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TubaGirl

Feet question - Any runners here?

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A guy at work runs a lot and because of this he’s developed a problem. His calves are extremely tight which has caused numbness in his feet that goes up his legs. He said he’s had the problem for “around 5 years”. Holy crap! :shocked:



I asked him about it and he said he saw a podiatrist soon after it started. The doctor gave him a blood test a ruled out diabetes and told him he had pinched nerves. The doctor gave him some inserts for his shoes that were supposed to unpinch them. They didn’t seem to work but the doctor told him to keep wearing them. They didn’t work and after 2.5 years he stopped wearing them. He saw some other doctors, including some back specialists, and whatever they told him didn’t work. Finally he saw another podiatrist and he told him he has tight calves and it’s causing the problems and he sees this all of the time. The doctor was describing his problems before he could tell them what they were. He was told to stretch his calves and he will loosen up and the feeling will come back. It might take a while though since his calves are like concrete. He’s been stretching them and it seems to be working but it’s vey slow.



Has anyone heard of this problem before? Is stretching the way to go? Will the feeling come back? He’s a big sweetie and helps me out a lot so I want to help him. Anything you can tell me is greatly appreciated.


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I don't have this problem, but I've heard of other people having this issue in my pilates class. One of the reasons they do pilates to to help fix this problem.

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Did the podiatrist have specific exercises/stretches for your friend? I don't have experience with this issue, but I would recommend seeing a physical therapist if possible to learn what moves to try. I've had various problems over the years and the exercises & stretches I have learned from my PT have helped tremendously! If my knee or my shoulder twinge at all, I start up with the "prescription" from the PT right away. I've also had decent luck with some yoga helping some of my issues. I guess what I'm trying to say is - a regimented routine of "stretching" might be more effective than something someone is trying to come up with on his/her own. Maybe that's just me. I do best (esp in exercise) when someone is telling me what to do.

 

Good luck!

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He just told him to stretch his calves and gave him something called a "Prostretch". You stand on it and rock back and it really stretches them out. He says he's stretched his calves as far as he can with it. He also bought a "truMedic TENS Unit Electronic Pulse Massager" where you put pads on your muscles and it gives a small electric charge to flex them. He likes it and says "it's doing something" and "it's weird".

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