very thin, probably a result of so many years of inflammation. He recommended 3 months of no exercise, and that I should wear a 3/8 heel lift for 3 months, then progressivly reduce the size of the heel lift. He also said after the 3 months of rest, when the inflammation was gone, he would give me strengthening exercises for the achilles tendons. Does this seem like a reasonable approach. I asked about going barefoot and he said maybe after a year. Thanks for your advice.
Please read this; thanks!
http://sock-doc.com/sock-doc-questions-comments/