Kindle Book - now online!

Hello Everyone,
This will be our final post on this site. We are pleased to announce that the book is now available on paperback and Kindle!

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at BeatingMN.

Here's to your foot health!

Shane

My book in finally here and ready for order!

I will cut to the chase - my book has finally been published! You can buy it here on Amazon. Click here for the direct page.

As I had mentioned in my last post, with the book now being online, and most of my content now being on our Facebook page, this blog will no longer be updated. I suggest you Like our Facebook page and follow updates there.

To those around the globe that have had to deal with Morton's Neuroma, there is hope, so don't give in. I am proof that it can be healed without surgery and all types of other non-sense that might be thrown at you. Always listen to the doctors, but never feel pressured or cornered; it's your body and you need to be able to live with whatever choice you make.

Be blessed,
Shane

I've written the Morton's Neuroma book!

Hey everyone,
Shane here. Just a heads up as this will be one of the final posts on this blog. A while back I decided to write a book which will basically serve as the platform, in addition to the Facebook page I created a while back. Facebook is an easier platform to update, share, and has better reach than this website when it comes to speed and control.

All that to say, there might be one more post on this blog, and then everything after that will be on our Facebook page, so please reference that, along with the book that I will be publishing in September 2018 (coming very soon)!

In the book, the details will be very clear on what I did, what options you should know about, and it's been condensed for easy reading. Anyone over the age of 10 will be able to read it - there are no crazy doctor-level words to make me sound smart - it's all in plain English, and can serve as a great guide if you or someone you know is wresting with Morton's Neuroma.

Be blessed,
Shane

Update! Exciting things around the corner!

Hey friends,
So, I hope all is well with you across the globe. It's kind of crazy to know that this blog literally has global traffic from all "developed" countries. When I look at my analytics dashboard, it's just further proof to me that people are in serious need of help with Morton's Neuroma. Which brings me to what I believe is good news.

I'm going to be writing a book, and along with the book, create a Facebook page. The book will cover info from the blog, but it will flow better, and the Facebook page will function as somewhat of a supplement to the book, but will also have the other interactive elements that simply are not that great on a blog site.

So, chime in with any thoughts or comments. I'm planning on having the ebook done first, and it will be available on Kindle around the new year or shortly after, and once I have a publish date, the Facebook page will immediately follow.

Have a great night!
Shane

Another update - yes it's been a while, and here's why...

Hey Friends,
I know this site now gets a good amount of traffic from across the globe, and things have been a bit silent on my end.

Here's why: when your foot is healed properly, it stays healed, at least in my case. I follow all of the advice I share with others.

So, I typically have been going about my normal daily life as it relates to my foot and the MN. No pain, no issues, nothing. It's 100% healed. Unfortunately, though, I was in an accident which totaled my car (I was rear ended at a stop light while in my small Toyota ECHO and hit full speed by a guy in a four door F-150), and I have some significant issues in my back and right knee that I have been addressing. This has limited my workouts and even family/work life. One day, this too will pass!

Nonetheless, I want to make sure everyone knows that the plan I had implemented have worked as I had strategically hoped. I am still rocking my VFF and Vivobarefoot shoes and boots. I will never wear a conventional brand shoe again unless the follow suit with those two brands.

With that, have a great day, and enjoy the gifts you have.

Here's To Healing,
Shane

Ugly, ugly pride

So, I felt like sharing this, because as I have pointed out, most of the public just goes along with just about any doctor's advice without doing ANY research on root causes, natural remedies, or alternatives toward restoration.

The other day my wife was at work, and a woman was walking with a limp and she and my wife started talking.  Turns out the lady has a Morton's Neuroma.  
So, my wife, who is super approachable, starts to mention how I HAD one, and how I healed it going the route of getting out of conventional shoes, going zero-drop, and also walking barefoot whenever I can.  The lady immediately starts to go down the road of, "Well, my foot doctor is one of the top doctors in the nation, and he said I should NEVER walk barefoot."  And my wife patiently tried to give some explanation as to why being barefoot can help splay the toes naturally and relieve the stress and pressure against the neuroma.  She just wouldn't listen.  Pride is a killer.

