Foot pain is a reality for most people at some point. Foot pain comes in varying degrees no matter your age or physical activity level. Being on our feet for long periods is a reality of our day to day lives. Hard, slippery, uneven surfaces all adversely affect our overall foot health. The key is taking small steps to better your foot health on a daily basis. From stretching exercises to quality footwear, managing foot pain doesn’t have to be difficult.
Dealing with foot pain can be a tiring process and if left untreated, a lot of pain can persist and develop into long term conditions. Conditions like heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are both common problems afflicting large numbers of people. The many stresses on our feet lead to these problems, but many people don’t take the necessary steps to correct them. Constantly wearing shoes that make your feet ache is a great way to develop or worsen a foot condition. Most often, pain is concentrated in certain key areas of the foot that undergo the most stress during the day. The heel and the arch are vulnerable parts of the foot that can hurt the most after a long day standing and walking around.
For most minor to moderate foot pain, a regular routine of ice and rest can eliminate most discomfort. Persistent pain may require stretching the plantar fascia tendon on the bottom of the foot to relieve some tension. This coupled with ice and a change of shoes can typically treat foot pain pretty effectively. Shoe inserts can also provide the cushioning and support you need for getting around. Of course, just wearing sneakers with great support in the arch and the heel can be an effective way to manage foot pain. For the most benefit though, you should wear well supported shoes regularly to get the maximum advantages.
Seeing a podiatrist for severe foot pain is always recommended, but for the average level of foot pain, basic foot care can be a successful solution. Working long days on your feet, hiking on rugged terrain, and abnormal pronation are all prime causes of pain in foot. Being aware of how you step can help identify potential reasons for certain types of pain as many people experience over or under pronation in how their foot strikes the ground and rolls off the ankle. These kinds of problems can even lead to long term joint problems and should be addressed.