Wowwwww.......necropost!
To answer the original post, make sure your shoes fit. Lightweight hiking boots will probably work better on rocks than the trail running shoes I have worn the last few years. Some will have a metal shank for stiffness, but I am not sure that is a thing anymore
Since my last post in this thread in 2012, all hell broke loose. I learned new words, "Radiculopathy", "Spondylosis", "Facet arthropathy", and the treatments for them, which range from physical therapy (4 rounds over as many years), to epidural steroids, to radiofrequency ablation for the facet joints. And yes, good insurance helps.
I found lidocaine patches can help. The prescription ones are great but cost a fortune ($8 each in a box of 30), but over the counter, the Salon Pas brand seem to stick better and be more durable, though not as good as the Rx ones. Never used them on my feet, but lower back and shoulders benefit.