My guess is, based on my research and experience, that she is going to probably get the resection, and will likely be similar to many people that either get the stump growth and pain, or end up losing mobility of the foot...among other possibilities.  It pains me to say that, because there is a better way.  

Stay vigilant, and stay humble!  

Onward,
Shane

Since I get emails on this topic...

Hey Friends,
So, I was noticing that I tend to get certain questions more often about what I actually wear, as in wearing right now.  So, this is a way for me to post it for everyone that might venture to this page, as well as a shameless amazon plug.  *If anyone happens to find better pricing than amazon, I'm all ears.

OK, so just to recap, if needed, the Morton's Neuroma that I HAD in my left foot is 100% healed and gone!  I can honestly say that all the MN woes I had for months are gone.  It's quite amazing what the sclerosing did and what a difference it makes to have my foot back again.  I've been working out at pretty high intensity with weight training, and I have been running on concrete with my VFFs.  Which, btw, anyone that is trying to get $ from Vibram FiveFingers, I hope you reconsider.  I've publicly opted to not accept any payment from them for the lawsuit.  The company makes a great product, but like anything else with your body and fitness, you have to ease into something new.

Anyway, back to the topic - here is a little widget (below and to the left) that shows the EXACT shoes I am currently working in, working out in, and wearing casually.  It's "winter" now in Arizona, so I'm wearing the Vivobarefoot boots a bit more, but technically all of these are casual.  I haven't had to wear anything super formal in quite some time, but from what I can tell, Vivo does have options with the shiny leather if someone needs to go that route.

For those in the U.S, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!  


Onward,
Shane

Feedback from you!

Hi everyone,
All is well on this end with the PAST Morton's Neuroma...but I wanted to check in with all of you, my readers from various countries, to see how things were going.  I get emails and Google Hangout blips from time to time, but I would love to hear a few things from YOU:

• Are you currently struggling with a painful MN?
• What have you investigated so far, in terms of correction?
• Are any of you using any of the shoes I have listed?
• Have any of you done the sclerosing, and if so, how is that going?
• How did you find this blog?
• Has this blog been of any help?
• Or any other info you want to share.

As I mentioned, my neuroma is completely gone.  I have been able to run and lift in my VFF (my favorite shoe for Arizona) frequently.  It is such a blessing to be able to say that and share that success.  Hopefully you are able to share in it as well.

God speed,

Shane

Working out! An update.

Well, as many of you might have figured out on your own, my updates are becoming less frequent due to the healing of the Morton's Neuroma I had!  So, with it being healed comes all of the things I was able to do before - working out, any outdoor activities with my friends or family, and simply enjoying the "normal" things.  So, I thank God that those troubling times of the MN are behind me.  But I am still hoping and praying that people find this blog, because I think this type of combination that I used allows the person to take a smarter approach to recovery without surgery, BUT this method also allows the person to come into a proper understanding of what he/she should be putting on their feet.

So, back to the update of working out: for a while now, I have been able to fully function for physical activity.  Lifting, running, etc.  I will admit, at first I had a bit of "I better ease into this" attitude, because I had been farting around with that MN for so long it had almost become a habit to be concerned with the "what if's" of if it gets strained or inflamed again.  But I am happy to say it hasn't.  I have been wearing my VFF, Altra, and Vivobarefoot shoes, and barefoot when I can, and things have gone beautifully.  And I will still wear my correct toes every now and then, but the frequency is decreasing now that the supportive tissues are strong and positioned properly.

