Elliptical trainers have become very popular pieces of workout equipment, because they get the heart rate up without putting much pressure on knees and hips. But sometimes the feet are not so happy. Numbness in feet during and after elliptical use is so common that there's a name for it: "elliptical trainer sleepy foot syndrome."
Elliptical Problems
Your feet might go numb for a variety of reasons. It could be that your feet are shifting forward a little more with every step, decreasing blood flow and causing numbness. Or your shoes might fit improperly, or your laces could be tied too tightly. If you use the elliptical frequently and your foot problem worsens, you could be headed for a more serious condition.
Neuroma
Sometimes the repetitive nature of the elliptical can irritate nerves in the foot, a condition called "neuroma" or "neuritis." This happens mostly on the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toes. Often adjacent bones cause friction on the nerve. Neuroma causes numbness or tingling. Sometimes burning pain shoots from the toe up the foot or the leg.
Capsulitis
Capsulitis is another possible consequence of too much time on the elliptical trainer. Coverings made of tough connective tissue surround the toe bones at their joints. These capsules, which contain many blood vessels and nerves, can become inflamed when exposed to too much pressure. Capsulitis is very painful and often affects the ball of the foot. Bending the toe up or down stretches the capsule and intensifies the pain. The pain may spread to the top or bottom of the foot. Capsulitis may be worse if you have arthritis, wear tight shoes, exercise on hard surfaces or are a woman who has had children.
Solving Elliptical Problems
If your feet regularly go numb on the elliptical, see if it helps to keep the elliptical flat, rather than training on an incline. Or you can cross-train, which means dividing your cardio workout time between different machines, maybe including a stationary bike, treadmill or rowing machine. If your feet hurt, skip a day or two of exercising and see if they feel better. You may want to try different shoes. If you lack sufficient arch support, you could be placing too much pressure on the balls of your feet. If your feet still hurt, see a podiatrist. Your foot doctor may advise you to modify your exercise activities. If you have inflamed nerves, a podiatrist might give you an injection to ease the nerves and relieve your pain. She may also advise rest, physiotherapy, massage or even surgery.
