Treadmill workouts are great for fitness — but proper footwear and posture keep your feet strong and pain-free
Exercise machines have changed how we stay active. They are convenient and efficient, keep you on track with your fitness routine, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Patients often ask during visits to our Houston podiatry clinic: Are exercise machines bad for your feet?
The answer: It depends on how you use them. Machines like treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes provide safe, low-impact workouts. However, when used incorrectly or excessively, they can cause foot pain, stress injuries, and chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
Let’s explore what happens to your feet during machine workouts and share tips to ensure your equipment supports—not harms—them.
The NBA playoffs highlight talent and endurance, but this past season was dominated by Achilles tendon injury, which is frustrating. Big names like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum all suffered the same setback.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new territory for basketball fans. Remember the 2019 NBA Finals? Kevin Durant tried to push through after sitting out with a calf injury. His return was short-lived—one quarter into Game 5, he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture that kept him off the court for years.
Heel pain can be one of the most frustrating problems you can face – particularly when it affects your everyday life. Be it as an athlete, or a person who spends a lot time on their feet, or a person dealing with chronic discomfort, Achilles tendon and heel pain can affect not only the biomechanics of mobility, but also mood and overall quality of life. Luckily, there are remedies and treatments that can help you find pain relief.
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. It connects your calf muscles to the heel bone. Although it is one of the strongest tendons in the body, it is still vulnerable to injuries, especially amongst athletes or individuals partaking in repetitive physical activity. In some instances, significant injuries (or chronic pain to the Achilles tendon) may require Achilles tendon surgery to return you to normal function and relieve pain.
Just as Lent symbolizes renewal and fresh beginnings, shockwave therapy treatment offers a chance to rejuvenate your feet. If chronic Houston heel pain has been holding you back, this non-invasive treatment can help you step into the holiday season comfortably.
Why Do My Feet Hurt More During Easter?
Let us be honest—Easter is harder on your feet than you might think. Between preparing big meals, attending sunrise services, and supervising egg hunts, you are on your feet more than usual. Normal fatigue from overworking your feet can lead to soreness. If you have Houston heel pain that feels sharp or stabbing, especially first thing in the morning, you might be dealing with something serious: heel spurs or plantar fasciitis.
That feeling when your favorite athlete makes an epic comeback after injury? That could be you. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a serious competitor, recovering from Achilles tendon lengthening surgery or Achilles tendon surgery does not mean your sports days are over—it just means you need a game plan. At Deniel Foot & Ankle Center, we have helped Houston athletes bounce back from Achilles tendon pain and surgery stronger. Let us look at how you can return to your sport safely—and maybe better than before.
Heel pain can be one of the most frustrating problems you can face – particularly when it affects your everyday life. Be it as an athlete, or a person who spends a lot time on their feet, or a person dealing with chronic discomfort, 
