A wide range of medical conditions and injuries can lead to pain in the ball of your foot. Various treatments may alleviate the pain so that you can comfortably resume elliptical training workouts, or you may need to make changes in your footwear to maintain your exercise routines. Simple corrective measures can usually solve the problem.
Causes
Shoes that are too tight or do not have sufficient support can cause the pain when you walk or ride your elliptical. Foot pain can be the result of a nerve disorder such as Morton's neuroma, which causes swelling around your toes, or metatarsalgia, which results from toe deformities. Calluses, gout, plantar warts and broken bones also can cause pain in the ball of your foot when you ride an elliptical.
Corrections
Changing the types of shoes you wear may help correct the discomfort when you work out on an elliptical trainer. Runners and others who participate in high-impact exercises typically have more of a problem correcting the pain than those who choose low-impact activities such as ellipticals. Losing weight can alleviate a host of foot problems, and avoiding high-heeled shoes can ease the pressure that results in pain in the ball of your foot.
Professional Care
If your foot pain persists or worsens, see a doctor or podiatrist. A doctor can prescribe medications to alleviate the pain, recommend special shoe inserts to ease the pressure or apply immobilizing techniques to allow you to continue working out. If your foot problem is more serious, your doctor may tell you to stop exercising and refer you to a podiatrist or surgeon.
Warning
Stop riding the elliptical trainer and seek medical care if you experience a sudden severe pain in your foot. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or peripheral artery disease, you must take extra precautions and report any abnormal foot pain immediately to your physician. Seek professional care immediately if you have a fever or see an open wound on the ball of your foot or have any additional swelling or redness associated with the pain. Untreated, metatarsalgia or other foot problems can cause you to develop an uneven gait that can lead to back problems and difficulties with your good foot.
