Foot pain experienced after using a treadmill can be caused by several factors, including your footwear or the treadmill deck itself. It's important to address the issue right away by having your doctor or podiatrist take a look at your feet to be sure that it's not a serious issue that could affect the long-term health of your feet. Making simple changes, such as swapping out a different pair of shoes, may help to solve the issue in many cases.
Footwear
The first step in solving your foot pain problem is to take a look at the shoes you're wearing when you work out. It's best to use a pair of shoes designed for jogging or walking; they will provide optimal comfort and stability. Equally important is how well the shoe fits your feet. Feet come in different shapes and sizes, so it's a good idea to have each one of your feet properly measured at a shoe store to make sure that you get the properly fitting shoe for each foot; some people may need different sizes for each of their feet.
Treadmill
Older treadmills, or inexpensive units, may not offer as high of a comfort level compared to those with that offer some sort of shock-resistant deck designed to reduce impact on your feet and joints. If your treadmill does not offer this type of feature, it may be what's causing your foot pain. Try walking outdoors to see if the foot pain persists. If not, your treadmill is the problem, and you should discontinue use immediately.
Common Foot Problems
Doctors at Podiatry Today say that the most common type of foot pain associated with treadmill use is called plantar fasciitis. The planar fasciitis is the tissue that runs from your heel to toe along the bottom of your feet, and it can become inflamed and cause pain when walking. The Walking Site points out that another common cause of foot pain in high-mileage walkers is called black toe. This is a bruising under the toenails caused by wearing shoes/socks that are too tight or walking on inclined/declined treadmills too often.
Alternatives
If you've addressed the previously mentioned treadmill/walking shoes topics and still experience foot pain when using a treadmill, you may need to try a lower-impact alternative. Two effective aerobic conditioning machines that offer similar results to treadmills include elliptical machines and stationary bikes. A type of stationary bike, called a recumbent bike, may be the best option because it puts you in a comfortable horizontal seated position that reduces the amount of weight placed on your feet.
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