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Nerve zap in foot--exercise or rest?

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Posted 9/30/2021 10:36 AM (GMT -5)
I occasionally get "nerve zaps" in the soles of either of my feet. Usually doesn't happen very often--more so when I'm in a general flare.

I know exercise is good for circulation, but sometimes wonder if the foot exercises I do daily are a good idea, or if I should give my feet a rest. I've seen both opinions in various places.

I don't do any extreme exercises; I just bend them around (point and flex, foot circles, toe scrunching, go up on my tip toes, etc.)

Any thoughts on this? I do take gabapentin, which takes the edge off.
Posted 9/30/2021 3:25 PM (GMT -5)
Luvs, I had so many problems with my feet a long time ago. My heels killed me which turned out to be plantat fasciitis, and the bottom of my feet just hurt. It hurt just to put them in the floor. The problem basically was the tendons that run on the bottom of the feet and the arches was very tight and these should be stretched. Most shoes don’t have good support. My answer was Birkenstock shoes but they now have more shoes that have good arch support plus heel cups. The heel cups actually have your heel lower than the rest of the foot and the arches are higher so that stretches the tendons.

I think you now can buy shoe inserts like that. Try going to a store like Happy Feet and try on shoes and see if they have good inserts for the shoes you are wearing. This could help get rid of your zaps. I only wear Birkenstocks and they are my slippers too.

Also, you could have a touch of peripheral neuropathy. Try taking B1, B6, and B12. These are supposed to help with nerves. Keeping active and not drinking or smoking helps too. I have some mild tingling in my fingers and toes but no pain. But I am diabetic so I’m watching my blood sugar more closely. I don’t get the sharp zaps you have described but you can get it with peripheral neuropathy and it can come and go too! So you might check that out.

Sherrine
Posted 10/4/2021 3:43 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks, Sherrine!

I believe my feet are likely very tight, especially in the arch area. It seems most of my muscles are extremely tight! I have been doing some stretching exercises for a few months now, and overall, it helps. By far, I believe my feet are the most touchy. As I said, they can get nerve 'zaps' which are very painful, along with dealing with very high arches (my husband calls them "Barbie doll feet," LOL! smile I am slowly stretching them more and more.

I've always liked the idea of wearing the Birkenstocks you've mentioned, but I would likely be in a continual cramp! Or--maybe I'm wrong? Aren't they super hard, or maybe only certain ones are?

Thanks for the suggestions on taking those B vitamins. I have been doing that for about a month now.

The heel cup idea is interesting--I hadn't heard of those. But I do remember the "Earth shoes" which seemed so strange. But thinking of them now, they could be helpful. Stretching can be a plus!

I've yet to check out Happy Feet stores, but it could be really helpful, too. Thanks for the idea!

I keep seeing Orthofeet advertised, but they're only online, and it seems I have to try on numerous shoes before I find something that works..

I will check your ideas out. Thanks again! smile
Posted 10/13/2021 3:11 PM (GMT -5)
This explains about the footbed of Birkenstock’s, Luvs.

https://www.birkenstock.com/us/education/footbed/

I primarily wear the Arizona’s. They are the most comfortable for me and the straps I get are unbuckle. They are far s9fter than regular leather straps.

Sherrine
Posted 10/16/2021 5:43 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for that link, Sherrine. I'm going to check it out. Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted 10/16/2021 7:56 AM (GMT -5)
I see my iPad changed what I wrote about the upper straps I use. I use the Nubuck straps.

Sherrine
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