Exercise is an important facet to your overall health. It not only helps you manage your weight, but regular physical activity is also known to improve blood pressure and cholesterol as well as prevent type II diabetes, asserts the Mayo Clinic. With exercise, you often experience better moods, sleep and energy levels. However, exercise isn't without its potential drawbacks, especially when it comes to injury. For some people, exercise can lead to numbness along the arch of the foot.
Footwear
One of the more likely culprits for the numbness in the arch of your foot after exercising is improper footwear. According to the Mayo Clinic, the arch of your foot not only helps you to adapt to different surfaces, but also distributes your body weight evenly across your feet. If your shoes have poor arch support or aren't made for the specific activity, they may strain the arch of your foot and lead to numbness and tingling. Taking a break from the activity can help heal the area, but you should look for shoes appropriate for your needed arch support as well as your chosen athletic pursuit, be it running, biking, walking or playing a competitive sport.
Form
Another potential cause for the numbness is improper form. Almost all athletic pursuits require a certain form or body mechanics to complete a given task. Not following this can increase the risk of injury. This may include strain or stress to the feet that can lead to numbness along the bottom of the foot. Like improper footwear, rest can help reduce the strain placed on the feet and thereby lessen the numbness or tingling. However, it's also important to talk to a personal trainer to assess your form and make suggestion for improvement to reduce the chances of reinjury.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The numbness in the arch of your foot after exercising could be an indication of tarsal tunnel syndrome. For some people, especially those individuals with fallen arches, exercise can lead to the compression of the posterior tibial nerve. Like any pinched nerve, the compression disrupts the path of communication between this area of the body and the brain, leading to a loss of feeling on the bottom of your foot, notes the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. You may also experience the sensations of tingling or burning as well as shooting pain. Rest, ice, compression and elevation can all help to minimize numbness and encourage healing. You may also need to invest in better shoes or orthotics to prevent reinjury.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Numbness in the arch may also be an indication of peripheral neuropathy, a symptom of some level of nerve damage. Like tarsal tunnel syndrome, compression to a nerve running to the foot can disrupt communication between this area of the body and the brain, leading to numbness and tingling. The cause of the nerve damage dictates the course of treatment, so talk to a doctor to determine what has injured the nerve.
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