Anyway, I hope this info can be shared by you to others that need it, because, again, the whole reason I started this was that I had a feeling, from all of the info I was reading online before, that people were not able to really overcome the MN they were suffering with, and it is beyond frustrating.  Especially when podiatrists might be trying to slam you right into orthotics and then putting you right into crappy shoes again.  Good podiatry means hearing your concerns, looking at the evidence and history of your feet, watching you walk, looking at the shoes you wear, and trying to work backwards for a real restoration of the foot, instead of just trying to mask the symptom or the pain, which would only be temporary.  You will know you are are at the right podiatrist office if they take the time with you and aren't trying to push you into buying something right away.

So, that's an update for anyone interested, as well as some info that might help you if you're working with a podiatrist.  

Bless you all,

Shane

More progress

So, I figured I would get another update on here for everyone.  Since my last post I have moved from Kansas to Arizona.  As you can imagine, that put quite a strain on my foot.  However, I am pleased to tell you that it held up beautifully.  In fact, I think it actually helped the process along in terms of properly strengthening the tendons in my left foot.  Here's why - as I mentioned before, I still wear my Correct Toes, and I was even wearing them while moving heavy items.  By allowing proper toe splay, I believe the foot position experienced more natural movement and contraction of muscle tissue.

Anyhow, long story short, I still stand by the approach I took toward restoring my Morton's Neuroma.

Be blessed! 

Listen to your toes - a lightbulb moment

So, I was just taking look at my toes yesterday, June 19, 2014, now that my foot is getting back to proper anatomy and feeling way better, and I realized that the callouses I had on each pinky toe, on the bottoms, are gone.  You see, I had these callous shapes of an upside down triangle, I guess that would be the easiest way to imagine it/describe it, on each pinky toe.  As far back as I can remember, I had those things and I never thought anything of it!  So, from a symptom side of things, my toes were "telling" me that my footwear was too tight in the toe box!  I'm so ticked I did not think to pause and ponder that back then.  It was an opportunity for what could have been a great Aha! moment.  But it might still help one of you readers.

So, for those of you that are familiar with the general symptoms, please check the toes of your kids, because I know for sure had the callouses when I was in high school playing football, as well as during college football.  Not to mention, I had the callouses even in the off season when I wasn't in cleats, which means I haven't been in correctly fitting shoes, athletic or otherwise, for more than 18 years.  So, long story short - I think the callous check should be added to the medical symptoms board for Morton's Neuroma.

Happy Healing!

I believe I have this thing beat!

Well, it's with great pleasure that I can say that I have this thing beat!  

Shane 1, Morton's Neuroma 0

It's been close to 6 months since I really understood what the problem was with my foot, so I am hesitant to say it's 100% healed, but if it's not 100% it is definitely 99%!  I'll explain why it might be 99% in a minute

Again, always check with your doctor on anything you engage with for your health or body, but I want to at least list for everyone what I did to restore the neuroma.  I cannot guarantee this will work for everyone, because the simple truth remains that there are too many variables involved in healing and the path you take - age, your podiatrist's actions, your healing biology, stage of the nerve, your footwear, whether you address the root cause, etc.

But that said, here is what I did which worked for me, in order:

1. I got out of crappy conventional shoes and started wearing something that is anatomically correct.  Even brand names can be crappy for certain people.  Do the shoe liner test!  Get to zero-drop.  Allow the toes to spread.
2. I ordered and started wearing Correct Toes.  I wore them at every moment I could, and I still wear them when I am not wearing my Vibram Five Fingers.
3. I got the dehydrated alcohol injections, also known as sclerosing.  I received 3 injections about 10 days apart.
4. After each injection, I would wear my Teva sandals, to make sure I did not get an infection (kept the injection site clean).  I made sure I was not doing anything strenuous to the foot or toes.  I used a metatarsal pad every day, which allowed the metatarsals to stay spread and keep space between the bones.
5. I made sure I stayed up on Vitamin B complexes, which studies show are critical for nerve health.  I also started taking some enzymes.  

As I mentioned above, the reason I say 99% is that I think I have minor scar tissue from the injection itself, which is what I believe I feel in the joint; it's definitely not the neuroma.  And knowing my body, that tissue/sensation will probably go away within the month.   

