I am not able to walk on a treadmill at all, my balance and coordination are too poor. My podiatrist spent 30 minutes trying to adjust it so he could do a gait analysis, to no avail.
I am able to walk and even do moderate hiking though. I find asphalt and cement increase the pain in my legs later, but walking in the woods on soft ground does not. I am on heavy pain meds, or I could not do it, but my pain levels are definitely lower when I walk, and as mentioned, the benefits go far beyond the effort involved. Mood improvement and a sense of accomplishment being two big ones. Even if I am useless the rest of the day the walk is a highlight. I actually am training a German shepherd puppy to be my walking buddy. I have a waist leash for her since I walk with two poles. My husband is usually with me, but I wanted her along especially for those days when he can't come. I have these visions of her rescuing me if I fall by getting a ranger....everyone needs a little fantasy, right?
I know not everyone can do it but it is really great if you can. I have small and large fiber neuropathy with muscle loss- CMT. Most of my pain is not in the feet, although I have that as well, but in my legs, seeming to come from the bones but more likely related to the muscle weakness. I was a big, strong, woman, 6'2", so have been able to keep moving at least for now. Steps are getting to be too much, though.