My podiatrist is a GOD!

[LauraMax]

I've been having some pretty serious pain for years when I do high impact. And when I say years, I mean like a decade. I made a couple appts w/local podiatrists in the past but always had to cancel b/c of work.

Well, imagine my pleasure when I discovered my gym has an in-house podiatrist, who's also an exercise physiologist AND certified PT (they also have an in-house chiropractor, I *heart* my gym). So I finally had an exam & it turns out that, b/c I'm completely flat footed, I've developed tendonitis in both feet. We ordered custom inserts & I got them last night. I figured to test them out this morning I'd do the highest impact DVD I had, so I pulled out MIC (BTW, now I remember why I never do that w/o--it is flippin TOUGH! ). Still had a little pain in the hi/lo section, but got thru step w/just some slight discomfort. Hallelujah!

A couple other things of interest--some time ago someone had posted about how a PT told them squats should be done in flat soled (non-cushioned) shoes. I asked him about that & he looked at me as if I'd just landed from the moon. He asked me where on earth I'd heard that & I said a fitness forum. I told him someone had posted an article that said squatting in flat shoes was akin to squatting on a mattress & he said that was just flat out false. I believe he followed up that statement w/something like "what a horrible comparison." He said cushioned shoes were recommended for squats, esp. for people w/foot & tendon issues.

Finally, re. shoe brands. He kind of took me to task for my Nikes. I told him I only wore them to the gym for the cute factor, but I did my cardio in Asics. He said Asics & New Balance were the two shoes he always recommended for high impact.

He's awesome. He's cute too. If he wasn't married w/children he'd be in SUCH BIG TROUBLE!

 

[orphylea]

Laura: That's GREAT! I was so happy to discover that inserts pretty much fixed my knee pain a few years ago- it's like a whole new world again. And yes, MIC is on my dread list usually. Good to know that my Asics are a good pick, too.

 

[marnold]

Hey there!

He said Asics & New Balance were the two shoes he always recommended for high impact.


Did he mention what styles of either manufacturer? I think my feet are changing...the Rykas are just not cutting it anymore. I live in a very small town, but I would like to go to the sporting goods store with a few models or styles in mind BEFORE I try on a bazillion! thanks!

I wanted to add that I have always heard so many opinions on the use of running shoes for inside training (bad and good) as well as opinions regarding the use of trainer/studio shoes. I know that most shoe manufacturers sell both...so confused. I would really like something that could be used inside or outside so that I don't need to buy two pairs...

 

[LauraMax]

He didn't say, but I'll ask next time I see him. Personally running shoes have worked best for me--something to do w/the cushioning & the way it's made for NO lateral movement seems to alleviate my over-pronation from being archless.

And BTW, I've noticed the cheaper Asics are much more comfy than the more expensive ones. Go figure.

 

[marnold]

Thanks for the info chickie!

 

[lightening16]

Hey Laura

What were the inserts like? I have had arch pain in one foot since Feb. off and on. I had just assumed that it was Plantar faciitis, now I have noticed it in my achilles tendon too. BTW this all started when I started doing step again and more intense workouts....
I know that I should go and see a PT but I am afraid that they'll tell me to stop working out and I feel so awesome otherwise and I have been melting off the pounds!

Anyways are they heel inserts? Arch supports? Are they solid are they gel?
Thanks
Heather

 

[RunnerGirl]

My podiatrists also said that Nike is horrible. I gave the cuteness factor as my reason for wearing them also. I never run in them or do cardio.

To the poster asking about what styles. I would go to a store and be fitted.

 

[RunnerGirl]

Hey Laura

What were the inserts like? I have had arch pain in one foot since Feb. off and on. I had just assumed that it was Plantar faciitis, now I have noticed it in my achilles tendon too. BTW this all started when I started doing step again and more intense workouts....
I know that I should go and see a PT but I am afraid that they'll tell me to stop working out and I feel so awesome otherwise and I have been melting off the pounds!

Anyways are they heel inserts? Arch supports? Are they solid are they gel?
Thanks
Heather

I have custom inserts for my PF issues. You can get them in either full or partial. My doc said it was just a preference thing. I have the full. I would go to the Doc. At worst, you would just have to lay off for a few weeks and getting rid of the pain will make your w/outs so much better.

