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Page 2 of 2 The title of this entry doesn't refer to the "feel the burn" or "no pain, no gain" mantras that some exercise enthusiasts live by. No, I'm talking about pain from an injury or condition that makes it more difficult to exercise or stay active. Last summer and fall, I started to experience crippling pain in my left foot whenever I walked more than usual. I was in New York several times on business, and with Manhattan being the great-for-walking city that it is, I trekked miles each day after work as I explored the Big Apple. Mind you, this pain wasn't just the tired-feet-and-legs variety of pain, which I've experienced before and tends to disappear within a few days. No, this was severe pain that was particularly intense after I had been sitting for a while and tried to put weight back on my foot, as well as when I first got out of bed in the mornings.
After a few months of hoping it would just disappear (which never works!), I finally saw a podiatrist in November. It turns out that I have heel spurs, which are little growths on the bottom of the heel bones that look like little fish hooks. I got a shot of cortisone in my left heel, which masked the pain very nicely for several months, but the trick is to fix the condition, not just hide the pain. I have made several lifestyle changes, which include wearing shoes at all times (no more running around the house barefoot!), as well as purchasing gel-pad inserts for my shoes to give my heels that little extra cushioning. So, although my feet are doing much better now, it was really tough to stick to an exercise program while my heels were healing. It hurt to walk, so I avoided activity, which in reality probably made me feel worse since I wasn't getting any exercise... it was a nasty Catch-22. And my pain was minimal compared with people who live with chronic, debilatating conditions. Have you been in a similar situation? Share your tips for keeping active through pain or recovery!
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