I get a throbbing pain in the ball of my right foot (behind the big toe) usually after a long walk. I've had it for about 15 years.
I'm a cleaner and iI noticed that when I worked without shoes on I didn't get the pain
so I started walking and running barefoot or in minimal drop shoes. This stopped the pain in the ball of my foot.
I also noticed that when I walk my big toe suddenly points upwards, this wears a hole in my socks and trainers. Having read about other people who this happens to I believe that this toe pointing upwards is the cause of the throbbing pain.
I found this reply on another site:
“The bottom line is your toe is pointing upwards because the muscle on the front of your calf (tibialis anterior), the one that lifts your foot up when running or walking, is getting tired, and your big toe muscles (extensor hallucis longus), the ones that lift up your big toe, are trying to help out! Strengthening your tibialis anterior should help.”

I would like to know if the above statement is correct. I ask this as I also was told that the pain in the ball of my foot is caused by a tight muscle or tendon – but I can't remember which one they mentioned!
Another site suggested that I exercise my foot muscles by picking up a pen with my toes!
Thanks for any help or advice.