 

[marnold]

To the poster asking about what styles. I would go to a store and be fitted.

Good idea LaDonna but in my teeny tiny town, the people who "fit" you for shoes are college kids who are not interested in "knowing" anything about the product. So a normally pleasant experience, turns into an hour or more of trying on EVERY style in the world! One young gal (bless her heart) actually asked me why I lift weights the last time. I smiled sweetly and bit my tongue.

 

[LauraMax]

I have custom inserts for my PF issues. You can get them in either full or partial. My doc said it was just a preference thing. I have the full. I would go to the Doc. At worst, you would just have to lay off for a few weeks and getting rid of the pain will make your w/outs so much better.

Yes, mine are full sized. Def. NOT arch supports since I have no arches LOL. He took an imprint of my foot (and proceed to make fun of the total absence of any curve on the inside of the imprint), sent it out & I got them in 3 weeks. The cushioning is mainly on the back half. And you have to pull out whatever's in your sneaker to put them in.

He told me not to do any high impact for at least a week, until I got used to them. Silly man!

Heather, I don't think anyone will tell you to stop working out. I've just been doing low impact til I could get the problem solved. Cardio machines (elliptical, arc trainer, stationary bike) are fine. That said, LIC, LIS, Low Max, Tracey's KBSF & Amy's ITR will sit on my shelf for a while since I've done them like a zillion times over the last 3-4 months.

 

[LauraMax]

OK, as promised, I asked Dr. M which Asics & New Balance lines he recommended. He said all the Asics Gels are good (although again, in my experience, the more expensive ones are less comfy), & anything from NB's "9" series.

Hope that helps!

 

[marnold]

Thanks Laura! I appreciate your reply!

 

[ElleJay]

Good idea LaDonna but in my teeny tiny town, the people who "fit" you for shoes are college kids who are not interested in "knowing" anything about the product. So a normally pleasant experience, turns into an hour or more of trying on EVERY style in the world! One young gal (bless her heart) actually asked me why I lift weights the last time. I smiled sweetly and bit my tongue.

I go to a local sporting goods store because they always seem to have the stuff that the big box stores don't (like good barbell collars, go figure), and I decided to get a pair of sneakers and see what they had to say. The 16yo was trying to get me into a pair of Nike's for running in becuase they had the ability to integrate with an iPod or some nonsense they were the most expensive shoe in the store! I kept saying, "yeah, but I like Asics" and he kept trying to get me into the Nikes. It was an amusing experience, but yeah, my experience was like yours for 'fitting' a shoe

 

[lala1]

Interesting shoe choices. Just recently I went to a shoe store where they check your gait and recommend shoes...my recommendations were Asics and NB, oh and Mizuno. I liked the Mizuno for looks, but the Asics felt better. Anyway, I think this is one of the best ways to get a proper shoe.

 

[nancy324]

Don't you love when you find a great doc?

 

[fit_fairy]

I go to a local sporting goods store because they always seem to have the stuff that the big box stores don't (like good barbell collars, go figure), and I decided to get a pair of sneakers and see what they had to say. The 16yo was trying to get me into a pair of Nike's for running in becuase they had the ability to integrate with an iPod or some nonsense they were the most expensive shoe in the store! I kept saying, "yeah, but I like Asics" and he kept trying to get me into the Nikes. It was an amusing experience, but yeah, my experience was like yours for 'fitting' a shoe

It's hard to find a store where anyone really knows anything about athletic shoes anymore. Unless you go to a specialty shop and even some of them don't know

 

[TeTe]

EXACTLY, Cat!

 

[SirenSongWoman]

Good for you. Add me to the list of orthotic wearers whose doctors (my orthopedic surgeon) hate Nike. Mine too swears by New Bal.

 

[nancy324]

I have flat as pancake feet too and I've never worn anything except NB. I just don't think anything else compares. I feel the same way about "arch support", Laura. I have nothing to support!

Do you have trouble finding non-athletic shoes that fit well? I find I have to wear shoes with adjustable straps or lace-ups because I have no instep. Or maybe the orthodics take care of that issue?