You often place three to four times your body weight on your feet during a workout, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. As a result, exercise-induced pain on the soles of your feet is not uncommon, and can range from inflammation to a fracture. Consult your doctor if you experience pain that does not subside after exercising.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a thickening of the band of tissue that runs across the bottoms of your feet. This band of tissue is called the plantar fascia, and it connects your heel bone to your toes. Obesity, high arches, tight calf muscles and repetitive use place you at risk for plantar fasciitis. Symptoms include pain on the bottom of your feet or near your heels. Pain is likely to worsen upon walking and engaging in physical activity. Treat plantar fasciitis with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and stretches.
Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis can cause pain on the bottoms of your feet. The Sesamoids are often referred to as the ball bearings of your feet, and are located just beneath your first metatarsal bone, the bone that connects your foot with your toes. Excessive force exerted on your feet during exercise can cause pain, inflammation or even a fracture of your sesamoid bone. Treat this condition using appropriate exercise shoes or custom orthotics.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures of the foot are overuse injuries that are especially common in runners. Stress fractures commonly occur in your metatarsal bones, and can create pain in the tops and bottoms of your feet. The pain often intensifies with use and subsides with rest. A stress fracture is a tiny break in your bone that can be treated with immobilization, rest, ice and activity modification.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is another foot condition that is associated with pain in the soles of your feet. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of your ankle. It is covered with a thick ligament that protects and maintains the internal structure of your foot and ankle. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is a compression of the nerve that runs across the ankle into your foot. This can be caused by flat feet, injury, abnormal ankle structure or systemic diseases. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in your ankle and in the bottom of your foot. Treat tarsal tunnel syndrome with rest, ice, medication, physical therapy, orthotics, injections, bracing, supportive shoes or surgery.
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