[tessierashpool9]

> but it hurts even more when exercising (back hurts, RSIs, etc)

I think that's where I am at right now. I have always been exercising to some extent. But it feels like the older I get the less one kind of exercise focusing on some set of physical and physiological aspects transfers to another set. Meaning, to go biking a lot, doesn't mean you can run.

> strengthening my ankles and feet before I could run because they were so atrophied.

Even after years of semi-regular weighted calf raises and yoga I just recently noticed that I could barely do a few hundred rope skips cause of my feet. 15 years ago I remember cardiovascular obstacles and the usual DOMS but I don't remember that my feet hurt.

---

Currently my lower back / sciatica is giving me serious issues. I think I got it from some overexertion due to prolonged pelvic motion ... so that's yet another physical department to keep in mind.

[__turbobrew__]

I personally found that doing single foot tree poses in yoga can really get in there to strengthen your feet and ankles. If you really want to isolate the ankles band exercises are pretty useful. For foot stuff the majority of things I worked on was dexterity and proprioception. For example, spread all your toes apart, pull all your toes together, lift only your big toe, lift all your non big toes. For me I was missing the mind body connection to move me feet how I wanted to move them and regaining that took me time.

Another thing to consider is that sciatica can manifest in your feet depending on how the nerve is being pinched. It can be very confusing when your feet hurt but the source of hurt is not actually in your feet.

I hope for the best on your journey.