Pain in the feet is perhaps the most unpleasant thing you can feel. Our feet give us stability in our posture and when we have pain, in fact, our whole balance is disturbed. Most often these pains can occur due to long-standing. All this can lead to a number of other health problems.
Standing, as well as prolonged sitting, can contribute to pain in the muscles, back, legs, and other parts of the body. Standing on your feet all day is associated with an increased risk of varicose veins. This pain is easily transmitted to the feet, and if it is not reacted to on time, it can become really problematic for you.
What can cause pain in your feet?
The most common cause of this pain is uncomfortable shoes. This is so prevalent in the population that clinics like Foot Care Services exist to help relieve the pain and recommend more comfortable shoes.
But if it is not about uncomfortable shoes, the pain may have another origin. Maybe it’s an injury that you’re not even aware of, you’ve had changes in your body weight, or you’ve exposed yourself to intense physical activity that your body isn’t used to before.
You can often tell what’s going on by locating the pain, depending on whether it’s in the heel, forefoot, or around the big toe. Also, pain in the arch of the foot can mean that you have some kind of inflammation. Therefore, even when it seems like a small naïve pain, it would be good to immediately seek help from an orthopedist.
Of course, even orthopedists will give you some general recommendations, which we will share with you today.
1. Apply ice to the affected area
Cold compresses on a sore foot can do wonders for the pain. Very often, cold ice packs temporarily relieve pain symptoms and will at least help you move more easily. This way of soothing the pain is good if you suspect that there is some kind of inflammation.
Of course, it is best to consult a doctor before doing anything at home. There are certain situations in which cold compresses are not advisable to use.
2. Use insoles in your shoes
To prevent chafing of the affected area when wearing shoes, use insoles that will help you have better foot support. That way, your shoes will be more comfortable and movement will be easier. You don’t have to invest in expensive insoles, but it’s enough that they offer you softness and support during your walk.
3. Elevate the leg causing the pain
This is handy if you need to get the blood flowing through your limbs back to normal. Many people have poor blood flow, so it could easily be that this is the reason you have foot pain and you are not injured.
4. Rest the sore leg and foot as much as possible
Rest your legs, as pain can often be caused by extreme fatigue. If you already have pain, try to rest as much as possible, so as not to injure yourself. When your foot hurts, you may end up causing more injury if you insist on moving, because the area is already numb and sore, and this can only make the condition worse.
5. Warm foot bath
If your orthopedist recommends a warm bath for your feet, you can do it at home. Use baking soda, Epsom salt, or dry herbs to help reduce swelling and soothe the pain. It is recommended to keep your feet like this for about 20 minutes during the day or repeat the procedure several times if it makes it easier for you.
Of course, don’t forget to apply a nourishing foot cream, as the salts can dry out your skin.
6. Learn practical foot exercises
With the help of an orthopedist and a physiotherapist, you can learn exercises that will relieve foot pain and make your day more pleasant.
The exercises start with stretching and warming up, then turning the foot using the ankle and wiggling all the toes. Very often, these exercises help reduce pain and strengthen the foot itself.
7. Be sure to see a doctor
If the pain in the feet lasts longer than a few days and there is no improvement or it gets worse, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. None of us likes to go to the hospital often, but there are situations when it is inevitable to ask for help, especially if the pain lasts for days. There are various reasons why foot pain occurs, and it can be a cracked bone, joint inflammation, arthritis, or even sciatic nerve pain that spreads from the hip to the toes.
The doctor will always know how to examine you and make a diagnosis, which will help you further treat your foot condition. Surely, the recommendations we have given you can ease the symptoms until you see your doctor.
But our recommendation is also that you don’t wait too long because that’s the only way you could prevent the pain and not let the inflammation spread to the knee or up the bones.
It may seem to us that the feet are only a small part of our body, but the fact is that they can cause big problems if we do not treat the pain in time.
Conclusion
When you have foot pain, the most important thing is to find the cause. In fact, the same is true for any type of pain, no matter where in the body it occurs.
When it comes to your feet, we recommend that you always choose shoes that fit and are comfortable, especially if you often wear high heels. Always give your feet time to rest well between wearing heels or uncomfortable shoes.
And of course, pay attention to your diet and take in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which would prevent or reduce inflammation. However, it is up to you to take care of yourself as best you can.
