Are You Living With Foot Pain?

If you are experiencing pain in one or both of your feet then you are certainly not alone! This common problem can occur for a wide range of reasons and an early diagnosis can really help the healing process.

 

The sooner you visit your local doctor or orthopedic professional, the sooner you can work to address the problem and prevent future issues. Fortunately there are several issues that afflict the feet that can be treated relatively quickly/ However, if the cause is more serious then you may even face surgery before the pain subsides completely or becomes less intense.

 

Common Causes of Foot Pain

 

Common causes of pain in this area are sprains, strains, arthritis, broken bones, fractured bones and also external things, such as verrucas, blisters, bunions and ingrowing toenails. If you suffer with diabetes then you will also find that pain in the feet is a common complaint.

 

An Active Lifestyle

 

If you are a fairly active person then it is likely that a sprain or strain will occur in your feet at some point. A sprain is essentially when one or more of the ligaments in the foot twists or becomes torn. Whereas a strain is more concerned with injury to the muscle fibres.

 

Sprains and strains can happen when a person changes direction suddenly, bumps their feet into a hard object or when a person falls and lands in an awkward position – amongst other reasons! People who participate regularly in sports are more likely to experience these types of injuries than those who don’t. In addition to pain, a person with a sprain or strain to the foot can also expect the area to become bruised and swollen.

 

If you believe you have injured yourself in either of these ways then the best thing you can do is to rest the area while you compress and elevate it. If the pain does not subside within a few days then you should seek a professional opinion.

 

Arthritis

 

If you already suffer from arthritis then you will likely recognise this as the cause of pain in the feet. People with arthritis will normally be given pain relief medication but there are other things you can do to help.

 

First of all, picking footwear that is both comfortable and supportive will be of use. Avoid high heeled shoes and any other footwear that puts pressure on the balls of your feet. Regularly exercising your feet will also help to keep flexibility and motion in tact to a certain degree. Many people also find foot massages to be very soothing.

 

Unfortunately, there is no real cure for arthritis, but by finding ways to alleviate your existing symptoms you can limit the amount of pain you experience in your body on the whole, not just your feet. 

 

Protecting Your Feet

 

Although leading an active lifestyle can often be the cause of pain in the feet, it is important to stay active if you are to keep this body part as strong as possible! Injuries are unavoidable, but that’s not to say you will experience them often or that it will be serious at all when it does happen!

 

When you have strong, healthy feet, you will be less likely to suffer a serious injury in this area.  If you have healthy feet and a problem does arise, then it is much more likely that your body will be able to heal itself.

 

The following tips are great ways to protect the health of your feet – both internally and externally!

• Wash your feet regularly and wash them well! It is also a good idea to soak them regularly in an Epsom salt bath. Once you have washed your feet, you should dry them thoroughly – especially between the toes – and then moisturise them lightly. This is something that you should pay special attention to doing during the winter months.
• Alternate your footwear often. Having just one pair of shoes that you wear regularly can impact your feet in several different ways. Tight shoes can lead to a distortion of the toes, which will quickly lead to pain.  Also, you may experience bunions from tight footwear. Footwear that is too lose will not provide an adequate amount of support for your feet, which can then also lead to problems. You should alternate your footwear even if you believe you have the perfect pair that is neither too tight or too lose! This is because wearing the same shoes for long periods can lead to odour or infections, especially if poor hygiene is occurring. 

 

If you are living with foot pain then do not make the mistake of assuming that you have to just put up with it! There are many treatment options available to help reduce your pain and, in some instances, cure it completely!

 

References

 

1) http://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoarthritis-pictures/ways-to-ease-arthritis-foot-pain.aspx#05

2) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foot-pain/pages/introduction.aspx