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Hello;

I'm sorry I wasn't too clear this morning. I'm finishing my book and anything 
else feels like playing hooky. 
The problem with the nerve is that it has to extend and contract as we move our 
body. For instance, when we bend over and try to touch our toes the sciatic 
nerve has to extend 1.5 to 2 inches. (beer bellies aside, the reason why we 
can't touch our toes could be that the nerve is not able to lengthen and the 
brain stops us.) When we stand back up that added length has to be taken back 
up as well. 
When we ride with our heels down we are extending the nerve, stretching it if 
you will. As we go through the ride it extends and contracts with the heel 
moving up and down. If there's a restriction along the nerve's fascial pathway 
it will be irritated as it's moved across the restriction. Add to this a 
prediposition to a problem, i.e. our posture, supination or pronation of the 
foot and we can accelerate the problem. 
I think, emphaisis on think, that a soft sole shoe will be more problematic 
since it will allow more direct pressure on the nerve. This is the same problem 
with narrow stirrups-putting too much pressure on the nerve. (Someone mentioned 
riding in stirrup irons as the start of their problem.) Having some cushioning 
in your shoe, should help, if the problem is pressure on the nerve. It won't 
make any difference if the problem is the nerve being restricted. Orthotics, 
which I don't believe in, should also help by forciing a change in the apparent 
posture (pronation of the foot, for example) which would potentially reduce the 
restriction. All of the above in combination should help. When it comes to 
chiros vs podiatrists, I'm more partial to chiros. However, I would seek 
someone who will educate you about the issue and not just treat it and look at 
your whole body not just some spot on it.
These nerves are not hard to find on yourself. Each toe has a muscle and a 
tendon that takes the toes down toward the floor (this is called plantar 
flexion) on either. If you feel on the bottom of the foot, behind the toe, 
while you use one hand to prevent the toe from coming down and the other to 
feel for the tendon, the tendon will pop into your fingers. The nerves are on 
either side of these tendons, medially and laterally. There are three palpatory 
"feels" to a nerve: soft and squishy (inflamed), hard and stringy like a quitar 
string (impinged) and not too distinguishable (healthy), (most body therapists 
are taught that nerves feel stringy. That only occurs when they are impinged at 
two points. Most nerves that I've felt in 13 years of Rolfing have been 
impinged, but I wasn't trained to understand that!).
You may get a slight electric feeling in your foot when you touch the nerve. If 
it feels squishy, like a water balloon, the therapy is to very gently and I 
mean really really gently push the balloon (the nerve), pulsate it in 
coordination with your breathing. You shouldn't feel any electric sensations 
when doing this. If you do, you are not helping yourself, you're irritating it 
more. Be really gentle. When I work with a nerve I barely feel the tissue under 
my finger pad. I use no more pressure than it would take to hold up a penny. 
This pumping will help to move the lymph buildup. If you can no longer feel the 
nerve after working like this for awhile-feel it with your fingers that 
is-you've done a good job. As much as you can follow the nerve up the leg and 
work on the other boggy spots. 
If you want more information on working with nerves you could google Neurology 
of Posture, one of my Rolfers Don Hazen. D.C. has written on it as well. I have 
to go back to work now. 
I hope this helps.
jim

--
Jim Pascucci 
Advanced Rolfer
www.JimtheRolfer.com
www.equinesi.com
Author of;  Equine Structural Integration: Myofascial Release Manual




From: "Tim & Carla Brady" <timbrady@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [RC]    [RC] - jpascu

I think part of my issue is pushing my heels down too much like you =
mention for many years, and maybe riding in shoes/boots that might have =
been too restricting and maybe lacing them too tightly.  Unfortunately, =
as time went by, I didn't realize this could happen, so I didn't  =
address it until I had the pain.  :-(   I ride in the EZ ride stirrups =
and am able to stay very relaxed on the horse I'm riding now--he's an =
easy ride.  But, I know this develops over many years, and I did ride a =
horse previously that was more difficult to ride and harder on my body =
and I probably rode in more restricting footwear too.  I guess I've been =
lucky up to this point because I've have not experienced much pain while =
riding previously in my back, knees, hips, etc.  
My question is this:  You write "no cushioning in the shoe".  Is that a =
softer foot bed, or a firmer less flexible foot bed needed in the =
shoe/boot ?  Most are saying a firmer less flexible foot bed in the shoe =
or boot is desirable.  I'm also told orthotics work for many.  I'm going =
to start with new riding footwear and go from there.  Also, I know I =
need to see a professional.  I have a really good chiropracter--should I =
address this with him or go straight to a podiatrist?

Thanks to all for the input!

Carla


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