feet numb
feet numb
anybody have experience with numbness in the metatarsal area (under the balls of your feet). I am wondering if pressure on metatarsal at the catch position might be causing some nerve compression. I had concept2 ergs since model A; I row regularly on the water. numbness started developing 5 years ago when I had some new rowing shoes that were too narrow and had spike cleat holes for attaching to the foot stretcher. my spine has some disk disease but i have no pain; just the numbness. So is the problem with the feet or with the back? doctors (orthopedics, neurologists, podiatrists) don't know. So I am looking for help from fellow rowers. anyone have metatarsal numbness on both feet?
Re: feet numb
[quote="charlie"]anybody have experience with numbness in the metatarsal area (under the balls of your feet).
I've been wrestling with numbness on the TOP of that area, but mostly on one foot. I suffer from flat feet, and may have some chronic damage to that area, but I THINK that putting too much weight on the big toe at the forward extreme is transfering too much backward flex into the metatarsals. I got on this forum looking for relief and suggestions. The condition is getting worse and also starting to get a little painful. I'm hoping that some of the suggestions such as moving the feet rests (more holes), barefoot and/or strapless rowing, or something like that may help. Any suggestions appreciated.
I've been wrestling with numbness on the TOP of that area, but mostly on one foot. I suffer from flat feet, and may have some chronic damage to that area, but I THINK that putting too much weight on the big toe at the forward extreme is transfering too much backward flex into the metatarsals. I got on this forum looking for relief and suggestions. The condition is getting worse and also starting to get a little painful. I'm hoping that some of the suggestions such as moving the feet rests (more holes), barefoot and/or strapless rowing, or something like that may help. Any suggestions appreciated.
Could you be compressing the back of your leg against the edge of the seat? (I don't know how the nerves on the back of your leg relate to your feet...)
If you think that might be a source of trouble, make sure you're sitting on the forward edge of the seat and arrange for the seat edge to hit on the line where you rear meets the back of your thigh.
Best wishes.
Alissa
If you think that might be a source of trouble, make sure you're sitting on the forward edge of the seat and arrange for the seat edge to hit on the line where you rear meets the back of your thigh.
Best wishes.
Alissa
I began by considering that. (Several years ago, I had alleviated hand numbness by clearing up a tight shoulder muscle.) However, I can't see any mechanism such as you describe in this case. More tellingly, my own foot problem: has signs of physical injury, responds to direct application of heat to the foot. So I think this time the source is in the foot itself. That's not to say that the problem might not stem from improper leg position. I'm also working on stretching out my calf muscles more as this can apparently help with foot issues too. I'll try to remember to post here again if I discover something that helps.
Success!
I am truly grateful to all the suggestions I found in the forum, as well as the replies here. I have had a breakthrough.
After studying the mechanics of my foot, and what appeared to be aggravated, and confering with a podiatrist, and reading the forum, I decided it was most likely that for some reason, too much force was being transfered up the big toe and larger metatarsils into the central joint in my foot during the catch. This in turn was irritating the joint and the nearby nerves.
I started a couple of things that had no immediate benefit, but which I will continue:
* got fitted for custom orthotics (for flat feet)
* started stretching my calf muscles (min 2 minutes) regularly
Then, almost to the day I started the following, the problem started to clear up. The improvement was dramatic:
* moved the foot rest up to the maximum forward position -- there are now 6 pairs of holes showing
* switched from a rigid walking shoe (with socks) to a light, flexible water-shoe (with no socks)
* stopped using the straps
* started a daily regime of Glucosamine Sulfate (1g), Chondroitin Sulfate (0.8g), and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) (333mg)
I very much doubt any nutrient effect could kick in that fast, so I must credit the changed foot mechanics. The net effect was that Instead of compressing my foot between the foot-rest, shoe and strap, the toes now hang softly over the front, and I can actually feel the lack of pressure during the catch. Furthermore, the changed foot-rest position means that the ankle is less flexed forward during the catch, again resulting in reduced pressure on the foot.
The difference in foot position must be fairly significant, as my glutes really felt the difference, and it took about 11 days before the soreness went away during rowing. (This is probably a good thing too!
All in all, I was and am ecstatic to be able to row without worrying about foot pain, and to concentrate on stroke and power once again.
Thank you all!
After studying the mechanics of my foot, and what appeared to be aggravated, and confering with a podiatrist, and reading the forum, I decided it was most likely that for some reason, too much force was being transfered up the big toe and larger metatarsils into the central joint in my foot during the catch. This in turn was irritating the joint and the nearby nerves.
I started a couple of things that had no immediate benefit, but which I will continue:
* got fitted for custom orthotics (for flat feet)
* started stretching my calf muscles (min 2 minutes) regularly
Then, almost to the day I started the following, the problem started to clear up. The improvement was dramatic:
* moved the foot rest up to the maximum forward position -- there are now 6 pairs of holes showing
* switched from a rigid walking shoe (with socks) to a light, flexible water-shoe (with no socks)
* stopped using the straps
* started a daily regime of Glucosamine Sulfate (1g), Chondroitin Sulfate (0.8g), and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) (333mg)
I very much doubt any nutrient effect could kick in that fast, so I must credit the changed foot mechanics. The net effect was that Instead of compressing my foot between the foot-rest, shoe and strap, the toes now hang softly over the front, and I can actually feel the lack of pressure during the catch. Furthermore, the changed foot-rest position means that the ankle is less flexed forward during the catch, again resulting in reduced pressure on the foot.
The difference in foot position must be fairly significant, as my glutes really felt the difference, and it took about 11 days before the soreness went away during rowing. (This is probably a good thing too!
All in all, I was and am ecstatic to be able to row without worrying about foot pain, and to concentrate on stroke and power once again.
Thank you all!
PS
Oh, a few more long-term changes that I've adopted:
* working on bending the ankles less on the catch (which probably means less knee bend and more arm extension to compensate -- this also reduces compression of the metatarsil area slightly
* traded in some of my bothersome outdoor hiking boots for ones with more padding across the top, and started using "window lacing" patterns to cut down on pressure across the irritated joint
I don't attribute my immediate gain to either of these factors either.
* working on bending the ankles less on the catch (which probably means less knee bend and more arm extension to compensate -- this also reduces compression of the metatarsil area slightly
* traded in some of my bothersome outdoor hiking boots for ones with more padding across the top, and started using "window lacing" patterns to cut down on pressure across the irritated joint
I don't attribute my immediate gain to either of these factors either.
Final note
The last point about bending the knees/ankles less on the catch, is tied to what I see I need to work on:
* quickening the pace, while extending the arms more which results in
* more power at a faster stroke rate = faster speed
So, I'm hoping soon to regain and pass my earlier personal bests. And all because of numb feet.
* quickening the pace, while extending the arms more which results in
* more power at a faster stroke rate = faster speed
So, I'm hoping soon to regain and pass my earlier personal bests. And all because of numb feet.
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citizencollett
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Ouch
I didn't read any of the other posts so I don't know if it has been covered but I have had the same problem for the past 6 months or so. I first noticed a problem when I switched from starboard to port in my lower back. I found that after doing longer pieces in the fall my low back was in quite a bit of pain and also that my 3 middle toes went numb. After seeing a chiropracter (an alumni of my school who gives our oarsmen free treatment!) he told me that I had some fairly serious disk slippage and my L5 was displaced about 10mm from my L4. This caused a nerve to pinch and I would lose feeling in my toes. I began getting adjusted 3 times a week and I think the most important thing was that I stretched out VERY well before and after practice. A mixture of heat and ice before and/or after practice also seemed to help quite a bit.