@dieterreuther Running can put wear on your spine. That happened to my cousin who jogged a lot and she ended up with a lumbar fusion with a cage. The spinal discs are your shock absorbers and those naturally dry out a bit with aging, and the discs can get thinner allowing the vertebrae bones to get closer together and the nerves exit the spine in those spaces between the vertebrae. Activities that pound on the discs can't be good especially running on hard pavement. If there any issues there to begin with, extra wear and tear may shorten the timeline to spine issues. I am a cervical spine fusion surgery patient.

I think it is great that you exercise as that has a lot of benefits. Would walking a marathon be satisfactory instead of running ? Just my thoughts... I'm not a runner. I wouldn't be able to do it anyway because of an ankle fracture 4 years ago that isn't as strong as before the injury. I have to accept the limits of what I can do. I do get beneficial strengthening exercise by riding my horse on trails just at a walk, and that does not cause me any pain. I am trying to strengthen the weaker leg in hopes of being able to hike again in the mountains.

Some neuropathy patients get benefits from myofascial release therapy which loosens up overly tight tissue. That can put a lot of pressure on the body and restrict fluid circulation and metabolic waste removal in the tissues. The fascia also does have some electrical conduction properties that would be inhibited if the tissue is dehydrated and tight. I have dealt with some tightness causing my ankle to collapse because of surgical scar tissue, and my loosening that up has helped the ankle to move better, get stronger and stop collapsing when I step off of it. I think the extra pressure would tweak the nerve running to my foot causing the pain and collapse to get my weight off of it.

Here is our discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy where you can learn more.
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Jennifer

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