[pct-l] Metatarsal issues

[Melanie Clarke]

If there is too much repetitive stress on your Metatarsals, try standing up
a little bit straighter so the center of gravity of the weight of your body
moves back a bit, to the larger bones of the foot (which is the heel).
Check your posture in a mirror with a pack.  Are you hunched forward too
much?  Try altering this just a bit so you feel the weight of your body
moving towards your heel.

Metatarsals are small delicate bones compared to the Calcaneus; which is
attached to strong leg bones and can deliver this load to the powerful
muscles and strong bones of the leg.  Metatarsals were never intended to
take a heavy continuous pounding.  There is no insole to remedy this or
magic strong enough if you have poor posture.  Watch the posture and weight
distribution of an experienced, successful PCT hiker with a pack.

I am a tall female and have slouched most of my life so when I started
hiking, I had the same problem with my Metatarsals.  Slouching also gave me
herniated discs.  To prevent further back and Metatarsal pain, I have to
make sure I am maintaining proper spinal placement.

A good illustrated book on this subject is *8 Steps to a Pain Free Back* by
Ester Gokhale  (I have no part of her organization and do not profit from
this recommendation in any way except for the supreme satisfaction of
helping another hiker)

Diet Plan



On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 3:06 PM, Sarah Spergel <sjspergel at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Lisa,
> I had metatarsalgia last summer hiking the CDT so bad that I could not walk
> without doping myself up on Ibuprofen, eventually got off trail, and had
> pain for a few months afterwards. Metatarsal pads helped me a lot--but not
> the drugstore ones, which I had trouble keeping in place. I've had a lot of
> success with Aetrex Lynco 405 orthotics--see:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/AETREX-LYNCO-SPORTS-L405M-ORTHOTICS/dp/B00F2259S4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468188219&sr=8-1&keywords=lynco+orthotics--men's
> orthotics and men's shoes. No foot problems since, knock on wood. I agree
> with others that there are few one-size-fits all solutions for feet, but
> these orthotics really helped me.
> Best,
> Hatchet
>
>
>
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2016 10:08:51 -0700
> > From: Traveler <switchgoose at yahoo.com>
> > To: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> > Subject: [pct-l] Metatarsal issues
> > Message-ID: <D31ABA4C-E071-4458-9159-9DB18F9A7680 at yahoo.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Been training for my Oregon section hike coming up July 28th. Started
> > experiencing foot pain recently. It may be originating from my
> metatarsals,
> > but has permeated to other areas of my feet as well.
> >
> > How does one manage this while training, and even more importantly, on
> the
> > trail? Do metatarsal pads help? If so, any good recommendations?
> >
> > I recently switched to the Brooks Cascadia 10 and feel that although my
> > feet may have been an underlying problem already, the shoes have
> > exacerbated the condition. Thoughts?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Lisa
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
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