[pct-l] My feet a killing me!

[Dan Kronstadt]

Melanie - sounds like some great recommendations. I have been dealing 
with intermittent back and foot problems, and I know my posture is bad.

Who should we look for to help with the things you describe - posture, 
gait, exercises to help with this, etc? Physical therapist? Sports 
medicine doc? A Kinesiologist? Not sure there are a lot of listings for 
them in the yellow pages!

Dan

On 12/1/2010 5:47 AM, Melanie Clarke wrote:
> Dear Whimpie,
>
> That was a great article on *Morton's Neuroma*, Kathi!  Repetitive stress
> (think backpacking a million steps a week) among other things, exacerbates
> the condition.  You also stated,  *I can force the pain to move to the other
> foot by slightly shifting my weight   *
>
> Okay, I think if you also put more of your impact on the heel of your foot
> with every step it would also minimize the repetitive stress in the balls of
> your feet.  Americans have back problems as we all slouch now a days.  The
> body can function well with amazing feats of physical performance but we
> don't stand, walk correctly any more.  If we don't use our bodies the way 3
> million years of evolution designed us then we have problems.  Do you
> slouch?  This would push your center of gravity forward so the balls of your
> feet are bearing the weight of your body to keep you from tipping over.  The
> heel of your foot, the Calcaneus, is thick and designed to bear the weight
> of your body.  Also the Tibia, the leg bone directly above is one of the
> densest bones in your body.  The muscles supporting these structures, are
> also the finest so you need to use these.  Only your tongue is more powerful
> than the gastrocnemius (Reinhold, shut up, some jokes just write themselves,
> I don't need you!).  You are making a weaker structure (the Metatarsals) do
> the work of the strongest functional apparatus in your body.  No wonder
> there will be problems.
>
> Stand up straight!  (Yes mom)  Put your shoulders back!  Your shoulders and
> upper back should create a flat line, not rounded!!!!!  Your pelvis should
> not be tilted too far forward, nor too far backwards.  Work with it until
> you feel the weight of your body concentrate over the heels of your feet.
> Walking should be a fluid motion centered over the weight bearing bones and
> muscles.  The balls of your feet function mostly for the push off (from
> behind) when the weight is now over the other foot in your walking gait.  If
> you lean forward, with the weight of your backpack, lean over from the hip
> and keep the upper back flat.  Allow your derriere to round out when leaning
> forward, it's a little hard to explain.  I don't have a lot of time this
> morning.
>
> Try standing up straight and put more of the weight on your heels.  With a
> heavy backpack (even 20lbs.) lean from the hip, not rounded back.  AND do
> see the doctor, he can give you more advice but an orthotic will only enable
> you to walk and stand incorrectly for a longer time.  If you use your body
> the way nature intended, it will greatly reduce the problem.
>
> Melanie
> Kinesiology, UCLA '84
>