Sometimes (often times or most times) you have to keep things REALLY simple and not be so quick to over complicate things. Also hard to assess your own feet because you don't have the same vantage point as someone watching you does.
I totally did this and it did not serve me well at all, but glad I recognized it last Friday, albeit on the late side. Starting to improve from the self-inflicted strain from over-thinking last Friday.
I saw my PT friend today for an evaluation and treatment and am over the moon thrilled I did. Hadn't seen her in years and missed her. She is such a wonderful person and an infinitely skilled PT!
She doesn't think I need orthotics, but just cushioning and maybe a bit of support under the base of my first toe. We will assess the Bauerfeind orthotics when they come in and see if they would work but if they don't and IF I need anything more than cushioning, there is another insole that is over the counter she believes should work.
She is pretty sure the issue is structural. My forefoot is supinated (not my hindfoot or heal) and the metatarsals were pretty well stuck but she successfully made headway. My right hip is also tight and internally rotating and this may have "driven" the foot issue. I had a little knee issue I was aware of and the hip is likely driving that too. She's pretty sure my back is not an issue and didn't find anything there.
So incredibly grateful to be able to get treated by her. She said of course she would see me, we go way back and I was with her when she started out. That touched me. Not all our friends from back then are still humble and, well nice! Feeling lucky and feeling like I am moving forward. I have a lot to do at home and on the ice and will see her next Tuesday for follow up and treatment.
Oh and for the numbness/cold issue she agrees is probably the tongue stiffness (I brought my skates) and a nerve compression issue and gave me some foam in different thicknesses to try lifting the tongue off the nerve.
So ironic, I ALWAYS go for CUSHIONING in sneakers! It has always been my go-to. I really, really just over-thunk this one. But I need treatment so I am in the best place possible.