That's about it.  Feel free to write with any questions, but I really think these steps could really revolutionize the NM population that is dealing with it.  In my humble opinion, I believe you can beat it!

Cheers!
Shane   

11 Days after Injection #3

As expected, my progress after the 3rd injection has gotten me to a point where I feel it's improved about 90% from the worst level of pain prior to the injections.  

As I have been getting the injections, I am following a regimen that I kind of created in which I am NOT putting my feet into any conventional shoes; I have been wearing my Vibram Five Fingers or Teva sandals close to 95% of the time at work or when I go out.  I have also stopped doing any working out for the time being, simply because I do not want to stress any areas of the metatarsals just yet, beyond normal walking or daily activity.  

One thing I have taken record of with the injections is that the pain associated with the injection stays about the same for 4 days post injection, and then starts to have a daily improvement.  Also, since I have been wearing my VFF more than any other footwear during the past 10 days, I am noticing that my foot muscles are getting sore.  I take this as a good thing, from a bio-mechanics perspective, because that means the muscles are developing to more appropriately handle proper foot strike, gait, and toe splay contractions during walking.  

From my time researching all of this, I am convinced that most people suffering from MN are not tackling the issue from the root cause side as well as the healing methodology side (I believe sclerosing / alcohol injections are the best option so far).  Both must be addressed if you ask me.

I'm not sure I will be getting the 4th injection, but if I do, I will certainly post about it.  Again, my end goal is to create a platform online in which people will hopefully find this info, make their own informed decision as they see fit, and get healed.  So, if you know of anyone with this problem, please share the blog.  It could end up saving someone a lot of pain and a lot of money, and in some cases a lot of regret.

Cheers!

Injection #3: Done!

I just left my podiatrist's office after my third dehydrated alcohol injection for my Morton's Neuroma.  He tries to keep the maximum number for any patient at 3.  Which, by the way, if you are in the Kansas City/Overland Park area and need what I consider a good podiatrist that will take time with you, Dr. Jacob Goldstein in Gardner is someone I would recommend.  Granted, I don't know his position on everything, but I think he tries to do his best with people.

Anyway, before I went in for this injection, for the last couple of days I have been at approximately 60% decrease in Neuroma sensitivity and pain, overall, which is HUGE in my book.  Especially since so many people claim to have long, drawn out timelines, most of which have very little success, eventually leading them to surgery...which seems to have a low satisfaction rate by patients.  And in some cases, they have recurring nerve problems due to "stumps" and other soft tissue dilemmas.

Either way, as I said from the beginning, I will beat this thing, and I hope to help other people that need a real way to stop the root cause immediately and get the nerve and foot anatomy back to a position where lifestyle does not take a backseat!       

Continued Progress

I'm glad to say that, so far after injection #2, my nerve is feeling about 30 to 40% better.  I'm experiencing less sensitivity than I had been about a week ago which is a win in my book, atleast for now.  I'm looking forward to my next injection on Tuesday due to the overall progress to date.

With that said, I believe that the alcohol injection is only part of the reason for the progress. I firmly believe that the footwear modifications I have made, in addition to being barefoot and wearing my Correct Toes as much as possible, have helped create a synergistic environment for the overall situation with the nerve.  Funny enough, I actually took a look at my wife's feet and bought Correct Toes for her, because she was not aware of her footwearproblems and how her feet were in great need of readjustment, so to speak.

Anyway, good news on all fronts, and I believe the war is just about won...without going into anything drastic, like surgical removal. 

Second injection

So, I just had alcohol injection #2.  It's been a total of ten days since the first injection.  Overall, the decrease of pain in my Morton's Neuroma has been about 10 to 15 percent.  For the past month I have avoided working out, and running, to avoid any further scar tissue from gathering on the nerve.  I continue to wear my Teva sandals because they offer a very wide toe box, and they are open toe, which allows me to wear my Correct Toes during the day.   This thing will be beat without surgery!