Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooMorton's Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition affecting the ball of the foot, most commonly between the third and the fourth toes (NHS, 2025). It may feel as if you are standing on a pebble inside your shoe or as if you have a fold in your sock. Despite its name, Morton's neuroma is not a true tumour: it is a thickening of the tissue surrounding one of the small nerves that leads to the toes (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). This might cause a shooting, stabbing or burning pain in the ball of the foot, and some people get tingling or numbness in the toes or foot (NHS, 2025).

Tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes have been linked to the development of Morton’s neuroma (NHS, 2025). It is around 8 times more common in women than men and typically affects people between the ages of 30 and 60 (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Many people find relief by switching to a lower-heeled shoe or one with a wider toe box. Injections or surgery are sometimes needed if other treatments do not help (NHS, 2025).

Morton’s Neuroma Anatomy

How to Treat Morton’s Neuroma

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

• Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight or have too high a heel. Choose shoes with a soft sole and a broad toe box (NHS, 2025; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
• Reduce running, jumping and other activities that put a lot of impact through your feet while the pain settles (NHS, 2025).
• People who have hammer toes, bunions, flat feet or high arches, or who do a lot of running or other activities that put pressure on the feet, are more likely to develop this condition (NHS, 2025).

Morton's neuroma flares when the nerve between your toes keeps getting squeezed, and tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes often keep it going. My aim is to take pressure off the area, ease your foot and calf, and get you back to your activities in comfort.

If you have pain, burning or tingling in the ball of your foot and toes, but no weakness, I can work with you directly. If your foot or toes feel weak, numbness is spreading or getting worse, or the pain is severe and stopping your normal activities, see your family doctor or nurse practitioner first. Once it's been checked, I support the plan they recommend.

I ask about your shoes and what brings the pain on, then assess how you stand and walk, how your foot and ankle move, and the feeling and strength in your toes.

If It's Mild

• No deep pressure on the sore spot between the toes; I work the sole of the foot, the calf and the shin instead
• Warm applications to relax the foot, and gentle mobilisation of stiff joints in the foot and ankle
• Help choosing shoes with a low heel, soft sole and wide toe box, and placing a metatarsal pad
• Cutting back running and jumping for a while
• A home programme of foot and calf exercises and stretches

If It's More Severe

1. NHS (2025) Morton's neuroma. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mortons-neuroma/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Morton's neuroma. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/mortons-neuroma/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).