Initial Evaluation

Not like I'm going to see a professional or anything, I'm doing this completely on my own. The other day I went for a walk for the first time in at least 3 weeks. I put my running shoes on, you know the ones with my custom made orthotics in the them. I want to talk about my feet for a few minutes here.

I got those orthotics years ago, it looks like I got them around 2007 - 4 years ago, and I've been using them pretty much ever since. I got them because I suffered - a lot - from plantar fasciitis in my right foot. It was amazing how much it helped. My plantar went away and I've been pain free, at least from that, for years now. Recently however, things are changing.

My left heel/ankle side has been bothering me since last December, and I've found that when I wear sandals or go barefoot I have no problem with it. But, last week after my walk it hurt. This got me to thinking. Is it possible that my orthotics are actually causing the problem? Could it be that my feet are not the same as they were 4 years ago? Is it possible that my gait has changed and therefore wearing them is causing a problem instead of helping one? I'm beginning to thing so.

So my diagnosis, please note I am not a medical professional in anyway and am only going by my body and what I feel, is that I should stop wearing those. I should consider checking into new orthotics since these clearly cause pain. I am going to work on wearing my Vibram Five Fingers too, to strengthen and build up the muscles in my legs and ankles.

Clearly it's time to rethink what I've been doing and consider a new path.