Foot keeps falling asleep

[GoofEeyore26]

Hope someone can help me out with some trouble I've been having lately. Every time i go for a run, right around the 3 mile mark my left foot falls asleep. If i stop take my shoe off and massage it a little, it eventually gets better, but this is proving to be a real pain in the.... I never had this issue before, and i've been running for a while - though, i did take 6 months off and started up again 2 months ago.


I recently purchased new shoes and that didn't do anything to stop the sleeping foot. I also tried loosening the laces and that didn't help either. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Sounds like you need a new pair of shoes. Hit a store that fits you. I needed to get wide running shoes. I love new balance, but a running store should help, yes it is expense. But they should be able to fit you correctly and fix this problem.

 

[bryana]

The big question is:

do you get the "pins and needles" feeling or is it just suddenly asleep and then suddenly awake?

If you have pins and needles, it is a circulation issue and could be your shoes/socks.

If there are no pins and needles, it could be a nerve issue. This exact thing (left foot, right around mile 3, just started happening out of the blue) recently happened to me and after about a month of trying different shoes, different lacing patterns, etc, I went to see a chiropractor on a recommendation. An x-ray showed that I had a compressed disc in my lower back and it was compressing the nerve that runs down into my foot. I was put on a treatment plan and I haven't had it happen in almost a month now. Depending on your insurance (or lack of, if that's the case), it can get pricey though. I was 3x a week for 2 weeks, 2x a week for 4 weeks, and then 1x a week for 4 weeks. I had to pay a $25 co-pay for each visit so that definitely started to add up.

I hope this helps and you figure it out. I remember how frustrating it was for me, especially as it started happening while training for a 10 miler and a half within a few weeks of each other.

 

[HootDad]

You may have a neuroma. I did. This can especially be a problem if your shoes are too tight and/or if you have wide feet (like me). Getting better fitting shoes - as already indicated - can fix the problem as it did for me. [shameless plug mode on] I wrote quite a bit about it in my blog http://www.hootdadruns.blogspot.com [shameless plug mode off]

 

[Desiree]

Ditto what the others have said. It may be a shoe problem or the laces are too tight.

 

[HootDad]

You may have a neuroma. I did. This can especially be a problem if your shoes are too tight and/or if you have wide feet (like me). Getting better fitting shoes - as already indicated - can fix the problem as it did for me. [shameless plug mode on] I wrote quite a bit about it in my blog http://www.hootdadruns.blogspot.com [shameless plug mode off]

 

[dewingedpixie]

As others have said I'd look into shoes first and a doctor second. Make sure your running shoes are .5-1 size larger than your normal shoes. Get fitted at a good running store. If the issue doesnt go away after that talk to your doctor.

 

[GoofEeyore26]

Thanks, everyone. As I mentioned, I actually just got new running shoes from a good local running store and the problem hasn't stopped. Looks like I may have to go the doctor route.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Thanks, everyone. As I mentioned, I actually just got new running shoes from a good local running store and the problem hasn't stopped. Looks like I may have to go the doctor route.

I have this problem sometimes too. Even when I have had my shoes fitted by the same store I have been going to for years. Sometimes a shoe can appear to be "perfect" for you and there can still be a pressure point that causes issues that you (or the person fitting you) just can't identify in the store.

I think ruling out that something else isn't going on is a good idea, but you might just have to play around with different shoes until you find the right pair. I have taken several pair back because they just didn't work.

Good luck!

 

[wellsronald18]

I think it is not because of your running shoes you must consult with your doctor before it ruins.

 

[JennsBabySky]

I have this problem! I found out (through trial and error and a doctor visit), that after about 3 miles, my feet start to swell. There is a vein across the top of your foot and that would get pressed against the laces, then BINGO, sleeping foot. So frustrating! But now i have my shoes tied MUCH looser and it never happens anymore. Apparently, it is fairly common. It is actually ridiculous how loose my shoelaces are at the beginning of the run. I used to retie my shoes after 2 miles or so, but now I just leave them loosened. And I love my shoes that the running store recommended, but it still happens with those too.