Pins and Needles

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Last post: Jul 29, 2008 10:33 PM by horax

JayKay043

5 posts since
Apr 25, 2007

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Sep 1, 2007 6:38 PM

I'm fairly new to running and have recently started to experience pins and needles in both feet after around 30 mins of running. I've tried loosing laces and more stretching prior to my run, but nothing seems to be working. If i stop running the feeling comes back very quickly and i can then run again. After around another 5 mins the pins and needles is back again. If i continue running and ignore it, then i start to feel numb in the balls of my feet which is a very strange sensation. I thought it might be cushioning and purchased some new shoes with improved forefoot cushioning but its made no difference.

I have two questions. Firstly I've read that there are some stretching techniques which might help to alleviate the problem, can anyone suggest one to me? Secondly what is the risk of continuing to run with this sensation. I have read some peoples comments on other forums, where they have continued running and had the sensation subside after another 10 mins or so. My distances aren't huge at the moment, I'm doing 5 miles 3 times a week and running around 10min miles. This problem is stopping me increasing my distances and i would really like to find a solution to the problem or at least some assurance that if i run and ignore it, that i wont do myself some more serious damage.

James

Iontach

1,342 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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1. Sep 1, 2007 7:01 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

Tell us about your shoes, and in particular where you got them.

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JayKay043

5 posts since
Apr 25, 2007

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2. Sep 1, 2007 7:14 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

I started out with NB 504's and put around 250 miles on them but never did a distance over 30 mins with them until about a month ago. Which is when i started to get the pins and needles feeling. I purchased a new pair of Nike Airmax Moto5+ 2 weeks ago and since then i have done 26 miles in them, all runs of over 30 mins. The first run i had no pins and needles and i thought hey I've cracked it. Then they came back on the second run and i have had them every run since. Today i did 5 miles and got the pins and needles at 2.5 miles, i stopped and they went away, only to return a few mins later. I know this can someone times be a symptom of back problems, but touch wood I'm 36 and never had a serious back injury. I'm 175 pounds and 5.10.

Thanks for any advice.

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Iontach

1,342 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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3. Sep 1, 2007 7:24 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

Where did you get them? Did you go to a specialist running store, one staffed by runners, ideally one which does video gait analysis? If not, then read this[/URL" target="_blank"> and find one. Note in particular the advice about buying running shoes that are large enough for running in - and that probably means larger than your street shoes.

The NB504 seems to be a crosstrainer, not a running shoe.

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run4262

69 posts since
Jan 12, 2007

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4. Sep 1, 2007 7:37 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

I'm no doc, but this sounds like some sort of blood circulation issue, perhaps related to shoes or how they're tied, or the pounding your feet take. Are you light on your feet, when you run such that you "sneak" up on people, or do you "slap" the ground a lot?

Bill

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JayKay043

5 posts since
Apr 25, 2007

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5. Sep 1, 2007 7:40 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

Yes i bought them in a running store and i was in sports shoe sales for 3 years so I'm pretty well versed in the various shoe types etc. I used an in-store treadmill when selecting these shoes and had advice throughout the process. The 504s were a very basic shoe, during my introduction to running and i used them for PT work as well, although they are technically a running shoe.

This definitely isn't a shoe issue, its something else, most likely related to failure to stretch hamstrings (from what I've been reading) so really I'm looking for stretch techniques and or reassurance that i could push through the pins and needles and not do myself damage.

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JayKay043

5 posts since
Apr 25, 2007

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6. Sep 1, 2007 7:49 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

quote:
Originally posted by run4262:
I'm no doc, but this sounds like some sort of blood circulation issue, perhaps related to shoes or how they're tied, or the pounding your feet take. Are you light on your feet, when you run such that you "sneak" up on people, or do you "slap" the ground a lot?

Bill

I wouldn't say i was light on my feet, but I'm not banging either. I've tried lacing differently, using thinner running socks and now different shoes, with no avail.

The only running specific advice I've been able to find is here:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=667[/URL" target="_blank">

I wondered if anyone here had any experiences that solved the problem for them.

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Iontach

1,342 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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7. Sep 1, 2007 8:16 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

quote:
Originally posted by JayKay:
I wondered if anyone here had any experiences that solved the problem for them.

Here in Newbie, these sort of symptoms usually result from too-small shoes, tied too tight, but since that doesn't seem to be the case, it might be a good idea to post this in The Med Tent.

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cjc79

13 posts since
Jul 8, 2008

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8. Jul 29, 2008 12:05 PM

in response to: JayKay043

Re: Pins and Needles

you're not the only one!!! i too have issues with this,and a friend of mine does too (but his issue is mainly on ellipticals only) i had problems on ellipticals and once i started running outdoors (trail and asphalt) i thought it had gone a way, not so much. Still haven't found a true answer, lacing, shoes, socks don't seem to matter. but know you're not the only one who struggles with it, and when i find an answer i'll let you know!!