The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm not sure where to post this, perhaps in the "Steel Players and Their Feet" category. I'm having pain on the sole between the heel and ball of the left foot. When it's really agitated it makes for painful walking. For now, I can only attribute it to heavy use of the AB&C pedals. The Doc says I'm not diabetic. Anyone ever suffered thru this? No, I ain't gonna sell it and get a frypan.

I've had pains on the upper portion of my feet. The Doc says it's due to lack of arch supports for fallen arches (flat feet). Don't know for sure. Best to get medical help.

David, I saw a foot doctor for some similar pain (but this was sports and not steel related), although mine was farther back on the foot. You might have a touch of what they call plantar fasciitis - the plantar fascia are bands of muscle and tissue on the bottom of the foot that get irritated from overuse or poorly fitting shoes, etc. Check out this link: http://www.foot.com/html/plantr_fas.html

The good news is that if it's PF, there are some simple stretches you can do a couple times a day that will really ease the pain.

Good luck!

Thanks, you guys, for your input. Never had any foot complaints before. I really can't blame this on the guitar because the pedals are well broken in and it's pretty low effort. Even so, some exercises and/or a trip to a podiatrist may be in order.

------------------
David Cobb, 1992 Emmons Legrande 8&5,BlueTubeII,TubeWorks RT921Reverb,Stewart World 1.2 poweramp,Black Widow/Steelers Choice cabs,Pro-Fex II/Lemay mods.

You might want to have ureic acid checked, too. Could be a touch of the old gout. Man, this Forum is the best place in the world to learn stuff.

Most people say "it's only a mask", but a shot takes care of mine for about 2 years. Yep, the shot with a 3 inch needle.
The Doctor says as long as the shots are lasting from 1 to 2 years, we'll continue the shot therapy.

I am going through the same thing with heel and foot pain. I went to a podiatrist and was told it was "Plantar Fasciatis" as someone previously mentioned.

I was treated with heat & ultrasound and eventually opted for a cortisone shot and all to no avail.

I finally went to a "foot fitter" known for correctly fitting shoes. Come to find out I have been buying the wrong size and width shoes all my life.

A few tips for correcting the condition:

Never walk bare foot even for short distances or wear flat shoes such as boat shoes.

There is a company called "Birkenstock" that makes sandles and support shoes. They do not look cool but are very comfortable for knocking around the house.

Another thing, it can take 6 to 9 months for this condition to diminish. "Bummer"

Thanks everyone, it's always possible this is a more serious medical condition than just a stretched ligament or muscle, just hope not. I will consider all your ideas.

If something simpler doesn't turn up, ask your doctor about a herniated disc in your back. I have had pains in my hands and feet for years, ascribing them to arthritis, age, fibromyalgia etc. until I found out about the disc problem. What's wierd is that it's not the disc that hurts, it's the extremities that are having the nerves pinced in the spinal cord. It is correctable, I should be all rewired up by Christmas.

I hadn't considered gout, but that's possible. My diet isn't right. And I had a sciatic injury a year ago, if fact my discs are iffy from my neck to my lower back. Len, I've never seen a steel player in a pair of Birkenstocks, this could be a first. I tried on a pair a few months back. I sometimes play in a pair of well worn slip-on's, I'm gonna stop that. Dave, I hope your "rewiring" goes great. I'm gonna save Malcolm's 3" needle therapy as a last resort.

Nathan D-I too have been diagnosed with P.F. In my case it comes from having very high arches coupled with old Tae Kwon Do injury-would you be able to describe the stretching exercises that you mentioned could help?-the podiatrist told me that the first steps out of bed every day would always be the most painful-he also suggested a surgical operation to "detach" the ligament (which I declined to have done)-I too have been through the ultrasound and three inch needle injection<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by PAUL WARNIK on 14 November 2002 at 12:24 PM.]</p></FONT>

I've found that the podiatrist-prescribed orthotics (custom-made from a plaster cast of the foot)I've had for about two years have helped significantly. I'd recommend a visit to a podiatrist to anybody with this type of a problem.

------------------
Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website