{"id":43262,"date":"2022-11-01T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=296498"},"modified":"2022-11-01T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T14:22:15","slug":"do-your-feet-hurt-while-cycling-common-causes-and-solutions-for-cycling-related-foot-pain-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/do-your-feet-hurt-while-cycling-common-causes-and-solutions-for-cycling-related-foot-pain-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Do your feet hurt while cycling? Common causes and solutions for cycling-related foot pain explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 01 November 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Numb, hot feet and sore soles are unpleasant symptoms of foot pain related to cycling \u2013 but, thankfully, they can be avoided.<\/p>\n

Many riders experience foot pain from cycling, particularly on long or hot rides, when feet are prone to swell.<\/p>\n

Although the best cycling shoes<\/a> should be comfortable, they can also be inflexible and give the feet little room to expand into. Often simply choosing wider cycling shoes<\/a> resolves the issue.<\/p>\n

If not, selecting a different kind of pedal and\/or adjusting your cycling cleats can do the trick if you know how to use clipless pedals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aside from shoe fit, incorrect bike setup<\/a>, skewed biomechanics and muscular imbalances can cause foot pain.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll look at possible reasons why your feet hurt and provide expert advice on how to address them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re suffering pain elsewhere from cycling, our guide on how to fix five of the most common causes of bike pain<\/a> has plenty more tips.<\/p>\n

Common causes of foot pain for cyclists<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Several types of foot pain can afflict cyclists.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Despite cycling being a low-impact sport, pedalling puts a lot of strain on your feet.<\/p>\n

Bike fitter and physio Phil Burt, who spent 12 years at British Cycling and half a decade as a consultant physiotherapist for Team Sky, says: \u201cIn cycling, the foot serves to transfer power that is generated at the quads and glutes, through the knees and down to the pedal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clearly important to have a well-supported foot and by doing so you may also resolve a myriad of other issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Giles Peacroft explains that much of the discomfort experienced on the soles of our feet \u2013 including hot, burning sensations, numbness and pain \u2013 originates from the nerves that run into the toes.<\/p>\n

On the way to the toes, the nerves pass through a tight space between the metatarsal heads (or balls of the feet) where we tend to position our cleats.<\/p>\n

This puts pressure on the metatarsal heads and the nerves below.<\/p>\n

Dr Peacroft suggests measures to spread out the pressure over the rest of the foot. For example, by using cleats with a large platform and wearing stiff-soled shoes.<\/p>\n

He also recommends taking out the insole and checking nothing in the shoe bed is pressing into the foot (such as cleat bolt holes).<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A lump between your toes could be Morton\u2019s neuroma and a cause of foot pain.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Dr Peacroft adds: \u201cIf symptoms are confined to one foot, it\u2019s very occasionally due to a \u2018Morton\u2019s neuroma\u2019 \u2013 a benign swelling around one of the plantar nerves that gets painfully compressed between the metatarsal heads.\u201d<\/p>\n

Should your feet hurt solely when cycling and the pain subsides when you stop, your footwear is likely to blame, says doctor and cyclist Andy Ward.<\/p>\n

\u201cSymptoms that persist off the bike suggest a different condition,\u201d Ward adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersistent numbness, heat or cold can be caused by systemic illnesses such as diabetes or circulatory problems and should be assessed by a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three types of cycling foot pain (and how to fix them)<\/h2>\n

The main kinds of foot pain from cycling are:<\/p>\n